Students, advocates and community leaders came together once again for the LGBT Network's annual Youth and Anti-Bullying Conference.

Held at Suffolk Community College in Selden and now in its 30th year, the event offers a space to confront bullying and offer resources.

The LGBT Network calls the conference one of the largest events of its kind in the nation. They say hundreds attended the empowering event on Thursday.

The network says now more than ever, meeting like this is critical as hundreds of anti-LGBT measures have been introduced nationwide and debated locally. Those who attend learned how to stand up against hate they may confront in schools or the community.

One lesson at the conference explored how teachers can support a transgender student in the classroom. Some tips include not commenting if a student is in the bathroom longer than normal, not letting "harmless teasing" slide, and discipling any students immediately who use slurs.

Leo Giorlando, of Selden, attended and says he gets "called slurs” at school.

“I do get picked on a lot but it doesn't really matter to me anymore because I don't really care, I just ignore them," he said.