Equality North Carolina's 2007 Conference & Gala - November 3

I'm passing on word about the great LGBT conference we're planning here in NC...in light of the news about Jim Neal, an out gay man, running against Liddy Dole, it's particularly good timing to talk about progress here.

On November 3, LGBT North Carolinians will come together, share stories and strategize about how to advance our rights in our state with the 2007 Equality Conference & Gala. It will held at the Duke University School of Law, and will feature workshops that bring together movement leaders, grassroots advocates, and LGBT citizens from across the state for a day of networking, skills-building, and learning. In the evening there will be a gala held at the Nasher Museum of Art in Durham.

I serve on the conference committee, and Alabama Representative Patricia Todd is going to join us to speak about her journey to become the first openly gay elected official in that state; and Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) President Neil Guiliano will also bring his perspective to attendees. What's exciting is that we will have several member of the North Carolina General Assembly there. Remember, in this state, being an open advocate of LGBT rights can be no small feat in some circles, and we look forward to educating more elected officials about moving forward in support of equality. In fact, the first Equality North Carolina Award for Legislative Leadership will be given to Representative Rick Glazier for his strong work on the School Violence Prevention Act.

I'll moderate a panel that should be extremely lively, "Still Crossing Those Bridges: Facing Racial and Ethnic Barriers," featuring  Mandy Carter, Co-Founder, Southerners on New Ground, Durham, Reverend Roger E. Hayes, Pastor, Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Inc., Winston-Salem, Alba Onofrio, Executive Director, El Centro Hispano, Durham, and Allan Taziri, Member, Fayetteville Bayard Rustin Commemorative Alliance.

Also on a panel will be Rev. Reggie Longcrier, pastor of Exodus Missionary Outreach Church in Hickory, N.C. He is the minister who asked John Edwards the spot-on, perfectly constructed question about marriage equality at the YouTube debate.

Session One (11:30-12:45)

OutLaw: Making Sense of the Legal Landscape
Sponsored by Haas McNeil & Associates

• Moderated by Sharon Thompson, Attorney, Sharon Thompson Law Group, Durham
• Erwin Chemerinsky, Alston and Bird Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science, Duke University School of Law, Durham ( www.defconamerica.org)
• Angela Haas, Attorney, Haas McNeil & Associates, P.A., Raleigh
• Connie Vetter, Attorney at Law, Charlotte (www.cjvlaw.com)

Keeping the Faith: Working In and With Religious Groups
Sponsored by

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

• Moderated by Jimmy Creech, Executive Director, Faith in America, Raleigh
• Reverend Joe Hoffman, Pastor, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Asheville
• Reverend Reggie Longcrier, Pastor, Exodus Missionary Outreach Church, Hickory

Building Healthy Communities: Grappling with Health Policy

• Moderated by Jami Taylor, visiting Assistant Professor in Political Science, Ohio University, and Board Member, Equality North Carolina, Raleigh
• Zeek Christopoulos, Director of Transmasculine Initiatives, Southern Comfort Conference and Executive Director, Robert Eads Memorial Health Project, Asheville
• Brian Lewis, Executive Director, Covenant with North Carolina's Children , Raleigh

• Kate Shirah, Lesbian Resource Center, Durham
• John Paul Womble, Director of Development, Alliance of AIDS Services – Carolina, Raleigh

Campus Catalysts for Change: Strengthening College Organizing in North Carolina
Sponsored by the Freeman Foundation

• Moderated by Matt Hill Comer, Owner and Editor, InterstateQ , Greensboro

Session Two (2:15-3:30)

Living Out Loud: Creating Change in Your Community

• Moderated by Gary Palmer, Assistant Vice President of Community Affairs, Replacements, Ltd., Greensboro
• J. Michael Clawson, President, PFLAG Salisbury
• Bo Dean, Founder, OutWilmington Community Center, Wilmington
• Judy McCord, Community Activist for Transgender Equality, Louisburg
• Phil Wells, MeckPAC, Charlotte
• Sherri Zann Rosenthal, Assistant District Attorney, Durham City Attorney's Office

Working It Out: Creating Change in Your Workplace

Sponsored by Food Lion

• Moderated by Ronna Dornsife, Triangle Representative for Out and Equal, Durham 
• Pete Bonneau, Vice President of Efficiency and Productivity,
  

  Food Lion, Salisbury

• Madeline Goss, Transgender Community Activist, Raleigh
• Donna Oldham, Senior Communications Manager, Dell Inc., Winston-Salem
• Marty St. Clair, Member, GlaxoSmithKline LGBT Employee Group, Raleigh

Still Crossing Those Bridges: Facing Racial and Ethnic Barriers

• Moderated by Pam Spaulding, Blogger, Pam's House Blend , and Member, Equality North Carolina Conference Committee, Durham
• Mandy Carter, Co-Founder, Southerners on New Ground , Durham 
• Reverend Roger E. Hayes, Pastor, Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Inc., Winston-Salem 
• Alba Onofrio, Executive Director, El Centro Hispano, Durham
• Allan Taziri, Member, Fayetteville Bayard Rustin Commemorative Alliance

Speak Out, Speak Up: Educating Elected Officials About LGBT Equality
Sponsored by Liberty Education Forum

• Hosted by Ed Farthing, Political Organizer, Equality North Carolina
• Patrick Sammon, President,
  

  Log Cabin Republicans & Liberty Education Forum, Washington, DC

  We're really looking forward to this wide-ranging event. If you're anywhere in the area on November 3, join us in making a difference in the Tar Heel state.  Register now.

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From Kay Flaminio of Equality NC:

Momentum Builds for the 2007 Equality Conference & Gala