Creating Change Conference 2008
February 6–10, 2008

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change?
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force sponsors and organizes the annual National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change. Twenty years old this year, Creating Change is the nation’s pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT movement. During the past two decades, Creating Change has been the place where thousands of committed people have developed and honed their skills, celebrated victories, built community, and been inspired by visionaries of our and other movements for justice and equality.

What is the goal of the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change?
The primary goal of the Creating Change Conference is to build political power from the ground up to better achieve the overarching goal of full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the United States.

Where and when will the next National Conference on LGBT Equality be held?
The 20th Annual Creating Change Conference will be held at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center in beautiful downtown Detroit, Michigan, February 6–10, 2008. To launch our third decade, we are moving the conference from the fall to early in the year, giving us the opportunity to prepare and set a proactive agenda following each election cycle. We’ll also be adding exciting new elements to the conference, including more rigorous training and skills building for leaders at the state and local level.

Who attends?
You, we hope!
Typically, between 2,000 and 3,000 people attend the Creating Change Conference from all over the United States and other countries. Attendees represent all sectors and demographic groups in our movement, including young and old activists, organizers and activists of color, paid and unpaid staff people at LGBT political or community organizations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex advocates and straight allies, and leaders of campus communities. In short, Creating Change is an annual gathering of organizers and activists working to create a world in which our sexual orientations and gender expressions will be welcomed and celebrated.

Why is the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change coming to Detroit?

Detroit was selected because it is home to many well-regarded organizations and LGBT institutions, including the Triangle Foundation, Affirmations LGBT Community Center, the Ruth Ellis Center, the Black Pride Society, Kick—The Agency for Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender African-Americans, Between the Lines newspaper and many student and campus LGBT organizations, cultural groups and LGBT-owned businesses. The Task Force has forged a productive and deep organizational partnership with Triangle Foundation, via our Capacity Building Project.

The Task Force has built strong relationships with LGBT community leaders around the state of Michigan. We know that our movement colleagues and friends from all over the country have much to learn from our friends in the greater Detroit metro area and the state of Michigan.

What will happen during the conference?
Over the five days of the Creating Change Conference the conference program presents a dozen day-long institutes, an advanced training curriculum, approximately 130 workshops, keynote plenary sessions, film screenings, meetings, receptions, social events, and many opportunities for attendees to meet and learn from each other.

How much does it cost to attend the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change?
When budgeting for the Creating Change Conference, attendees should include the conference registration fee, travel costs, accommodations, and food costs.

Registration fees range from $350 to $0, depending on an attendee’s age, when one chooses to register, and whether an attendee seeks financial support to attend. More detailed information can be found by clicking on the “Registration Rates” link at the top of this page.

Travel costs vary greatly depending on how far one must travel to get to Detroit and the method chosen. Air travel is probably most expensive; auto or bus travel is probably least expensive.

The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center offers rooms at a conference rate of $114 for singles, doubles, triples or quads. Sharing a room is a great way to reduce the cost of a hotel stay. Also, the Creating Change Host Committee will set up a community housing network so that attendees can be housed at no charge by community members.

We suggest that attendees budget at least $30/day for food while at the conference. This will allow for three nutritious but modestly priced meals a day.

Who should I contact if I have more questions about the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change?
Still have questions? Don’t be shy. Please send an e-mail with your question to creatingchange@thetaskforce.org. And thanks for asking!