You know that old saying, “You can’t see the forest through the trees?" Unfortunately, sometimes that applies to my job here at the Task Force. (Yes, working here is really cool, but it IS still work…) And this became really apparent here at Creating Change on Friday afternoon.

Last year was my first Creating Change with the Task Force, and I missed Matt’s opening plenary because I had just arrived and was still setting up my computer. So I did NOT want that same thing to happen this year—especially since I knew this was going to be Matt’s last plenary as executive director.

Everything was fine until about an hour before the plenary was slated to begin. Then my boss Roberta asked me to do something for her that she needed before the plenary started. Yes, it ended up getting done, and I did get to the plenary before Matt started speaking—but man, was I pissed off. I was bitching about the Task Force, the hours, the stress, the food court here at the hotel (all this was in my head, of course), and I started to think might also be MY last Creating Change as well.

Then something happened: Matt started to speak and give his annual “State of the Movement” address. And as I listened to him, I remembered that just like he said, I also get paid to do work that I love (creative/Web), and by doing it here that work has the potential to change the world and help others who are trying to change the world.

I remembered that people like Ft. Lauderdale mayor Jim Naugle and the ever lovely Pat Robertson (Robertson and the Grinch – separated at birth?) will always need to be called out and shown to be the homophobic jackasses that they are.

I remembered that although we have made some tremendous gains, the LGBT community still has a long way to go and we—you, and me, and dedicated organizations like the Task Force—are the only ones who will get us there.

I remembered how thrilled I was when I got my job at the Task Force, and how much I was looking forward to working for an organization that has the backbone and conscience to never abandon the trans community no matter how many alleged “sister” organizations and LGBT lawmakers do.

I remembered that Creating Change is the only conference of its kind, and when I’m here I’m amazed to see first hand the huge impact and significance it has for our movement and for the attendees. (I’m also amazed that the Creating Change organizers can pull this off; it really is an incredibly MASSIVE undertaking. And being able to get Kate Clinton emcee? Unbelievably awesome.)

And last but not least, I remembered that Matt Foreman truly is and will continue to be both an inspiration to, and a leader and voice for, our community. Our ENTIRE LGBT community, not just one piece of it. I want to note here that I’m not saying this just to suck up to Matt because he’s the E.D. of the organization I work for. Anyone who knows me also knows I don’t suck up and ALWAYS say what I think. (Besides, even if I was a suck up, he’s leaving in a few months, so what would the point of that be…)

I’m not saying that there aren’t problems working at the Task Force. Every company and organization has issues—many of the same ones, actually. But I will continue to feel privileged to work for this organization and be able to do my part to make this an even better and more efficient organization so we can continue to help the movement, and help the people and organizations who make up this movement.

I feel honored to be able to say that I help Create Change. And I hope everyone at this conference feels the same way.

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