Creating Change Conference 2009
January 28–February 1
Creating Change 2009 Homepage [2] | Day-Long Institutes [3] | Exhibitor/Vendor Information [4] | FAQs [5] | Host Committee [7] | Hotel/Housing Info [8] | Plenary Speakers [9] | Program Book Advertising [10] | Registration [12] | Schedule at a Glance [14] | Volunteer [18]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change?
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force sponsors and organizes The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change. 2009 marks the 21st gathering of this unique national conference. Creating Change (as it is affectionately known) is the nation’s pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement. Since 1988, Creating Change has been the opportunity for thousands of committed people to develop and hone their skills, celebrate victories, build community, and to be inspired by visionaries of our LGBT movement and other movements for justice and equality.
What is the goal of The 21st 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 secure our overarching goal of full equality, social justice and dignity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the United States.
Where and when will The 21st National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change be held?
The 21st National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change will be held at the Grand Hyatt Denver in beautiful downtown Denver, Colorado, January 28 – February 1, 2009. At the 2009 Creating Change Conference, we will reflect on the outcomes of the 2008 elections, especially in states that vote on issues of great concern to our communities. For example, California and Florida voters will, in all likelihood, cast ballots on a proposed amendment to those states’ Constitutions that would, if passed, ban legal marriages between persons of the same sex. The Presidential election will bring to life a new and different governmental administration in Washington that will have great impact on our lives and the prospects for several important federal initiatives, such as government funding for LGBT projects and an Employment Non-Discrimination Act that protects all LGBT people from discrimination on the job. There will be much to discuss and think about together in Denver!
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, elected officials, 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 21st National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change coming to Denver?
Denver was selected for many reasons. The Task Force has never held its Creating Change Conference in the Mountain state region. We are busting our buttons with pride to invite you to the Capital City of The New West: Denver Colorado. Denver’s fabulously pro-LGBT Mayor John Hickenlooper has thrown out the rainbow carpet of welcome to all of us and looks forward to being with us at Creating Change. Denver and Colorado are home to many well-respected organizations and LGBT institutions, including the Gill Foundation, The GLBT Center of Colorado and its many vital programs such as Rainbow Alley’s GLBTQ youth drop-in center, the Colorado Anti-Violence Program, El Futuro, the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire, Two-Spirit Society of Denver, Brothas4Ever, Equal Rights Colorado, Bent Lens Cinema, Colorado Queer Straight Alliance, the GLBT Commission of the City of Denver, the community publication OutFront Colorado, and, of course, the world-renowned drag performers, the Demented Divas. Many student and campus LGBT organizations, cultural groups and LGBT-owned businesses also make their homes in Metro Denver and beyond. We know that our movement colleagues and friends from all over the country have much to learn from the activist leaders and community-builders of the greater Denver metro area and the state of Colorado.
What will happen during the conference?
Over the five days of the Creating Change Conference the conference program presents a dozen day-long institutes, sophisticated trainings in the Academy for Leadership and Action, approximately 130 workshops and caucus sessions, keynote plenary sessions, film screenings, meetings, receptions, social events, and a multitude of opportunities for attendees to meet and learn from each other.
How much does it cost to attend The 21st 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 Denver and the travel option chosen. Air travel is probably most expensive; auto or bus travel is probably least expensive.
The Grand Hyatt Denver offers rooms at a conference rate of $125 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. More detailed information can be found by going back to the main Creating Change 2009 page [19].
We suggest that attendees budget at least $40/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 21st 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 [20] or call us at 202.639.6333. And thanks for asking!
