Creating Change heats up HOTlanta!

Things sure heated up today at Creating Change in HOTlanta!

Russell Roybal, the Task Force’s deputy executive director of external relations, and Sue Hyde, director of Creating Change, shook their groove things to “Let’s Have a Kiki” as they took the stage, suggesting that the lyrics be changed to “Let’s have a CC.” Then, political humorist Kate Clinton, mistress of ceremonies, officially welcomed a packed house to the opening night plenary of the 25^th anniversary of Creating Change by calling the host city Atlanta “the LGBT capitol of the South.” Among those in the packed house was a delegation of 26 HIV/AIDS and LGBT advocates from China who are involved in an intern program at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Members of the First Nations Two Spirit Collective offered native prayers for Creating Change and reminded the audience that they were guests in the “Indians’ homeland.”

Joan P. Garner, Fulton County commissioner and an out LGBT rights activist, joined by out City Councilman Alex Wan, read a proclamation from the Fulton County Commission proclaiming this week “National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Conference on LGBT Equality – Creating Change Week” in Fulton County.

Following the proclamation, keynote speaker Deepak Bhargava, executive director, Center for Community Change, called “just and humane immigration reform” the “signature issue of 2013” and “economic injustice” the “signature issue of the decade.” In his comments on economic injustice, Bhargava said, “We don’t have a deficit problem in America; we have a sharing problem in America.”

Bhargava went on to parallel immigration reform issues with the fight for LGBT equality by mentioning binational couples and their right to love and live together. The LGBT movement, he said, is successful because it’s “P.F.F. – Pretty. Friggin’. Fabulous.”

Next, Dr. Sue Rankin was honored with the Award for Distinguished Achievement in LGBT Support Services in Higher Education by The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals. Rankin is a preeminent advocate, researcher and practitioner within lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender support services in higher education.

The Task Force’s Daniel Pino, assistant conference manager, presented the Paul A. Anderson Award for Youth Leadership to Daniel Hernandez, Jr. who at the age of 20, and less than one week into his job as an intern for Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, leapt into action while a gunman opened fire at a constituent event, killing six people and wounding 13. Daniel’s actions are credited for saving her life while they thrust him into the national spotlight.

In his acceptance speech, Daniel spoke of the importance of turning his recognition into becoming an advocate for LGBT Latinos and youth and that his journey – like so many people in the room — had not been an easy one.

Here’s your chance to watch the whole program and two videos shown during opening night — one showcasing the 25^th anniversary of Creating Change and the other spotlighting the 40^th anniversary of the Task Force.

And stay tuned!!! Tomorrow at Creating Change features the “State of the Movement” address from Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey, plus more workshops, academy trainings and social events. You’ll be able to watch the “State of the Movement” live on our Livestream channel.

Click the image below for the video of tonight’s program:

Click below to watch the Task Force’s 40^th anniversary video:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/hf031vE4D5A]

Click below for the Creating Change 25^th anniversary video:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRrP-uXk8j0]