Creating Change wraps on a high note…Thank you, Atlanta! See you next year in Houston!
To close out our conference, members of the First Nations Two Spirit Collective offered native prayers and reminded the audience of the history of this land. Kate Clinton gave her final hilarious performance of the conference and encouraged attendees to take action to rename San Francisco International Airport in honor of Harvey Milk.
Office Depot EVP of Global Human Resources Michael Allison accepted the Corporate Leadership Award. In addition to sponsoring the Task Force and the Creating Change conference, Office Depot has transformed the company’s HR policies going from a score of 43 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index to 100.
Michael Allison accepts the Corporate Leadership Award on behalf of Office Depot.
Speaking about the LGBT community’s response to attacks received after their partnership with the Born This Way Foundation Allison stated, “There is no other community that can mobilize like this one.”
The formation of a new national organization, the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity, was announced.
Bishop Gene Robinson received the Susan J. Hyde Award for Longevity in the Movement. In his acceptance speech, Robinson highlighted the importance of President Obama’s inaugural address, in which he mentioned gay folks. “When Obama tied Seneca Falls to Selma to Stonewall, he showed that the intersections of oppressions are so important.” Robinson also was humbled by the award, by saying “I’m so proud to be part of this journey. I want to hold your hand, stand on your shoulders and have you stand on mine,” he said.
Sue Hyde presents Bishop V. Gene Robinson with the Susan J. Hyde Award for Longevity in the Movement.
Frenchie Davis brought our conference to an amazing ending by performing her smash single “Love’s Got A Hold on Me”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyLxwC7xruM]
Frenchie Davis performs and the Task Force staff dances on stage.
Click here to watch the full program!
Atlanta, you were fabulous! See you next year in Houston, Texas, Jan. 29 – Feb. 2, 2014.
