Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude to everyone who welcomed us with open arms to Las Vegas, Nevada, for our Creating Change 2025 Community Reception at the Rio Hotel on July 25, 2024. The evening was abundant with queer joy and excitement, with nearly 300 attendees representing over 80 organizations, all gathered to celebrate and gear up for the upcoming Creating Change Conference in January 2025.
The diversity of the crowd was truly inspiring, reflecting the strength and breadth of our movement and the vibrant Las Vegas and regional LGBTQ community. The reception buzzed with kinetic energy as community members mingled, shared stories, and expressed their enthusiasm for the conference. Our performers showcased vibrant talent, lifting our spirits while getting everyone dancing and singing along!
We are immensely grateful to community leaders and legends Mariah Moore and Arely Westley, our inspiring ambassadors from 2024’s Creating Change Conference in New Orleans. Their dedication and passion exemplify the transformative power of this event. We are thrilled to continue this momentum as we bring Creating Change to Las Vegas for the first time in 2025.
Creating Change has never been held in Nevada or Las Vegas before, and we are excited to bring this significant event to the region. This conference is more than just a gathering; it is a movement-building space where we center collective queer wisdom, joy, and the fight for justice and liberation. Fernando Z. López, our Senior Strategist and Creating Change Director emphasized the importance of the conference in the context of the rise in anti-trans, anti-LGBTQ attacks, “Creating Change is more than a conference; it’s a homecoming, a healing space, and an empowerment space. It’s where we find, shape, and amplify our voices.”
A true highlight of the night was Kierra Johnson, Task Force President, who closed the program by emphasizing the importance of equity, accessibility, and community care. Kierra’s moving words, combined with her soulful rendition of “A Change is Gonna Come,” resonated deeply with everyone, reminding us of our collective responsibility to care for each other and our community. Her message of hope and resilience captured the essence of what the Creating Change Conference stands for—a beacon of queer joy, rooted in resistance, power, and love.
As we look forward to the conference, held January 22-26, 2025, we encourage everyone to mark their calendars and join us in Las Vegas. Early bird conference registration and our hotel block will open in August. The Call for Proposals is now open, with submissions due by September 9, 2024. We invite you to become an integral part of this dynamic event, whether as a volunteer, presenter, or attendee. Together, we can create lasting change and build a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Let’s continue to Create Change and make history in Las Vegas! Thank you for your unwavering support, and we can’t wait to see you there!
