Date: Thu, 27 Nov 97 16:32:49 EST From: "Betsy Gressler" Subject: Creating Change Brings 1500 to San Diego NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 1-800-757-6476 pager 202-332-6483 x3314 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 ************************************************************** NGLTF'S TENTH ANNUAL "CREATING CHANGE" BRINGS MORE THAN 1,500 TO SAN DIEGO WASHINGTON, DC---November 25, 1997-- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force held its 10th annual Creating Change Conference November 12-16 in San Diego, California. More than 1,500 activists from around the country and some from abroad came together to learn, discuss, strategize and debate in 150 workshops, meetings and all-day institutes. Creating Change is the nation's oldest and longest-running gathering of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) activists and allies. In addition, participants heard from many nationally prominent speakers including Sheila James Kuehl, Speaker Pro Tem of the California Assembly, Martin Ornelas-Quintero, Executive Director, National Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization, Roland Sintos Coloma, NGLTF Youth Institute graduate and public school teacher, and Dorothy Allison, author of "Bastard Out of Carolina," who delivered the second annual Vito Russo Lecture on Arts and Politics. "This is a phenomenal political gathering" said NGLTF Executive Director facing our community. The exchanges, relationships and tools at Creating Change prove that we do our best work in collaboration," she added. This was the second time in the decade-old history of Creating Change that the national event was held on the west coast. About half of the participants came from California. In addition to the warm Pacific breezes, conference attendees were welcomed with strong and encouraging words from Kuehl. The Speaker Pro Tem of the California Assembly and the first open lesbian to have the job, told the crowd how they could make political changes in their own communities. In a speech comparing members of the GLBT community to the four well-known travelers to Oz, she told them that they already had the power to compete for a political seat or to contribute to the GLBT political movement. Kuehl's speech and that of the other three keynote speakers was cybercast live by GLOradio, the broadcast arm of PlanetOut. "Everybody went home with something," noted Sue Hyde, Creating Change Conference coordinator. Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin received the NGLTF Community Service Award for their organizing work and political involvement over the past forty years. Tim Gill who is used to giving to others, also received a Community Service award at this year's Conference. Gill invented Quark software and heads the Gill Foundation, which provides funding for GLBT organizations, particularly in rural locations. Consortiums and national groups ranging from GLBT community centers to Federal GLOBE held their own annual conferences at Creating Change. Nearly 40 member states of the Federation of Statewide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Political Organizations, met to elect an Executive Committee and to select Paula Ettelbrick of the Empire State Pride Agenda and Dianne Hardy-Garcia of the Texas Lesbian and Gay Rights Lobby, as the organization's co-chairs. Also at this year's Conference, about 60 faith activists met to develop strategies for moving forward their work. They delivered a statement at the closing plenary pledging to more actively participate in the GLBT political movement. Creating Change was the birthplace of a new organization. The National Consortium of Directors of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resources in Higher Education was officially launched at the Conference. Eighteen professionally-staffed GLBT organizations participated in the development of the organization which will work to support GLBT students and faculty on college and university campuses. Sponsors of the 1997 Creating Change Conference include The Gill Foundation, Pacific Bell, American Airlines, Tzabaco, Nike, Xerox, PlanetOut and the Gay and Lesbian Times of San Diego. In 1998, the Creating Change Conference will be held from November 11-15 at the Westin William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information about Creating Change call 202-332-6483 ext. 3329 or visit the Creating Change Conference website at: http://www.ngltf.org/cc97. -30- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .