Awesome, reinvigorating, educational, social, enlightening, grounding, connecting and appreciative are just some of the words that come to mind when I think of the 24th National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change. This year’s conference in Baltimore was my third Creating Change. It has become one of the two must do conferences each year.
One of the striking things about attending Creating Change is the number of young people who attend. Of the nearly 3000 of us in attendance, 25% or more were youth. These youth ranged from high school students wanting to learn how to make their schools safer and their communities better to college students who are starting a community center in their rural community. These future leaders are an inspiration with their creativity, passion, energy and unbridled enthusiasm.
Creating Change always puts things in perspective by showcasing the sheer size and diversity of our movement. Prominent roles are always given to people of color, Native
Americans, youth and gender diverse individuals. The talents of our movement are showcased by over 250 volunteer presenters sharing history, lessons learned, strategies, tactics, research, tools, methods and programs to advance progress on equality and improving the quality of LGBTQ lives. It is easy to become isolated in the silos of the niche we work in but these several days in Baltimore quickly remind you that while our approaches may differ we are all working for the same end, better lives for our community.
The Task Force does an excellent job of fostering a culture of sharing. Creating change is about developing leaders who effectively and efficiently collaborate with other leaders to effect positive change in their communities. Creating Change is about creating partnerships, like New Mexico GLBTQ Centers and Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE USA) and learning from experts in various segments of the movement so we don’t waste time reinventing the wheel. Creating Change is the largest capacity building opportunity the GLBTQ community has and it saves lives by allowing us to move things forward faster than we might otherwise here at home.
Creating Change is also a lot of fun! Food Network celebrities baring custom 
cake from America’s “Ace of Cakes” (Mary Alice, Charm City Cakes) to film screenings to youth and 50+ dances to more receptions than you can keep track of there is no reason to get bored.
Throw in cheer moms going to dinner in the hotel restaurant in their PJs, and it gets even more hilarious.
I’ve been to conferences which were massive wastes of time, money and energy. Creating Change is a massive opportunity. A massive opportunity to be awesome, reinvigorated, educated, enlightened, grounded, connected, appreciative and fired up. It is such a massive opportunity that one person cannot glean all the nuggets of wisdom. We need a Creating Change Team to go to Atlanta, learn and come back to New Mexico and teach.
A closing shot….. of the cake!
SAVE THE DATE: I hope to see you next year at the 25th Creating Change in Atlanta, January 23–27, 2013. A quarter of a century in the making, we won't want to miss this one!
