State of the Movement
Tonight I'll be moderating a "State of the Movement" panel featuring a number of leaders from GLBT political organizations, as well as the "grass roots." Sponsored by the D.C. chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) and co-sponsored by Metro Weekly, the panel will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the HRC Equality Center, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW. I hope you can make it if you're in the area -- now that Mr. Heat Miser is getting the upper hand on Mr. Freeze Miser, you don't have any excuses for huddling in your warm living rooms, catching up on all those episodes of Heroes you have waiting on the TiVo.
The panel includes: Chris Barron, Log Cabin Republicans; Herndon Davis, National Black Justice Coalition; Matt Foreman, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality; John Marble, National Stonewall Democrats; C. Dixon Osburn, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network; Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign; and Pam Spaulding, Pam’s House Blend.
As for the panel, here's a quick summary: "The gay community is changing. Marriage and civil union laws are being debated in the states as LGBT political power begins to be recognized. Gay and lesbian voices are being heard in the media and throughout corporate America. And the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy may get revisited in Congress. The Democratic Congress and the already-heated 2008 presidential race could thrust LGBT issues back into the national spotlight. What are the new hot topics? Where will the community be focused? What are the fights ahead?"
That's a loose agenda for the evening, as I'm sure we'll touch on everything from DADT to ENDA to the NBA to Snickers. A good chunk of the forum is reserved for audience questions, so I expect a broad range of topics. Now I just have to spend the day getting into my public speaking mode -- basically, getting hopped up on Diet Coke.
Hope to see you tonight!
How come Lambda Legal wasn't on the panel? They're huge movers in the "movement" no?
Posted by: TOS | February 21, 2007 at 09:45 PM