Get Active! Join us at the Unite+Fight Midwest Conference

Chicago, IL — Friday evening at 7pm on March 12, 2010 activists from across the Midwest will welcome Chicago artists performing at an opening ceremony and event to kick-off an unprecedented three-day event that aims at uniting many Midwestern organizers and individuals at Chicago’s Columbia College to discuss and debate new ideas on achieving full federal LGBT equality. The conference, titled Unite+Fight Midwest, will be an opportunity for people interested in working on efforts that advance achieving full Federal equality for LGBT Americans to network and foster constructive dialogue. The goal of the three-day event is to discuss the issues we are currently facing and strategize for a united effort while also building a stronger regional grassroots network.

The conference will begin at 7pm on Friday with a welcome reception and networking event. The first group session, held at 9am on Saturday morning and featuring Staceyann Chin, will kick off a full day of workshop style discussions and learning sessions. Selected workshop titles include: Straight but not Narrow: How allies can play a useful role in the movement; A Conversation on Constructively Engaging the Christian Community; Trans 201 for Queers, or Why Trans Liberation Matters; Direct Action 101; Intro to Social Media: How to Use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for Organizing; Re-gayifying AIDS – Exploring the Intersection between HIV and LGBT Advocacy; Winning Equality through the Democratic Process: Government Lobbying, the who, the how and the why.

The first day will end with a group session featuring prominent activists Andy Thayer, Sherry Wolf and Rick Garcia presenting on current hot topics and various strategies as well as highlighting their current work. Additionally, featured speaker Lt. Dan Choi will discuss Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Sunday’s program will begin with a group session where attendees will have an opportunity to brainstorm ways to support each other as we fight for full Federal equality. The expected outcome is to define a clearer approach to working together through coordinated actions and various strategies. The Sunday session will end with a viewing of the film Fish Out of Water and a discussion with the Creator and Director, Ky Dickens.

The host committee, including Join the Impact Chicago, LGBT Change and the Gay Liberation Network,
are honored to present this first-of-its-kind symposium that will rally local supporters in order to increase
idea sharing and inter-generational dialogue around LGBT civil rights.

Supporting Materials
Official website for more information

Press release

Official poster

About the Organization involved
LGBT Change: Through action-oriented events and inter-generational dialogue, LGBT Change examines
the core issues facing our community in order to channel those priorities to our leaders. This
grassroots initiative focuses on capturing anyone voicing the ideas that continue to activate
change in the LGBT community. For more information visit http://www.lgbtchange.org/

Join the Impact Chicago: In an effort to create a positive impact in the lives of our community, our allies,
and even our opposition, Join the Impact Chicago has emerged. Our movement encourages the LGBTQ
community not to dwell on the negativity surrounding the mistakes of the past, but instead, to look forward
at what needs to be done now to achieve one national and universal goal: full equality for ALL. For more
information visit: http://www.jointheimpactchicago.com/

Gay Liberation Network: For more information visit: http://www.gayliberation.net/home.html

Media Contact:
Lawrence Perea
773-592-8708
unitefightmidwest@gmail.com