Sewanee conference on equality

The Sewanee: University of the South Gay-Straight Alliance, in conjunction with the Peace Coalition and Young Democrats is hosting the 2nd annual Southeastern Conference on Human Equality. All events are free and open to the public.

Friday, February 27

5:30-7:00 Opening Reception/ Dinner: Kappa Sigma

7:00-8:30 screening, For the Bible Tells Me So: Gailor Auditorium

Saturday, February 28

9:00-11:00 TN Equality Project Workshop: BC Hearth Room

1:00-2:00 Panel Discussion of implications of Proposition 8: Womens Center

2:30-3:30 keynote, Elizabeth Birch- former executive director of Human Rights Campaign: Guerry Auditorium

For more information, contact Lexi Namer at namerav0@sewanee.edu

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This year we invite Elizabeth Birch, former President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), to speak with the Sewanee community. Birch revolutionized the HRC in her nine year stay. Along with her work with several political administrations, Birch has also been a significant influence in the current debate on the Defense of Marriage Act. Recognized for her powerful prime-time speech at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, we greatly anticipate Birch’s presentation at Sewanee entitled On the Razor’s Edge: LGBT Progress in an Obama Era. This presentation will take place in Guerry Auditorium, Saturday February 28^th at 2:30pm.

For the Bible Tells Me So (2007)

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/for_the_bible_tells_me_so/

This documentary explores the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families who exemplify how some insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, For the Bible Tells Me So offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity. A public screening of For the Bible Tells Me So will be shown in Gailor Auditorium at 7:00pm Friday, February 27^th.

The Battle for Equality in Tennessee: How to Fight at the State Level

This workshop, lead by the Tennessee Equality Project’s Chris Sanders, discusses the attacks on the GLBT community's adoption, foster care, relationship, and educational rights in the State Legislature as well as successful strategies for advancing equality at the State level where many of the most important battles in GLBT rights are fought. Discussion includes citizen lobbying, traditional media strategies, new media tools, and organizing. This workshop will be held in the BC Hearth Room at 9:00am Saturday February 28^th, 2009. A light breakfast and Blue Chair coffee will be provided.