Watch: Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director, opens the Conference

Over 230 LGBTQ leaders from the state-based movement for equality will convene in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the end of July for Equality Federation’s 21st annual Leadership Conference.

Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation said, “This is perhaps the most crucial year for our movement to come together in our history because we’re facing an opposition, at the federal and state levels, that is more extreme and more emboldened than ever. Thankfully, we have a roster of brilliant state and movement leaders who are energized and ready to fight back. I’m excited that we’re convening in the South this year because of the rich history of resistance and all the inspiring social-justice leadership from this region.”

Forum for Equality and Louisiana Trans Advocates, Equality Federation member organizations based in New Orleans, will serve as a host organizations for the conference.

SarahJane Guidry, Executive Director of Forum for Equality said, “We are so excited to welcome the Leadership Conference to New Orleans, and the have the LGBTQ movement bringing their hometown expertise to ours. This is a amazing opportunity to showcase our wonderful city, full of so many beautiful, resilient people. This conference is so valuable to us because it gives us the opportunity to give each other support during difficult times and share with each other across state lines our strategies to win equality. It’s an exciting time for our city and state as we continue to grow, but remaining always unique. We are proud to call it home. Louisiana confronts many challenges and we’re meeting those challenges during a time of larger, nation-wide change. “

This year, Equality Federation member organizations from Equality Florida to Equality California have defeated over 160 anti-LGBTQ bills and won victories in towns and states all across the nation. Voters in Anchorage upheld protections for their neighbors. New Hampshire passed comprehensive non-discrimination legislation. And more state houses than ever are banning the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy.

The conference will include workshops on issues such as comprehensive nondiscrimination, HIV, racial justice, immigration, reproductive justice, defeating anti-LGBTQ religious exemptions, and winning bans on conversion therapy, plus skills-building sessions focused on leadership, field organizing, digital organizing, messaging and more.