Equality Federation Leadership Conference 2018: Empowering Individuals to Drive the Movement
“I have to tell you, I’m still hopeful. Being here among 230+ of the nation’s brightest, most thoughtful, compassionate, and resilient leaders has reassured my spirit: we are moving toward full equality and justice for all. It won’t be easy. It’s a struggle. But together, across all our differences, we are so incredibly strong.”
— Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation
The feeling at this conference was palpable. I had the pleasure of attending this conference with the Hustle team. We met with affiliates from across the nation, big and small, including the sole employee and Coordinating Director of Equality Nebraska, who simply is trying to change the stigma around the LGBTQ community where he grew up by speaking face to face with religious leaders in his area. It’s this type of grassroots organizing that makes the work of many leaders in smaller communities change the tides of the larger LGBTQ movement.
Throughout the nation, Equality Federation is working to end the inequalities faced by members of the LGBTQ community, not shying away from the intersectional issues in our community such as immigration, racial equality and reproductive justice. What felt most important about this conference was the call to action. Leaders were not just simply showcasing their work but, outlining the key steps for each individual in larger organizations to take action.
As an attendee of the “Being an Organizational Ally to the Immigrant Community” panel presented by leaders from Equality New Mexico and Basic Rights Oregon, it was powerful to see how our current policies around immigration are destroying the lives of many LGBTQ immigrants across the nation. The statistics were staggering. Currently in our country, LGBTQ Immigrants are 15 times as likely to be assaulted in prison. This stat in combination with the rise of monetization of immigrant detention centers has made it almost impossible for LGBTQ immigrants in this country to thrive or even survive. Basic Rights Oregon is fighting everyday to ensure that the rights of the LGBTQ immigrants is in the forefront of issues facing the larger LGBTQ community. Their suggestion is to create change and tell the story of one individual in the community. By doing this, we let the voice of the immigrant be heard, in their own words. This strategy empowers LGBTQ immigrants to take back their own narrative and be the driving force of their movement.
Despite our nation’s current conditions and the state of racial inequality, I walked away from this conference feeling the hope that Rebecca outlined in her opening remarks. Getting the opportunity to meet with some of the nation’s most innovative leaders who are connecting with communities on a one-to-one basis reminded me that while we have a long way to go, I am more than proud to be standing with my community as we work to create equality for all.
Learn more about Equality Federation and the powerful work they are doing around the country.
