Facebook
This weekend, activists and allies from all over the Midwest will meet at Columbia College for the Equality Across America: Unite + Fight Midwest Conference. Equality Across America is the organization formed after the passage of Prop 8 in California that organized the National Equality March last October in D.C.
I am on the host committee for the conference and will be leading a workshop discussion called “Beyond the Ballot Box: How to Win Votes Before You Have To.” My idea for it was inspired by the Question One campaign in Maine last fall. After learning about Question 1 at the Netroots Nation conference in August, I covered the campaign extensively here on Amplify, and while at the time I wasn’t in the position to donate to the campaign financially, I gave a few hours of my time to calling Maine voters urging them to vote No on One and to vote early. Unfortunately, we didn’t win. It was a hard loss to take, but situations like that, instead of getting us down, must inspire us to fight even harder next time. So that’s why I wanted to do a workshop for Unite + Fight.
It has been a great experience being on the host committee for this conference. Even though I haven’t been the most active member, I love knowing that when change happens, it will be in part because of the incredible dedication of these people I’m working with and those that their efforts bring together.
I will update everyone next week with how the conference went. I know we have a few Chicago-area readers/writers here, so I hope to be able to meet you. I am very excited about this and the opportunity that we have to build a strong Midwest network for full federal LGBTQ equality.
~ Samantha
No Comments.
[Add New Comment]