Montclair State University to Host 13th Annual LGBTQA Leadership Conference
Montclair State University will host the 13th Annual LGBTQA College Leadership Conference on Friday, November 6, 2015. The regional conference, which will explore the theme of “The Future of the Movement: Beyond Marriage Equality,” will be held from 10 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. in the University’s Student Center.
A one-day educational and leadership development opportunity for college students, faculty and staff, and the surrounding community, the conference will bring together several hundred participants from across the tri-state area to explore and develop the skills necessary to continue building and supporting a united and inclusive queer movement. Conference speakers and workshops will challenge paradigms that have traditionally marginalised voices within the LGBTQA community. Attendees will be empowered to develop tips and tools for challenging injustice on their own campuses through networking and collaboration with colleagues and peers from various universities and colleges.
“Montclair State is thrilled to host the 2015 LGBTQA College Leadership Conference. Our community members will not only have the opportunity to attend some really incredible workshops, keynotes and activities, but they will also be able to further develop their leadership skills and network with other LGBTQA leaders and allies across the state and tri-state area,” said Brian Edwards, Coordinator of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Center at Montclair State University.
According to Edwards, the conference theme “The Future of our Movement: Beyond Marriage Equality” was inspired by campus community activists who envision a movement for justice beyond marriage as well as by the hashtag #morethanmarriage – a public education campaign coordinated by the Transgender Law Center to bring attention to the widespread needs of historically marginalised LGBTQ people.
“There is still so much to do to be completely equal,” he said. “The future of our movement is now, and this theme captures the spirit, tenacity and need for intersectional-focused social justice work.”
Admission to the conference is free for students with a current high school, college or university ID. The cost is just $15 for all other registrants. For more conference information and to register visit: lgbtqaleadershipconference.tumblr.com. For all other questions, email the conference Chairperson, Brian Edwards, at edwardsb(at)mail(dot)montclair(dot)edu.
The conference is sponsored by a consortium of colleges and universities including Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Ramapo College, Rider University, Rutgers University – Newark, Rutgers University – New Brunswick, Princeton University, and William Paterson University.