NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE

DURING FY2023, HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS PURSUANT TO OUR MISSION INCLUDE: (A) AFTER TWO YEARS OF VIRTUAL CREATING CHANGE CONFERENCES, CREATING CHANGE 2023 WAS HELD IN PERSON AT THE HILTON UNION SQUARE IN SAN FRANCISCO FROM FEBRUARY 17-21, 2023. CONVENING NEARLY 2,200 PARTICIPANTS THE TASK FORCE PROVIDED: DAYLONG INSTITUTES, WORKSHOPS, CAUCUSES, THE ANNUAL INTERFAITH SERVICE GAME NIGHT AND THE ANNUAL HOUSE BALL! PARTICIPANTS ALSO ENJOYED KEYNOTE AND AWARD PRESENTATIONS FEATURING ACTIVISTS, ARTISTS, AND AUTHORS. CREATING CHANGE REMAINS THE PREMIER ANNUAL GATHERING FOR LGBTQ AND ALLIED ACTIVISTS, LEADERS, STUDENTS, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. - WE'VE ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THIS YEAR TO ENGAGE QUEER ACTIVISTS AND ALLIES IN OUR VOTER EDUCATION WORK. WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN ENGAGING LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN AND LEAD THE EFFORT TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE IMPACT OF ANTI-LGBTQ POLICIES AND RHETORIC. - OVER THE YEAR, WE ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS ISSUES AND POLICIES THAT HAVE REQUIRED US TO BUILD STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND SHINE LIGHT ON THE WAYS THAT LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE IMPACTED. SOME OF THESE INCLUDE THE RECENT SCOTUS DECISION ON ABORTION ACCESS AS WELL AS THE MOVE TO CODIFY MARRIAGE PROTECTION FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE. - WE CONTINUED TO CO-LEAD THE FEDWATCH NETWORK TO ENGAGE IN FEDERAL REGULATORY ADVOCACY TO ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF PEOPLE LIVING AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF MULTIPLE MARGINALIZED IDENTITIES, WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON LGBTQ PEOPLE, PEOPLE OF COLOR, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV, PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND IMMIGRANTS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE FEDERAL REGISTER ON A DAILY BASIS AND WRITE THE WEEKLY DIGEST OF REGULATORY OPPORTUNITIES, CONGRESSIONAL ACTIONS, AND KEY COURT CASES.