2013 International Leadership Conference - Submit A Proposal
We are excited to announce that OutServe-SLDN will host our third International Leadership Conference (ILC) on October 25-27, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas. And we would like for you to be a part of it.
OutServe-SLDN has grown and changed significantly since our last ILC in Orlando. In the seven months since then, we have...
...Completed our merger to become the largest association of LGBT service members in America.
...Opened our membership to include veterans, civilian employees of the Department of Defense, and other civilian supporters.
...Expanded our mission and adopted new strategic priorities focused on the future.
We have also accomplished a great deal. We were at the center of the public vetting of Chuck Hagel to be Secretary of Defense. We looked blatant, unremorseful discrimination in the eye at Fort Bragg and won. We took historic steps toward transgender inclusion in the U.S. armed forces. We secured from DOD nearly every benefit that could be offered to same-sex military families with DOMA in place, and we put those families front and center in the fight to bring DOMA down once and for all.
But our work is far from over; in fact, it is just getting started. As DADT fades in the rear view mirror and as marriage equality advances in the states and in the courts, many of our members are finding that policy change has not been enough to transform their lived experience for the better. What is really needed is a culture change. That is why OutServe-SLDN has refocused itself over the last six months were taking on the long-term work of building cultures of respect and inclusion of all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, in DOD and DVA.
That is also why we have chosen Breaking Barriers, Building Leaders as our theme for the 2013 conference. Were going to provide participants service members, family members, DOD civilians, veterans, and allies with some of the tools and resources necessary to break through barriers of unconscious bias and entrenched prejudice in their communities. We are going to help them become even more effective leaders for the post-DADT military. And thats where you come in. We want you to join us in this work.
We would like you to submit proposals for workshops, panels, and presentations that help us accomplish these goals. You might consider some of these suggestions but do not let them limit your creativity!
- Leadership development for LGBT members of the military community
- Building networks of support for LGBT military families
- Educating and empowering allies
- Coming out and living openly in a military community context
- Building LGBT equality in the military workplace
- Preparing for and living in a post-Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) world
If you are interested in being a part of all this, please complete the online form below by July 31, 2013. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Gary Espinas, Chapter and Membership Services Director, by e-mail at gary@outserve-sldn.org or telephone at (202) 621-5402.