Netroots Nation: LGBT Caucus

Me, Michael Crawford and Mike Rogers in the back

The LGBT Caucus met yesterday during Netroots Nation. Most of us were here during the week for the Pre-Conference, but this meeting gave us an opportunity to meet with the local LGBT community and other attendees.

We also got to hear Sen. Ben Cardin talk about LGBT rights and next steps. Here are some highlights:

• We spent more than enough time getting to know each other. While that was nice, we didn't spend enough time on the issues.
• We talked about how to be more effective in our endeavors as activists.
• The sad issue was the lack of understanding about ENDA. 8 out of 10 people didn't know a lot about it.
• Sen. Cardin talked about how discrimination hurts everyone in our country.
• It was also mentioned how the Blood ban of gays from the American Red Cross must be lifted.
• It was noted that many groups praised the LGBT community for their activism.
• It was good to see Tony from Spewing Truth in the Face of Lies there.
• Mike Rogers informed us about new initiatives to get more LGBT of color to Netroots Nation, as well as, other conferences.
• We developed a list of issues to discuss for next year, my group had the largest list.
• He also talked about a mentor program for younger LGBT activists.
• It was discussed how to engage more LGBT youth in activism.
• There were a lot enthusiasm for the election and the progress we have achieved over the year.

 It was a good meeting, wish we had more time, but it was good overall.

Netroots Nation: Hanging out with Joe.My.God

Joe is always at Netroots Nation. He is a great and funny guy; plus his meet-ups are truly the bomb.

If you are not familiar with Joe, check out his blog, called Joe.My.God.

President Obama Addresses Netroots Nation 2012

Netroots Nation: NAACP's President Benjamin Jealous

 



I just thanked NAACP's president Benjamin Jealous for his support for the LGBT community. Truly a highlight of the day

Netroots Nation: Planned Parenthood Chocolate

Planned Parenthood gave on these sweet treats. These are Chocolate birth control dispensers that were handed out during their presentation.

They were good, I just wish they had dark chocolate

Netroots Nation: Blogging For Transgender Equality

Netroots Nation held their first Transgender panel called, "Blogging For Transgender Equality". The panel was hosted by Dr. Jillian Weiss and the panelists included

• Jennifer L. Levi - Director of the Transgender Rights Project of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)
• Autumn Sandeen - blogger at Pam's House Blend
• Monica Roberts - blogger at TransGriot
• Jos Truitt - blogger at Feministing

 This was an awesome panel! I gained a better understanding about the issues of our Trans fam. I want to share some of the highlights with you.

• Trans women of color are mostly talked about when they are murdered.
• While the media is doing a better job covering Trans issues, they could do a whole lot more.
• In Texas, if you're trans, your gender can change by the county you're in.
• The struggles of the trans community are far more bigger than I imagined.
• The trans do care about other issues. They are not married to Trans issues only.
• The Trans youth are in need of support.
• The Trans community are impacted by reproductive health policies.
• Trans communities of color wants to be more visible and active.
• Are allies should not be paralyzed by the challenges of the trans community.
• The trans community will be building leaders from within. The more leaders, the more voices out there.
• The trans must stand together and speak out against media misrepresentation.
• Trans people are not monolithic.
• The jail system are not aware of the needs of the transgender inmates.
• We could be better advocates for our Trans fam.

Netroots Nation: Black Caucus

So, today was the kick off for Netroots Nation. There are hundreds of people walking the Providence Convention Center.

I visited a couple of sessions and meet some interesting people.  One of the sessions was the Black Caucus. I’ll give you some highlights

·      We discussed the priorities and how to push our agenda forward.

·      The LGBT community was credited for our ability to mobilize and gain national attention.

·      The NAACP was very present in the discussion.

·      We view the needs of the Black community very differently.

·      We still need to explain the election process to many in our community.

·      We have to be straightforward and clear in engaging voters.

·      The Black Caucus has a list of priorities, however I’m not clear on what they are or if they represent the needs of our community.

·      There have to be a solid plan to motivate voters.

·      Voter registration is a high priority.

·      To engage young voters, we must use social media.

·      To create a power movement, we must tap into the rage of our community and forward that rage into the political movement.

·      Our community needs Community PE (Political Education)

·      We need more LGBT representation in the Black Caucus.

LGBT Netroots Connect is Happening

We are in the middle of the LGBT Netroots Connect. This event has many of bloggers, activists and journalists networking and collaborating.

So far, we have discussed blogging techinques, how to generate readers and how to be successful in the LGBT blogosphere. We are also discussing if blogging is dead and what are the best ways to use the social media.

This is just a snapshot post, but I will have more later 

I'm heading out to Netroots Nation

Hi All,

I'm heading out to Providence, Rhode Island for Netroots Nation today. I will be apart of the LGBT Connect Pre-Conference and then the rest of conference for the week.

Netroots Nation is one of the biggest political events of the year. The LGBT Connect Pre-Conference brings together some of the top LGBT bloggers, journalists, and activists to discuss major issues in our community.

I am very honored to be included in this group and this should be a great week of events. I will be covering each day and keeping it real with y'all.