By now you may have heard of it, but here's all the info.
The conference that will hopefully change the way the world of mainstream sports
views LGBT athletes has just opened up for registration. The Conference dates are March 28-30, 2003, held in Cambridge and Boston, Mass. Enjoy a full weekend to meet well-known athletes and other sports enthusiasts, to engage in discussion and debate, and enjoy some great food and entertainment.
The conference is about community and integration, thus everyone is invited, straight/gay/lesbian/trans/bi. Hundreds of attendees are expected from around the world. And optionally, bring your gear to workout in MIT's newly opened world-class athletics facility.
Visit the Conference Web Site.
If you are not pre-registering but would like to contribute, consider
answering the survey which will allow you to help the community. Those that pre-register will get the chance to answer the same survey. Please forward this link to all of your friends.
Consider buying a raffle ticket online to win the prize worth over $1,400. Your contribution is tax-deductible.
This annual conference provides a forum for LGBT professional, amateur, and recreational athletes from around the world to share their stories and experiences; foster the development of inclusive and supportive athletics environments, dispel myths concerning LGBT athletes, learn from one another; a forum to build networks; foster mentoring relationships, and to promote cooperation - in essence, creating "community."
The conference is a full weekend of speakers and panel discussions from the foremost experts and LGBT sports figures in our society -- a forum for intellectual discussion, debate, investigation and expression of the issues concerning LGBT athletes.
Panel discussions and workshops are content-sponsored by the following partners National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), Women's Sports Foundation (WSF), Federation of Gay Games (FGG), Sexual Minorities in Athletics (SMIA),Gay Lesbian Straight Educators Network (GLSEN), Gay & Lesbian Advocates Against Defamation (GLAAD), National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Center for Lesbian & Gay Studies (CLAGS), AIDS Action Committee (AAC), and Gay & Lesbian Medical
Association (GLMA).
The star-studded Advisory Board consists of the who's who in gay & lesbian athletics and are recognized for their leadership and athletic achievements.
Among the them are tennis legend, Billie Jean King; former NFL player, Dave Kopay; former pro basketball player and award-winning author, Mariah Burton Nelson; former National Baseball League umpire, Dave Pallone; author of Jocks/Jocks II Dan Woog; and the still competing Triple Ironman World Champion and member of the USA Triathlon Team, Christopher Bergland, and others. A full list of 50+ other distinguished members of the Advisory Board (including your truly) can be found on the website.
While I won't be able to attend, I'm sure it'll be a success. Please plan to attend, contribute or support the conference in any way.
