2007 Equality Conference Workshops
The Equality Conference will offer two sets of breakout sessions. These will provide opportunities to learn about and discuss critical issues in the movement for equality, and to build skills to create change.
Speakers confirmed through October 10, 2007.
Additional speakers TBA.
Session One (11:30-12:45)
OutLaw: Making Sense of the Legal Landscape
Sponsored by Haas McNeil & Associates
- Moderated by Sharon Thompson, Attorney, Sharon Thompson Law Group, Durham
- Erwin Chemerinsky, Alston and Bird Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science, Duke University School of Law, Durham (www.defconamerica.org)
- Karen Doering, Senior Counsel, National Center for Lesbian Rights, St. Petersburg, Florida
- Angela Haas, Attorney, Haas McNeil & Associates, P.A., Raleigh
- Connie Vetter, Attorney at Law, Charlotte (www.cjvlaw.com)
Keeping the Faith: Working In and With Religious Groups
Sponsored by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
- Moderated by Jimmy Creech, Executive Director, Faith in America, Raleigh
- Reverend Joe Hoffman, Pastor, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Asheville
- Reverend Reggie Longcrier, Pastor, Exodus Missionary Outreach Church, Hickory
- Reverend Nancy Petty, Pastor, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Raleigh
Building Healthy Communities: Grappling with Health Policy
- Moderated by Jami Taylor, visiting Assistant Professor in Political Science, Ohio University, and Board Member, Equality North Carolina, Raleigh
- Zeek Christopoulos, Director of Transmasculine Initiatives, Southern Comfort Conference and Executive Director, Robert Eads Memorial Health Project, Asheville
- Brian Lewis, Executive Director, Covenant with North Carolina's Children, Raleigh
- Kate Shirah, Lesbian Resource Center, Durham
- John Paul Womble, Director of Development, Alliance of AIDS Services – Carolina, Raleigh
Campus Catalysts for Change: Strengthening College Organizing in North Carolina
Sponsored by the Freeman Foundation
- Moderated by Matt Hill Comer, Owner and Editor, InterstateQ, Greensboro
Session Two (2:15-3:30)
Living Out Loud: Creating Change in Your Community
- Moderated by Gary Palmer, Assistant Vice President of Community Affairs, Replacements, Ltd., Greensboro
- Bo Dean, Founder, OutWilmington Community Center, Wilmington
- Judy McCord, Community Activist for Transgender Equality, Louisburg
- Don Rosenthal, Steering Committee Member, MeckPAC, Charlotte
- Sherri Zann Rosenthal, Sr. Assistant City Attorney, Durham City Attorney’s Office
Working It Out: Creating Change in Your Workplace
Sponsored by Food Lion
- Moderated by Ronna Dornsife, Triangle Representative for Out and Equal, Durham
- Pete Bonneau, Vice President of Efficiency and Productivity, Food Lion, Salisbury
- Madeline Goss, Transgender Community Activist, Raleigh
- Donna Oldham, Senior Communications Manager, Dell Inc., Winston-Salem
- Marty St. Clair, Member, GlaxoSmithKline LGBT Employee Group, Raleigh
Still Crossing Those Bridges: Facing Racial and Ethnic Barriers
Sponsored by the Duke Center for LGBT Life
- Moderated by Pam Spaulding, Blogger, Pam’s House Blend, and Member, Equality North Carolina Conference Committee, Durham
- Mandy Carter, Co-Founder, Southerners on New Ground, Durham
- Reverend Roger E. Hayes, Pastor, Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Inc., Winston-Salem
- Alba Onofrio, Executive Director, El Centro Hispano, Durham
- Allan Taziri, Member, Fayetteville Bayard Rustin Commemorative Alliance
Speak Out, Speak Up: Educating Elected Officials About LGBT Equality
Sponsored by Liberty Education Forum
- Hosted by Ed Farthing, Political Organizer, Equality North Carolina
- Patrick Sammon, President, Log Cabin Republicans & Liberty Education Forum, Washington, DC

