CWU To Host Tri-State LGBT Leadership Conference

March 17, 2005

Contact: Leslie Webb (509-963-1685/fax 509-963-3561/e-mail: webble@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington University is now making final preparations to host the first tri-state lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) meeting April 22-23. "The Power of One: LGBT Leadership Conference" will offer learning opportunities and leadership development to the LGBT community and its supporters.

"This is the first conference of its kind to be held in Ellensburg," says Dustin Jarred, conference planning committee chair. "I can't think of a better place to bring students and advisors together from around the Northwest to celebrate diversity."

The conference will focus on developing intentional leadership skills, exploring LGBT issues, and building campus and community coalitions. Participants will hear about resources and programming tips to strengthen their organizations, increase their services and create positive community awareness.

Featuring regional experts, academic and professional student development staff, and student organizers and activists, the conference will consist of three tracks: ally development, gender awareness and leadership.

In addition, there will be a special educational track entitled "Stop the Hate," led by Shane Windmeyer, a nationally recognized campus bias and hate crime prevention specialist.

The nationally recognized keynote speakers will include Elizabeth Birch, former director of the Human Rights Campaign.

The events will also feature a performance of the Seattle Women's Chorus and newly formed Aedonis, an ensemble of Seattle Men's Chorus, April 23 at 7 p.m. in the new CWU music building concert hall at 7 p.m.

All other conference events and exhibits will be in the Samuelson Union Building (SUB).

For application materials, more information, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-1685, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143. Conference registration forms and more information are also available on-line at: www.cwu.edu/~diversity/leadership.html.

Registration for the conference, which is open to the public, is due by April 14. Full scholarships are available for CWU students.

The conference is sponsored by the CWU diversity education center, center for excellence in leadership and empowerment center.