Aquarium of the Pacific

Speakers

John A. Pérez, Speaker, California Assembly

Homelessness has risen dramatically since the beginning of the recession, changing the makeup and foundation of communities across the nation. LGBT youth make up to 40% of the homeless youth population. Hear from experts in combating homelessness from the advocacy and legislative world.

Speakers

Jennifer Ho, Deputy Director, Accountability Management, U.S. Council on Homelessness

Curtis Shepard, Director of Children, Youth & Family Services

André Wade, Policy & Program Analyst, National Alliance to End Homelessness

Over ten years, the David Bohnett LGBT Leadership Fellowship at the Victory Institute has sent more than 100 alumni to the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at the Harvard Kennedy School. Join us for an intriguing peak into this instruction through case studies about leading through entrenched division, managing a public crisis, and identifying mentors as your grow in your career.

Speakers

Cathy Connolly, State Representative, Wyoming

Michael Fleming, Executive Director, David Bohnett Foundation

Linda Kaboolian, Faculty, Harvard Kennedy School

John Szabo, Director, Los Angeles Public Library

Mary Washington, Delegate, Maryland

Government officials, private companies and LGBT advocates are utilizing telecommunications and technology to improve people's lives and increase efficiency throughout government. As technology and telecom infrastructure improve our ability to access and transmit information and ideas globally, what role does the government play towards empowering individuals while also building economic opportunity? This session will focus on developing communications technologies, their potential for creating jobs, and the policies required for their development.

Speakers

Ken McNeely, President, AT&T California

Jay Carmona, Online Outreach Director

Greg Guice, Director, Office of Legislative Affairs, Federal Communications Commission

Ricardo Lara, Assemblymember, California Assembly

Brian Sims, Representative-Elect, Pennsylvania House of Representatives

The national landscape of health care and insurance is changing rapidly. Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has significant ramifications for state and local governments and presents important opportunities and challenges impacting LGBT health. Hear from local and national experts about the current landscape, how local and state officials can prepare for coming changes, and what large LGBT health priorities remain to be addressed.

Speakers

Mitch Crane, Former Regulatory Counsel, Delaware Insurance Department

Masen Davis, Executive Director, Transgender Law Center

Mateo Ledezma, Kaiser Permanente, Southern California

Josephine C. Martin, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, PhRMA

Herb Schultz, Director of Region IX, Department of Health and Human Services

Tammy Baldwin shattered a glass ceiling when she was elected to the U.S. Senate on November 6. Hear about her historic run and the challenges she faced, and take the opportunity to ask her a question.

Speakers

Tammy Baldwin, Senator-Elect, Wisconsin
Chuck Wolfe, President & CEO, Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute

What are the most effective ways to build your list of supporters? Tools such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest can be important ways of connecting with your supporters, but how can you best leverage them for persuasion and GOTV? Take a look at some of the newest technologies and learn what it takes to make the most of them.

Speakers

Sue Burnside, President, Burnside and Associates

Christopher Massicotte, Chief Operating Officer, DSPolitical LLC

How do you create jobs in your district, and what are some of the trade-offs of economic development incentives? What policies and activities are conducive to entrepreneurs? At the same time, are your constituents ready for the jobs that you're targeting? What are some of the workforce readiness tools at your disposal? New revenue streams may be crucial for some governments where budget cuts alone will not solve financial crises. Practitioners will explore approaches, discuss new ideas and provide practical advice and strategies.

Speakers

Todd Greene, VP, Community & Economic Development

Jason Hall, Deputy Director, Missouri Department of Economic Development

Recent focus has led to considerable progress on "welcoming schools" in the U.S. education system. Hear about the state-by-state strategy that led to the enactment of a slew of anti-bullying laws, model safe schools policies, how to close the gap between laws on the books and enforcement, and the role of teachers in creating safe classrooms. Learn how we can support and create schools that reduce LGBT bullying and free students to learn in an open environment.

Speakers

Ruthanne Buck, Chief of Staff Office of Legislation & Congressional Affairs, Department of Education

Alison Gill, Government Affairs Director, The Trevor Project

Ricardo Lara, Assemblymember, California Assembly

Vincent Pompei, Chair, Center for Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership (CESCaL)

From country to country, LGBT leaders are dealing with the profound issues of our day – violence against and awareness of LGBT people, marriage equality, and judicial questions about our civil rights. While each are handled differently within countries, all are uniquely intertwined. Join us for a discussion with leaders from five continents dealing with these challenges and, on this World AIDS Day, recognize the progress made for LGBT equality and people living with HIV.

Speakers

David Huebner, U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand (Keynote)

Steve Clemons, Editor-At-Large, The Atlantic (Moderator)

Orain Edwards, Atlas Corps Fellow, Jamaica
Monica Mbaru, Justice, Industrial Court, Kenya
Tatiana Piñeros Laverde, Corporate Management and Human Resources Director, Department of Social Welfare, Government of the Capital District of Bogotá, Colombia
Brian Sheehan, Director, Gay & Lesbian Equality Network, Ireland

How much should your campaign focus on mail versus paid ads? Which is more effective, and when? Both can be critical to for candidates seeking higher office. This training will discuss the opportunities and potential in both forms, when to use them, and how to be cost efficient to keep constituencies engaged in your campaign and work.

Speakers

Sarah Flowers, Managing Partner, 76 Words

Scott Simpson, Senior Associate, Gumbinner & Davies

Only sixteen states and DC have non-discrimination laws that include both sexual orientation and gender identity. Find out how to leverage the new HRC Municipal Equality Index to build momentum at the local level and what strategies state organizations and legislators are employing to protect LGBT workers.

Speakers

AJ Bockelman, Executive Director, PROMO

Christy Mallory, Reid Rasmussen Fellow of Law & Policy, The Williams Institute

Cathryn Oakley, Legislative Counsel, State and Municipal Advocacy, Human Rights Campaign

With the 2012 elections, the Congressional LGBT Caucus expanded from four to seven. Meet the newest members of the U.S. House and hear about plans for their first year in office.