WASHINGTON – A full schedule of events is now available for the second in a series of “National Conversations on Rights and Justice,” convened by the National Archives. The event will be held in Chicago beginning July 15, hosted in partnership with Center on Halsted and the Chicago History Museum, and will focus on the challenges to and future of civil and human rights for the LGBTQ community. The two-day event will feature panel discussions with national leaders, keynotes by prominent figures, and a performance by the Youth Empowerment Performance Project.
Held from spring 2016 to early 2017, the National Conversation series explores topics related to the continuing and often complicated issues of rights in our modern era, including: immigration rights/reform, civil rights and individual freedom, and women’s rights and gender equality.
With the recent attack in Orlando, as well as President Obama’s designation of the first national monument honoring LGBTQ history at Stonewall Inn, the time to talk about how far we’ve come and where we have left to go has never been more critical. Keynote speaker and poet Richard Blanco has written a powerful new work – “One Pulse – One Poem” – on the subject of the killings at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
Guests can register and view the most up-to-date schedule of events and speakers at: https://archivesfoundation.org/amendingamerica/conversations/lgbtq.
NOTE: The event is currently at capacity, but we are holding a small number of press passes for interested media — please email [email protected] ASAP to register if you have not already.
The National Archives Foundation has created a new online portal where visitors can watch a livestream of the event and engage in discussions via social media. Follow the event using #RightsAndJustice and learn more at: www.AmendingAmerica.org.
The full schedule is as follows:
WHAT:
National Conversation on Rights and Justice: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) Human Rights & Civil Rights
WHEN:
Friday, July 15, 2016, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. CT at Center on Halsted
Saturday, July 16, 2016, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT at the Chicago History Museum
WHERE:
Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60613
The Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
Friday, July 15, 2016 – Center on Halsted
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Central Time
Introduction from Center on Halsted’s Modesto Tico Valle, followed by keynote address
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Central Time
Performance by the Youth Empowerment Performance Project, followed by a panel discussion with performers
Saturday, July 16, 2016 – Chicago History Museum
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Central Time
Introduction from the Chicago History Museum’s OUT Committee Chair Kim Hunt and the Archivist of the United States David Ferriero.
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Central Time
Keynote address by award-winning and former inaugural poet Richard Blanco.
11:20 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Central Time
Panel – The Issues Before Us, Part One (exploring legal issues)
- Mary Morten, The Morten Group (Moderator)
- James Bennett, Lambda Legal
- Tyrone Hanley, Center for Lesbian Rights
- Dale Carpenter, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
- Naomi Goldberg, Movement Advancement Project
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Central Time
Panel – The Issues Before Us, Part Two (exploring socio-economic issues)
- Mary Morten, The Morten Group (Moderator)
- Abbe Land, The Trevor Project
- Imani Rupert-Gordon, Affinity Community Services
- Myles Brady, Howard Brown Health
- Naomi Goldberg, Movement Advancement Project
2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Central Time
Panel – Issues Affecting Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming People
- Precious Davis, Columbia College Chicago (Moderator)
- Owen Daniel-McCarter, Illinois Safe Schools Alliance
- Sarah McBride, Human Rights Campaign
The “National Conversation on Rights and Justice” in Chicago is presented in part by AT&T, Ford Foundation, Seedlings Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, and the National Archives Foundation.
The “National Conversation” series is running in conjunction with Amending America, open now in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. The exhibition showcases both successful and unsuccessful attempts to amend the Constitution as part of the National Archives’ commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights.
About the National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent federal agency that serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our Government, so people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. The National Archives ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their government. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The agency supports democracy, promotes civic education, and facilitates historical understanding of our national experience. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries, and on the Internet at www.archives.gov.
About the National Archives Foundation
The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at archivesfoundation.org.
About Center on Halsted
Center on Halsted is the Midwest’s most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people of Chicagoland. More than 1,000 community members visit the Center every day, located in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview Neighborhood. Learn more at centeronhalsted.org.
About the Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum stands at the crossroads of America’s past and its future. If you live in Chicago or visit here and are curious about the city’s past, present, and future, the Museum should be your first stop. The Chicago History Museum cares for, showcases, and interprets millions of authentic pieces of Chicago and U.S. history. For thirteen years, the museum has hosted “Out at CHM”, an annual slate of public programs examining LGBTQ history, which led to “Out in Chicago,” an award-winning exhibition presented in 2011 tracing the history of these communities in Chicago. Learn more at chicagohistory.org.
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For media inquiries, please contact: Katie Dixon at: [email protected].