Those of you who are familiar with the talents of Elaine Kirkland know that you are in for a treat as she will be leading our "Growing BOLD" choir at this year's conference.  Contact the Coalition office or indicate on your Growing BOLD registration form if you are interested in singing in our choir.

Choir Rehearsal: Choir rehearsal will be Monday, June 22, 12:00 pm- 1:30 pm during registration.

Growing Bold Banquet featuring UCC President John Thomas!

United Church of Christ President and minister, Rev. John Thomas will reflect upon what the ONA movement means to the church on Wednesday June 24, 2009 at 6:00 pm.  You do not want to miss this historic address.

When CNN announced that African Americans had voted overwhelmingly in support of Proposition 8 in California, the media controlled  the message—it was framed as Blacks against gays and the damage was done.  GLAAD’s media workshop offers strategies for impacting media rather than getting run over by it. Whether you are an expert or a beginner, this workshop will help you think through your own media strategies as you work for LGBT equality in churches and the world. In a world of spin, blogging, infotainment, and viral communication, it is tempting to run and hide—but another option is to learn about media and run with it!  Come and get tools to use media to change the world!

Ann Craig is the first director of religion, faith, and values at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) where she works with about 20 groups in diverse faith traditions to empower them to engage the media effectively as they work for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

Are you convinced that homosexuality is a sin punishable by death according to the scriptures? If yes, then this workshop is not for you. Are you convinced that LGBT folks are as welcome into Christianity just as any other children of God and that homosexuality is not sinful in nature? If yes, then this workshop is not for you. If you are somewhere in the middle between these points, this workshop is for YOU! The Agapé Christian Reconciliation Conversation Program was designed to commence dialogues regarding the issues related to LGBT justice from a Christian perspective. The program starts with the screening of one of the documentary films of the available series – Straight From the Heart, All God’s Children, or De Colores – to serve as the trigger and tool for dialogue among participants. Various dyads and group exercises are presented designed to develop awareness among the group. Theological discussions related to inclusiveness and agapé love in the Bible are used as reflections and discussion throughout the program. The workshop will provide a safe and nonjudgmental space for anyone to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns related to LGBT issues and Christianity.

Peter Barbosa, born and raised in Puerto Rico, holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. He has worked as a scientist and immunology professor, specializing in HIV and AIDS. He currently serves as a Professor of Biochemistry and Immunology at the California School of Podiatric Medicine (CSPM) of Samuel Merritt College (SMC) in Oakland, California. Peter also studied cinematography at City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University. He  produced and directed two award-winning documentaries, De Colores and I Exist, exploring homophobia in the Latino and Middle Eastern cultures, respectively. Peter is a former member of the UCC Coalition Council, and has represented The Coalition on the UCC’s Hispanic Ministries Implementation Team.