The Creating Change Conference, organized annually by the National LGBTQ Task Force, is a beacon for activists, community leaders, and allies striving for equality and inclusion. The 2025 edition of this renowned event is set to take place in Las Vegas from January 22–26, promising an array of thought-provoking workshops, impactful plenaries, and networking opportunities. Here’s an in-depth look at the highlights of this year’s offerings.
Workshops: Expanding Horizons and Building Capacity
Workshops at Creating Change are the backbone of the conference, offering participants a chance to deepen their knowledge, gain practical tools, and build community. This year’s lineup reflects a commitment to addressing the most pressing issues facing the LGBTQ+ community while celebrating its diversity and resilience.
Intersectionality and Justice
Many workshops will explore the intersections of identity, addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals who also belong to other marginalized communities. For example, sessions on *QTBIPOC Healing Justice* and *Indigenous Two-Spirit and Transgender Narratives* will center historically excluded voices, offering strategies for self-care, advocacy, and collective liberation.
Policy Advocacy and Legislative Change
With over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the United States in 2024 alone, workshops like *Navigating Policy Advocacy: A Post-Election Strategy* and *Building Sanctuary Cities for LGBTQ+ Liberation* will equip attendees with tools to counteract legislative attacks. These sessions emphasize coalition-building and grassroots mobilization to protect and expand rights at the local, state, and federal levels.
Youth Leadership and Education
The future of LGBTQ+ advocacy lies in empowering the next generation. Workshops such as *OutVote Fellowship Highlights* and *Supporting Trans and Nonbinary Youth in Schools* will focus on fostering leadership among young activists and providing educators with strategies to combat misinformation and create inclusive environments.
Health and Well-Being
A robust track of workshops will tackle LGBTQ+ health disparities, including sessions on mental health, access to care for trans and nonbinary individuals, and the intersections of food security and HIV prevention. Notably, the *PRIDE Study Findings* session will reveal groundbreaking research into LGBTQIA+ health and provide actionable insights for community leaders and healthcare providers.
Creative and Cultural Expression
Recognizing the power of storytelling and the arts in advocacy, Creating Change 2025 will feature workshops like *Bi+ Film Festival* and *Memory Activism*. These sessions showcase how cinema, oral histories, and cultural narratives can amplify marginalized voices and inspire social change.
Plenaries: Charting the Path Forward
Plenary sessions at Creating Change bring together some of the most influential leaders and thinkers in the LGBTQ+ movement. These moments serve as a rallying cry, energizing participants and setting the tone for collective action.
Black Leadership Panel
Opening the conference is a powerful discussion on Black leadership within the LGBTQ+ movement. Featuring prominent voices such as Imani Rupert-Gordon of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Dr. David J. Johns of the National Black Justice Coalition, this panel will explore strategies for dismantling systemic racism and building inclusive coalitions.
Democracy and Inclusion
Thursday’s plenary, titled *Reclaiming Democracy: The LGBTQ+ Movement’s Role in Defending Rights*, will feature renowned activists like Imara Jones of TransLash Media and Kris Hayashi of the Task Force. This session will delve into strategies for safeguarding democracy amidst growing threats of voter suppression and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
State of the Movement Address
On Friday, Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, will deliver the *State of the Movement Address*. This annual highlight provides a comprehensive overview of the movement’s successes, challenges, and priorities for the year ahead, offering attendees a unifying vision for progress.
Safety and Security in a Hostile Climate
Saturday’s plenary will focus on community resilience under the banner *We Got Us: Safety & Security in 2025*. Leaders across reproductive justice, criminal justice reform, and youth advocacy, including Toni-Michelle Williams of SnapCo, will share insights into how to protect marginalized communities from escalating political and social violence.
Thematic Threads
A recurring theme throughout Creating Change 2025 is the integration of healing and activism. From workshops on trauma-informed leadership to panels addressing the colonization of joy and desire, this year’s programming acknowledges the emotional toll of advocacy while offering tools for personal and collective restoration.
Another focus is the importance of intersectional allyship, as seen in sessions on coalition-building across movements and workshops like *Amplifying Latiné Voices in LGBTQ+ Advocacy*. The conference aims to foster solidarity that transcends individual identities, emphasizing the shared struggle for justice.
A Call to Action
Creating Change 2025 is more than just a conference; it’s a call to action for all who believe in a future where everyone can thrive. Whether attending workshops on grassroots organizing, engaging with plenary speakers charting the path forward, or networking with like-minded individuals, participants will leave equipped to make meaningful change in their communities.
As the LGBTQ+ movement faces unprecedented challenges, events like Creating Change remind us of the power of collective action and the necessity of hope. Las Vegas will undoubtedly serve as a fitting backdrop for this pivotal moment, a city known for reinvention and resilience.
For more information about workshops, plenaries, and registration, visit the official Creating Change website. Together, we can shape a future rooted in equality, inclusion, and love.