2005 Log Cabin Republicans National Convention & Liberty Education Forum National Symposium
— Thursday March 31, 2005 —
6:00 - 8:00 PM - Welcome Reception — Royal Sonesta Courtyard
8:00 – 10:00 PM – Sponsors Recognition Dinner — Begue's Restaurant
— Friday April 1, 2005 —
Liberty Education Forum National Symposium
Family Fairness -This panel will debate the best strategy for achieving protection and recognition for gay and lesbian families. Some of the panelists include Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of Freedom to Marry and author of a new book called, "Why Marriage Matters". Dale Carpenter, a leading gay conservative, author, and professor at the University of Minnesota Law School also will be speaking along with Steven Swayne, a gay rights activist from Vermont.
Defending the Faith -The battle for gay and lesbian civil rights must include a discussion about faith issues as they relate to sexual orientation. Jimmy Creech is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Soulforce Inc., will share his perspective on this issue. Soulforce is an interreligious movement that uses the principles of nonviolent resistance to confront the spiritual violence perpetrated against lesbian and gay people by some religious institutions. Creech will discuss his strategy for making new allies with people of faith.
Is Sexual Orientation a Choice? -The Liberty Education Forum is having a white paper developed that will examine what's scientifically known about the causes of a person's sexual orientation. Chandler Burr, author of "A Separate Creation" will write the report. He'll present his findings during the National Symposium.
Reaching the Heartland - LEF is launching a new effort to educate people and find new allies in the heartland. This panel will explain the initiative and discuss what must be done to make progress in the heartland. Panelists will include Ed Farthing, Executive Director of Equality North Carolina, Randy Evans from the Forum for Equality in Louisiana, Hans Johnson from the Gill Foundation, and Andrea Hildebran from the Kentucky Fairness Alliance.
Examining the Truth About Don't Ask, Don't Tell -This panel will cover issues related to gays in the military, providing an update on the latest research and a discussion about the best way to ends this harmful and discriminatory policy. The panel will inclue Sharra Greer, the Director of Law and Policy with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Lara Ballard with American Veterans for Equal Rights, and Marty Meekins, the lead attorney in Log Cabin's lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
HIV/AIDS Treatment Reform -The Ryan White CARE Act is a $ 2 billion federal program that sends funds into local communities to provide primary medical care, prescriptions, and support services for low income people with HIV. This panel will highlight efforts to have the program re-authorized in 2005. Congress must re-authorize the program every five years or it will end. Experts on this law will discuss different reform proposals being considered as part of the re-authorization process.
10:00 - 11:00 PM — Log Cabin Trustee's Martini Party — Royal Sonesta Courtyard
— Saturday April 2, 2005 —
Log Cabin Republicans National Convention
Effective Lobbying - This panel discussion will focus on effective strategies for lobbying elected officials. Representatives from both sides of the lobbying effort will share their perspective. Speakers include corporate lobbyists, Rob Epplin from the Office of Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), and Log Cabin Political Director Chris Barron.
Preparing for the 2006 and 2008 Elections - This panel will examine the electoral landscape for 2006 and 2008 with special emphasis on three socially moderate Republicans: Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA). This panel also will examine some early prospects for the 2008 GOP Presidential nomination, as well as analyze trends among Republican politics at the state level. Panelists include Sarah Chamberlain Resnick from the Republican Mainstreet Partnership and Tony Fabrizio, a respected pollster who handled polling for former Senator Bob Dole's 1996 GOP Presidential campaign.
Social Security Reform - Log Cabin also is highlighting one of the year's biggest issues—Social Security reform. Three panelists will present and debate differing GOP reform ideas. We're going to have representatives from the Cato Institute, the Concord Coalition, and Empower America.
Corporate Diversity - The Log Cabin convention also will examine corporate diversity as it relates to gays and lesbians. In particular, this panel will discuss trends among corporate America regarding to domestic partner benefits. Justin Nelson from the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce will be on the panel along with some corporate representatives.
National Dinner and LEF Silent Auction
6:30 - 7:30 PM — Cocktail Reception — Grand Ballroom
7:30 - 10:30 PM — National Dinner – Royal Sonesta Hotel - Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman will joine us for the national dinner. Plus, Chris Matthews, the popular host of Hardball on MSNBC, will be hosting a Hardball-style panel to debate the top issues of the day. Attire is optional black-tie.
— Sunday April 3, 2005 —
Log Cabin Republicans National Convention
9:30 am-11:00 am—Log Cabin Awards Gospel Brunch – The House of Blues
Click here to watch a brief promotional video about the 2005 convention.
Click here to register!
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