INTERNATIONAL LGBT LEADERS TO CONVENE IN SAN FRANCISCO
Hundreds Expected to Meet, Volunteer,
Tour City December 3-6
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hundreds of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political, government and community leaders are expected to gather in San Francisco this weekend at the 25th International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference, according to the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute, which convenes the annual event.
Among the expected attendees are leaders such as U.S. Rep Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.); U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.); Berlin, Germany Mayor Klaus Wowereit; Director John Berry of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management; Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown; Washington Post Editorial Board member Jonathan Capehart; and former U.S. Ambassador to Romania Michael Guest.
In addition to attending a series of panels and workshops on issues facing out leaders, some attendees will begin their visit to San Francisco by volunteering as a group at Glide Church in the Tenderloin, and conference organizers are inviting the local LGBT community to join them on December 3 from 11am to 2pm. The Glide service event is generously sponsored by Levi Strauss & Co.
“We wanted to make sure attendees had the opportunity to give something back to the host city alongside San Franciscans, so we’re glad to be able to help out at Glide,” said Joyce Newstat, national board chair of the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute.
Cecil Williams, Minister at Glide, said, “Glide is a special place that provides literally hundreds of thousands of meals annually, and other social services, to people who desperately need help and compassion. Still, Glide’s staff and volunteers are usually the ones most gratified by its mission, and we know you will be too.”
In addition to GLLI staff, board members and conference attendees from across the country, locals expected to attend the Glide event include:
Reverend Cecil Williams, Glide’s Founder and Minister of Liberation
Janice Mirikitani, Glide’s Founding President
Willa Seldon, Glide’s Chief Executive Officer
Karen Oliveto, Glide’s Pastor
Donald Guest, Glide’s Pastor
State Senator Mark Leno
San Francisco Supervisor David Campos
San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty
San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros
Joyce Newstat, Chair of the GLLI Board of Directors
Susan Lowenberg
Laura Spanjian
Alex Randolph
Jenny Hu, Levi Strauss & Co.
Jason McBriarty, Levi Strauss & Co.
Nancy Wall, Levi Strauss & Co.
Anyone wishing to join the volunteer event at Glide on Thursday, December 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., can sign up to attend by e-mailing organizers at glide@glli.org.
About GLLI
The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute prepares LGBT leaders for success through training and professional development programs aimed at building the worldwide network of openly LGBT officials. Among its signature programs is the annual International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference.
About Glide
Located at Ellis and Taylor in the Tenderloin, one of San Francisco's harshest urban environments, Glide Foundation is an oasis that has served the poor and disenfranchised for 45 years. From serving nearly one million meals a year, to operating a professional medical clinic, to providing affordable housing, to youth job training, to offering weekly spiritual celebrations at Glide Church, and much more – Glide touches the lives of many people. Glide has helped thousands of disenfranchised and poor people get back on their feet and find their way to jobs, housing and spiritual fulfillment.
Often considered controversial and radical, Glide’s Minister of Liberation, Reverend Cecil Williams, was one of the first clergy to take a revolutionary stand for same sex couples by presiding over their weddings four decades before today’s struggle to legalize gay marriage.