In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Mayra Hidalgo Salazar, Deputy Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force about their upcoming events including the 34th Creating Change Conference entitled “Reunite Reignite” that will now take place virtually in 2022 with dates TBA. The Creating Change Conference is the foremost political leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBTQ social justice movement. Since 1988 Creating Change has created networking opportunities and inspiration for thousands of committed people to develop and hone their activist skills. With the continual impact of COVID-19 and now the omicron variant cases Creating Change family will prepare for a new and different online conference experience. Danny Linden, Creating Change Conference Director stated, “We will announce what programming will look like for Creating Change 2022 and beyond as soon as possible. We are grateful to all of the attendees, participants and sponsors for their understanding as we transition to a virtual experience and the opportunity to bring Creating Change to an even larger audience.” At Creating Change 2022 though virtually there will still be plenty of opportunity to attend workshops, training sessions, meetings and special events. Non-binary writer, performer and public speaker ALOK will be the keynote speaker and new this year there will be a day-long program focused exclusively on queering climate justice as well as a conference schedule with lots of online workshops and caucuses. We talked to Mayra about what she hopes to accomplish at the National LGBTQ Task Force and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.
Mayra Hidalgo Salazar comes to the Deputy Executive Director role at the National LGBTQ Task Force with over 13 years of experience working for social justice. Originally from Naranjo, Alajuela, Costa Rica her journey as a queer and formerly undocumented woman laid the groundwork for her commitment to organizing spear headed by queer, immigrant youth of color. A former board member and youth organizer for the Florida Immigrant Coalition Mayra is part of the first generation of undocumented youth in Florida that began publicly sharing their stories. She is a Co-founder of United We Dream Action and has served on both the United We Dream and United We Dream Action Board of Directors for 10 years combined. The National LGBTQ Task Force was founded in 1973 and works to advance full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people.
