Hello everyone, and welcome to the LGBTQIA+ Affinity group. We welcome you with open arms, and hope to get to know you better.
I am Jordan (she/they), your Community Chair, and I would like to invite you all to introduce yourself if comfortable, meet to discuss TLCC, and the decision to host the next conference in Orlando in the wake of the recent 'Don't Say Gay' bill.
Event invite coming soon (plan on time in the next week or so)! In the meantime, please (re)introduce yourself in the comments.
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns. We are here to support you, and I hope to see you at a future meeting.
Hello. My name is Chris Cuhel. I use the pronouns they/them/he/his. I'm really glad that we are going to have a conversation about this. I think it is important for us to have a collective voice and share that collective voice. We make up a large portion of the non-profit arts and cultural sector employment demographics. I look forward to many meaningful and open dialogues with all of you.
Hi all, I'm Dale (he/him) with the Tessitura Network. Thank you for including me in this group. I very much welcome a discussion on having TLCC in Florida and look forward to hearing all of the opinions!
Hi my name is Tiffin and my pronouns are they/them. As a resident of Orlando, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am very much looking forward to discussing this, and providing some insight and ideas along the way. Please don't hesitate to reach out.
--Tiffin
Hi there, My personal belief is that we should allow TLCC to go to Orlando despite the politics, and here is why. That community was shaken up 6 years ago with the worst terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11 and it was specifically aimed at the LGBTQ+ & BIPOC communities. I would strongly urge instead, to go to Orlando and make it a point to support LGBTQ+ and BIPOC businesses in the area. Perhaps the Tessitura hive mind could create a list in advance for attendees to choose from and also team up to collect a fund in memorial of the attacks, to show that despite the current political climate, that Orlando is seen and has support from across the country. I believe that is a MUCH stronger statement to make. Just my opinion though, and looking forward to more discussion on the topic. ~Michael
Hi everyone: I'm Dana (she/they) with Tessitura, and I'd love to join a conversation and hear everyone's thoughts.
Hi, everyone. My name is Alex Beil (he/him/his). I'm really looking forward to this conversation!
Hi everyone, I'm Glenn (he/him) and I would love to join this discussion.
Hello, All -
I'm Skypp (he/him/his) from Center Theatre Group in Southern California.Every time I go to a conference of any sort these are the operational things I notice: Once the venue is chosen the majority of A/V services, food, and beverage is funneled through (in TLCC's case) the hotel hosting the conference. There is very little choice on our end as to who will do those services, food, and beverage due to the hotel's contract with these providers. So while we as a collective want to support the LGBTQ+ & BIPOC communities with our dollars what actually ends up happening here is that we collectively give our money to vendors that may not be advocates of our communities. Those vendors then pay taxes, fees, and licenses to the state that will still reap the benefits of cash. Our local LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities also have to do the same. That still becomes a cycle of supporting a state government that we don't believe in.I do like the idea of creating a list in advance (VERY far in advance - because a lot of planning happens about 6 months or more before arrival) for attendees to choose from services, visits, support during our networking nights. But remember... unless it's a straight up donation these places will still be paying into the coffers of state and local governments and supporting those bigger agendas. I feel it's a terrible vicious cycle the local communities are trapped in.I've toyed with the idea that for TLCC 2023 the money I estimate that I would personally spend at conference be donated to organizations in Florida that are tackling issues of the local LGBTQ+ and BIPOC community. Specifically those that combat the hate and the banning of Critical Race Theory. All the while still not stepping foot in Florida. That all remains to be seen yet as more information is collected on my end about the state of the state, everyone else's insights, etc.Those of you who know me well enough know that I'm a big fan of Disney theme parks. and in current years I've had to make a very difficult decision to decide to not step foot in Florida again until things change. This means I've already made the decision to not have any trips to Walt Disney World. And I completely understand that there are large swaths of good people trapped in a state that have differing views of who is "in charge" there. That's been the crux of all this, right? How to help the people who need it all the while trying to NOT support the government that keeps oppressing them. Unfortunately, I can't see a way (aside from straight donations) in helping them because the income they generate from us partly goes to their local and state governments. And I truly still believe that in the United States you can still talk with your dollars - in private and public business. That doesn't mean I like it... it just means that's the game I think we have to play in order to show support or disdain for a business or operation.So all this to say... I look forward to hearing the live discussion that's coming up.