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Online Video of Keynotes from 2003 and 2004
2003 Program
Survey/Vote |
GLAF Refocuses Goals Beyond 2005 Conference January 17th, 2005 written by Monica VanBuskirk CAMBRIDGE, MA – After a lengthy review of its organizational priorities, and series of discussions among its board members, the Gay & Lesbian Athletics Foundation (GLAF), and 100% volunteer organization, has moved to refocus its efforts and resources beyond the annual conference that was being planned for Washington D.C. in March 2005. As a result, and in consultation with the Washington Host Committee, the GLAF Board announces that the International Gay & Lesbian Athletics Conference will not be held this year. GLAF Executive Director, Mac Chinsomboon said, “We deeply regret that we are not able to hold the conference this year, but as planning progressed into the new year, it became very apparent that the scheduled dates did not support proper coordination for securing commitments from many of our targeted speakers.” “Our inaugural conference in 2003, and the second one in 2004, were held in Boston, MA. This year, we were very excited about the opportunity to expand the delivery of our messages and the important work that we do to another venue and city. As a young organization, we could not anticipate the level of challenges that we would face in planning and managing such an undertaking in a different location. In reviewing our status, we felt that we could support our mission and the people that we serve better by redirecting our energy and resources in 2005 to support other priority GLAF goals and events that are being planned.” Brent Minor, Chair of the DC Host Committee said, “We have worked very hard over the past year to coordinate the many details required for a successful conference. However, we accept the decision of the GLAF Board to cancel the 2005 conference and to focus their efforts toward their longer term goals.” Minor added, “We will continue to support their important work and mission.” GLAF’s priorities towards the future include further development of their scholarship fund launched in 2004 to benefit high school and collegiate athletes and other Olympic Games hopefuls. In addition, planning is well underway for GLAF’s participation as a partner in The Right to Be Different Conference to be held in Montreal in August 2006 and discussions are being held about participating in the Gay Games in Chicago (also August, 2006). Chinsomboon said that “Refocusing our efforts on these activities will allow GLAF to bring our resources and knowledge base more directly to a significantly wider audience, and a larger number of GLBT athletes and others who can benefit from them the most. GLAF will continue to accept requests for content, speakers, and other resources as part of other partner conferences. We will explore resuming our Athletics Conference in 2007 and beyond.” The GLAF mission is to “promote acceptance and visibility of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered (GLBT) athletes in the professional, amateur, and recreational athletics communities, including high school and collegiate.” For more information about GLAF, GLAF Athletics Conferences 2003 & 2004, the GLAF Athlete Scholarship Fund, and streaming videos of past keynotes, please visit: www.GLAF.org. RESOURCES: GLAF Athletic Scholarship Fund CONTACTS |
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