Today OutServe, the association of actively-serving LGBT U.S. military personnel and one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world, announced that its Second Annual OutServe International Leadership Conference will take place October 25-28, 2012 at the military’s Shades of Green Resort in Orlando, FL.
The Conference will welcome currently serving LGBT and straight military members, veterans, spouses/partners, and allies to join workshops and meetings. Like the 2011 Conference, it will provide an international forum on creating an environment of respect in the military with regards to sexual orientation and gender identity, and provide the LGBT military community a venue for building professional networks, sharing best practices and formulating strategies that help build a stronger military community. OutServe’s International Leadership Conference is the only conference designed around and for LGBT members of the largest fighting force in the world.
The 2011 OutServe Conference in Las Vegas boasted maxing out capacity at over 200 attendees, including several from allied nations and an Assistant Secretary of Defense. With the ongoing veteran employment crisis, OutServe will also host a job fair during the event that will be open to veterans and employers. OutServe events during the conference will take place at various locations on Walt Disney World properties.
“Disney’s support of the military and LGBT communities goes hand in hand with the support and sponsorship provided by Orlando Gay Travel, Come Out with Pride Orlando and the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando and is why we chose Orlando as our 2012 destination,” said Ty Walrod, Co-director of OutServe.
“We have made tremendous progress over the last few months with the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” said Josh Seefried, active duty Air Force Lieutenant and co-director of OutServe. “LGBT military members must be visible and confident, showing the leadership that will set the example for future generations of service members.”
The Human Rights Campaign, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, and Courage Campaign will be co-sponsoring the OutServe Conference, as well as others. Announcements regarding schedule of events and additional sponsors and attendees will be forthcoming.
Registration can be completed at www.outserve.org/2012conference/
For information on sponsoring the conference, contact Tom Nibbio at tom@outserve.org.
Press interested in attending must register with Sue Fulton at Sue.Fulton@outserve.org
Media are welcome to use any photos from last years conference. Available photos are located on our facebook page at www.facebook.com/outserve/