The National LGBTQ Task Force hosted the 38th Creating Change conference in Washington, D.C. January 20 to 25. An estimated 2,000 individuals attended the series of events to bolster their organizing and strategy skills through hundreds of workshops, sessions and day-long, identity-based institutes prepared to strengthen the LGBTQ+ movement.
“Unstoppable” was the theme of the gathering, as Creating Change brings together activists on the state, local and national levels and brings the movement together to move forward.
“There is a palpable call for courage in DC…where we will continue to blueprint our liberation at a time when our very existence is being legislated out of classrooms, clinics, and courtrooms,” said Fernando Lopez, director of Creating Change. “Our convening is our rebellion, our refuge, and our rallying cry. From the streets of our neighborhoods to the suites of power, we share wisdom to turn outrage into strategy and strategy into action, equipping people from across the nation to build an unstoppable movement.”
Special general sessions during Creating Change included the annual State of the Movement presentation. Task Force President Kierra Johnson addressed attendees about the challenges ahead in 2026 and beyond.
The general sessions are available for streaming online at the Task Force’s webpage.
“The climate of today’s political attacks against LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities makes Creating Change a timely, deeply necessary, and powerful gathering for us to push back and win against the current administration and entities at state and local levels working to do away with progress we have made toward liberation and cause real harm to so many,” said Task Force President Johnson.
The January 23 general session included a “Leaving Extremism” discussion about political and religious extremism’s impact on the LGBTQ+ and other movements, featuring Kris Hayashi, ACLU’s Director of National Campaigns Trans Justice, Tahil Sharma, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Faith Director and Nadine Smith of Equality Florida. Journalist Laura Flanders served as moderator.
The general session held January 24 included keynote speaker Leo Herrera, a queer Mexican artist who explores queer and immigrant experiences through the lenses of sex, technology and history. The session also included a highly anticipated appearance by social media influencer, educator and comedian Alok Vaid-Menon.
The DC’s Gay Men Chorus performed several iconic queer anthems to close out the final general session.
The Task Force has a long-standing tradition of recognizing leaders and trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ movement and this year is no exception. The following awards were presented during the general sessions:
The Carmen Vázquez SAGE Award for Excellence in Leadership on Aging Issues was presented to Letitia Gomez, whose work exemplifies outstanding leadership in their advocacy for LGBTQ+ elders. Each year at Creating Change, the Carmen Vazquez SAGE Award is given to a community leader who reflects her spirit and passion as a long-time LGBTQ+ and social justice activist.
Outstanding Transgender Leadership Award was presented this year to Kris Hayashi of the ACLU, this award honors a trans or nonbinary leader whose vision, courage, and advocacy have strengthened and uplifted trans communities.
Faith Leadership Award
Presented this year to Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, the award honors a faith leader whose work bridges spiritual values with the pursuit of justice, equality, and liberation for LGBTQ+ people.
To offer attendees the Task Force’s traditional version of “radical welcome” to one of the queerest cities in America, more than 50 local ambassadors worked tirelessly to bring Creating Change to life in the past year. Local artist and icon Rayceen Pendarvis appeared at Creating Change as an ambassador, joined by dozens of other diverse LGBTQ+ DMV area individuals.
The DC Mayor’s Office on LGBTQIA+ Affairs’ Community Health Specialist Malachi Stewart, another Creating Change Ambassador, said attending the gathering was a chance to be frank about the challenges facing LGBTQ+ people.
“It’s a place to be with other people facing that same fate, we can say it out loud, be in community and exhale,” Stewart explained. “We have to face it in the present time before we face the future. [Creating Change] comes at the right time.”
To stream presentations from Creating change, go to https://www.thetaskforce.org/