Candace Gingrich - The Accidental Activist: A Personal & Political Journey (& Related Pride Events)

Candace Gingrich - The Accidental Activist:
A Personal & Political Journey

Third Annual UMKC Pride Keynote Address
November 11, 2009 – 6 p.m.
Pierson Auditorium, University Center, 5327 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64113

The Accidental Activist , the title of Candace Gingrich’s 1996 autobiography, captures best her path to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) advocacy. Her involvement in the movement for queer equality began in 1995 when her brother, Rep. Newt Gingrich, RGA., was elected House Speaker. Since then, she has not stopped advocating for the issues important to the LGBT community. Gingrich has been profiled in national newspapers and magazines, guest-blogged and appeared on Good Morning America , Countdown with Keith Olbermann, and The Queen Latifah Show. On behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights and advocacy organization, Gingrich has criss-crossed the country to promote the importance of coming out, the duty to vote and the power of everyday conversations to change minds. Gingrich believes that the current generation of young Americans is crucial to obtaining full queer equality. Noting the widespread support for LGBT issues in this cohort, she has coined the phrase “GenEQ” (Generation Equality) to describe the under-30s. “But just being supportive doesn’t magically make change,” says Gingrich. “GenEQ needs to speak up and act out in order to
achieve the justice and equality queer Americans deserve.” F ree and open to the public.

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2009 UMKC PRIDE CELEBRATION

Pride Breakfast
October 29, 7:30-9 a.m.
Pierson Auditorium, University Center, 5327 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO
LGBT Scholarship Fundraiser: contact Diversity office for more information/tickets.

Pride Film Festival: 40th Anniversary of Stonewall
November 2, 4-9 p.m., Room 106 University Center
Before Stonewall - 4 p.m.
After Stonewall - 5:45 p.m.
Out of the Past - 7:30 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public .

Pride Play: The Laramie Project
November 7, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Room 116 Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO‎
LGBT Scholarship Fundraiser Night: purchase tickets at CTO: (816) 236-6222 or here.
Play runs November 3-8.

The LGBTQ community has the power to influence social, political and economic issues in the community, legislature, business and civic organizations, and in our institutions of higher education. The goal of UMKC Pride is to provide ideas and perspectives that support LGBTQ community members in harnessing and commanding our own power.

For more information, visit www.umkc.edu/chancellor/ode or contact Diversity Initiatives coordinator Leo Leckie at (816) 235-1298 or leckiel@umkc.edu.