What are the implications of SOGI policies and LGBTQ worldview for American culture?
At this year's Speak Out gathering in Washington, D.C. we hosted a symposium at The Heritage Foundation to create dialogue around this question.
CHANGED Movement has come to Washington, D.C. every year since we began. Over the years, we have slowly gained connections and favor. While our focus and strategy have varied year by year, we have always prioritized our life stories. Meeting office by office, we have spoken with our representatives, their staff, and several social conservative coalition groups, often kicking off the week with a press conference at the Capitol to emphasize that people like us exist!
“From our inception in 2018 with AB2943 in California, our overarching concern in these settings has always been protecting First Amendment rights for people seeking to leave LGBTQ culture and identity.”
Elizabeth Woning, co-founder of CHANGED Movement
This year’s event featured three priorities: 1) gather national ministry stake-holders to discuss current risks and opportunities facing our organizations in the midst of cultural change; 2) collaborate more closely with key coalition organizations that are directly addressing State and Federal sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) policies; and 3) host an in-depth and engaging symposium offering dialogue and strategies forward.
We’re pleased to be able to share our recording of the first session of our symposium hosted at The Heritage Foundation, below.
The event was structured around four interactive Q&A sessions:
What experiences and beliefs fuel SOGI policies and LGBTQ activism?
Q&A with four men and women who once identified as transgender
How are we seeing these beliefs and policies impact personal identity, children, and American Culture?
Where do we go from here? Practical action items for staffers and coalition groups.
Our panel members were drawn from CHANGED Movement, Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Policy Alliance, Family Research Council, The Christian Post, and The Heritage Foundation. Additionally, Rep. Doug LaMalfa joined the final session to discuss his current legislation.
Session 1a panel members:
Drew Berryessa, Founder and Director of A Living Letter Ministries in Medford, OR
David Pickup, LMFT in private practice
Ronald McCray, Director of Advocacy for Survivor’s Circle
Amanda Smith, Director of Outreach at Redeemer Church-Kansas City, MO
Anne Edward, Executive Director of Restored Hope Network
Session 1b panel members:
KathyGrace Duncan, Director of Gender Advocacy of CHANGED & Women's and Transgender Ministry Leader with the Portland Fellowship
Walt Heyer, Senior Fellow at Family Research Council
Erin Everitt, co-founder of Advocates Protecting Children
Ted Halley, formerly identified as a transgender woman