link to siteRegistrationThe 2007 Unity Conference Planning Committee has chosen to focus this year's conference on examining the movements for sexual rights and sexual pleasure -that is, the right to determine if, when, and with whom one decides to pursue sexual pleasure. We believe the right to sexual freedom to be a fundamental human right.
To that end, we have invited a broad range of performers, educators, and human rights advocates from diverse activist backgrounds to lead workshops and address the full conference. Participants can look forward to workshop sessions and keynote addresses from notable spoken word artists Alix Olson and Sarwat Rumi, as well as from transgender media specialist Andy Marra. Unity 2007 will also feature comedian Robin Tyler, reproductive justice activist Loretta Ross, transgender writer Patrick Califia.
For first-timers, Unity offers a core workshop track in addition to thematic workshops on the following topics:
-Biphobia
-Transphobia
-Racism in LGBT communities
-Sexism in LGBTQ communities
-Non-sexist Language and Inclusive Meeting Dynamics
-LGBTQ History in the United States
Goals for Unity 2007:
To highlight the work of sexual and gender minorities to dismantle racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, and heterosexism.
To better understand the right to sexual pleasure as a fundamental human right, and to situate movements for sexual and gender rights within this broader struggle for human rights.
To reinforce an understanding that the fight for the right to sexual freedom and pleasure must necessarily confront and challenge white supremacy, as well as include broader movements for economic and reproductive justice.
To foster dialogues on urgent issues such as HIV/AIDS, sex worker rights, reproductive health and justice, pornography, and pleasure.
To serve as an example of cross-movement organizing.
To empower and inspire participants to organize for change in their home communities.
Unity's Mission
The Southeastern Regional Unity Conference is an annual gathering of progressive lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identified people and their allies in the Southeast to discuss the intersections of gender and sexuality with ability, age, class, faith, health, and race/ethnicity; strategies for effective grassroots organizing; and to discuss work that other LGBTQ activists are doing in the Southeast. In generating this dialogue, the Unity Conference serves to foster a progressive Southeastern LGBTQ movement that affirms and reflects all aspects of the identities of LGBTQ people.
Unity's History
The Unity Conference was founded in 2001 by UNC student, Trevor Hoppe. Hoppe, then a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill, was inspired by The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Annual Creating Change event, and wanted to bring something to the Southeast that was more accessible to students and community members.
The Conference is a project of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender - Straight Alliance, a student group at UNC-Chapel Hill. It is run entirely by students, though is intended for a broader audience of LGBTQ and allied community members.
2006 Sponsors
Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender - Straight Alliance
LGBTQ Advisory Board to the Provost
Program in Sexuality Studies
Diversity Incentive Fund from the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs
Curriculum in Women's Studies
University Program in Cultural Studies
Feminist Students United!
LGBTQ Office of the Division of Student Affairs
Department of Sociology
Graduate and Professional Students FederationNorth Carolina Hillel
This program is funded at least in part by student fees, which were appropriated and dispersed by the Student Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Make a Donation to Unity
Unity is funded each year through extensive fundraising efforts by the Conference Steering Committee -- through grants, Student Government funds, and through the generosity of LGBTQ and allied activists and community members.
To make a donation online go to
www.carolinafirst.unc.edu/gift. Choose a form of payment, and then choose "Other" for the University designation. In the special instructions area write "Student Organization: GLBT-SA: Unity Conference". The 2007 Unity Conference Steering Committee thanks you in advance for your donation. Please contact Conference Financial Coordinator, Alejandro Lizardo, at
alejandro.lizardo@gmail.com for more information about making your donation to Unity.
