The Coalition for Justice and Respect (CJR), a civil-rights and social-justice organization of African-American LGBT individuals, will pay tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Since 2007, CJR has held an April event in King's memory.
King died April 4, 1968, so CJR pushes a wide variety of issues and topics of current interestfrom sports and music to arts and culture, and beyond.
The social-justice identity conference will be held at the center for Inner City Studies (700 E. Oakwood Ave.) and Provident Hospital (500 E. 51st St.) April 5-7 as CJR and the Coalition for Justice and Respect Foundation (CJRF) present "Bolder Than Out: Setting Direction for a New Normal."
"This year, because of all the developments that have happened in the lives of gays and lesbians in general, particularly Black gays and lesbians, we decided to take [the conference] a step furtherto expand and look at broader issues which, hopefully, will broaden our reach for the event," said Marc Loveless, CJR executive director.
Wade Davis will be the conference's keynote speaker, talking about "Interference: When Masculinity and Being Gay Collide."
Davis played preseason NFL games for multiple teams and also for two different teams in NFL Europe. He came out last year and now works with LGBT youth in New York City. In addition, Davis is a member of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network sports-advisory board.
Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks and Monique Dorsainvil are the April 6 Empowerment Luncheon Speakers. Lettman-Hicks is the executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, while Dorsainvil is the deputy director of the office of public engagement with the White House.
The conference also features multiple inspirational and relationship workshops, with topics ranging from business opportunities to faith to speed dating.
The Friday-night (April 5) concert will feature Nhojj, De'Borah Garner and Earth Pearl Collective; Cyon Flare will host.
Loveless said about 350 are expected to attend the three-day event.
"I think there are a lot of draws," to the conference, said Loveless, 51, who lives in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. "The fact that we haven't had an identity conference of this magnitude in Chicago in at least 10 years for Black LGBTs, that really says something.
"I think this [conference] will be a great place where people can present ideas to a wider community."
Loveless said HIV testing will be done at the conference, and organizers are aiming to test at least 110 attendees. Plus, he said that organizers hope at least 150 attendees will visit the Wellness RV, presented by Walgreen's, where hypertension, diabetes and other health challenges will be discussed.
"The conference will feature life-affirming and lifestyle-enhancement workshops, with speakers on multiple topics and issues, such as relationship development," Loveless said. "This conference will be empowering, educational and a celebration of the lives and living as African-American LGBT."
For more information, visit gbmnews.com/wp/bolder-than-out-conference .