Featured Speakers
Dustin Lance Black
DUSTIN LANCE BLACK is a multi-talented writer, producer and director, having won the 2008 Academy Award® and Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay for MILK, the Gus Van Sant-directed biopic of the late gay rights activist Harvey Milk. Recently, Black filmed his feature directorial debut WHAT'S WRONG WITH VIRGINIA, a drama that stars Jennifer Connelly and Ed Harris.
An honors graduate of UCLA's School of Film and Television, Black began his professional career as an art director on commercials, and quickly transitioned to directing documentaries, television series, commercials and music videos. Black's first two documentaries ON THE BUS (2001) and MY LIFE WITH COUNT DRACULA (2003) both debuted to acclaim and subsequent festival success. ON THE BUS, originally commissioned as a half-hour internet program about a group of young men traveling to the Burning Man Festival in Nevada, was re-edited into an independent feature by Black, and later developed a cult following amongst the festival's diverse fan base. MY LIFE WITH COUNT DRACULA, an in-depth look at the final days of Dr. Donald A. Reed, creator of the Count Dracula Society-turned-Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2003. The success of these two projects, coupled with Black's narrative short film SOMETHING CLOSE TO HEAVEN (which was named one of the ten best shorts of 2001 and earned Black a spot on AMC's "Five Filmmakers to Watch" special), lead to a successful stint producing, directing and writing TLC's hit program FAKING IT, based upon the famous BBC series about ordinary citizens spending time in a field far removed from their normal lives. The program received notices for its unflinching sociological commentaries.
In 2004, Black signed on to draw on his devout Mormon childhood experiences in San Antonio, Texas as a writer on HBO's Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated polygamist drama BIG LOVE. During his work on the series, Black often traveled to San Francisco, where he spent many years as a teenager, to research the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to a major public office. Milk's message of hope lead Black to pen his screenplay for MILK, which stars Academy Award® winner Sean Penn, Academy Award® Nominee Josh Brolin, James Franco, and Emile Hirsch. The film was released by Focus Features in November 2008 to unanimous praise, later receiving 8 Oscar® Nominations including Best Picture of the Year.
Prior to MILK, Black penned the story and screenplay for PEDRO, the first scripted project from Bunim-Murray Productions about the life and legacy of famed REAL WORLD cast member Pedro Zamora. The film premiered at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival and debuts on MTV this spring.
Most recently, Black wrote J. EDGAR starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Naomi Watts, and directed by Clint Eastwood for Warner Bros.
Patricia Nell Warren
Patricia Nell Warren is a distinguished investigative journalist, columnist, author, and Human Rights Activist. In 1974, Warren wrote "The Front Runner" which become one of the most popular gay love stories of all time selling 10 million copies worldwide in 10 languages. An entertaining and informative speaker, Warren draws on her vast experience, as a writer, editor, and publisher, to help new authors and LGBTIQIA youth to artistically express themselves.
Candace Gingrich-Jones
Since 1995, Candace Gingrich-Jones has served as a key advocate for issues of importance to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Her involvement in the movement for queer equality began when her brother, Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-GA., was elected House speaker.
Her 1996 autobiography, The Accidental Activist, was a best seller in the LGBT community. Gingrich-Jones has been profiled in national newspapers & magazines, guest-blogged at Huffington Post and appeared on Good Morning America, Countdown with Keith Olbermann and the Queen Latifah Show. She also memorably guest-starred as the minister on Friends in the groundbreaking episode "The One with the Lesbian Wedding."
On behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, Gingrich-Jones 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. As HRC's Youth & Campus Outreach associate director, Gingrich-Jones works to provide tools, facilitate connections and empower Gen EQ (Generation Equality) to fight for LGBT equality on campus and beyond.
Quimani "Qui510" Brown
Quimani "Qui510" Brown is an accomplished Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, and Soul recording artist, internet radio talk show host and entrepreneur. This Oakland, Ca native is also one of the first out lesbians of color in music. As an entertainer, Qui510 (pronounced "Key Five Ten") first made international noise as Sony Music Gruop's Europe recording artist "TriQui Di." She has since shared the stage with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Aaliyah, MC Lyte, Natalie Cole and Chaka Khan. She has also appeared on radio, television and film with stars such as Will Smith, Whoopi Goldberg, Ted Danson, and Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx. She is active in the movement for LGBTQIA rights and is committed to working closely with non-profits and foundations that educate our communities about the issues facing people of color in the LGBTQIA community.
Susan Talamantes Eggman
This year the Closing Session will feature Stockton City Councilmember Susan Talamantes Eggman; Councilmember Eggman was elected to public office as an out, visible leader in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and intersex community and has served on the Stockton City Council since 2006. She will share her life experiences as a lesbian, veteran, Latina and politician. She will also address some of the issues that are still facing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) community. A professor of social work at CSU – Stanislaus, Councilmember Eggman is both and educator and advocate for social change through community-building.