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Gov. Malloy Addresses LGBT Conference

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy spoke at the 18th annual "True Colors" conference Friday morning at the University of Connecticut.

Friday morning, hundreds kicked off the annual True Colors conference to celebrate people no matter what their sexual orientation or gender identify.

With performances by Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, Katy Perry and the cast of Glee projected on a wide screen at the University of Connecticut’s , an eclectic group of people danced and sang together to celebrate individualism, self expression and their true colors. If that meant dressing in animal print tights and fluorescent-colored tutus or a full suit, then so be it.

"This is a sacred space where you can discover and be with people just like you. I want you to take a moment and start caring about you," Worthie Paul Meacham III, a famous drag queen from California who is commonly, and lovingly, referred to as “Momma,” told the crowd.

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In its 18th year, the True Colors conference, hosted by Sexual Minority Youth and Family Services, welcomed guests from throughout the region and country, including Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and other state officials who gave the keynote address Friday morning. The theme of this year’s conference is “iBelong: Social Networking & LGBT Youth.”

True Colors is a nonprofit organization that “works with other social service agencies, schools, organizations, and within communities to ensure that the needs of sexual and gender minority youth are both recognized and competently met."

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Executive Director Robin McHaelen founded True Colors in 1992 while she was studying for her Master's in Social Work at UConn.

True Colors, originally known as Children From the Shadows, has enjoyed state support nearly from its inception. The state departments of children and families, education and mental health and addiction services, along with the Connecticut Teachers Union, have worked with McHaelen for several years.

In addition to the governor, other state officials counted as guests included Comptroller Kevin Lembo, Sen. Beth Bye, D-West Hartford, and state Child Advocate Jeanne Milstein.

When the event officially began at 9 a.m., McHaelen was met with cheers and shouts when she asked who in attendance was straight, gay, bisexual, lesbian, transsexual or transgender.

"You all belong," McHaelen said in response. 

Sen. Bye asked the crowd how it felt knowing that “for the next day or two, for some of you, you’re going to know what it feels like to be a hundred percent comfortable, surrounded by people who support you.”

“True Colors is an amazing organization … I want you to bask in there and feel it. Can you feel it now?” asked Bye, one of only two openly gay members of the general assembly and who married her wife Tracey Wilson in 2008 when same sex marriage became legally recognized in the state.

Milstein shared her personal experience with "coming out" in the 1970's.

“In 1975, we only had one place to assemble - gay bars that were generally hidden and only known through word of mouth, and even then, in many locations, we had to be buzzed in to try and ensure safety. It was terrifying,” Milstein said. “This (the conference) is simply unbelievable, and due to the courage and strength and tenacity of such leaders as the governor, state comptroller, Senator Bye, Robin and all of you in this room."

Worthie said, “If you feel like you have to go to a person or a substance to feel value, you're headed in the wrong direction.”

The speakers encouraged the crowd to continue the support and camaraderie shared during the conference long after the weekend. Gov. Malloy went as far as say that doing so is an obligation.

“I want you also to realize, and always remind yourselves, that you’ve got to reach back and help other people and find a way to support other people and make sure their road is a little bit easier,” Malloy said. “You’ve got to do for other people what, in many cases, people have done for you. It is a circle. We have an obligation to one another. We must make this society move forward and you are the moving parts.”

The keynote speakers are just one part of the two-day event that will include nearly 2,000 participants who attend some of the more than 100 daily workshops held throughout the campus. Participants range from adults and college students to high school students. The workshops are broken down into age-specific categories and labeled as: "Professional Audience," "General Audience," "College" or "High School". 

While some workshops were designated as "girl only" or "boy only," this rule did not apply to one commonly segregated element: restrooms. McHaelen announced that, in accordance with a Circuit Court ruling that indicates individuals are allowed to use the bathroom that is consistent with their gender expression, participants could use the facility with which they felt most comfortable. 

In addition to the state officials and Meacham (Momma), Shola Cole, a musician, vocalist, artist, teacher and UConn graduate, will speak this weekend.

Cole coaxed students onto the stage to dance and had the auditorium chanting: “I belong” and “True Colors.”

After about an hour, participants dispersed to the workshops which included topic such as "Queering Things Up: The Evolution of Queer Theory" and " Marrying God: Personal Stories of Reclamation."

Fleurette King, director of UConn's Rainbow Center, said the success of the event is due to three main components: the high attendance of local students and professionals from all over the country, the workshops designed for the conference and their presenters, and the safety and validity of all those in attendance. 

In addition to the Rainbow Center, sponsors for this year’s conference include the university’s Events Management, Women's Center, Center for Students with Disabilities, Counseling and Mental Health Services, School of Business and the cultural centers. Other sponsors include the David Daniel Berdon Fund, the Fredrick G. Humphrey Clinic for Individual, Couple and Family Therapy and City of Hartford, Department of Youth Services.

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