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Official logo for the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference (MBLGTACC) 2008

Excitement builds for students and staff organizing the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference as the over one-year planning process comes to a close. The MBLGTACC is being held on the weekend of Feb. 22 at various locations around the U of I campus and is expecting over 1600 people from across the country.

Curt McKay, Director of the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resources credits the students for this turn out.

“It’s amazing. This really is a student generated conference,” he said.

Although U of I hosted the 2001 Conference, the 2007 Minneapolis conference is what inspired a group of students to write the bid proposal. From there, students have taken on full responsibility for all of the components of the event.

“The students have done an immensely successful job in raising money both from campus units, corporate sponsors, alumni and other places. They have managed to come up with a 115,000 dollar budget,” stated McKay.

In addition to generating financial support, the students, with assistance from LGBT personnel, have been able to pool together many of the resources UIUC has to offer. McKay said there has been a definite influx of campus involvement compared to the 2001 conference.

“Our campus is much more accepting…there has been a lot more LGBT visibility,” he added.

Public Relations representative and 2007 conference participant, Lyndon Stewart, commented on the welcoming environment that the conference offered in past years.

“You feel like it’s where you belong,” commented Stewart.

Senior Ryan Livingston also commented that although the workshops are enlightening, the atmosphere is what is most appealing.

“It’s a place where two guys or two girls can hold hands and everyone’s ok with it,” he said.

There are currently 1442 registered for the event. The planning committee hopes to fill the remaining spots with U of I students and staff.

“U of I has been so generous in showing financial support,” McKay said.

Because of this support, students and staff can register free at www.mblgtacc2008.org. McKay emphasized that registered people receive badges, which allow them to attend the workshops, entertainment, and speakers.

The event is not exclusive for the LGBT community. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the “open forum for education and awareness of issues that affect the LGBT community,” according to the MBLGTACC website.

McKay is encouraged by this collaboration of community members.

“The more people who go from this campus, the more chances there are that change will happen here,” he said.