Campus Pride heads to Texas next week for the 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change hosted at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas, Feb. 3 - 7, 2010. Since 1988, Creating Change has been the nation’s pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement. Every year, the conference moves across the country and brings a JOLT of activism and thousands of progressive minds together. The timing could not be better frankly (or -- for AT&T it could not be worse!)

So as I was packing my bags and reading the weather reports, I ran across this bit of NEWS from the Dallas Voice titled "Partner denied sick leave by AT&T" from Jan 28, 2010. I am REALLY hoping this is not true. But, if it is, I think it's time for thousands of LGBT and ally -- progressive queers -- to make a SWITCH!

Partner denied sick leave by ATT
By John Wright | News Editor wright@dallasvoice.com
Jan 28, 2010 - 7:14:06 PM
Despite 100% rating from HRC, company won’t allow gay man time off to care for ailing spouse

Bryan Dickenson, left, and Bill Sugg hold hands in Sugg’s room at a rehabilitation facility in Richardson on Wednesday, Jan. 27. (John Wright/Dallas Voice)

RICHARDSON — Bryan Dickenson and Bill Sugg have been together for 30 years. For the last 12 of those years, Dickenson has worked as a communications technician for Dallas-based AT&T.

Saturday, February 6, 2010
8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Sheraton Dallas Ball Room
400 North Olive Street
Dallas, TX 75201

The 2010 Creating Change Youth Hospitality Subcommittee Presents Mas-Queer-Ade Ball headlining Vidur Kapur and Kit Yan. OUTmedia honors your activism and brings you: international comedy sensation, Vidur Kapur and internationally renowned trans slam poet Kit Yan. Vidur's credits include MTV LOGO, NBC's Stand Up for Diversity. Vidur has moved South Asians and LGBTQ students from the margins and into the campus core. Kit is a Curve Magazine favorite, OUTmusician of the Year nominee, and a speaker at the National Equality March.

Kit will premiere OUTmedia's "Be Queer Buy Queer!" national video contest. Bring your cameras and be the first to enter!

The event will also feature local queer youth artists, singers, and dancers. This is an alcohol and drug free event for all ages. A dance party for guests under age 24 will follow the performance.

Creating Change is the nation's pre-eminent political leadership and skills-building conference for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) social justice movement.

This event is free and open to the public. RSVP here for the event.

Click here to register for the Creating Change Conference.