National LGBTQ Task Force's Rea Carey on Living Through History

Image via Shutterstock

On the eve of the Task Force's Creating Change conference, the group's longtime executive director checks in before handing over the reins.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

Read Full Bio

Neal Broverman

January 27 2021 11:58 AM EST

May 31 2023 5:17 PM EST

Nbroverman

Sorry to interrupt...
But we wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading. Your support makes original LGBTQ+ reporting possible. Help us hold Trump accountable.

One-time Monthly

$19.67 $50 Other

$5 $19.67 $50

The National LGBTQ Task Force's Creating Change conference -- a multi-day event that brings together some of the world's preeminent queer activists, artists, writers, and thinkers -- is obviously a bit different this year. Not only is the 33rd Creating Change, running January 28-31, completely virtual this year because of COVID-19, it takes place a week after Donald Trump's catastrophic presidency ended, less than a month after Trump's white nationalist mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, and serves as the last event with the Task Force's Rea Carey at the helm.

After leading the venerable organization for decades (the Task Force is the country's oldest national LGBTQ+ advocacy group), Carey is exiting her position after Creating Change. Kierra Johnson -- a bisexual woman of color and the organization's current deputy executive director -- will take over the executive director role and lead the Task Force into its next 50 years.

Carey recently spoke to Neal Broverman, The Advocate's digital editor in chief, about her proudest accomplishments and what the Task Force will take on next. Check out their conversation below and click here to find out more about Creating Change.