Join us for part two in our workshop series aimed at empowering LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to actively engage in LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts. This workshop offers a safe and inclusive space for participants to explore key issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community and learn practical strategies for effecting positive change and becoming more civically enGAYged. October's workshop is specifically focused on elections. As we approach the general election in November, join us to understand how elections work, what does being an elected official entail and what is on the ballot this fall. In partnership with the Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California

Brock Cavett

Advocacy Director of
Riverside LGBTQ+ Pride

(He/Him)

Serving as Riverside Pride's Advocacy Director and Vice President, Brock Cavett works to amplify voices of the LGBTQ+ community through activism and political representation. He also serves as Director of Programming and Career Development for Alumni at University of California, Riverside. He was appointed by Mayor Lock Dawson to the Human Relations Commission where he serves as chair and is a member of the Freedom to Marry Prop 3 Steering Committee. He is dedicated to ensuring queer & trans youth have access to a support learning environment and was recently appointed to the CA Dept. of Education LGBTQ+ Statewide Advisory Taskforce.

Erin Edwards

Former Riverside City Councilmember

(She/Her)

Erin sat on the board of the Riverside Downtown Partnership and was the former chair of Glocally Connected, a refugee-serving organization in Riverside County. Elected in November 2019 as the first openly LGBTQ+ city councilmember, Erin was proud to represent Ward 1 on Riverside City Council until this past Spring. She chaired the Council’s Housing & Homelessness Committee, served on the Mayor’s Housing Task Force and Santa Ana River Working Group, and sat on the Council’s Economic Development and Land Use Committees.

Carolyn “Connie” Confer

Inland Empire LGBTQ+ Rights Activist

(She/Her)

Carolyn Confer, as assistant city attorney of the City of Riverside, defended the city against a lawsuit that sought to force the city to put a discriminatory measure against homosexuals and persons with AIDS on the ballot. She was also a key member of Lambda Legal, a party to defense of the suit and an advocate for LGBT rights. Riverside was the first exception to win against a national campaign of such discriminatory measures. Both Carolyn and Kay organized community and political support to stop the campaign in the region. Kay and Carolyn founded PACE, a regional gay and lesbian political action committee. Kay and Connie married in 2008, just four months before Kay’s death.

Hosted By:

Event Venue: