From March 27-29, both LGBT and Ally students will come together at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, to discuss the connections between faith, social justice, and sexuality during the Second Annual IgnatianQ conference. The student-organized conference was founded at Fordham University in New York, where the conference was held last April. Bringing together Jesuit universities from across the United States, the IgnatianQ conference offers both LGBT and ally students one weekend full of networking and learning.
The theme for this year's IgnatianQ conference is "Forming contemplative communities to ignite action" bringing together three major Jesuit values: Contemplation in Action, Community in Diversity, and "setting the world on fire." College students at this year's conference aim to build strong communities not only among Jesuit institutions and universities but also throughout the diverse LGBT community. Georgetown University's role as hosting university for this year's IngatianQ conference proves especially special. In its past, the LGBT community at Georgetown battled for campus recognition through activism and debates with Georgetown administration. GUPride and the LGBT Resource Center on campus were established through the result of a series of lawsuits and the LGBT Resource Center successfully became the first to be established on a Catholic university campus.
Over two packed days, the IgnatianQ conference will include three keynote addresses and eight breakout sessions for students. Prominent faith figures, professors, and members of Georgetown's Campus Ministry will be present during this weekend to speak and lead student discussions. One such figure is opening speaker Father Kevin O'Brien. Father O'Brien represents Mission and Ministry at Georgetown University serving as Vice President and is author of The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
To register or learn more about this exciting conference, visit www.ignatianq.org. Also, visit GLAAD's faith page to explore GLAAD's involvement with faith.