[427] MTSU LGBT+ College Conference names replacement keynote speaker

MURFREESBORO — An executive with a national health care firm whose personal journey includes gender reassignment will deliver the keynote address at MTSU’s 2016 LGBT+ College Conference, which is slated for April 7-9.

Dr. Renee McLaughlin will speak under the conference theme of all identities” at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9, in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. McLaughlin replaces originally scheduled keynote speaker, Martin Luther King III, who will be unable to attend.

Tickets are $50 each or $500 for a reserved table and may be purchased at http://tinyurl.com/hbbm42a. A printable campus parking map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParkingMap.

McLaughlin is a senior medical director with CIGNA who is responsible for developing and implementing the clinical integration model for the company’s delivery system alliance initiatives. Prior to assuming this role, she was the market medical executive for CIGNA’s Midsouth market.

Prior to joining CIGNA, McLaughlin was a practicing general and vascular surgeon in a single-specialty practice. She also served as a major in the United States Army during the first Gulf War.

In 2013, McLaughlin, who was born male and named Robert, underwent facial feminization surgery and breast augmentation procedures. According to a July 2015 BBC story, the transition prompted high-level discussions at CIGNA about the company’s nondiscrimination policies.

The MTSU-hosted conference is a combination of research presentations, strategy sessions and lectures with topics pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and their allies.

Some topics include breaking down barriers among identity groups, stemming the tide of LGBT+ youth homelessness and creating a culture of respect in the workplace.

“A corporate culture that embraces gender equality policies and procedures is critical to attract and retain talented individuals,” said conference advisory board co-chair Greg Cason, senior buyer for Nissan North America, a corporate sponsor of the conference.

Conference advisory board co-chair Ron Snitker of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP will deliver the official opening address at 9 a.m. Friday, April 8, in the Student Union.

“Historically, laws have helped move along workplace norms that may be embedded in our American business culture,” said Snitker. “We are already seeing laws popping up in various states to help close the gender equity gap.”

Other highlights include:

• A film festival featuring short films submitted by attendees and community members, 6 p.m. Thursday, April 7, Keathley University Center Theater;

• Director Yoruba Richen presenting her film “The New Black,” a documentary about African-American churches’ perspectives on same-sex marriage, followed by a moderated discussion, 11 a.m. Friday, April 8, Student Union;

• An evening with singer-songwriter and LGBT+ activist Ryan Cassata, 6 p.m. Friday, April 8, Keathley University Center Theater.

Since its inception in 2014, the conference has attracted students, faculty and staff from colleges and universities from around the state who want to improve the campus climate for the LGBT+ community.

“Our goal is to get all the schools together and share tips and tricks to make their campuses more welcoming places,” said William Langston, a professor of psychology and faculty adviser to MTSU’s student LGBT+ organization Lambda.

In addition to Nissan North America and Waller, conference support comes from the MTSU College of Behavioral and Health Sciences; Deloitte; Cracker Barrel; the MTSU Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance; Dell; the United States Secret Service; the Distinguished Lecture Fund; MTSU’s National Women’s History Month Committee; the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students; the Department of Psychology; MTSU Intercultural and Diversity Affairs and student activity fees.

Conference registration and check-in will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 7, in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. To register online, go to http://tinyurl.com/j8wm96d.

All conference events except the awards dinner are free and open to the public. For more information or for conference highlights, go to http://tinyurl.com/zw776bs or contact Langston at 615-898-5489 or william.langston@mtsu.edu.