As many of you know I am organizing a fundraiser where I raise money so that I can pay the admission price to secular and science conventions for people who can’t afford it. This year I have decided to do something a little different and to send MEN to the Women in Secularism Event in May. But first off, there is an event coming up that I have promised to send more WOMEN to. That first event takes place March 28th – March 31st in Austin, Texas and is celebrating 50 years of reason.
That event is The American Atheist Convention.
I would like to give you a few reasons why I think you should care about this convention and why I have chosen it as one of my events to lend my support to this year.
First and foremost, I have decided to support this event with my grant program because the American Atheists were one of the first organizations to listen to the community and institute a code of conduct/ harassment policy for their events.
From Dave Silverman on June 26, 2012:
“The Code of Conduct will allow all conference attendees to know that American Atheists’ events are safe, fun and informative. We want people to enjoy themselves but know there will be consequences for harmful behaviors.”
This move by American Atheists was a great step that should not be forgotten. When other conventions refused to fight or even acknowledge harassment as an issue, AA proudly stood up in a professional, reasonable way. They listened to the community and were one of the first organizations to act, thus helping to encourage friendly, fun and safe spaces at their events.
Thank you for that, American Atheists.
Another reason why I encourage you to support this event is its great lineup of speakers including some of our favorite rational women such as, Ophelia Benson, Greta Christina and Jessica Ahlquist.
A list of many more speakers can be found here. I am told they are updating that list this week to add some more people. I have recently been invited to speak on a panel, so if you attend, you will see my bright and shiny face, for a few moments, up there on the stage too.
There is going to be an atheist art show! I am pretty sure this is the first of its kind, at least at an organized convention. I’m thrilled that visual art is being highlighted in the atheist movement and I am very excited to be participating! I’ve been working on a painting and I am really looking forward to this part of the event.
My personal favorite reason for supporting this event? We will be celebrating long time supporter of rationalism, Matt Dillahunty‘s birthday. Matt is one of my all-time favorite atheist activists. Matt will be speaking and we all will be celebrating his latest trip around the sun.
Another great reason to support this event? It’s American Atheists 50 year anniversary! I asked Dave Silverman why he thinks this year’s event is special and why you should attend.
From Dave:
“The atheist movement is for everybody and anybody and American Atheists’ 50th anniversary convention celebrates this with a diverse line-up of speakers, covering dozens of freethought and skeptic topics; an art show and silent auction focusing on atheism in art; family-friendly options such as babysitting services and mini Camp Quest; vendors and exhibitors from local and national groups, nonprofits, and companies and businesses; a comedy show, a rock concert, a costume dinner, and a birthday party dinner to provide fun for attendees. American Atheists is providing the most exciting, interesting, and fun convention of the year.”
Another, thing I’d like to mention is that Dave Silverman and many members of his staff have been extremely supportive thorough out this onslaught of harassment I have been caught in the middle of.
I sometimes disagree with the tactics laid out by American Atheists but the organization as a whole has shown me that disagreements can still be had in a productive and rational way and that ultimately American Atheists want to be an inclusive and positive force that helps move atheism- both as a concept and as an accessible, diverse community- into the future.
GET THOSE APPS AND DONATIONS IN.
So let’s help encourage diversity in the atheist movement. Help me send more women to this event by buying one of my fundraiser necklaces by clicking here.
Or donate directly to the cause by going here: http://surlygrant.com/donate/
If you would like to apply for a grant for me to pay your admission cost to this event go here.
I will start contacting grant winners later this week so my next Surly Grant update will hopefully introduce you to some of the grant winners!
Thanks everyone and have a great week!
Just ordered a pendant. You’re doing a wonderful thing, Surly Amy. :o)
Thank you!
Cool, what do you make them out of?
The necklaces are ceramic. They are hand-formed and hand-painted by me. :)
They look really cool, my girl friend makes scented candles and loves it. If you want to check our store out, they are all 100% soy and use a wooden wick, hear is the link if you want to check us out.
http://www.bluescitycandles.etsy.com
Glad to donate, a little to both. And I will be ordering some Surlyramics again very soon too.
Thank you!
Do you sell them online or only as the conventions?
There are links to them above or you can just go here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/surly
Thanks!
Thanks, love etsy.com its helped us out a whole lot.
I can’t buy anything or give anything or do anything that pretty much has anything to do with money right now but I can make a bag to donate or auction off for a fundraiser if you’re in to doing that sort of thing.
Aw, that is kind and I appreciate it but I have my hands full trying to keep the fundraiser organized as it is. Thank you for the offer though. We may take you up on that when SkepchickCON rolls around though. We always need help fundraising for that and we often do auctions for that event.