Special Events
Friday October 11
Opening Reception 6:00 - 7:00 PM Room 31
Join us for a casual reception to kick off BECAUSE 2019. We will have light refreshments and brief welcoming remarks before evening programming begins.
Meet Robyn Ochs 6:00 - 8:00 PM Room 31
Robyn Ochs is an educator, speaker, grassroots activist, and editor of Bi Women Quarterly and two anthologies: the 42-country collection Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World and RECOGNIZE: The Voices of Bisexual Men. An advocate for the rights of people of ALL orientations and genders to live safely, openly and with full access and opportunity, Robyn’s work focuses on increasing awareness and understanding of complex identities and mobilizing people to be powerful allies to one another within and across identities and social movements. Robyn is the recipient of many awards and was recently named by Teen Vogue as one of “9 Bisexual Women Who are Making History.”
Join us for a casual reception to kick off BECAUSE 2019. We will have light refreshments and brief welcoming remarks before evening programming begins.
Meet Robyn Ochs 6:00 - 8:00 PM Room 31
Robyn Ochs is an educator, speaker, grassroots activist, and editor of Bi Women Quarterly and two anthologies: the 42-country collection Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World and RECOGNIZE: The Voices of Bisexual Men. An advocate for the rights of people of ALL orientations and genders to live safely, openly and with full access and opportunity, Robyn’s work focuses on increasing awareness and understanding of complex identities and mobilizing people to be powerful allies to one another within and across identities and social movements. Robyn is the recipient of many awards and was recently named by Teen Vogue as one of “9 Bisexual Women Who are Making History.”
BECAUSE Evening Programming
Friday and Saturday Night 7:00 - 9:00
Community Coffee House Room 31
We have the coffee, board games, and conversation starters. Our homebase room 31 will be open for casual socializing, board and card games, or as a place to meet up before heading out to explore the Twin Cities Nightlife.
SpeedFriending 7:00 - 8:30 PM Room 107
You’ve heard of speed dating; come experience SpeedFriending. This unique experience is a great way to meet new people in a low-pressure environment. SpeedFriending was a favorite the last two years at BECAUSE, now offered both Friday and Saturday so you can meet even more friends! Come give it a whirl!
Twin Cities After Hours (on your own)
LUSH: 990 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
LGBTQ bar/night club with good food, an excellent patio, and a separate stage area with shows, some at an additional cost. See website for events. Free on-street parking and in lot across the street.
The Gay 90’s: 408 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Downtown Minneapolis’ historic Gay 90’s has six bars, nightly drag shows, and some of the best people watching in the cities, all under one roof. The 90’s markets itself as “straight friendly.”
Friday and Saturday Night 7:00 - 9:00
Community Coffee House Room 31
We have the coffee, board games, and conversation starters. Our homebase room 31 will be open for casual socializing, board and card games, or as a place to meet up before heading out to explore the Twin Cities Nightlife.
SpeedFriending 7:00 - 8:30 PM Room 107
You’ve heard of speed dating; come experience SpeedFriending. This unique experience is a great way to meet new people in a low-pressure environment. SpeedFriending was a favorite the last two years at BECAUSE, now offered both Friday and Saturday so you can meet even more friends! Come give it a whirl!
Twin Cities After Hours (on your own)
LUSH: 990 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
LGBTQ bar/night club with good food, an excellent patio, and a separate stage area with shows, some at an additional cost. See website for events. Free on-street parking and in lot across the street.
The Gay 90’s: 408 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Downtown Minneapolis’ historic Gay 90’s has six bars, nightly drag shows, and some of the best people watching in the cities, all under one roof. The 90’s markets itself as “straight friendly.”
Saturday October 12
Saturday All Conference Programming 12:45 - 2:15 PM Gym A, Lower Level
Resource Fair
The BECAUSE resource fair is back! Come visit our sponsors, vendors, and visiting organizations for information, services, and items of interest to the community. BOP will be selling flags and other pride items.
Calliope Women’s Chorus
Based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, Calliope Women’s Chorus is the second-oldest feminist women’s choir in the country and the oldest group in the Twin Cities’ Queer Music Consortium. We were founded in 1976, and held our first self-produced concert in 1982. For more than 40 years, we have been helping women’s voices be heard and amplifying messages of social justice while providing a welcoming environment for LGBTQ women and allies to make music together. We have recently clarified our member base as inclusive of all marginalized gender identities, both because we want welcome more LGBTQ individuals into our space, as well as recognizing the nonbinary/gender diverse identities of our past, current, and future members. Calliope members are lesbian, bisexual, queer, straight, and more. Our concert themes and programming promote social change by increasing awareness about the subject of each concert and “keeping hope alive” for the people who work for change. We’d love to have you join us!
Crowd Sourced State of the Movement
Tell us how it’s going! State of the Movement speeches or panels talk about how things are going, what challenges folks are facing, and what progress is being made. Last year we started a new tradition where we have BECAUSE attendees tell us what is going on where they live. No accomplishment too big or too small. Did your coffee group finally start meeting monthly? Great! Have your first Celebrate Bisexuality Day gathering? Amazing! Start a project? Speak up! Join voices: please work with other folks from your organization or geographic area and have one person speak. We have a lot of ground to cover!
Resource Fair
The BECAUSE resource fair is back! Come visit our sponsors, vendors, and visiting organizations for information, services, and items of interest to the community. BOP will be selling flags and other pride items.
Calliope Women’s Chorus
Based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, Calliope Women’s Chorus is the second-oldest feminist women’s choir in the country and the oldest group in the Twin Cities’ Queer Music Consortium. We were founded in 1976, and held our first self-produced concert in 1982. For more than 40 years, we have been helping women’s voices be heard and amplifying messages of social justice while providing a welcoming environment for LGBTQ women and allies to make music together. We have recently clarified our member base as inclusive of all marginalized gender identities, both because we want welcome more LGBTQ individuals into our space, as well as recognizing the nonbinary/gender diverse identities of our past, current, and future members. Calliope members are lesbian, bisexual, queer, straight, and more. Our concert themes and programming promote social change by increasing awareness about the subject of each concert and “keeping hope alive” for the people who work for change. We’d love to have you join us!
Crowd Sourced State of the Movement
Tell us how it’s going! State of the Movement speeches or panels talk about how things are going, what challenges folks are facing, and what progress is being made. Last year we started a new tradition where we have BECAUSE attendees tell us what is going on where they live. No accomplishment too big or too small. Did your coffee group finally start meeting monthly? Great! Have your first Celebrate Bisexuality Day gathering? Amazing! Start a project? Speak up! Join voices: please work with other folks from your organization or geographic area and have one person speak. We have a lot of ground to cover!
Sunday October 13
Sunday BOP Annual Meeting & Elections 3:30 - 5:00 PM Room 212
At the close of the BECAUSE conference, BOP will hold its annual meeting followed by elections for the board of directors. The annual meeting will provide an overview of the previous year’s work and some previews of what is in store for the future. BOP’s programs cover a wide range of activities and events around the region, so come learn all about it. This is also a great way to find out how to get involved with BOP from volunteering at an event to joining the board of directors.
After the year in review, board administrator Sally Corbett will provide an overview of what is it like to volunteer on a working nonprofit board of directors. Sally will cover board positions, terms, and responsibilities, and basic governance, as well as time commitments and expectations. Current and past board members will be available to share their experiences and answer questions. Elections will then be held for President, Treasurer, and all eight at large board member seats. Any individual present may be nominated and all present can vote in the election.
At the close of the BECAUSE conference, BOP will hold its annual meeting followed by elections for the board of directors. The annual meeting will provide an overview of the previous year’s work and some previews of what is in store for the future. BOP’s programs cover a wide range of activities and events around the region, so come learn all about it. This is also a great way to find out how to get involved with BOP from volunteering at an event to joining the board of directors.
After the year in review, board administrator Sally Corbett will provide an overview of what is it like to volunteer on a working nonprofit board of directors. Sally will cover board positions, terms, and responsibilities, and basic governance, as well as time commitments and expectations. Current and past board members will be available to share their experiences and answer questions. Elections will then be held for President, Treasurer, and all eight at large board member seats. Any individual present may be nominated and all present can vote in the election.