The Creating Change Conference, organized by the National LGBTQ Task Force, is the nation’s largest annual gathering of LGBTQ+ activists, organizers, leaders, and allies. Each year, thousands of participants come together for skills-building workshops, strategy sessions, networking, and movement-building. A cornerstone of the conference is its day-long institutes — immersive programs that provide space for community-specific learning, healing, and organizing. https://www.thetaskforce.org/creating-change/
Bashar Makhay, founder of Tarab NYC, was invited to host and facilitate the day-long SWANA Institute at Creating Change 2026, taking place January 21–25 in Washington, DC. A queer SWANA organizer and public health communications and technology expert, Bashar works at the intersections of community building, equity, and resilience.
Here’s what to expect!
1/22 BIPOC INSTITUTE MIXER @ KIKI | 6-9PM
Celebrate friendships among the Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Southwest Asian and North African Institute family. Partners: Center for Black Equity, Destination Tomorrow, Latinx History Project, National Black Justice Coalition, TWO-SPIRIT & Native LGBTQ+ Center for Equity, Tarab NYC, The American LGBTQ+ Museum, Unión=Fuerza Latinx Institute, ViiV Healthcare.
1/23 QUEER SWANA CAUCUS | 7-8PM | FAIRCHILD
A space for attendees whose heritage is from the or Southwest Asia (aka Middle East) and North Africa to come together, network, and build the connections that drive the movement forward Speakers: Mirna Haidar, Bashar Makhay, Logina Mostafa
1/24 SWANA INSTITUTE | 9AM-12:30PM
OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED
- Queer SWANA Mental Health: Trends and Community-Based Care
- Why #CancelPinkwashing Still Matters
- Navigating Legal Issues Facing LGBTQ SWANA People
- Supporting LGBTQ Movements in the SWANA Region
Speakers: Mirna Haidar, Bashar Makhay, Logina Mostafa, Azza Nubi
1/24 SWANA INSTITUTE | 3:30PM-6:30PM
CLOSED TO LGBTQ SWANA PEOPLE ONLY
- Exploring Decolonizing Sexuality & Queer SWANA Identity
- SWANA Resource Mapping
- Imagining a National Movement
Speakers: Mirna Haidar, Bashar Makhay, Logina Mostafa