The convention showcased FFRF activism and placed special emphasis on the threats of white Christian nationalism and abortion rights. It also included “Godless Gospel” entertainment and cameos by two drag queens!
Jeremiah Camara, who serves on FFRF’s Executive Board joined the lineup. Camara is the author of Holy Lockdown: Does The Church Limit Black Progress? and is director and producer of the documentary film “Holy Hierarchy: The Religious Roots of Racism in America,” as well as creator of the widely watched video series “Slave Sermons.” He spoke about his forthcoming documentary, “The Age of Appeasement.”
Other convention speakers included:
• Elie Mystal, received FFRF’s Clarence Darrow Award. The Harvard Law School grad and MSNBC frequent guest is author of the bestselling Allow Me To Retort — A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution.
• Robert P. Jones, founder and president of Public Religion Research Institute and author of two books on white Christian supremacy.
• Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism.
• Andrew Seidel, author of American Crusade: How the Supreme Court is Weaponizing Religious Freedom. He is VP of strategic communications at Americans United.
• Jen Castle, national director of abortion service delivery at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She accepted on behalf of Planned Parenthood the $35,000 Henry Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism Award.
• Mary Ziegler, a noted abortion rights legal expert and professor of law at UC Davis School of Law. She received FFRF’s “Forward Award,” given to those who are moving society forward. She is the author of many articles and six books on social movement struggles around reproduction, autonomy and the law.
• Lizz Winstead, a political satirist. She received FFRF’s “Emperor Has No Clothes Award.” Winstead is a co-creator of “The Daily Show” and a founder of Abortion Access Front, a team of comedians, writers and producers who use humor to destigmatize abortion and expose the extremist forces working to destroy abortion rights. She was the Saturday night keynote speaker.
• Godless Gospel, directed by André Forbes and produced by FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, did an encore of its acclaimed debut at the 2022 national FFRF convention.
• Kate Cohen, who writes elegant, freethinking columns as a Washington Post contributing writer exposing America’s reflexive deference to religion and its effects on education, health care and human rights. She received the Freethought Heroine Award.
• Emily Olson, a member of the city council in Owosso, Mich. She received FFRF’s “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” Award for bravely attempting to persuade the council to discontinue prayer.
• A secular legislative panel, which included Wisconsin state Sen. Kelda Roys and Minnesota state Rep. Mike Freiberg.
• Our student activist awardees — Bear Bright and Marcus Stovall — sued West Texas A&M censorship of a drag show benefit sponsored by a secular student club on campus. The students, fittingly, were introduced by two local drag queen performers — Bryanna Banx$ and Latina Envy.
Also featured were the usual “Highlights of the Year” from Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, the legal report by FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Markert and staff attorneys, and a new (c)(4) FFRF Action Fund report by FFRF Governmental Affairs Director Mark Dann and Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne. Plus, there were the Traditional “NonPrayer Breakfast,” drawing for “clean,” pre-“In God We Trust Currency” and freethought fellowship.
The 46th annual FFRF convention was quite a treat!
