By Tara Kyle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — For over 25 years, the nonprofit group TED has organized a series of wildly popular conferences that broadcast speeches by global leaders with big ideas — and now they've inspired one LGBT organization to launch their own version.
Straight Talk New York City will kick off at the Tribeca Grand Hotel on Thursday with a TED-inspired conference featuring speakers including openly gay Iraq war veteran Lt. Dan Choi and Barneys fashion maven Simon Doonan.
While TED initially focused on "ideas worth spreading" in the areas of technology, entertainment and design, Straight Talk's lineup is intended to address the unique concerns and issues of the LGBT community, organizers said. Thursday's lectures will address issues of authenticity, and transparency in industries including politics and current affairs, media and entertainment, and media and entertainment.
TV executive Lisa Sherman, who heads up Logo, MTV's cable network for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) viewers, will also speak on Thursday, as will openly gay City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is slated to deliver the closing address. Social media coach and talk show host Cathy Brooks will mediate.
Journalist Kerry Eleveld of EqualityMatters.org will join Choi in discussing the role of trust in politics and current affairs. CNN's Jane Velez-Mitchell will tackle to role of privacy in media and entertainment alongside Sherman. Finally, Saks Fifth Avenue General Manager Suzanne Johnson will debate identity in design and retail with Doonan.
Straight Talk is the brainchild of dot429, a professional network for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and allies. Tickets to Thursday's conference run $150, or a $40 to attend a cocktail reception from 6-9 p.m.
Since TED's inaugural conference in 1984, that organization's programming has expanded to include web videos translated into dozens of languages, fellowships and an annual prize. Leading figures taking part have included Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Bill and Melinda Gates and string theorist Brian Greene.
