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Evans says women need to change how they view the heterosexual marriage model.
“The marriage statistics in this country show that something isn’t working. As we move toward this momentum-built marriage equality, it’s imperative that we begin to build a framework for what a healthy gay marriage looks like,” she says.
“Most of us did not grow up with gay parents,” Evans continues. “We want to throw away that failing model and create a new, successful model so that 50 years down the road, the gay community doesn’t see the same devastating divorce rate that is seen in heterosexual marriages.”
Jamison agrees.
“We grew up without any gay relationship role models in our homes or in the media. We knew we needed to offer women some skills that they normally don’t take the time to develop like listening, sharing, compromising, negotiating, affirming… those things don’t always come naturally when it hasn’t been modeled for you,” she says. “We want to empower women.”
Toward this end, the two women have divided the relationship needs into two main workshops at the conference: one on how to communicate effectively and another on avoiding conflict.
“In my workshop,” says Jamison, “I want to help women have the relationship that they desire and deserve. I’ll teach women the six pillars of a lasting partnership so they can start to use these new tools immediately in their own relationships.”
Evans says her workshop is “geared toward preventing and managing conflict.”
“It will give women the tools to prevent an argument or, if there is an argument, teach you how to keep that from becoming an all-out war,” she says.
In addition to the two major seminars, there will also be a panel discussion with three couples who are “making it work” as they face the day-to-day challenges of being in a relationship.
There is also a vendor area that will be accessible to paying attendees as well as to the general public.
“You don’t have to pay to come to the conference to take advantage of the various companies who want to reach people in our community. This is free and open to the public,” Jamison says.
Tickets are $89 for an individual and $159 for couples. They include a continental breakfast, lunch, admission to workshops and door prizes and can be purchased at the event or online at www.createloveforwomen.com.
Top photo: Imani Evans says the goal of Create Love for Women is to leave behind ‘failing’ heterosexual models ‘so that 50 years down the road, the gay community doesn’t see the same devastating divorce rate that is seen in heterosexual marriages.’ (via Facebook)