2023 FFRF national convention in Madison, Wis.

Bronze Quinton (left) of Iowa and Lynn Bieritz of Wisconsin show off the prizes they acquired in the silent auction at FFRF’s national convention in Madison, Wis., on Oct. 14.

Godless Gospel’s DeAngela Morant calls out for audience interaction while Cynthia McDonald and Tahira Clayton sing backup vocals as the group closes out the first night of FFRF’s national convention in Madison, Wis., on Oct. 13. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Director of First Impressions Lisa Treu and Bookkeeper Eleanor McEntee. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Nearly 550 people attended FFRF’s 2023 convention in Madison, Wis., including members from 45 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. (Photo by Chris Line)

Fancy cupcakes were offered to convention attendees following the performance of the Godless Gospel at the end of the program on Friday, Oct. 13. (Photo by Chris Line)

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan speaks (via a pre-recorded speech) to the audience at FFRF’s national convention on Oct. 13 in Madison, Wis. (Photo by Chris Line)

Lance Bredvold (Mont.) claps along with the Godless Gospel on Oct. 13. Bredvold is the generous benefactor of the Forward Freethought Scholarships. (Photo by Chris Line)

Bear Bright, who was introduced by drag queen Latina Envy, earned $5,000 as part of the Richard and Beverly Hermsen Student Activist Award. Bright and Stovall are suing West Texas A&M over censorship of a drag show. (Photo by Chris Line)

Mars De La Tour (Ariz.) exitedly claps following the speech by Emily Olson. (Photo by Chris Line)

Student activist award winner Marcus Stovall, who was introduced by drag queen Bryanna Banx$, earned FFRF’s Stephen and Diane Uhl “Out of God’s Closet” Student Activist Award of $5,000. (Photo by Chris Line)

Cynthia McDonald and the rest of her tablemates have a good laugh during the dinner on Saturday night, Oct. 14. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

The Forward Marching Band performs during the Friday “Tailgate Party.” (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Author and filmmaker Jeremiah Camara, an FFRF Board Member, spoke on the topic of “The Age of Appeasement” during the evening session on Oct. 13. (Phot by Chris Line)

Former FFRF reproductive rights intern Barbara Alvarez (left) introduced student essay winners Luci Green, Michelle Liao and Skylar Blumenauer. (Photo by Chris Line)

Founder and president of the Public Religion Research Institute Robert P. Jones spoke about his book, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future. (Photo by Chris Line)

From left, FFRF State Advocacy Specialist Ryan Dudley, Minnesota state Rep. Athena Hollins, Wisconsin state Sen. Kelda Roys, Minnesota state Rep. Mike Freiberg and FFRF Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne held a lively discussion as part of a secular legislative panel. (Photo by Chris Line)

Andrew Seidel, VP of strategic communications at Americans United, discussed highlights from his book, American Crusade: How the Supreme Court is Weaponizing Religious Freedom. (Photo by Chris Line)

Samuel Perry, a professor of sociology at the University of Oklahoma, spoke on the topic of Christian nationalism and his book, The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy. (Photo by Chris Line)

The FFRF Executive Board members include, front row from left, Granada Higgins, Annie Laurie Gaylor and Sue Kocher, and back row from left, Stephen Hirtle, Cheryl Kolbe, Dan Barker, Lisa Strand (FFRF director of operations, not on the board), Steve Salemson, Todd Peissig, Mike Cermack Jr., David Tamayo and Jeremiah Camara. (Photo by Chris Line)

Elie Mystal poses with his new Clarence Darrow Award after being presented it by FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Markert. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor presented political satirist Lizz Winstead with FFRF’s “Emperor Has No Clothes Award.” (Photo by Chris Line)

Gordon Brown, left, received the “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” award from Freethought Today Editor PJ Slinger. Brown gave two secular invocations at public meetings in Florida this year. (Photo by Chris Line)

Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, received FFRF’s “Champion of the First Amendment” award. She was introduced by FFRF Board Chair Stephen Hirtle. (Photo by Chris Line)

Mary Ziegler shows off her Forward Award after having it presented to her by FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. Ziegler spoke on the topic of “The Canary in the Coal Mine: What Does It Mean to Lose a Constitutional Right?” (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Jen Castle, national director of Planned Parenthood, accepts the Henry Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism Award on behalf of Planned Parenthood, which came with a $35,000 donation. She was presented the award by Erin Heisler-Wagner, Henry Zumach’s grandaughter. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

FFRF Board Member David Tamayo presents author and columnist Kate Cohen with the Freethought Heroine Award. She spoke on the topic of “The Tiny, Titanic Act of Telling the Truth.” (Photo by Chris Line)

Emily Olson is all smiles after receiving FFRF’s “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” award from FFRF Board Member Sue Kocher. As a city council member, Olson pushed to discontinue city prayers in Owosso, Mich. (Photo by Chris Line)

Jocelyn and David Williamson (Fla.) check out the merchandise tables. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Kathleen Fender (Calif.) poses as the Forward Marching Band performs behind her. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

FFRF Associate Counsel Liz Cavell (facing away) converses with (from left) Therese Chan (Washington), Pam and Steve Solomon (Missouri) and Jessie Ramsaran (Virginia). (Photo by Chris Line)

Legal Intern Aiden Culver and Intake Legal Assistant Matt Langer. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Suzanne Perry (Minn.) and Terrance Madden (Mich.) share a laugh while getting their photo taken by an FFRF sign. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Craig Aykroyd (Ariz.), Candace Van Etten (Ariz.) and David Solomon (Md.) stop for a quick photo during a break in the action. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

FFRF Multimedia Producer Bruce Johnson, left, and his team of audio/video specialists provided the stage videos, sound and captioning. Also pictured, from left: Erin Johnson, Tori Neels, Stephanie Benicek, captioner Norma Miller, Mallory Johnson and Noah Gilfillan. Helping out the AV team, but not pictured, were FFRF IT Director Scott Knickelbine, IT Specialist Sheryl Lindmeier and Buzz Kemper. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Darrell Barker (Washington) chats with FFRF Communications Director Amitabh Pal. (Photo by Chris Line)

FFRF IT Help Desk Specialist Sheryl Lindmeier takes a photo for Lisa Mavrotheris (Alabama) as she poses with the silcone mannequin of Charles Darwin in the Freethought Hall Library. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

The winners of the 2023 “clean money” drawing are, from left: Mike Garstin, Joy Goldbaum, Nancy Rattmann, Jaime Zillmer, Alice Elliott Heath, Sue Steinkraus, David Carter, David Ford, Bob Newton, Jay Harel, Tom Snider and Ivy Garlynd. (Photo by Steve Solomon)

FFRF Events Manager Sadie Pattinson shows off a winning ticket as emcee Buzz Kemper calls out the name of the winner. Special thanks to Bookkeeper Eleanor McEntee for tracking the “clean money” drawing. (Photo by Chris Line)

A line of more than 75 people awaited author Kate Cohen for her We of Little Faith book-signing event following her speech on Oct. 13. (Photo by Chris Line)

Wisconsin state Sen. Kelda Roys reacts with excitement at seeing FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Markert. (Photo by Chris Line)

FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line also works as FFRF’s chief photographer. (Photo by Steve Solomon)

Photographer Kyle Hilker smiles as he’s caught on the receiving end of being photographed. (Photo by Steve Solomon)

FFRF Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne tickles the ivories as FFRF staff and members mingle in the Charlie Brooks Auditorium during the open house on Oct. 12 prior to the start of the convention. (Photo by Chris Line)

Marilyn Nienkirk (Minnesota) and Dana Treadwell (California) are all smiles during the FFRF open house. (Photo by Chris Line)

Members and staff meet new friends and old acquaintances in the auditorium at Freethought Hall. (Photo by Chris Line)

FFRF Litigation Legal Assistant Greta Martens (red shirt) speaks with several members about the FFRF legal team. (Photo by Chris Line)

Members crowd the Anne Nicol Gaylor Lobby of Freethought Hall as they check in for the open house and collect their name badges for the convention (Photo by Chris Line)

“Clean money” ticket seller Eric Lawrence speaks about the drawing while ticket seller and FFRF Board Member Todd Peissig prepares the tumbler with the raffle tickets and Buzz Kemper cheers. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

HR Specialist Stephanie Flowers, Editorial Assistant Greg Fletcher, Legal Fellow Sammi Lawrence, Digital Communications Manager Rowan Hahn and Legal Fellow Kat Grant. (Photo by Chris Line)

Carolyn Golojuch has a friend take a photo of her with Elie Mystal during his book-signing event. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Shop Manager Katina Gehn, Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne and Graphic Designer Roger Daleiden. (Photo by Steve solomon)

Intake Attorney Maddie Ziegler, Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Elliott, Associate Counsel Liz Cavell and Legal Director Rebecca Markert. (Photo by Steve Solomon)

Associate Counsel Sam Grover, Director of Government Affairs Mark Dann and Government Affairs Intern Caitlin Berray. (Photo by Steve Solomon)

Litigation Legal Assistant Greta Martens. (Photo by Steve Solomon)

Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. (Photo by Steve Solomon)

Co-President Dan Barker. (Photo by Steve Solomon)

Charles Wilson keeps the beat for the Godless Gospel. (Photo by Chris Line)

Tahira Clayton performs the Dan Barker song, “Let’s All Give Thanks.” (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Emily Sundin takes center stage while DeAngela Morant sings backup on “Never Be Ashamed.” (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Cynthia McDonald handles lead singer duties on the song “I Don’t Need Jesus,” written by Dan Barker. (Photo by Chris Line)

Godless Gospel music director and composer Andre Forbes waves to the audience after being introduced. (Photo by Chris Line)

FFRF convention attendees dance and sway to the music of the Godless Gospel. (Photo by Chris Line)

Mandisa Thomas, left, and Candace Gorham lead the procession to the stage at the start of Godless Gospel’s performance. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

DeAngela Morant belts out “I Believe,” written by Andre Forbes. (Photo by Chris Line)

Coyote Herron (Wis.) and Nick McManus (Mich.) are all smiles as they head back into the main ballroom. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

Events and Outreach Manager Sadie Pattinson. (Photo by Chris Line)

Steve and Pam Solomon (Mo.), Andrew Seidel (Wis.) and Jessie Ramsaran (Va.) enjoy a little levity during a break. (Photo by Steve Solomon)

Emily Sundin, Mandisa Thomas, DeAngela Morant, Candace Gorham, Amos Perry, Charles Wilson and Aaron Hill gather for a group photo following Godless Gospel’s performance. Not pictured are singers Heather Kinley and Stephen Phelps. (Photo by Kyle Hilker)

2023 FFRF national convention in Madison, Wis.

Become a Member

Stay Connected

Listen to our Podcast

About Us

Help

Terms of Use