INVITE ROBYN TO YOUR SCHOOL!

"Many campuses would like to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for bisexual students and faculty, but aren't sure how to accomplish this. Robyn Ochs, noted author and activist, can help you put the B into LGBT.  A long-time professional speaker and workshop facilitator, her workshops get people thinking about gender, sexual orientation, labels and identity, about building coalitions and alliances and about taking positive action.

"Ochs is co-editor of Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World, which features writings of bisexual people from 32 different countries. She and her wife were one of the first same-sex couples legally married in Massachusetts, so Ochs can also speak thoughtfully and personally about the marriage equality movement in Massachusetts, the United States, and the world.

"Robyn Ochs makes the most of her time on your campus, usually doing two or more programs: a talk, a workshop, speaking in a class or two, or doing a special program for residence life, counseling or student activities staff. This is in addition to spending as much time as possible with the students.  As someone poised at the intersection of theory and action, Ochs introduces complex ideas in an energetic and accessible manner, and she leaves her audiences thinking and poised for action."
--Generation EQ

"Robyn's presence and personality will not only grab your attention, but will also open your mind up to numerous possibilities. Her presentations are some of the most amazing and breath-taking experiences you will be a part of."
--Daniel Coleman, Program Coordinator, GLBT Student Support Services, Indiana University

"Thanks so much for spending Coming Out Day with us here at SUNY Albany! You are fabulous! You give so much to the LGBT community and it certainly does not go unnoticed. Your workshops are always so interesting and thought provoking, but so incredibly uplifting as well. You make people feel like they matter and that they have the power to do something about the issues that concern them, even if it's something small on an individual level. That is a beautiful gift."
--Kristen Smith, student, The University at Albany

"Robyn has probably done more than any other person in the U.S. and perhaps even the world to educate the general public about bisexuality. She compiled and edited the international Bisexual Resource Guide, which has enabled thousands of bisexuals to find each other and bi-supportive organizations. She has taught some of the first college courses on bisexuality. She has given countless workshops and presentations at colleges, conferences, and just about any place that will have her. And every decade or so, when the mainstream media rediscovers that bisexuals exist, Robyn patiently answers their often uninformed questions and lets them know that bisexuality is not a phase, not a fence, and not a fad. The Stonewall Center is proud to present its Continuing the Legacy of Stonewall” award to tonight’s graduation speaker, Robyn Ochs."
--Brett-Genny Beemyn, Director of the Stonewall Center, The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. May 16, 2007.

Kate Bornstein made Robyn's day when she called her "the absolute goddess of sexual fluidity."

And from Robyn's Facebook wall: Andrew Platt, President of Pride Alliance, SUNY Fredonia: "Thank you so much for coming to SUNY Fredonia. You were the best speaker we have ever had here. I really cannot wait to have you here again next year" ... Sam, Denison U: "Thanks again for coming to Denison! We had an amazing time with you. You are a real inspiration to us all! "... Jamie (Indiana): "Robyn! Thank you SO MUCH for visiting IU! We we're so lucky to have had you here these couple of days! I hope you'll come back to speak again! You are FANTASTIC!!!" ... Jacob (MN State): "I love you you are one of the best speakers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to." ... Jennifer DeVries (Lansing): "i heard you speak at the conference this past weekend and you are completely amazing! i was so moved thank you!" ... Patrick (Illinois State): "Thanks so much for speaking at Alphabet Soup! Your speech was so moving...I couldn't get through your wedding video without crying either! I know some of the other board members of PRIDE have invited you to speak already, but I thought I should put my two cents in and agree with them! P.S. I think that our entire group wants to be your new best friend..." Naseem (Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN): "robyn, a thousand thank yous for your moving talk at alphabet soup. it was...well, words can't really describe. but thank you, from the bottom of my heart." Matthew: "Robyn Ochs is the best presenter I have seen in my 3 years of MBLGTACC. She rocks !"

Quote of the week:

"Inclusion is not about an entitled group of priviliged citizens deigning to open up the big door to let their inferiors in. Inclusion is about acknowledging what already is.

When we (all of us) insist on civil rights, respect and ackowledgement in the mainstream community, we do not ask as outsiders.  We are pointing out that we are already here, we have been there for a long time, and we ask that our presence as citizens be recognized, legally, culturally, and interpersonally."

--Robyn, 1997

Robyn's definition of bisexuality:

"I call myself bisexual because I acknoweldge that I have the potential to be attracted -- romantically and physically -- to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree."

Robyn is keynoting the 15th BECAUSE Conference (The 15th Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experience) to be held April 17-19, 2009 in Minneapolis, MN.

---

ROBYN IS INTERVIEWED IN THE JUNE 2008 ISSUE OF LAVENDER MAGAZINE, in an article entitled "Bisexuality and the Space Between Binary Categories" by John Townsend.

ROBYN OCHS IS THE EDITOR OF
BI WOMEN
a newsletter produced by the Boston Bisexual Women's Network for bi women everywhere.

Write to biwomeneditor@gmail.com if you wish to be added to the mailing list.