From: EqualityFL@aol.com Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 16:32:18 EST Subject: Author/Activist Keith Boyin Coming to South Florida EQUALITY FLORIDA UPDATE 2/11/00 Please Distribute FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Through February 26, 2000 Author and Activist Keith Boykin Coming to South Florida Author of "One More River To Cross: Black and Gay in America" Joins line-up for Florida's first Black Pride Celebration Reception and Book-signing scheduled in South Beach (FLORIDA) Author/Activist Keith Boykin, one of the leading black gay voices in the country, will be on hand in South Florida for Florida's first Black Pride Celebration. Organizers of the event expect attendees from across the state and the nation as Florida joins the growing ranks of states with Black Pride Celebrations The Workshops, Faith-based events, Awards Ceremony and "Family Reunion" Picnic will take place in Fort Lauderdale, February 25-27, 2000. In Miami Beach, a special "Meet the Author" appearance and Book-signing is scheduled for Saturday, February 26th, 6:00-7:00 PM, at Books and Books on Lincoln Road Mall. Immediately following, Mr. Boykin will be the Guest of Honor at a special RSVP-only reception hosted by Mr. Howard Whitfield. In 1993, Boykin was appointed special assistant to President Clinton, becoming the highest-ranking openly gay person in the White House. He drafted Clinton's supportive statement on the 1993 gay and lesbian March on Washington and the President's letter opposing anti-gay state ballot initiatives. He helped organize and took part in the historic meeting between President Clinton and gay and lesbian leaders in 1993, as well as ensuring a black gay presence at the Million Man March three years ago. Boykin left the White House in 1995 to lead the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum, an advocacy group. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Mr. Boykin was the editor of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review and spokesperson for the Harvard Coalition for Civil Rights. He came out in 1991 while at Harvard and found immediate support from family and friends. Many gays and lesbians, black and white, don't find that kind of support and understanding, which became the impetus for Boykin's first book, "One More River to Cross: Black and Gay in America" published in 1996. His second book, "Respecting the Soul: Daily Reflections for Black Lesbians and Gays", is now available in bookstores. Responsible for Mr. Boykin's participation in Florida Black Pride are, Equality Florida, Fellowship Tabernacle (I.F.O.I.C.), Rainbow Girlz and the Black Lesbian Support Group. For additional information about Author Keith Boykin contact: Keith Boykin -(202) 332-5662 Nadine Smith, Executive Director, Equality Florida, 813-417-1456. or, nadine@eqfl.org. For general information on Florida Black Pride contact: Bishop S.F. Irons-Mahee, 305-388-4748 Our Mission: "Equality Florida is a state-wide organization that works to achieve social, political, and economic justice and that is dedicated to ending oppression based on sexual orientation, race, class and gender." ********************************************************************** Are You A Member Yet? Join Equality Florida Today. Call 813-253-5962 or email your contact information to eqfl@eqfl.org and we will send you membership information. Thanks for caring enough to get involved. Together we can make a difference. www.eqfl.org ********************************************************************** Our Mission: "Equality Florida is a state-wide organization that works to achieve social, political and economic justice and that is dedicated to ending oppression based on sexual orientation, race, class and gender." **********************************************************************