Date: Wed, 11 Mar 98 20:07:32 -0400 From: ngltf Subject: Lobel to Address 5th Intl Conf on Bisexuality BISEXUAL RESOURCE CENTER PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: David Rostcheck, Press Coordinator, (781) 643-0354, davidr@mediaone.net Wayne Bryant, Conference Organizer, (617) 424-9595, bryant@tdint.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boston, Massachusetts -- March 10, 1998 -- The Bisexual Resource Center, in connection with the Harvard Lesbian, Bisexual and Gay Graduate Students (LBGGS) today announced that Kerry Lobel, Dr. Elias Farajaj-Jones, and Rep. Evelyn Mantilla will apear as the plenary speakers for the 5th International Conference on Bisexuality. The conference will be held in the United States this year, on April 3-5 at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ³Our plenary speakers are all dynamic personalities who reflect the diversity embodied in our conference theme --- 'One World, Many Faces: Unity and Diversity in Bi Communities, Queer Communities, and the World'," noted conference organizer Wayne Bryant. Bryant authored "From Anais to Zee: Bisexual Characters in Film", published last year by Haworth Press. Kerry Lobel, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), stands as one of the most visible proponents for bisexual inclusiveness in gay advocacy organizations. Her appearance at this year's conference recognizes the increasing convergence of the concerns of bisexuals with those of the more visible gay/lesbian community. The NGLTF is a national progressive advocacy organization that has been at the forefront of every major initiative for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. Lobel has also served as lead organizer for the Women's Project in Little Rock and as executive director of the Southern California Coalition on Battered Women. Prominent bisexual minister and theologian Dr. Elias Farajaj-Jones brings his deep cultural insight and inspiring vision to the conference. A Spanish-speaking Afrikan native American, the Rev. Dr. FarajajÈ-Jones has appeared on the Phil Donahue show refuting members of the religious right. He has authored "In Search of Zion: A Study of the Significance of Afrika for Three Black Religious Movements" and co-edited "African Creative Expressions of the Divine: African Religions in Diaspora". He has also been named to the International Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians. Connecticut State Representative Evelyn Mantilla made history in 1997 when she came out to her constituents as the only openly bisexual state representative in the United States. Born in Puerto Rico, the bilingual Mantilla consults professionally on diversity and multicultural issues. Her distinguished record of public service includes membership on the boards of directors for the Haymarket People's Fund, the Hartford YMCA, and Northeast Action. Mantilla chairs the Connecticut Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission and acts as legislative liasion for the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women. "Our plenary speakers are all dynamic personalities who reflect the diversity embodied in our conference theme --- 'One World, Many Faces: Unity and Diversity in Bi Communities, Queer Communities, and the World'," noted conference organizer Wayne Bryant. Bryant authored "From Anais to Zee: Bisexual Characters in Film", published last year by Haworth Press. The Conference has attracted an array of other notable personalities, including lauded bisexual recording artist Tom Robinson, who will be performing live, and bad girls Carol Queen, Cecilia Tan, and Kim Airs who will host the Saturday entertainment. For more information, or to register, call the conference information line at (617) 747-4451, email info@biconf.org, or visit the conference web site at: http://www.biconf.org. ABOUT THE BISEXUAL RESOURCE CENTER The Bisexual Resource Center is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing information and educational resources to bisexual groups around the world. The center has hosted six regional conferences on bisexuality since 1984 and publishes the Bisexual Resource Guide. The conference is not sponsored by Harvard University or the Harvard University Science Center. _____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .