Date: Fri, 21 Apr 1995 10:46:30 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Subject: Wichita: Rex Rivers to receive American Bear Award N E W S R E L E A S E FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Rex Rivers, 316-269-0913 Tim Martin, 502-894-8573 WICHITA GAY ACTIVIST TO BE RECOGNIZED WITH NATIONAL AWARD Wichita, KS (EGCM) Rex Rivers, a gay activist in Wichita, Kansas has been selected to receive THE AMERICAN BEAR AWARD for outstanding service to the gay and lesbian community. The award will be presented at Bear Pride in Chicago on Memorial Day weekend. Rex will receive a trophy commemorating this recognition and $100 will be donated in his name to the Gay Information Line. "It is always an honor to receive an award," said Rex, "but getting a national award such as this is especially gratifying. I've been serving the gay and lesbian community just about every day now for over seven years. Awards like this keep burnout from setting in." Rex's work was heralded last year when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance. His acceptance speech was received with a standing ovation. During his years as manager of the Gay Information Line and the Land of Awes Information Services Rex has on many occasions literally saved people's lives when they were contemplating suicide. He helped to start the original Coming Out Support Group, produced several gay publications, runs a gay computer bulletin board system, is on the board of Equality Kansas, the states largest gay and lesbian lobbying organization, provides a gay news and information service, and also provides a phone tree and fax service for gay activists. "We are proud to be giving this award to Rex," said Tim Martin, Publisher of American Bear Magazine, who sponsors the national award. "He has done an outstanding job in serving the gay and lesbian community and he deserves this recognition." For more information contact: Rex Rivers; The Land of Awes; Post Office Box 16782; Wichita, KS 67216-0782; 316-269-0913 voice; 316-269-4208 fax; 316-269-3172 modem; REX.RIVERS@F9.N291.Z1.FIDONET.ORG internet. Tim Martin; Amabear Publishing; Post Office Box 7083; Louisville, KY 40257-7083; 502-894-8573 voice; POSNEG@AOL.COM internet. [A PICTURE IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS NEWS, CALL REX AT 316-269-0913 FOR INFO] -= END =-