Colorado State University Hosts "T’b-Glad 2001: Celebrating Diversity Within Communities" April 8-13

Colorado State University will host Transgender, Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Awareness Days April 8-13. Events will center on the theme "T’B-GLAD 2001: Celebrating Diversity Within Communities," and will include two keynote speakers, a photo exhibit, workshops, panel discussions and social events.

Keynote speeches will be presented by Keith Boykin, one of America’s leading commentators on issues of race and sexual orientation, and by Leslea Newman, an author and editor with 30 books to her credit, including "Heather Has Two Mommies," the first children’s book to portray lesbian families in a positive way.

Boykin will speak at 7 p.m. April 10 in the Lory Student Center Theater. A frequent presence on television, he is an award-winning adjunct professor of government at American University, former special assistant to President Clinton, Harvard Law School graduate, popular lecturer, online columnist and author of several books and articles. His work includes the Lambda Literary Award-winning book, "Respecting the Soul: Daily Reflections for Black Lesbians and Gays," and "One More River to Cross: Black & Gay in America." Boykin was the highest-ranking openly gay person in the Clinton White House, where he helped to organize and participated in the nation’s first meeting between gay and lesbian leaders and a U.S. president. He served for two-and-a-half years as the executive director of the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum, a nationwide nonprofit organization. Newman will present a talk titled "You Can’t Be a Lesbian-You’re Jewish!" at 7 p.m. April 11 in the Lory Student Center Theater. Her presentation will include a reading of her award-winning short story, "A Letter to Harvey Milk," which recently was read on National Public Radio by Carl Reiner as part of the series "Jewish Stories from the Old World to the New." The story also has been made into a film and adapted for stage. Newman’s literary awards include poetry fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement and two Pushcart Prize nominations. Five of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists.

She is author of several children’s books and many books for adults that deal with lesbian identity, Jewish identity and the intersection and collision between the two. Other topics Newman explores include AIDS, eating disorders, butch/femme relationships and sexual abuse. Some of her current projects are "Jailbait," a recently completed novel about sexual abuse, and several pictures books including "Runaway Dreidl," "My Name is Aviva" and "Cats, Cats, Cats."

A complete schedule of events for Transgender, Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Awareness Days follows. All events are open to the public and are free unless otherwise noted.

April 8 9th Annual Community Dinner, 6 p.m., Rainbow Restaurant, 212 W. Laurel St. The event will honor members of the Fort Collins and campus communities who have demonstrated a commitment to fostering a supportive environment for all. Call Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Student Services at 491-4342 to make reservations.

April 9 "GLBT Health Issues," noon, Room 164, Lory Student Center. Tanja Dunn of the Women’s Clinic at Colorado State will lead a roundtable discussion of health issues, focusing on the needs and concerns of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. "Being GLBT in the Corporate/Health/Construction/Government World," 6:30 p.m., Lory Student Center East Ballroom. Scott Coors and Eric Ewell from Coors Brewing Co. along with others from the medical, construction, and government professions share their experiences about being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender in the workplace.

April 10 "Multicultural History," noon, Room 224-226, Lory Student Center. A roundtable discussion about how cultures have dealt with sexuality and gender identity. The program will focus on how history can help make sense of today’s attitudes. "Celebrating Diversity within Communities," keynote speech presented by Keith Boyking, 7 p.m., Lory Student Center Theater.

April 11 "GLBT Generations," noon, Room 220-222, Lory Student Center. Ever wonder what it was like to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender 40 or 50 years ago? Do you think gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people can’t form lasting relationships? Come to hear speakers who have been together for 30 years or more share their stories and experiences. "You can’t be a Lesbian- You’re Jewish!" keynote speech by Leslea Newman, 7 p.m., Lory Student Center Theater.

April 12 "GLBT Literature," noon, Room 220-222, Lory Student Center. Judy Doenges, assistant professor of English at Colorado State and author of "What She Left Me," will participate in an open microphone reading. Come hear stories written by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender authors and share your own. "The Art of ‘Mating,’" 6 p.m., Room 220-222, Lory Student Center. Having roommate problems? Roommates are a part of college life whether in the halls, an apartment or even a house. Come discuss ways to deal with diversity in the home to make it a more enjoyable place to live.

April 13 "Faith, Religion and Sexuality: They Go Together?" noon, Room 220-222, Lory Student Center. A panel of religious leaders will address issues surrounding homosexuality and religion. "Paragraph 175," 7 and 9:30 p.m., Lory Student Center Theater. A film that won Best Documentary Jury Prize at Sundance 2000. Examines the persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany during World War II. Charge is $2 for students and $3 for non-students.

April 9-13 "A Walk Through Diversity – GLBT" photo exhibit, Art Lounge, Lory Student Center. Explores the communities’ diversity through photos. Photographed by local artist Ronda Stone. T’B-GLAD is sponsored by Associated Students of Colorado State University;

Student Organization for Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services; Residence Life; Agilent Technologies; Lory Student Center Diversity Grant; Hillel; Hartshorn Health Services; and Colorado State’s Creative Writing Program.

For more information, call Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services at 491-4342.