The Bi Writers Association
& The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center Present
National Summit on Putting the “B” in LGBT
Day/Time: Sat. May 30, 2009 11am-6:30pm Place: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center Address: 208 W. 13 Street, 7-8 Ave, New York NY 10011 Admission: Free Sponsors: The New York Times Company GLBT & Allies Affinity Group, Natl. Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Renna Communications Registration: Go to http://www.gaycenter.org/node/3326 “Many people aren’t quite sure how the ‘B’ fits into LGBT,” says Bruce Anderson, Interim Executive Director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center “as a result, mention of bisexual people often goes missing from discussion of LGBT rights issues like marriage equality, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and ENDA in press releases, media coverage and political speeches.”
“We want to marry our same-sex partners, want to stop getting kicked out of the military, need non-discrimination protection at work and hate crimes laws on the street… these issues are very important to the bi community,” says Sheela Lambert, Founder of the Bi Writers Association. “Accuracy of reporting on LGBT issues is compromised when bisexual people are left out of the equation,” Lambert points out.
By holding the summit, organizers hope to develop a consensus between LGBT rights organizations, journalists and political officials that inclusion of bisexual people in the discussion of LGBT issues is necessary. “This summit aims to give people the tools to understand and include the bi community more fully,” Lambert explains. Keynote Speaker: Robyn Ochs (Editor of Getting Bi, Honoree of Natl. Gay & Lesbian Task Force, marriage activist.) Plenary and Panel Speakers: Chagmion Antoine (Correspondent for 365 Gay News on Logo), Cindi Creager (National News Director, GLAAD), Tom Duane (NY State Senator) Cynthia Frawley (Producer, Sirius Radio), Oriol Gutierrez (Board, Natl. Lesbian & Gay Journalists Assoc, Dep. Editor, POZ), Ramon Johnson (Gay Life Guide at New York Time's About.com), Micah Kellner (New York State Assembly Member), Sean Kennedy (former News & Features Editor, The Advocate), Sheela Lambert (Founder, Bi Writers Association, Denny Meyer (Public Affairs Officer, AVER: American Veterans for Equal Rights), Ann Northrop (Co-Anchor, Gay USA), Pauline Park (NYAGRA), Donna Redd (Founder, SiSTAH, Co-Founder Bi Women of All Colors), Cathy Renna (Managing Partner, Renna Communications), Ignacio Rivera, activist/performance artist, Lara Schwartz (Legal Director, HRC), Dennis Slade (Co-Organizer, BiRequest), Hawk Stone (Board Member, Natl. Gay & Lesbian Task Force), Ron Suresha (Editor of Kinsey from Zero to Sixty and Bi Men), Jay Venasco (Editor in Chief, 365 Gay.com) Robert Woodworth (Director, Meeting and Conference Services and Capitol Projects, The Center) More speakers TBA. Program: Putting the “B” in LGBT Summit 11-12 Registration, Free Continental Breakfast & Shmooze 12-1:00 Opening Plenary Putting the “B” in LGBT Keynote Speaker: Robyn Ochs, Editor of Getting Bi, Honoree of The Gay and Lesbian Task Force and marriage equality activist. 1:15-2:00 Bisexuality: Exploding the Myths Panel of experts will explode myths and stereotypes about bisexuality and explain the realities. Dont be afraid to ask questions! 2:00-2:30 Lunch & Networking Inexpensive & healthy lunches will be available for purchase. 2:30-3:45 Bi Community Panel: Telling Our Stories Panel of bi speakers discuss how LGBT rights issues such as Marriage Equality, Military Discrimination and Job Discrimination impact their lives. Q&A following presentation. 4:00-4:45 Crafting the Message: How to Put the “B” in LGBT Practicum on putting the ‘B’ in LGBT in a press release, news story, policy paper, speech or interview on LGBT rights issues. How to report more accurately on bisexuality. 5:00-6:30 Closing Plenary Discussion Putting the “B” in LGBT: How can we do a better job? Roundtable discussion by distinguished LGBT rights activists, media professionals, political office holders and bi community activists. Audience participation welcomed. About the Bi Writers Association The Bi Writers Association works to dispel myths and stereotypes about bisexuality and is the foremost voice promoting bi writers, bi books and bisexual writing in America. BWA successfully campaigned for a Bisexual Book Award category at the Lammys (LGBT book awards) organizes readings, bi culture events, panels, summits and conferences. BWA provides a networking forum for bi writers, an online bi book club, a bi bookstore and Bidar blog: covering bisexuality in media arts & culture. BWA includes writers in all genres including journalism, essays, fiction, non-fiction, plays, poetry, TV and movie scripts, songwriting and erotica. Please visit www.biwriters.org About the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center Established in 1983, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, located at 208 West 13th Street in New York City, is the largest LGBT community center on the East Coast. More than 6,000 people visit the Center weekly and 300 groups meet there. More information is available at www.gaycenter.org
You can register for the Summit here: http://www.gaycenter.org/node/3326
Community Housing requests: info@biwriters.org
For more info on Bi Visibility Weekend click here: http://biwriters.livejournal.com/78162.html
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