The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Resource Center and Boulder Pride will present author Keith Boykin on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Benson Earth Sciences Building, room 180, on the CU-Boulder campus.
Boykin will speak on being black and gay in America. The presentation will be a highlight of LesBiGayTransQueer Awareness Month at CU.
Organizers said the term "queer" has been added to the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender designations to identify people of all sexual orientations and gender expressions who donÂ’t fit into the original categories. Once viewed as derogatory, "queer" now is used by GLBT activists as an inclusive term of identity.
Boykin, who is the author of "One More River to Cross: Black and Gay in America," will examine the issues of race and their impact upon sexual orientation, according to Beverly Tuel, director of the GLBT Resource Center.
A graduate of Harvard Law School, Boykin was a special assistant to President Clinton, the highest-ranking openly gay person to be appointed to the White House. He then went on to serve for three years as the executive director of the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum, where he was the lead advocate for the interests of black lesbian and gay men nationwide.
Boykin also is the author of "Respecting the Soul: Daily Reflections for Black Lesbians and Gays" and has appeared on Black Entertainment TV, CNN News, Fox News and NPR among others.
The goal of this program is to create a connection between the GLBT, African American and other communities of color at CU-Boulder, according to Tuel. The hope is that the program will serve as a starting point for further dialogue and collaboration between the various groups.
"Between the racism in the gay community and taboos against homosexuality in black communities, it can be hard for same gender-loving people of African decent to find acceptance," Tuel explained. "This is a program for and about all of us, regardless of gender, race or sexuality."
The program is co-sponsored by CUÂ’s Department of Housing, Student Organization Finance Office and the vice chancellor for student affairs. Additional support comes from the Cultural Unity Center, African-American advocacy committee, Bridges: An alliance for GLBT students of color, ethnic studies and others.
The GLBT resource center has moved to a new location in Willard Hall, room 227, which now has a gathering space and greater access to resources. It offers visitors a lounge, a TV and VCR, reading materials and other resources.
Fall semester hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (303) 492-1377, send e-mail to glbtrc@colorado.edu, or visit the Web site at .