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Karen Thompson & Sharon Kowalski
When Sharon Kowalski was hit and paralyzed by a drunk driver ten years ago, it forever changed her own life and that of her life-partner Karen Thompson. Karen was denied guardianship of Sharon and became embroiled in a nine year court battle to live her life with Sharon. Finally, Sharon was brought home and Karen tells her story in the book Why Can't Sharon Come Home? Their unique story has given Karen the ability to speak on a variety of issues ranging from her own specific struggle to "Handicapped By Society: An Anti-Ableism Workshop".
Dorothy Hajdys
Her son was Naval sailor Allen Schindler. After he was murdered by his shipmates in Japan just for being gay, Dorothy Hajdys emerged from this mother's worst nightmare as a woman with a cause: gay civil rights! Her story is a chilling portrayal of how homophobia kills. After exposing a Naval cover-up of her son's death and examining her own biases, Dorothy finally saw the sentencing of Allen's killer. She sums up her own presentation best: "I don't want any other mother to go through what I've gone through". Dorothy currently resides in Illinois and continues to speak out against anti-gay and lesbian violence.
Yvonne & Bob Rosnik
Yvonne & Bob Rosnik are the parents of two gay sons, and as such, they have been leaders of P-FLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Bob and Yvonne's greatest success was their fight against the introduction and passage of Colorado's "Amendment 2" legalizing sexual orientation discrimination. Bob, who is also a lawyer, is Director of EPOC (Equal Protection of Coloradoans), the organization that spearheaded the fight against "Amendment 2". Their presentation explores strategies against such laws as well as a perspective of "Straight, But Not Narrow".
April Martin
Author of The Gay and Lesbian Parenting Handbook, and a psychologist in New York City, April Martin is known as the "Dr. Spock of the gay community". April herself is a lesbian mother. She and her life partner of twenty years have two children (now teenagers) through alternative insemination. As an advocate for gay and lesbian families, her presentation incorporates her personal experiences and over two decades of clinical work. In her presentation, she examines non-traditional families, and how to teach children about families, sexual identity, and prejudice.
Craig Dean
Perhaps no topic stirs the imagination as the legalization of same-sex marriage. In this veritable minefield of tradition versus progress, ten years ago attorney Craig Dean filed the first discrimination suit to legalize same-sex marriage in over thirty years when his marriage license application to his partner was denied by the District of Columbia because both parties were men. Since then he has been speaking out on issues affecting gay and lesbian couples and has become a powerful advocate for legalization of gay marriages. His presentation gives a historical background to same-sex marriage, places it in the context of society and the modern gay civil rights movement, and discusses what the future may hold. Craig is currently the Executive Director of the Equal Marriage Rights Fund, and President of Outright Speakers & Talent Bureau. He also does motivational presentations on "Coming Out" and "Living with Pride" utilizing his own life experience to illustrate the benefits of living with equality, dignity, and respect. As well, he has developed a presentation specifically geared to training professional college staff members on gay and lesbian issues.
