Outright Speakers & Talent Bureau [Multiculturalism & Diversity]

Congresswoman Sabrina Sojourner is the first open lesbian to be elected to the United States Congress. Having been elected by a whopping 83% of the vote, Sabrina represented the District of Columbia in the U.S. House of Representatives where in her non-voting position she lobbied not only for Statehood for the District of Columbia, but impacted other legislators on a whole spectrum of issues. Sabrina is also a nationally recognized educator on diversity and multiculturalism. As past Director of Diversity Programs and Woman of Color Programs for the National Organization for Woman, she has developed a variety of programs, workshops, and presentations that focus on building bridges of understanding across differences, including race, gender, and sexual orientation. A widely published author, Sabrina's latest work is a collection of poems and narratives entitled Psychic Scars and Other Mad Thoughts.

Keith Boykin, author of One More River to Cross: Black and Gay in America, is one of the nation's foremost commentators on issues of race and sexual orientation. A graduate of Harvard Law School, as Special assistant to President Bill Clinton, Keith was the highest ranking openly gay person to be appointed to the White House. Afterwards, Keith served for three years as Executive Director of the Nation Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum where he was the lead advocate on the interests of black lesbians and gay man nationwide. At thirty-five years old, Keith is a role model to young people everywhere as to what one can accomplish, straight or gay, people of color or not. In his presentation, Keith examines the issues of race and their impact upon sexual orientation. He opens eyes wide as to the perceptions of discrimination and prejudice on multi-levels and teaches that the river we all face as Americans is prejudice, against whose current we must defend our ideals of equality.

Rudy Galindo is the 1996 U.S. Men's National figure skating champion as well as the only Mexican-American and only openly gay man to hold that title. In his autobiography, Icebreaker, Rudy tells of his heartbreaking struggle to achieve his dream of winning the gold medal. After winning two national championships with Kristi Yamaguchi, in 1990 she dissolved the partnership. As well, Rudy's coach died from AIDS that year. Struggling with a singles career Rudy was beset by personal tragedies: his brother and a second coach dying of AIDS, struggling with alcohol and drugs, and an abusive relationship. Rudy's inspirational story is one of overcoming personal demons as well as racism and homophobia and having the perseverance to fulfill ones dreams through courage and determination.

At 25 years old, Wilson Cruz has already accomplished much in his life. Perhaps best known for his portrayal of "Ricki Vasquez", one of the main starring characters on the television series "My So Called Life", Wilson's character was the first gay teenager to be featured in a regular series. As such, Wilson takes his responsibility seriously. He is a gay youth advocate and was a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Gay Community Center's teen program, where he worked regularly with homeless gay and lesbian teenagers. He knows this territory full well as he himself was thrown out of his own house for being a gay teenager. Wilson is a strong voice for compassion and understanding. His presentation breaks down into three parts where he speaks about his professional life as one of the few Latino characters in television not to mention a gay Latino character. He also takes an in depth look at his personal life and the coming out issues he faced in a Latino culture. Finally, Wilson talks about his volunteer life where he devotes his time to working on homelessness and bringing to light the specific problems youth face today in America.

Nationally acclaimed writer and performance artist, Canyon Sam creates solo performances based on her experiences in both Asia and America as an activist and Buddhist practitioner. In her show, "Capacity to Enter" Canyon explores what happens when an Asian lesbian and Buddhist find desire, identity, and commitments at odds. Finely drawn character monologues include an exiled Zen Master, 1970's radical lesbian separatist, a bewildered Chinese-American mother, and a zestful Italian cook. A hilarious tour of what happens when politics, spirituality, and hormones all pull in opposite directions, Canyon's program is appropriate for a multitude of areas in programming as she addresses bisexuality, multiculturalism and diversity. Known for fluidity and grace, Canyon has performed all over the U.S. and Canada and has certainly been an inspiration to many.

Gail Hand is a professional speaker, author, and humorist. Since Gail started her stand-up career in 1989 in San Francisco, she's toured over 100 Universities & Colleges in the U.S. & Canada, with a humorous look on Coming-Out as well as an upbeat, fun filled diversity training for Residence Life, Orientations & Staff. Gail has performed a one-woman show "Lottie's Legacy" for several years, inspired by her larger than life small Bronx matriarch, Grandma Lottie Hand. In her new book: The Power of Laughter: Seven Secrets to Living and Laughing in a Stressful World, Gail shares her humor with the world on using laughter to deal with stressful situations offering her antics on living in a body cast for a year while in high school. Gail's programs are humorous, and offer a compelling look at overcoming adversity with a smile. Great for comedy shows, keynotes or dynamite diversity training's, Gail is sure to leave your campus laughing and thinking about celebrating our differences!!

Ingrid Rivera is a queer, Black Boricua, lecturer, poet, and spoken-word performance artist. As a lecturer, Ingrid speaks on many topics but has focused her work on race, economic justice, and queer issues. Ingrid is currently performing her work in progress, Lágrimas de Cocodrilo/ Crocodile Tears, which is an experience into spoken-word performance art and Ingrid's tale of survival via poetic monologues. This show is a dramatic journey into one woman's struggle and recovery from child sexual abuse and incest, coming out and accepting her lesbianism, and finally raising her own daughter in the midst of recovery. An audience will find that Ingrid’s poetry exudes the consciousness of political activism. Described as a multi-poetic expression of Ingrid Rivera’s multiple identified life, Ingrid's unique, honest and powerful artistic expression unveils and allows an audience to delve into the otherwise daunting issues of identity, abuse, discrimination, love, war, and much more.

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".

Aneesa Ferreira says "I'm gay, black and Jewish. What else is there? People say an awful lot more for this former cast member of MTV's Real World Chicago. Being a lesbian and the child of an interracial marriage, her father is black and her mother is Jewish, Aneesa presentation stresses finding a place in a world that strives to be different. With brutal honesty and candor she discusses everything from her former roommates to setting goals and aspirations. As evidenced by memorable moments from the Real World, Aneesa has the tough personality to rise above difficult situations and at the same time show a remarkable sensitivity and compassion for people and the world around her.

In Real World Hawaii, Ruthie Alcaide proved to be one of the most interesting characters ever to appear on MTV’s Real World series. Openly bisexual, a native Hawaiian, Ruthie was born one of triplets and raised by a strict Filipino foster family. She joined a group of cast members from the mainland for the show and stirred things up with her carefree, independent and often controversial lifestyle. Her presentation not only embodies these elements but also the more serious side of her and alcoholism having been shipped by the cast to rehab during filming. Ruthie courageously takes head on the issues of sexuality, addiction, and also just plain enjoying life which explains her ongoing popularity and appeal to audiences around the country.

Sexy and outspoken singer/songwriter Robin Renée defies cultural confines with her unique brand of alt-folk mantra-pop and dynamic rock-based performance. All Six Senses, her latest CD, features the queer anthem My Bride and was produced by the world-renowned Scott Mathews-- who has worked with artists as fabulous and diverse as George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Elvis Costello, Barbra Streisand, Eric Clapton, and Patti LaBelle. A free spirit and an out bisexual by age twelve, she has been an organizer for BiNet USA and recently appeared on Black Entertainment Television's BET Tonight to discuss her polyamorous love-style. As a writer, Robin is a regular music columnist to such publications as the Philadelphia Gay News and The Washington Blade and her essays have appeared in Blessed Bi Spirit: Bisexual People of Faith and That Takes Ovaries!: Bold Females and Their Brazen Acts. Whether performing, speaking or for the perfect evening a combination of both, Robin brings a new voice to the table that must be heard.