Educator to discuss identity and sexuality advocacy

Educator, activist and editor of Bi Women Quarterly Robyn Ochs will present “Beyond Binaries: Identity and Sexuality” at 6 p.m., Monday, April 16, in the Popp Martin Student Union.

Ochs has published works in numerous anthologies focused on bisexuality, women’s studies, multiculturalism and LGBTQ issues. She also edited two anthologies: the 42-country collection of “Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World” and “RECOGNIZE: The Voices of Bisexual Men.”

Additionally, she has taught in the United States and Canada on the politics of sexual orientation and the experiences of those who transgress the binary categories of gay|straight, masculine|feminine, black|white and male|female.

“We are looking forward to having Robyn Ochs come discuss how we assign labels to sexuality,” said Kimberly Turner, director of the Multicultural Resource Center, which is sponsoring the April 16 event. “Our goal is to expand students’ perspectives and challenge the way they think about labels.”

For 12 years, Ochs was on the Board of Directors of MassEquality, a statewide advocacy organization in Massachusetts that works to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. She also served on the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth for three years.

Ochs has received numerous honors for her work, including the Campus Pride’s Voice and Action Award, the Bisexual Resource Center’s Community Leadership Award and PFLAG’s Brenda Howard Award.

Photo: Joel Benjamin