FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2006
Contact: Ginny Apuzzo (845) 339-7963
Jay Blotcher (845) 687-2284
HISTORY, HEALTH, AGING AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH AMONG TOPICS AT FIRST-EVER LGBTQ CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN ULSTER COUNTY
“COME OUT & FIND OUT” WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 30 AT HOLIDAY INN IN KINGSTON; DAY-LONG EVENT SPONSORED BY LGBTQ CENTER
KINGSTON, NEW YORK -- Hot-button topics such as same-sex marriage, gay and lesbian youth, sexual health and aging will be showcased in
seminars and workshops at “Come Out & Find Out,” the first-ever
conference devoted to issues facing the lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community of The Mid-Hudson
Valley.
“Come Out & Find Out” will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 503 Washington Avenue, Kingston, NY. There is a $15 general admission, and $12 members/seniors/students. Lunch is included in the registration fee. The event is sponsored by the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center Inc. and co-sponsored by Stonewall Communities.
To register in advance, download an application from our Web site at
www.lgbtqcenter.org or call (845) 331-5300. The Conference is
expected to sell out and space is limited. There is a limited number
of scholarships available to people based on financial need.
“The LGBTQ Community must still struggle to attain the rights accorded all other Americans,” said Ginny Apuzzo, President of the Board of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center, Inc. “We remain second-class citizens. The Come Out & Find Out conference was designed to provide people with the knowledge, legal tools and inspiration to move forward to achieve this goal. Once our community center has a home -- and we’re very close to realizing that dream -- the services and information offered at this conference will be available year-round at the center. Gay or straight, we welcome you to attend Come Out & Find Out.”
The Conference program includes:
9:00-9:30am: Registration.
9:30-10:00am: Keynote address by Ted Hayes, former Baptist Minister and founding member of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center.
10:15-11:15am:
Making our History - Conducted by Sullivan County resident Jonathan Ned Katz, a pioneering scholar of gay history.
Marriage Equality: A Movement, Not a Moment - Ross Levi, Director of Public Policy and Governmental Affairs, Empire State Pride Agenda.
Community Response to LGBTQ Youth Needs (Part 1) - Dr. Joyce Hunter, co-founder of the Harvey Milk School and the Hetrick-Martin Institute in New York City.
11:30am-12:30pm:
Queer Ideas on your Financial Future - James Tissot, Certified Financial Planner, president of Prism Planning in New York City.
Introduction to Transgender Issues - Sean M. Endress, MA, MSW, therapist and educator.
Community Response to LGBTQ Youth Needs (Part 2) - Dr. Joyce Hunter, co-founder of the Harvey Milk School and the Hetrick-Martin Institute in New York City.
Lunchtime Sessions 12:30-1:45pm:
Intergenerational Dialogue: Why We Need to Work Together - Dr. Harold Kooden.
Queer Spirit: Transcending Traditional Experiences of organized religion - Rev. Kenneth L. Walsh, member of the Hudson Valley clergy.
1:45-3:00pm:
Hot Monogamy for Women - Tina Robie, VP for Education and Training, Planned Parenthood of the Mid-Hudson Valley, Inc.
Respect and protect: Support and Advocacy for LGBTQ Youth - Rob
Conlon, co-chair of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network
(GLSEN), and Sara Braun, Director of Center Lane, a Westchester-based
program serving LGBTQ youth.
Golden Men: The Power of Gay Midlife - Dr. Harold Kooden, clinical psychologist, activist and author.
Closing session 3:15-4:00pm:
Remarks by Ginny Apuzzo, Pres. of the
Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center Board of Directors .
The Holiday Inn is wheelchair-accessible.
The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center, Inc., was established in
2005 and currently seeks a permanent home in Kingston. Already, 600
individuals and families have registered as Center members. The
Center would provide social services, as well as cultural outreach
and advocacy on issues important to the entire Hudson Valley LGBTQ
Community. Center events and fundraisers are held throughout the
year, including an upcoming Halloween party on October 28 in Stone
Ridge.
ATTENTION MEDIA: You are welcome to attend this event as a working
press member. Advance interviews are available with all seminar
leaders and with Ginny Apuzzo, President of the Center Board of
Directors. Call Jay Blotcher at (845) 687-2284 or Ginny Apuzzo at
(845) 339-7963.
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LISTING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Saturday, Sept. 30: Come Out & Find Out: a day-long conference featuring workshops on issues facing the LGBTQ community. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 503 Washington Avenue, Kingston. $15 general admission, $12 Center members and seniors/students. Topics include: Marriage equality; LGBTQ history; The Needs of LGBTQ Youth; Financial Strategies; Transgender Issues; Queer Spirituality; Gay Men at Mid-Life; Safe Sex Education. Lunch provided. Sponsored by the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center Inc. and Stonewall Communities. Info at www.lgbtqcenter.org or call 845-331-5300.