jeudi 20 juin 2019

LGBTQ+ Mentor Robyn Ochs Speaking On Culture

By Paul Taylor


When it comes to history and culture, the LGBTQ+ community is now in the limelight. For, not only are a number of individuals celebrating Pride Month, it is also the upcoming 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Whereas, it is also a rather historic anniversary for Robyn Ochs, a bi activist, speaker, teacher and writer whom has been active in speaking on culture as related to the bisexual community for over 50 years.

An editor of two bisexual oriented anthologies and a Boston Bi Women's quarterly newsletter which has been around about as long as the activist, Ochs stays busy. Whether editing Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World or RECOGNIZED: The Voices of Bisexual Men, publishing the newsletter or touring, Ochs is always at the forefront of community involvement.

Robyn has also published several books related to the community, especially with regards to multiculturalism, women's studies and LGBTQ+ history in Canada and the United States. Ochs is also one of the only women to craft a definition which applies to most bi activists and bisexuals. While having crafted a definition, Ochs still understands that there are basically as many definitions of the term bisexuality as there are bisexuals.

The definition which Robyn has provided in several publications states that bisexuality actually describes any individual who has the potential to be attracted to more than one gender, whether that be male, female, binary or transgendered though not always at the same time or in the same way or degree. For, most bisexuals have the capability to carry on either a monogamous or non-monogamous relationship with all gender identifications.

The Advocate magazine recently included Robyn in a 50 Heroes 50 States listing which was in large part thanks to Teen Vogue whom places Ochs as one of 9 women which identify as bisexual making history. In large part, both honors were given due to the activist's ongoing commitment of intersectional, community and commitment based activism. Whereas, Robyn has also worked with other communities in building bridges and coalitions across different communities.

Robyn has also served for more than twelve years on the MassEquality Board of Directors, an organization dedicated to statewide equality. Whereas, the activist and speaker was also part and parcel to the LGBTQ Massachusetts Youth Commission for three years. The latter of which is most likely one of the primary inspirations for the speaking engagements provided to LGBTQ+ college students across the country each year.

One of the most recent awards provided to Ochs is that of the Campus Pride's Voice and Action Award with regards to the different programs and speaking engagements over the last few decades. Whereas, the Gender & Sexuality Caucus' Lifetime Achievement Award received from Harvard speaks volumes about the respect the activist garners from community leaders and professionals as well as those in the community.

In addition to the lifetime achievement award, Robyn was also presented with an award for an active and lengthy presence in the LGBTQ+ movement for over 50 years. The award provided by the director of the National Task Force was based on Och's goal to gain inclusivity for all LGBTQ+ members within the larger Queer community. For, had it not been for the work of Robyn and other community members, bisexuals would most likely still lack visibility when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community as well as the world at large.




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