BOSTON, Mass. — Registration for The Hispanic Black Gay Coalition’s (HBGC) Inaugural Lesbian of Color Symposium (LOCS) opened this month on the organization’s website. The symposium, co-hosted by Harvard Law School Lambda and sponsored by The Rainbow Times, is set for March 3, 2012 at Harvard Law School located at 1545 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, MA.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the event will welcome lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified women of color and their allies for a day of empowerment designed to strengthen the presence of and bond between women of color in the LGBTQ community. A series of workshops covering health and wellness, gender expression, spirituality, advocacy, and healthy relationships will make up the day and will be facilitated by regionally and nationally recognized advocates of color.
“Embracing diversity is essential for empowering and uniting women of color. The Inaugural Lesbians of Color Symposium provides a platform to discuss and address the disparities within our communities as well as building and maintaining Sisterhood,” adds Shaunya Thomas, vice chair of the HBGC board of directors and one of the lead organizers of the symposium.
Symposium participants will also be treated to a number of guest speakers, including the event’s keynote speaker, Mandy Carter. A renowned social justice advocate, Carter was nominated for a Nobel peace prize in 2005 for her work in advancing racial justice, LGBTQ equality, and women’s rights. She is a founding member of the National Black Justice Coalition and a member of the Democratic National Committee’s Black Caucus and its Gay and Lesbian Caucus. In 2008, she served as the LGBT steering committee co-chair for then-Senator Obama’s 2008 Presidential Campaign.
Other special guest will include Alyssa Asomani, Editor In Chief of Stud Magazine and Ryann Holmes and Genesis Tramaine, Founders of Bklyn Boihood – a collective that creates visibility and builds community within masculine of center bois, lesbians, queers, trans-identified, studs, doms, butches and AGs of color through online media, events, workshops and collaborative projects.
A full listing of special guests and workshop descriptions can be found on HBGC’s website. Those interested in learning more and registering for the Inaugural Lesbians of Color Symposium, can visit www.hbgc-boston.org. Advance registration is $25.00. For more information, please email lesbiansymposium@hbgc-boston.org.
The Hispanic Black Gay Coalition works to inspire and empower Black and Hispanic/Latino LGBTQ individuals to improve their livelihood through activism, education, outreach, and counseling. Learn more at www.hbgc-boston.org.
