BUTCH Voices Board Members and Keynotes Prepare for 2nd National Conference in Unity

Aug. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- BUTCH Voices Board Members and Keynotes Prepare for 2nd National Conference in Unity

Oakland, California – August 8, 2011 – BUTCH Voices, a grassroots organization dedicated to all self-identified Masculine of Center people and allies, has undergone several changes in since its first national conference three years ago.  “All for the better,” say committee members.

This August 18-21, 2011 will mark the second national BUTCH Voices conference in Oakland.  Entitled, “Sustaining our Movement: Building for the Future,” the conference  will take place at Oakland City Center Marriott and features a performance night, film night, and poolside dance party in addition to highly-anticipated critical breakout sessions.  

Keynote speakers include Lambda Literary Award-winning authors, sharon bridgforth and Alice Y. Hom.  “I was disappointed to have missed the first national [conference] because I heard such rave reviews of it. So I made sure to attend the regional one.” Says Hom.  

Commenting on BUTCH Voices conferences past and present, Hom continues, last year,  “I organized and presented a panel called, ‘Bromance, Kinship, and Mandates: Unveiling Taboo Topics’ with 5 other panelists who are AAPI queers of various gender identifications. … [This year,] I'm looking forward to [engaging] with butches of all stripes and people of various gender identifications. I want to have conversations, learn from others, struggle with ourselves & each other, and experience the thrill of seeing all of us basking in the beauty of love & community with all of our differences & contradictions.”

Speaking on the energy surrounding the conference, Krys Freeman, president of BUTCH Voices comments, “Because of our presence and multi-regional outreach efforts, we’ve gained backing from groups and media outlets we never expected …  from DC, NY, New Jersey, Florida ... “  Freeman continues kidding, “The list is getting a little overwhelming! … Everybody’s like ‘We love what you’re doing in Oakland! We’re coming to the conference!’”  

Lucky for all attendees, the 2011 BUTCH Voices conference boasts four days’ worth of education and entertainment.  Workshops include titles such as “Two-Spirits: Bridging Gender and Generations,” “Homophobia: Bullying and Suicide Prevention,” “Mayuca, from the bottom of my heart: A Mexicana Story of Butch-Boi Culture & Identity, and “Butch and Pregnant: What do I wear and What should you call me?”

Interested conference attendees and volunteers are encouraged to register at http://www.butchvoices.com.  Direct conference information is also available on Twitter (http://twitter.com/BUTCHVoices) and Facebook (http://facebook.com/butchvoices).  BUTCH Voices is offering financial assistance, including ride and room share, upon request.

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Carrie Kholi
Ardor Brand PR & Marketing
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