Robyn Ochs is a long-time activist, and the editor of the Bisexual Resource Guide and the new anthology Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World (2nd edition). She has taught courses on GLBT history & politics in the United States, the politics of sexual orientation, and the experiences of those of us who transgress the binary categories of gay/straight, masculine/feminine, black/white and/or male/female. Her writings have been published in numerous bisexual, women's studies, multicultural, and GLBT anthologies. She lives in Massachusetts, and on May 17th, 2004--on the first hour it was legal to do so--Robyn Ochs married Peg Preble, her long-time partner. Their wedding was covered on page 1 of the Washington Post (see article and video). Robyn is a professional speaker and workshop leader. On this website you will find information about Robyn's speaking schedule and about her presentations and workshops.

INVITE ROBYN TO SPEAK!

"Many campuses would like to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for bisexual students and faculty, but aren't sure how to accomplish this. Robyn Ochs, noted author and activist, can help you put the B into LGBT.  A long-time professional speaker and workshop facilitator, her workshops get people thinking about gender, sexual orientation, labels and identity, about building coalitions and alliances and about taking positive action.

"Ochs is co-editor of Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World, which features writings of bisexual people from 32 different countries. She and her wife were one of the first same-sex couples legally married in Massachusetts, so Ochs can also speak thoughtfully and personally about the marriage equality movement in Massachusetts, the United States, and the world.

"Robyn Ochs makes the most of her time on your campus, usually doing two or more programs: a talk, a workshop, speaking in a class or two, or doing a special program for residence life, counseling or student activities staff. This is in addition to spending as much time as possible with the students.  As someone poised at the intersection of theory and action, Ochs introduces complex ideas in an energetic and accessible manner, and she leaves her audiences thinking and poised for action."
--Generation EQ

"Robyn's presence and personality will not only grab your attention, but will also open your mind up to numerous possibilities. Her presentations are some of the most amazing and breath-taking experiences you will be a part of."
--Daniel Coleman, Program Coordinator, GLBT Student Support Services, Indiana University

"Thanks so much for spending Coming Out Day with us here at SUNY Albany! You are fabulous! You give so much to the LGBT community and it certainly does not go unnoticed. Your workshops are always so interesting and thought provoking, but so incredibly uplifting as well. You make people feel like they matter and that they have the power to do something about the issues that concern them, even if it's something small on an individual level. That is a beautiful gift."
--Kristen Smith, student, The University at Albany

"Robyn has probably done more than any other person in the U.S. and perhaps even the world to educate the general public about bisexuality. She compiled and edited the international Bisexual Resource Guide, which has enabled thousands of bisexuals to find each other and bi-supportive organizations. She has taught some of the first college courses on bisexuality. She has given countless workshops and presentations at colleges, conferences, and just about any place that will have her. And every decade or so, when the mainstream media rediscovers that bisexuals exist, Robyn patiently answers their often uninformed questions and lets them know that bisexuality is not a phase, not a fence, and not a fad. The Stonewall Center is proud to present its Continuing the Legacy of Stonewall” award to tonight’s graduation speaker, Robyn Ochs."
--Brett-Genny Beemyn, Director of the Stonewall Center, The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. May 16, 2007.

Kate Bornstein made Robyn's day when she called her "the absolute goddess of sexual fluidity."

And from Robyn's Facebook wall: Andrew Platt, President of Pride Alliance, SUNY Fredonia: "Thank you so much for coming to SUNY Fredonia. You were the best speaker we have ever had here. I really cannot wait to have you here again next year" ... Sam, Denison U: "Thanks again for coming to Denison! We had an amazing time with you. You are a real inspiration to us all! "... Jamie (Indiana): "Robyn! Thank you SO MUCH for visiting IU! We we're so lucky to have had you here these couple of days! I hope you'll come back to speak again! You are FANTASTIC!!!" ... Jacob (MN State): "I love you you are one of the best speakers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to." ... Jennifer DeVries (Lansing): "i heard you speak at the conference this past weekend and you are completely amazing! i was so moved thank you!" ... Patrick (Illinois State): "Thanks so much for speaking at Alphabet Soup! Your speech was so moving...I couldn't get through your wedding video without crying either! I know some of the other board members of PRIDE have invited you to speak already, but I thought I should put my two cents in and agree with them! P.S. I think that our entire group wants to be your new best friend..." Naseem (Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN): "robyn, a thousand thank yous for your moving talk at alphabet soup. it was...well, words can't really describe. but thank you, from the bottom of my heart." Matthew: "Robyn Ochs is the best presenter I have seen in my 3 years of MBLGTACC. She rocks !"

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cover of Getting Bi   The AMAZING 2nd edition of Getting Bi is now available. It's not on Amazon yet, but you can order it directly from the Bisexual Resource Center. This new edition has a new layout, and 36 new pieces. 10 new countries are represented, bringing the total to 42.

The Bisexual Resource Center is excited and proud to announce that Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World is also available in an audio format for members of Bookshare.org. Bookshare.org "increases the accessibility of books for people with visual or other print disabilities." The book can be obtained from Bookshare.org's site or on Amazon.com or BN.com, or -- best -- from your local independent bookseller. Getting Bi will soon be published in Chinese by Pehn Fei Yi Li Books Co. Ltd. in Beijing, and in in Spanish by EGALES in Madrid.


Robyn is the recipient of the
2009 Susan J. Hyde Activism Award
, presented by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force in Denver, Colorado at Creating Change: The National Conference for LGBT Equality in January 2009.
Watch on YouTube


At their annual Commencement Day dinner on June 4, the Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus awarded Robyn a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for her activism and advocacy on behalf of LGBT people at Harvard University. Read more.


On May 6, Robyn was a guest on the (most excellent) radio show: This Show is So Gay. Listen to the podcast.


Recently out: "Dancing with My Grandma: Talking with Robyn Ochs About Complex Identities and Simple Messages in the Marriage Equality Movement," by Laurie Kendall. in Bisexuality and Same-Sex Marriage. (Ed. M. Paz Galupo). Haworth Press, 2008.( Simultaneously published in the Journal of Bisexuality, Volume: 7 Issue: 3/4) (more about this book)
Robyn is the editor of Bi Women. A new issue will be out September 1. The theme of this issue will be "VisiBIlity." Write to biwomeneditor@gmail.com for a copy or visit our new website: http://biwomenboston.org.
On May 30, Robyn keynoted the "Putting the B in LGBT Summit" in NYC. Co-sponsors include the NY GLBT Center and the Bi Writers Association. Listen to the podcast.
Robyn & Peg represented BiNet USA and the larger bi community at a White House reception with President Obama in honor of LGBT Pride Month. See Washington Blade article, and Bay Windows article. See photos and read Robyn's note on her Facebook page.


Robyn & Peg with President Obama

Visit Robyn on MySpace........................................... ............................................Visit Robyn on Facebook