ABOUT ROBYN OCHS: IN OTHERS' WORDS: |
I attended Robyn Ochs' 'Unlearning
Biphobia' Workshop expecting a party line primer. What I got instead was
an expansive, challenging and loving look at how fear limits us all. Robyn
Ochs is definitely a bi to watch out for!
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I highly recommend Robyn Ochs as a speaker on bisexuality. We have had her speak at NIU three or four times now and she always gets an extremely positive response. Her fee is very reasonable, she has a number of different workshops and lectures that she offers, and she's easy to work with. She was here this past fall and I was reminded again of just how good she is at addressing bisexuality. In fact, I really think she is one of the best speakers we have ever had here. Alliance has brought quite a few speakers to campus during our time here, and you have been the easiest to work with, hands down. Your laid-back attitude and organization made our job a breeze! You definitely surpassed our expectations in every way. … You were by far the best speaker we have had at Coe since we have been here. A zillion people thanked me for bringing you to campus and were full of wonderful things to say about your talk, your ideas, and having more bi visibility around. I am so grateful that you were able to spend so much time here and contribute so much … and you have certainly inspired me to take the initiative to get some things going around here ... Thanks for all your time, all your work, all your energy, for being a role model to me and many others, and for your general fabulousness! 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. It was indeed our pleasure to have you here. The word was, ‘She's REALLY cool.’ It does my heart good for our students to be exposed to such positive role models, and you fit the bill quite nicely. Also, your workshop really opened some minds, some in particular that really needed opening. Thank you for a wonderful job you did on Wednesday night. It was great spending time with you. … your presentation was outstanding and you touched many people in ways they did not expect. As a participant in the Midwest BLGTA College Conference, I would like to thank you for your passionate and inspiring keynote. … Your encouraging words helped me to look around and remember that we are a COMMUNITY, and the sight of so many of us in the same room brought tears to my eyes. … Thank you for your long-standing example of strength, courage and the quest for universal equality. I have returned to school refreshed and revitalized, ready to take on issues that had previously begun to overwhelm me. It is my hope that I can pass along that feeling of strength to others in the same way you instilled it in me. I just wanted to thank you personally for the workshop last night – it was one of those things that change the way you look at the world in general, and that doesn’t happen very often. 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. 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. … and from Robyn's Facebook wall: Andrew Carr (Northern Kentucky University): Brian Buford (University of Louisville): Courtney Williams (Simmons College): Colby (high school student): Andrew Platt (SUNY Fredonia): Sam Williams (Denison): Monica 'Padfoot' Watson (Monmouth IL) 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... Stay Beautiful" Jennifer (Michigan State): "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 !" Robyn: "Please -- invite me to speak on your campus!." |
