ROBYN'S PROGRAMS:

Beyond Binaries: Identity and the Sexuality Spectrum

Like snowflakes, no two people are exactly alike. In this interactive program we explore our sexual orientation identities. How do we assign labels to our complicated and unique experiences? We will explore: the relationship between experience and self-identity; between self-identity and the way others see us; different experiences of identity; the complexity of attraction.
(classroom version available)

Bisexuality: Myths and Realities

What is bisexuality? Is there no such thing as bisexuality or is everyone really bisexual? Or is it more complicated than that? What does it mean to call yourself bisexual, anyway? Why do some people have such a hard time understanding this identity? People of all sexual orientations are welcome to attend.

Choosing to Label: What's in a Name?

Bi, lesbian, gay, straight, queer, questioning, choose-not-to-label. How do you decide which label to use? What do labels do? What don’t they do? Is it possible to avoid labels? What is the difference between ascribed labels and chosen labels? How can we manage our identities in order to get the maximum benefit with the minimum cost? Let’s think creatively and proactively about identity. This is a participatory workshop, and all are welcome.

Bisexuality: A Transnational Perspective

Reading and discussing selected essays and passages from Robyn's anthology, Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World, we examine bisexuality in transnational and intersectional context. How does context affect experience? Which are shared experiences of bisexuality, and which are culturally specific?
(This is an interactive presentation, excellent for classrooms. Readings will be selected to fit the specific needs and interests of participants.)

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Contact Robyn about speaking on your campus or at your conference.

I Now Pronounce You... Equal

Regardless of your position on same-sex marriage, it's a very confusing issue, and it is very difficult to keep track of what's going on in the United States and around the world. Get your questions answered, and hear the personal story of someone from Massachusetts who legally married her wife on May 17, 2004. This presentation is followed by an extended question and answer period.

Bisexuality, Feminism, Men & Me

How are homosexual relationships different from heterosexual relationships? This provocative talk explores some of the intersections between the personal and the political, covering topics from body image to social sex role conditioning to heterosexual privilege. People of all genders and sexual orientations are welcome.
(This is a good classroom presentation.)

Fighting Biphobia: What You
Can Do

Allies and bi folks – join us as we explore the effect of biphobia in our own lives. How can we unlearn negative messages and misinformation and be proactive and fabulous rather than defensive? How can non-bi folks be allies to bisexual people? Join Robyn Ochs for an interactive and thought-provoking workshop. Together, we’ll answer these questions, then turn our shared knowledge into tools and tactics for fighting biphobia.

Imagining Our Lives

We are living in a time of tremendous advances in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered rights. But this process of change is every uneven: in some places GLBT people have more civil rights than ever before; in others our progress is being rolled back. Both popular support and homophobia are on the upswing. Words of encouragement for these challenging times. (A good keynote talk.)

Transgressing Binaries:
Activism & Academia

This talk addresses some of the barriers that impede communication between the streets and the ivory tower, and suggests strategies for building coalitions.

Full- and half-day programs are also available.

Creating A Both/And Identity in an Either/Or World

Having any sexual orientation at all comes with its own baggage, there are particular issues faced by people who identify as bisexual or who use other labels that defy an either/or interpretation of the world. Together we will examine these issues and devise strategies to proudly "be all that we can be."

My Family Values: Lessons from a Generation of GLBT Rights Activism

Robyn Ochs draws upon two decades of experience as a glbt rights activist, candidly discussing the mistakes as well as successes of the gay/lesbian/bi/trans movement. Where are we now? Where should we be heading? (A good keynote talk.)

Loosening the Gender Girdle:
How Gender Affects You

What makes a man "a man"? What makes a woman "a woman"? We will look at the ways in which we are limited by a binary understanding of gender, and explore how the politics of gender tie together the feminist, queer and transgendered movements. Come, and bring your gender with you.

Workshop for Counseling Staff: Working With Bisexual Clients

What are the unique mental health needs of young people who identify as bisexual? How can mental health professionals best prepare themselves for meeting these needs? In this presentation, Robyn will address these and other questions regarding how best to serve those coming out as bisexual or embracing other labels of sexual fluidity. Target audience: Mental health professionals and advanced students of counseling and/or psychology.

Workshop for Residence Life Staff: Life in the Fishbowl

Residence life staff who are members of one or more minority groups face special challenges. How do we balance our minority identities with our residence life identities? Discussion will cover topics such as role modeling; living in a fishbowl; being tokenized; activism; and how our minority identities can assist us in our residence life positions.

From Robyn's Facebook wall: Challenging. Provocative. Interactive! Energizing. Inspiring. Eminently warm and accepting. AMAZING. A goddess. Left me on fire. A real inspiration. FANTASTIC. Moving. Expansive. Loving. A role model. Fabulous. Breath-taking. REALLY cool. Positive role model. Wonderful. Outstanding. Interesting. Thought-provoking. So much fun! Memorable. You rock. Energetic. Accessible. Spending time with you is like being at an LGBTQ spa! Incredibly uplifting!

Self-Care For Activists

"If I don't do it, it won't get done right (or not at all...)"Have you ever felt overwhelmed, unsupported, exhausted by your activism? Let's come together to brainstorm strategies for taking care of ourselves while changing the world.

Lavender Graduation keynotes

Short, inspirational talks for LGBT graduation events. Robyn loves doing these!

Challenging Heterosexism

What is heterosexism? What is homophobia? What are their effects upon each of us? How can we unlearn negative messages and misinformation and be effective allies to gay, lesbian, bi and transgender people? This interactive and thought-provoking workshop will help us to answer these questions, and then organize our shared knowledge into tools and tactics for change. (Note: this is a 2-hour workshop)