FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Boston, MA – August 1, 2008 – On August 4, 2008, Queer Women of Color and Friends (QWOC+ Boston) will launch the first ever, first annual QWOC WEEK, a multicultural pride festival for people of all backgrounds. Intended to increase visibility for LBGTQ people of color and be a rich celebration of pride and authentic diversity for all New Englanders, QWOC WEEK is open to all: from older African-American lesbians to immigrant college queers; from Latino gay guys to transgender pacific islanders; from political allies to non-profit health educators; this festival is open to everyone.

True to its motto – “Diversity Speaks” – QWOC Week 2008 will provide a rare opportunity for the Boston LBGTQ community to connect, collaborate, and “speak” on a variety of race-related issues such as inter-racial dating, queer friendships across the color line and the challenge of providing health services to culturally layered queer identities. With the diverse lineup of events, including a highly anticipated spoken-word/performance show, a Friday night film screening, and a family-friendly day in the park, QWOC Week 2008 promises to be a fun and memorable celebration.

But, more than just fun and games, QWOC+ Boston takes pride in its proactive year-round outreach to under-represented members of the queer community, including other organizations that promote awareness of a variety of issues and/or align with their goal of increasing consciousness via social-networking and community-building. Collaborations with key organizations that promote diverse, inclusive, community-building (such as Black Pride, Multicultural Aids Coalition, Queer Asian Pacific Alliance, MadFemmePride, and Greater Boston PFLAG) underscore the festival’s varied event lineup bound to appeal to a variety of community members.

Working to bolster the local queer scene and provide friendly, authentic community for queer women of color and friends since 2006, Asala talks about the importance (and “fun!” she says) of multi-racial queer community:

“It’s been most rewarding for me to meet the range of incredible, inspiring women I have met over the past few years, and from all over – the non-profit sector, healthcare, the service industry, music, art, academia etc. My circle of friends is so diverse, so progressive, and just so much fun because of it. So, my biggest wish for QWOC Week is that people make these valuable connections.”

DATES AND TIME: Monday, Aug 4 through Sunday, Aug 10

LOCATION: Various locations in Boston, Cambridge, and Jamaica Plain

For more information about QWOC Week, visit http://www.qwocboston.org/qwocweek.html

Press opportunities: Press passes to events and interviews with members of QWOC+ Boston will be granted to a limited number of journalists. Interested parties should contact Adora Asala, (617) 848-9593, adora@qwocboston.org

About QWOC+ Boston

Queer Women of Color and Friends (QWOC+ Boston) is a grassroots organization founded in 2006. Run by a diverse group of more than 15 Boston-area LBGTQ community members, QWOC+ Boston is creating a sustainable QWOC+ movement in New England and is committed to providing open-minded, authentic and diverse spaces for LBGTQ women of color (and their friends/allies) in the Greater Boston area.

For more information, visit www.qwocboston.org.

QWOC Week Schedule of Events

Monday August 4th at 7PM

Complex Identities: The Challenge of Providing Health Services to LGBT People of Color

Featuring special guests:

Lula Christopher (Boston Black Women’s Health Initiative), Jacquie Bishop (Director of Community Initiatives, American Diabetes Association), Reverend Irene Monroe (Activist, Scholar and Public Theologian), and Lisa Moris (The Network La Red, Dudley Pride Coalition)

MIT (Bldg 14E-304), 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139

Cost: FREE

Tuesday August 5th at 7PM

Diversity Speaks On Love, Friendship, and Family: A Discussion on Interracial Relationships within the Queer Community

Co-sponsored by Center for New Words’ “Feminism and Dessert” discussion series

YWCA, 7 Temple Street Cambridge MA 02139

Cost: FREE

Wednesday August 6th at 7PM (Doors at 6:30PM)

QWOC+ Boston presents “OUTSPOKEN: A Queer People of Color Spoken-Word and Performance Artist Showcase” in collaboration with Truth Serum Productions

Co-sponsored by Queer Asian Pacific Alliance

MIDDLESEX LOUNGE, 315 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA

Cost: $5

Thursday August 7th at 7PM

Back to Basics Afterwork Social: Summer Breezin’ at DBAR

Co-sponsored by MadFemmePride

DBAR, 1236 Dorchester Avenue Boston MA

Cost: FREE

Friday August 8^th at 7PM

Lights, Camera, Activism: Movie Night featuring a Film Screening of “Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World”, “U People”, and “The Donor”

Hosted by MIT Women’s and Gender Studies’ “Chicks Make Flicks” Program

MIT STATA CENTER (32-155), 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA 02139

Cost: FREE

Saturday August 9^th 1PM – 5PM

We Are Family: QWOC+ Boston Day in the Park

STONY BROOK PARK (Opp. Orange Line T-Stop), Jamaica Plain MA

Co-sponsored by Greater Boston PFLAG

Cost: FREE

Saturday August 9^th 9PM – 2AM

FUSION “BRING AN ALLY” PRIDE CELEBRATION

A Multicultural Pride Celebration for Men and Women of all Colors

Brought to you by Spectra Entertainment

9PM-10:30PM Grown ‘N’ Sexy Reception hosted by Black Pride, Multicultural Pride Coalition, MOCCA, and People to People: Sistah Summit/Sister Insider

UMBRIA, 295 Franklin Street Boston MA 02110

http://boston.going.com/fusionparty

Sunday August 10th at 12PM

Queer Women of Color and Friends Beach Getaway

Hosted by the QWOC+ Boston Organizers and Volunteers

Revere Beach, Revere MA