QWOC WEEK PRESS RELEASE (Aug 4-10)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
“QWOC+ Boston Fills A Gap In The Local LBGTQ Community—With A Week Long Celebration”
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
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+
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
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 (
MIT (Bldg 14E-304),
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,
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
MIDDLESEX LOUNGE,
Cost: $5
Thursday August 7th at 7PM
Back to Basics Afterwork Social: Summer Breezin’ at DBAR
Co-sponsored by MadFemmePride
DBAR,
Cost: FREE
Friday August 8th 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
Cost: FREE
Saturday August 9th 1PM – 5PM
We Are Family: QWOC+
STONY BROOK PARK (Opp. Orange Line T-Stop),
Co-sponsored by Greater
Cost: FREE
Saturday August 9th 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
http://boston.going.com/fusionparty
Sunday August 10th at 12PM
Queer Women of Color and
Hosted by the QWOC+