The Flint Hills Observer
May1997

Purpose of the conference? To enable us to communicate about issues that are important to us in a safe environment among friends and professionals, and to educate ourselves and others in order to liberate ourselves as a cohesive GLBT community.

Who should come? High school and college students, faculty, members of the GLBT community, and our supporters are welcome to exchange ideas and issues.

About BGLS
KSU's BGLS is a peer support system for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Kansas State University students, faculty, and staff members, Manhattan area residents, and supporters. BGLS provides informational and educational resources, a network of communication, and support to its members and friends. Please feels free to talk to a BGLS member during the conference or e-mail BGLS at: bgls@ksu.edu or visit our website at http://www.ksu.edu/bgls

About P-FLAG
P-FLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons, their families, and friends through support, education and advocacy to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. P-FLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. To find an active P-FLAG group near you, call or visit the P-FLAG web site at http://www.pflag.org.

This conference is funded by the Kansas Health Foundation.

8:00-8:45 Check-In

8:45-9:00 Introduction and Welcome!

9:00-10:00 A Matter of Justice and Compassion True Family Values: Affirming Our Gay and Lesbian Children ---------------Bob Bernstein

10:15-11:30 Morning Sessions

I. Strengths and Challenges: Bringing All of You Who Are On The Journey ---------------Patricia O'Brien

II. Beyond Coming Out: Exploring Gender, Religious, and Social Issues ---------------Robert Minor

11:30-1:00 Lunch 1:00-2:00 Relationships: The Continuum of Friendship to Partnership ---------------Brenda Hanger

2:15-3:30 Afternoon Sessions

I. Update on AIDS ---------------Topeka AIDS Project, Regional AIDS Project

II. Building a Stronger GLBT Community Through Education and Activism ---------------Scott Curry

3:45-5:00 Liberation, Connection, Closure Celebrating our "Uncommon Heroes" ---------------Phillip Sherman ***************************************************************************

Strengths and Challenges: Bringing All Of You Who Are On The Journey - The Stages of Coming Out

Definitely for those who have not come out to friends and family, or who have only come out to a few people. Have fun with the friends you'll meet during this discussion. We'll share ideas and experiences about the joys, fears, success and traumas of one of the most important processes that occurs in a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered person's life.

Beyond Coming Out: Exploring Gender, Religious, and Social Issues

You're comfortable with your sexuality, but why is it such a big deal to everyone else? How do we as nonheterosexuals conflict with traditional gender roles? How do we reconcile ourselves with society's definition of the religious and social norm? Come to the session to be enlightened!

Update on AIDS

Here's your chance to find out anything you've always wanted to know about HIV and AIDS but were afraid to ask!! Feel free to take brochures and handouts, and find out how you can be an AIDS advocate or volunteer in your community.

Building a Stronger GLBT Community Through Education and Activism

Part of individual and community cohesion and growth comes from educating each other and sharing our stories. Learn about what's happening with other GLBT's around the U.S. and Kansas, and find out how you can keep yourself and your community educated and liberated.

Robert Bernstein, our Keynote Speaker, authored Straight Parents/Gay Children: Keeping Families Together (with an Introduction by Robert MacNeil of the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour). Mr. Bernstein's column on gay issues, disability rights and aging have appeared in more than fifty major metropolitan dailies, such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and the Chicago Tribune. He served for nineteen years with the U.S. Department of Justice. He also appeared as "Parent of the Week" on the Oprah Winfrey Show in January of 1996.

Patricia O'Brien, LMSW, Ph.D, describes herself as a social worker, educator, and agent of change. She currently teaches in the Social Work Department at KSU.

Robert Minor, Ph.D, is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas where he has taught for nineteen years and was Department Chair for six. His first four books were on his specialty, religious thought and practice in South Asia, but his current research is on gender studies and the relationships of religion and law. At KU one of his popular courses is entitled Religious Perspectives on Selfhood and Sexuality. Bob has led workshops on homophobia for churches and other religious groups throughout the Midwest.

Brenda Hanger, LSCSW, is a clinical social worker in private practice in Manhattan. She is a past Chair of the Committee on Gay and Lesbian Issues for the Kansas-National Association of Social Workers. Brenda has worked with gay and lesbian families, couples, and individuals in Manhattan and Junction City since 1989.

Scott Curry, tired of watching friends die and angry at a government that failed to respond to the AIDS crisis, became an activist in the early 80s. In 1992, Scott was the first openly gay man to speak to the Kansas Legislature. He continues to lobby and educate on behalf of Queer Kansas. He went to Washburn School of Law in order to add law as a tool he could use in the struggle for social change. He plans to open a practice in Wichita. His main focus will be Queer Law.

Phillip Sherman is the executive director of the book, Uncommon Heroes, which profiles 131 prominent American gays and lesbians. This book received the American Library Association's 1995 Non-Fiction Award as well as being the official book of Stonewall 25. Copies of this book have been given to each member of the United States Supreme Court.

Registration will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Each $5 registration donation will provide a participant with a packet of materials and a T-Shirt. The books Uncommon Heroes and Straight Parents/Gay Children: Keeping Families Together will be available for sale at the conference.

To make reservations please send name, address, e-mail, etc. to bgls@ksu.edu or call Deb Taylor at 913-532-2524 or Chris Hurd at 539-0411..

Pre-payment is preferred. Please make check or money order payable to:

BGLS - Conference c/o FHO P.O. Box 2018 Manhattan, KS 66505-2018

Payment and/or registration will be accepted that day. However, please submit this preregistration form today to guarantee reservation for May 31st.

*****Reservation Deadline is May 24th*****

FREE t-shirts will be given to the first 100 registered participants, so let us know in advance if you plan to attend!!!