FYI... Stefanie Rixecker ECOFEM Coordinator ------- Forwarded message follows ------- For Immediate Release: February 1, 2001 Contact: Stephen Pereira, Jr. (413) 545-4824 The Stonewall Center to Celebrate 15th Anniversary featuring comedians Harvey Fierstein and Kate Clinton Amherst, Massachusetts: The Stonewall Center will be celebrating its 15th Year Anniversary Celebration this March by hosting a night of comedy featuring celebrity comics Harvey Fierstein and Kate Clinton. This performance will be held on March 10, 2001 at 8:00 PM in The Fine Arts Center Concert Hall at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Harvey Fierstein is an award-winning playwright, actor and Gay rights activist. For the groundbreaking film Torch Song Trilogy he won the Broadway Theater's prestigious Tony Awards for both his starring performance and for Best Play. Mr. Fierstein won a third Tony for his book of the musical La Cage Aux Folles. His other plays include Safe Sex, Spookhouse and Forget Him. Kate Clinton is perhaps Americašs brightest political comedian. This humorist/monologistšs agenda includes political material as fresh as the daily news, savvy send-ups of modern family relationships and illuminating perspectives on life as a gay American. Katešs first book Donšt Get Me Started was published by Ballantine in 1998. Based on past and present monologues, itšs filled with thoughts both insightful and riotous. She has written pieces for the New York Times and George magazine among others. Kate served as a writer on The Rosie OšDonnell Show during its roll-out period in 1996. The History of The Stonewall Center: During the Spring semester of 1984 a series of homophobic incidents and protests led to systematic research about heterosexism and homophobia on campus. This research is reported in, "The Consequences of Being Gay: A Report on the Quality of Life for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Students at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst." One of the report's key recommendations was the creation of the Program for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Concerns. The Program was established in the Fall of 1985 as an administrative office in the Student Affairs Division. In the Spring of 1995, The Program for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Concerns was renamed The Stonewall Center: A Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Educational Resource Center. During the last 15 years, The Stonewall Center has grown in size and scope. Our office has served the campus and surrounding community by providing cultural and educational programming, video, audio, and text library holdings, educational resources, information and referral, harassment and discrimination response, advocacy, training and support, and community outreach through Blatant, our monthly newsletter, and QueerE, our activities and information listserv for queer western Massachusetts. When we opened in 1985, The Stonewall Center was one of only 3 centers of its kind on college campuses across the country. Our program has served as a model for many colleges and universities, leading to some 60 centers now in existence. Reservations for this one night performance are strongly recommended. Ticket information and reservations can be made by calling the Fine Arts Center Box Office at (413) 545-2511 or 1-800-999-UMASS. Tickets will be available beginning February 12th and are priced at $10 for UMass Students with ID, $15 for Five-College Students with ID and Senior Citizens, and $20 or $25 for the general public. Gold Circle tickets are available for $100 which includes seating in the front rows and admittance to a VIP reception with Mr. Fierstein and Ms. Clinton following their performance. Media coverage is welcome. For a media kit please contact Stephen Pereira, Jr. at (413) 545-4824; email him at [EMAIL PROTECTED]; or check out our website: www.umass.edu/stonewall/media.htm ________________________________________ List Info: http://www.qempire.com/qstudy ________________________________________ ------- End of forwarded message ------- ************************************ Dr. Stefanie S. Rixecker, Senior Lecturer Environmental Management & Design Division Lincoln University, Canterbury PO Box 84 Aotearoa New Zealand E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fax: 64-03-325-3841 ************************************
