News Release

The 10th anniversary Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Awareness Days Program at The Johns Hopkins University, called "Awareness Days 2002: Celebrate a Decade of Diversity," will bring to campus throughout April individuals at the forefront of the queer rights movement including Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Tony Kushner, Candace Gingrich of the Human Rights Campaign, and award- winning director and Baltimore native John Waters.

A Decade of Diversity is organized by The Johns Hopkins University Diverse Sexuality and Gender Alliance (DSAGA), an undergraduate group. All events will take place on the university's Homewood Campus, 3400 N. Charles St. in Baltimore.

For event information, please contact DSAGA at (410) 516-4088, or e-mail dsaga@jhu.edu. Following is a schedule of events. All events are free and open to the public.

Monday, April 1, 8 p.m.
Great Hall, Levering Hall
Tony Kushner garnered the Lambda Literary Award for drama, the Pulitzer Prize and other honors for his groundbreaking play Angels In America. Gay, Jewish, socialist and a catalyst for social change, Kushner will talk about his work and its relationship to life, death, and faith.

Wednesday, April 3, 8 p.m.
AMR Multipurpose Room
Rev. Irene Monroe will offer new insight and inspiration into the lives of queer people of faith. Monroe was recently featured in the PBS documentary series In The Life and writes about African-American gay and lesbian culture and the treatment of women and homosexuals by religious institutions.

Thursday, April 4, 8 p.m.
The Donovan Room, 110 Gilman Hall
Aimée and Jaguar tells the true story of a love between an unlikely pair of women in Nazi Germany during World War II. The film was adapted from the Lambda Literary Award-winning book by Erica Fischer.

Saturday, April 6, 2 p.m.
Location TBA
Join members of the Baltimore Chapter of the National Organization for Women in a discussion and workshop concerning the role of lesbians in the feminist movement and feminists in the queer movement.

Monday, April 8, 8 p.m.
Great Hall, Levering Hall
Blake Humphreys, the director of the advocacy group Free State Justice, and Carrie Evans, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's national field organizer, come together to discuss the Maryland Anti-Discrimination Act of 2001.

Wednesday, April 10, 8 p.m.
Great Hall, Levering Hall
Candace Gingrich, manager of the Human Rights Campaign's Coming-Out Project and sister of Newt Gingrich, will speak about her experiences in politics and activism along with the importance of being out -- the importance of openness and honesty.

Throughout the day April 10...
Hopkins students will join universities across the nation to observe the National Day of Silence. Students will refrain from speaking during the day to honor gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and members of other minority groups who have been silenced by oppression.

Thursday, April 11, 8 p.m.
The Donovan Room, 110 Gilman Hall
Hedwig And The Angry Inch, written by and starring John Cameron Mitchell.

Monday, April 15, 8 p.m.
Glass Pavilion, Levering Hall
A dynamic speaker, Margarita Lopez will discuss her experiences as the first openly lesbian Puerto Rican elected to public office. Her work to develop low income housing in Manhattan's Lower East Side was documented in the PBS film The Broken Mind.

Wednesday, April 17, 8 p.m.
Great Hall, Levering Hall
Baltimore director John Waters will share his unique approach to film-making and his wickedly ironic sensibilities during a discussion of his films such as Pink Flamingoes, Hairspray, and Cecil B. DeMented.

Thursday, April 18, 8 p.m.
The Donovan Room, 110 Gilman Hall
John Waters' films Pink Flamingoes and Pecker will be shown.

Friday, April 19, 9 p.m.
E-Level, Levering Hall
A DSAGA tradition, the Drag Show and Dance, featuring well-known drag queens and kings as well as Hopkins students. Prizes will be awarded to the best performers.

Monday, April 22, 8 p.m.
The Mattin Center, Room 160
Del. Maggie McIntosh, majority leader of the Maryland House of Delegates, will speak about her experiences as a lesbian in Baltimore politics.

Wednesday, April 24, 8 p.m.
Clipper Room, Shriver Hall
Magdalen Hsu-Li is a pioneering Asian-American musician. She promises a high-energy, consciousness-raising performance featuring piano, vocals, drums, and impromptu stand-up comedy and theater.

Thursday, April 25, 8 p.m.
Milton S. Eisenhower Library Quad
Hate Crimes Rally. A candlelight vigil to show unity against crimes fueled by discrimination.

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