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Thursday, June 20, 2019

Info Post
By Paul Taylor


When it comes to public speaking, there are speakers associated with a number of different areas of society. In one case, Robyn Ochs, a LGBTQ+ mentor can be found speaking on culture related to different areas of the community on college campuses each year. For Robyn is a teacher, speaker, writer and activist whom started working in the community in the early 1980s.

An editor of the Boston Bisexual Women's Newsletter, a Bi quarterly for women and two anthologies Getting Bi: and RECOGNIZE, Robyn also has a presence in the world of publication. In addition, experiences with regards to writing goes well beyond the LGBTQ+ community.

Robyn has also published several books related to the community, especially with regards to multiculturalism, women's studies and LGBTQ+ history in Canada and the United States. Ochs is also one of the only women to craft a definition which applies to most bi activists and bisexuals. While having crafted a definition, Ochs still understands that there are basically as many definitions of the term bisexuality as there are bisexuals.

Ochs definition of bisexuality is about as close as Webster's might come if ever incorporating the term into the dictionary. For, Robyn's definition acknowledges the potential to be attracted to people of one gender, not necessarily at the same time, sexually or romantically and to people of more than one gender, not necessarily at the same time or in the same way or degree. Thus, crashing several myths with regards to bisexuals not having the ability to maintain monogamous or long lasting relationships or, lacking the ability to be involved with people of other sexual orientations.

The Advocate magazine recently included Robyn in a 50 Heroes 50 States listing which was in large part thanks to Teen Vogue whom places Ochs as one of 9 women which identify as bisexual making history. In large part, both honors were given due to the activist's ongoing commitment of intersectional, community and commitment based activism. Whereas, Robyn has also worked with other communities in building bridges and coalitions across different communities.

Having served on several committees including MassEquality for 12 years and as part of the LGBTQ+ Youth Commission in Massachusetts for three, the activist also has experience when it comes to promoting and equality and speaking to youth. The latter of which is something Robyn hopes to continue to do for years to come. For, speaking to college age youth is something Ochs hopes will have a major impact when it comes to self-acceptance and equality for all.

One of the most recent awards provided to Ochs is that of the Campus Pride's Voice and Action Award with regards to the different programs and speaking engagements over the last few decades. Whereas, the Gender & Sexuality Caucus' Lifetime Achievement Award received from Harvard speaks volumes about the respect the activist garners from community leaders and professionals as well as those in the community.

In addition to the lifetime achievement award, Robyn was also presented with an award for an active and lengthy presence in the LGBTQ+ movement for over 50 years. The award provided by the director of the National Task Force was based on Och's goal to gain inclusivity for all LGBTQ+ members within the larger Queer community. For, had it not been for the work of Robyn and other community members, bisexuals would most likely still lack visibility when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community as well as the world at large.




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