LGBTQ+ Mentor Robyn Ochs Speaking On Culture

By Paul Taylor


When it comes to history and culture, the LGBTQ+ community is now in the limelight. For, not only are a number of individuals celebrating Pride Month, it is also the upcoming 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Whereas, it is also a rather historic anniversary for Robyn Ochs, a bi activist, speaker, teacher and writer whom has been active in speaking on culture as related to the bisexual community for over 50 years.

An editor of two bisexual oriented anthologies and a Boston Bi Women's quarterly newsletter which has been around about as long as the activist, Ochs stays busy. Whether editing Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World or RECOGNIZED: The Voices of Bisexual Men, publishing the newsletter or touring, Ochs is always at the forefront of community involvement.

Having published several non-fiction books related to the community, women's studies, multiculturalism and other areas including LGBTQ+ history in the United States and Canada, Ochs is a force of good for all in the community. For example, one of the only individuals to come up with what most consider the most accurate definition of bisexuality, the activist is highly praised among fellow activists, community members and others.

The definition which Robyn has provided in several publications states that bisexuality actually describes any individual who has the potential to be attracted to more than one gender, whether that be male, female, binary or transgendered though not always at the same time or in the same way or degree. For, most bisexuals have the capability to carry on either a monogamous or non-monogamous relationship with all gender identifications.

Named by Teen Vogue as one of nine bisexual women who are making history, Ochs also won the right to represent Massachusetts on the 50 States, 50 Heroes list published in Advocate magazine. Honors most likely given the activist due to a long standing commitment to sustainable and intersectional activism. In addition, Ochs has worked with others to build coalitions and build identities across different social movements and platforms while supporting new and emerging activists and leaders for what is now over 50 years.

A member of the MassEquality Board for over twelve years, equality continues to be one of Och's biggest goals. Whereas, the speaker and activist also participated in the LGBTQ Youth Commission in Massachusetts for over three years. The latter of which most likely created an interest in the work Robyn is doing today by speaking to college age youth around the country in relation to LGBTQ+ culture, history, issues and orientation.

Robyn recently received a Campus Pride's Voice and Action Award for work in this area. Whereas, the activist also received a Lifetime Achievement award from Harvard University's Gender & Sexuality Caucus. These two prestigious awards, along with others, show that not only fellow community members but professionals and others hold a great deal of respect for Ochs, including President Obama whom the activist met in 2009.

While other activists have made progress in the community, none have been working as long or as hard as Robyn. For, 50 years is a long time when working towards equality that still does not exist. It is for this reason that Ochs continues to work in different areas of the LGBTQ+ community and while in a same-sex marriage still strongly identifies as bi and pansexual.




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