Speakers
Alex Sanchez is author of the novel Rainbow Boys, selected as a 2002 "Best Book for Young Adults" by the American Library Association and a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. Alex's dream to write began in college with an unpublished children's picture book, but then he went on to work for ten years as a counselor of youth and families both in the United States and overseas. During that time, Alex began to shape a novel about gay teens and their families. As he put the story on paper, it became apparent he was writing the book he'd wanted and needed to read when he was a teenager--a book that would have told him: "It's okay to be who you are." Although Alex intended to write an upbeat and affirming story that would encourage empathy, he didn't realize until after the release of Rainbow Boys that his book would become an agent of social change, one that School Library Journal compared with Judy Blume's Forever and praised as able to "open eyes and change lives." As a result of the extraordinary reception to Rainbow Boys, Alex was honored as a "Flying Start" by Publishers Weekly. Rainbow High, the sequel to Rainbow Boys, was released in fall 2003 and also selected as a Lambda Literary Award finalist. His short story, "If You Kiss a Boy" appeared in the fall 2003 anthology 13: Thirteen Stories about the Agony and Ecstasy of Being Thirteen, edited by James Howe. In 2004, Alex published So Hard to Say, a novel for younger readers, which won the Lambda Literary Award. In 2005, the third novel in the Rainbow series, Rainbow Road, was published, completing the Rainbow trilogy. Complete list of published works:
Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, author Lyndsey D'Arcangelo is a versatile writer, having experience as a journalist, copywriter, author, freelancer and blogger. She is the author of the Golden Crown Literary Society Award-winning book, The Trouble with Emily Dickinson (also a Lambda Literary Award finalist). Her recent novel, The Crabapple Tree, was published in May 2009. In addition to writing short stories and novels, Lyndsey also contributes regularly to a variety of national and local publications, including Curve Magazine and The Buffalo News. Previous Publications Include: In her own words ... Judy Blume became my hero the very moment I read Shelia the Great. From then on, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I fondly remember each and every writing camp I have ever attended. I knew that the "power of words" was unlimited and felt that very power whenever I saw my stories and my poems come alive on the page. But I have never felt that power more, than when I saw the reaction young GLBT kids had after reading The Trouble with Emily Dickinson. Knowing that I help kids feel normal and proud of who they are, simply though the written word, is an awe-inspiring thing. I write for many different audiences, choosing to dabble in words the way painters dabble in colors. I love to mix genres and sample a bit of everything that requires the use of the written word. What better way is there to make a living?
Steven Capsuto earned a B.A. in Spanish from Rutgers University in 1986, with a double minor in U.S. History and Mass Media & Journalism. Since 1989, he has been presenting video-illustrated lectures about how television portrays lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lives. He began researching the media's LGBT images in the late 1980s, while volunteering at a crisis hotline. Many of the callers were suicidal gay teens who had built their self-image on the grim depictions seen on television at that time.  His book, Alternate Channels, traces the radical changes in queer imagery on radio and TV from 1930 to 2000. It has a five-star rating on Amazon.com and was a semifinalist for a 2001 ALA Book Award. Alternate Channels has been used in college courses and is widely cited by other researchers and authors. Steven has contributed related articles to periodicals and reference books, has presented LGBT-history papers at academic conferences in several countries, and served on the research teams for documentaries seen on PBS and Bravo cable (including The Question of Equality and TV Revolution). He was the head archivist of the GLBT Archives of Philadelphia from 1997 to 2003, and has been involved in LGBT equality causes since the 1980s. By day, he is a full-time professional translator, mainly translating texts into English from Catalan, French, Portuguese and Spanish. "Capsuto is a dead-on analyst of trends and political patterns, championing the many people who have fought to bring gay lives and stories into our living rooms..." - Peter Terzian, Brill's Content magazine
The Gay Alliance Speakers Bureau is active all year long in the greater Rochester area, providing presentations, literature and resources on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally (LGBTA) issues. By sharing personal stories, demystifying sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and simply answering questions openly and honestly, the Speakers Bureau strives to breakdown stereotypes, decrease homophobia/transphobia and promote a dialogue that will continue on outside of the classroom or office. The Gay Alliance Speakers Bureau presents at local high schools, colleges, mental health organizations, businesses, churches and more and is made up of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people and straight allies.
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The Gay Alliance Speakers Bureau