| On
Friday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m., notable speakers, entertainers and a historical
multi-media presentation will grace Hollywood’s Samuel Goldwyn Theatre
of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences where, annually, the
Oscars are presented. The purpose of this gathering will be to celebrate
the life and times of pioneering archivist and journalist, Jim Kepner,
the past 50 years of the gay and lesbian rights movement.
Participant-pioneers (alphabetically
listed) will include Jeanne Barney,; Bob Basker; Lisa Ben; Malcolm Boyd
& Mark Thompson; Vern Bullough; Rev. Flo Fleischman; Hal Cal; Barbara
Gittings and Kay Lahusen; Lee Glaze; Harry Hay & John Burnside; Dale
Jennings; Philip Johnson; Frank Kameny; Judd Marmor; Del Martin & Phyllis
Lyon; George Mortenson; Eldon Murray; Jack Nichols; John O’Brien; Rev.
Troy Perry; Ernie Potvin; Stella Rush; Eddie Sandifer; Jose Sarria; Adelle
Starr; Rev. Jerome Stevens; Randolfe Wicker and others.
Emcees will include Actor/playright
Michael Kearns and Comedian/activist Robin Tyler. The event is being hosted
by ONE Institute, International Gay and Lesbian Archives, whose executive
director, John O’Brien, has planned it since the passing of Jim Kepner
last November.
In a statement that appears
on the back cover of Kepner’s posthumously published book, Rough
News and Daring Views, Jack Nichols, senior editor for Badpuppy’s GayToday,
says of Kepner that he was “a pioneering giant on whose shoulders much
of what is best in American gay news coverage and commentary rests.”
ONE Institute says of Kepner
that he had “a monumental impact on the American Gay and Lesbian Civil
Rights Movement and for fifty years remained out in front and active. A
pioneer Gay journalist, essayist and scholar, he influenced the way we
feel about ourselves. He was one of the first to teach courses in Lesbian
and Gay Studies. A tireless bibliophile and chronicler of Gay history,
his personal library started in 1942, grew to become the world’s largest
archival collection of Gay and Lesbian materials. He was the founder of
many activist and cultural organizations including the ONE Institute, International
Gay and Lesbian Archives.”
Reservations are required
for free tickets, limited to 1,000 available seats. To leave name(s) and
guarantee seats, call (310) 854-0271. Tickets can be picked up only
at the theatre on the night of the event starting at 6:30 p.m. |
