Five authors from an anthology focused on the LGBTQ+ community will visit the Pendleton Public Library next week as part of the “Defiant Moments” book tour.
The book tour event will feature storytelling, a Q&A and book signing. It is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m. at the Pendleton Public Library, 502 SW Dorion Ave, Pendleton.
Our Bold Voices is a storytelling organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities through storytelling and collaboration. “Defiant Moments” is the group’s second anthology.
“Defiant Moments” explores multigenerational defiance and shines a light on the lives and stories of LGBTQ+ people across the United States and Canada. It brings together a collection of stories that explore intersectional identities during times when we lacked role models or the words to fully express our identities.
Five of the anthology authors will attend the Pendleton presentation:
- Heidi Bruins Green: Heidi Bruins Green (she/her) is a social justice advocate who believes that changing hearts and minds involves persuading people to expand their awareness beyond their own stories. She has been a racial justice warrior since birth, having been in her first protest march in the womb. Heidi knows that the oppression of one opens the gate to the oppression of all. In addition, her championship of LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace for the last 40+ years taught her to believe in the magical reciprocity of opening her heart to others. Heidi lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her husband, Jamison Green, and their cat, Squeak.
- Jamison Green: Jamison Green (he/him) always knew he would be a writer, a career goal that led to many adventures. He earned his M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Oregon. Since then, he has taught legal writing, skiing, and gender studies. He performed in rock bands, percussion ensembles, and musical theater. He has written for major corporations and led nonprofit organizations. He changed anti-discrimination laws and reformed insurance industry and healthcare delivery practice—all while publishing numerous articles and books on a variety of subjects. His best-known book is Becoming a Visible Man. Learn more at jamisongreen.com.
- Paul Iarrobino: Paul Iarrobino (he/him) is a storyteller, author, husband, and dog dad. He’s called Portland, Oregon, his home for over 30 years. He is one of the founding members of Elder Pride Services and received their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 for providing leadership during their formative years. Paul is the proud recipient of Oregon Queer History Collective’s 2021 Queer Hero Award for his groundbreaking work engaging and inspiring community dialogues during the pandemic. This is Paul’s third published anthology. You can follow Paul at www.ourboldvoices.com.
- Kyle Lang: Kyle Lang (he/him) writes from the Portland, Oregon, metro area. He is currently working on nonfiction and poetry addressing identity and culture with a specific focus on LGBTQIA+ intersections, but he has written and published fiction, erotica, and poetry as well. When he isn’t writing, he is either parenting his teenage daughter or planning music festivals around the Pacific Northwest. He has published in Story Quarterly, Beyond Queer Words, and Flash Fiction Magazine.
- Scott Strickland: Scott Strickland (he/him) was born in northwest Portland and lives there again 70 years later. He spent as much time as possible in eastern Oregon while growing up. Oregon was home for college and graduate school until a job in Minnesota took Scott on a 20-year ride in AIDS care and research. He was drawn back to the beauty of Oregon and a less stressful job in 1998. After a stint in prison, Scott has settled into a quiet, peaceful existence in the place he loves.
Photos of the authors may be downloaded at https://www.ourboldvoices.com/defiant-moments-authors/
No registration is required for the event. Contact the Pendleton Public Library at 541-966-0380 for more information.
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