"Inspiration for LGBT Students and Their Allies"

Media contact: Noelle Lemoine, communications assistant; tele: (413) 597-4277; email: [email protected]

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Feb. 12, 2003–Stephen Collingsworth, assistant director at Williams College’s Multicultural Center and coordinator for queer issues is co-author of “Inspiration for LGBT Students and Their Allies” (Inspiration Books).

“Inspiration for LGBT Students and Their Allies” is a collection of stories by students’ friends to encourage empowerment and motivation within the LGBT community.

Collingsworth also wrote three articles for the book: A Proud History, What Is Queer Prides? and Yes I Am! He is co-editor of the book.

He has been involved with queer advocacy work since 1987. He has his B.A. in English and his M.A. in education policy and leadership from Ohio State University and serves on the advocacy committee for the Ohio State University GLBT alumni society. He also serves on the boards of the Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition, the Western Massachusetts LGBTQ Youth Coalition, and the LGBT Political Alliance of Western Massachusetts.

“This book could literally be a lifesaver for those who read it. Many LGBT students struggle with feelings that they are alone,” wrote Candace Gingrich, author of “The Accidental Activist.” “This book takes something that is still too often seen as a problem &endash; being ‘different’ &endash; and turns it into an asset and something to be celebrated.”

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