Clark to Host Noted Author and Transgender Advocate

Friday, April 05, 2013

Jeffrey Starr, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Jennifer Finney Boylan

Clark University’s Office of Intercultural Affairs will host “She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders,” a lecture by Jennifer Finney Boylan, on April 11 in Daniels Theater in Atwood Hall. The talk is offered as part of the Higgins School of Humanities’ Spring Dialogue symposium, “What's the Difference? Thoughts on Diversity and Inclusion;” which is being supported by several departments and groups on campus. The event begins at 6:30 pm and is free and open to the public.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the publication of Jennifer Finney Boylan’s original memoir, “She’s Not There.” This widely read and critically acclaimed work is the story of a person changing genders, or one bearing and finally revealing a deeply complex secret. As James evolves into Jennifer, a marvelously human perspective emerges on issues of love, sex, and the fascinating relationship between our physical and our intuitive selves, providing a new window on the often confounding process of accepting ourselves.

Augusten Burroughs, author of “Running With Scissors,” has praised the memoir for being “beautifully crafted, fearless, painfully honest, inspiring and extremely witty…one of the most remarkable, moving and unforgettable memoirs in recent history."

In addition to being the author of 13 total books, Boylan is co-chair of the English department at Colby College, where she was voted Professor of the Year in 2000. She is a nationally known advocate for civil rights as well as a member of the Board of Directors of GLAAD, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Kinsey Institute for Research on Sex, Gender, and Reproduction.

"The purpose of the lecture is to enhance the Clark community by inviting the interesting and informative speaker, Jennifer Finney Boylan to speak to us about bestselling book," says Patricia D. Doherty, Associate Director of in Clark's Office of Multicultural Affairs

"She will talk about changing genders and about the experience of parenting first as a man and then as a woman – the topic of her soon to be released book."'"

Her next published work, “Stuck In The Middle With You,” a memoir about the differences between fatherhood and motherhood, will be out next month.

This is the second time Boylan has been invited to speak at Clark and Doherty explains why she was invited again.

"We invited Jenny Boylan for many reasons. She spoke at Clark in 2008 and was very well received. She is a gifted speaker with a riveting story to share with us. As a college professor, she relates well to college students.... Her story has great value and meaning and keeps the audience entertained. A vibrant storyteller, her message can be described as poignant, hilarious and not to be missed."

"The Clark community has a deep commitment to meaningful diversity and inclusion and we feel that this commitment requires ongoing conversation. As a group committed to diversity and inclusion, we are interested in learning how to adapt to difference and make a welcoming space for all of us," says Doherty.

To learn about this and other events in the Spring Dialogue Symposium, click here. For more information about this talk, call 508-793-7479.