'Heather Has Two Mommies' author to speak at Marshall 

HUNTINGTON, W.VA. -- Leslea Newman, author of  "Heather Has Two Mommies," the first children's book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, will be the featured speaker during Lambda Society Pride Week 2002 at Marshall University.  Newman's lecture will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18 in Corbly Hall, Room 105.

Newman has received numerous literary awards including Poetry Fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement and two Pushcart Prize nominations.  Six of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists.  

The author is a popular guest lecturer, frequently speaking on college campuses across the country including Harvard University, Yale University, Bryn Mawr College, Smith College, the University of Oregon and the
University of Judaism.

Newman's visit to Marshall is being sponsored in part by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and International Programs.  Her lecture is the final event of the Lambda Society's Pride Week, which will celebrate diversity
while promoting awareness about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. 

Additional information about Pride Week activities can be found at the Lambda Society Web site, at www.marshall.edu/muls/.