LGBT advocate Dan Savage to speak at Penn State

World-renowned LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transsexual) advocate Dan Savage will deliver an interactive presentation on the importance of diversity and the impact of homophobic policy on the LGBT community at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, in the auditorium of the Lewis Katz Building on Penn State's University Park campus.

“With LGBT issues consistently making headlines across the nation, there is no better time than now for Dan Savage to offer his insights to our community,” said Ryan Maerz, president of OutLaw, a law student organization dedicated to the advocacy of LGBT interests and sponsor of the event.

Savage launched his YouTube Channel project “It Gets Better” a month ago to address the epidemic suicide rate among gay teens, which has received an overwhelming response. "It Gets Better" has gained immense popularity as an online community of hope and support for gay teens who struggle with social isolation, depression, and bullying. Savage has been a voice for the LGBT community for many years. His syndicated column “Savage Love,” is a cultural force that over the years has brought LGBT relationships into the mainstream running for 15 years in more than 70 newspapers in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

Savage is the author of four books, including "Savage Love," a collection of his advice columns; "Skipping Towards Gomorrah;" "The Commitment: Love, Sex, Marriage, and My Family;" and "The Kid: What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Get Pregnant," an award-winning memoir about adoption which is the inspiration for a new musical from the producers of Avenue Q. Savage is a regular contributor to the op-ed pages of the New York Times and to the public radio program "This American Life." His writings also have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Travel & Leisure, Salon.com, Nest, Rolling Stone, The Onion and other publications. He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, 20/20, "Real Time with Bill Maher" on HBO, and "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central.

The interactive presentation will include a book signing at 8:45 p.m. More information is available at law.psu.edu/events/dan_savage online.

The event is co-sponsored by the Graduate Student Association; the Speakers Trust Fund, the Student Bar Association and American Constitutional Society.