Nov. 6, 2001

Contact: Karen Gimarc (509-963-1994, e-mail: cwugala@hotmail.com)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - A discussion involving both the religious and scientific arguments regarding the essence of sexuality and gender identity will be presented Friday, Nov. 16, at Central Washington University.

The forum, slated for noon in the Samuelson Union Building (SUB) Pit, is sponsored by the university’s student chapter of GALA (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual and Straight Alliance). It will focus on various theories, ideas and beliefs surrounding sex and sexuality.

“We hope that this debate will help create an atmosphere of open discussion on campus and in the classroom about human sexuality,” Karen Gimarc, GALA vice president, says. “Whatever a person’s particular viewpoint, we hope that they will see it represented at the forum.”

The discussion panel will include Dr. Agustin Fuentes, CWU anthropology professor; Dr. Megan Matheson, CWU psychology professor; Methodist minister David Tinney; Matt Lundquist, representing the Baptist church; and Kittitas County deputy prosecuting attorney Candace Hooper.

The free, public forum is open to university faculty, students and staff, as well as community members. For more information, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call 509-963-1994, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-3323.