ATHENS, Ohio -- Keith Boykin, a powerful political and social voice for the black and gay community, will present "Hip-Hop, Homothugs and Homosexuality, The Down-low on the Down Low" at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20 at Baker University Center Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public.

Boykin is the author of two critically acclaimed books, "One More River to Cross" and the Lambda Literary Award-winning, "Respecting the Soul: Daily Reflections for Black Lesbians and Gays." He has also appeared on several media networks, which include CNN, Fox, NPR and BET. His writings have been featured or quoted in several books, online publications and articles from The New York Times, USA Today, Boston Globe and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

A Harvard Law School graduate, Boykin served as a former special assistant to President Bill Clinton and served for two and a half years as the executive director of the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum, a nationwide nonprofit organization.

In his presentation, Boykin will discuss homosexuality and how the urban culture approaches it; how black gay, bisexual and down low men have appropriated that culture for their own use; gay rappers and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

For more information about Keith Boykin, visit his official Web site at www.keithboykin.com.

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Media Contact: Angela Davis, (740) 597-2110