Quick Navigation

Northern Illinois University

NIU Office of Public Affairs


News Release

Contact: Mark McGowan, NIU Office of Public Affairs
(815) 753-9472

August 31, 2004

Human Rights Campaign activist Candace Gingrich
to reach out to NIU students

DeKalb — Candace Gingrich, youth outreach coordinator for the Washington, D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign, will urge Northern Illinois University students to become involved in the political process during a Monday, Sept. 13, stop on campus.

Gingrich, whose half-brother is former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, will hold a “conversation” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Holmes Student Center Room 305.

Everyone is welcome. Visitors also can register to vote while at the event.

Gingrich also will attend a reception from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Reavis Hall 211, hosted by the Women’s Studies Program and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Studies.

“It’s exciting to have Candace come at this point in time, because the focus of her efforts right now is about getting people involved,” said Margie Cook, coordinator of NIU’s LGBT Resource Center.

“She’s been doing a lot of work on voting, encouraging people to register to vote and getting involved in our governmental system. Of course, this is an important time to encourage our students to be civically engaged.”

Gingrich emerged as an effective advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equal rights since she “came out” in 1995.

Her 1996 autobiography, “The Accidental Activist,” was a best-seller in the LGBT community, offering insight into the passion and noteworthy wit that has made her one of the most popular lesbian speakers in America.

Gingrich’s involvement in the movement for equal rights began when her brother was elected House speaker, giving her a tremendous opportunity to help educate Congress and the public about the problem of discrimination and the lack of equal rights for LGBT Americans.

Her participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual leadership conference in March 1995 marked her introduction to activism. Shortly thereafter, she joined more than 100 fellow advocates from more than 30 states in lobbying members of Congress to preserve HIV/AIDS funding, end job discrimination against gay and lesbian people, and stop anti-gay legislation in the 104th Congress.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

For more information about Gingrich’s visit to NIU, call Cook at (815) 753-2235 or Sue Willis at (815) 753-9402.

# # #