We're looking at late February, but more probably early or middle March.
The speakout will include spoken word pieces from Harris and others, personal speakout on psych survivor/mental health industry experiences, and more abstract topical speeches. Caty Simon, Freedom Center member, will be talking about the patholigization of women's sexuality, and Lee Hurter, FC member, will probably also be speaking about trans people's issues with the psychiatric industry and the prejudicial diagnosis of "gender dysphoria". We're looking for more speakers, more people to help with organizing and publicity, and we also want to collaborate with our sister group, the Icarus Project, on this. Please share your talents and experiences with us! The focus will be around women and queer/trans folks experiences with the psychiatric industry, but your speakout or spoken word piece need not be limited to those topics.
 

Leah Harris, DC mad movement activst & slam poet performer, is interested in doing a speakout/spoken word event with the Freedom Center in Northampton. Besides being a longtime, active Mind Freedom organizer, Harris is also an accomplished slam poet, published recently in the anthology _Word Warriors_, a collection of women slam poets, with other luminaries of the third wave feminist movement & slam poetry like author Michelle Tea, punk singer & disability & fat movement activist Nomy Lamm, Lynn Breedlove (the lead singer of the popular underground punk lesbian band Tribe 8), Sini Anderson, Staceyann Chin, and acclaimed poet Eileen Myles. (You can look at the profile here on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Word-Warriors-Leaders-Spoken-Revolution/dp/1580052215, but remember to support your local independent bookstore!) She also writes a widely followed blog about her experiences as a single mother at dharmamama

For more info email- simon.caty@gmail.com or visit www.freedom-center.com