Hear the stories of six writers discussing how COVID impacted their lives.

View the recording of this program here https://youtu.be/DwafpbNJ3iU.
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Hear six writers share their personal stories from the new anthology, COVIDOLOGY: Sharing Life Lessons from Behind the Mask.

Paul Iarrobino was compelled to create this new body of work based on his personal experiences navigating the pandemic. Witnessing and learning from others fueled the energy to create a collection of stories and poems to give meaning to changed lives in a topsy-turvy world.

COVIDOLOGY: Sharing Life Lessons from Behind the Mask is an anthology that explores how COVID has affected people. How similar have your experiences been? Is there an end to this? Will we be better off? Knowledge of others’ experiences with COVID is one step in understanding the answers.

These stories and poems are meant to be read and shared. Find out more about COVIDOLOGY here https://www.ourboldvoices.com/covidology/.

Presenters:

Weston Anderson (They/Them) is a writer and storyteller living in Portland, OR. They daylight as a science writer in the biomedical research field. Weston spent much of the first two years of the COVID pandemic producing Queer Meets Queer, a podcast dedicated to telling true LGBTQ+ relationship stories. Weston can be found gardening, hanging out with their dog, and playing dungeons and dragons with their friends.

Shere Coleman is a lifelong working, exhibiting, and teaching artist. She has been an oral storyteller in the schools, a writer/presenter of historical characters with Aspen Historical Society, a TEDx presenter. She holds a BFA Painting from Pacific Northwest College of Art, and an MAEd in Curriculum and Instruction. She is a contributing poet in the 2021 anthology Opening the Gate. Shere will cross oceans and continents in search of puppet masters and mythologists. Shere says, “Through the act of making, my world is vibrant, connections are formed, and I learn and love.”

Jamison Green is a renowned transgender activist and author of the award-winning memoir/educational and historical text, Becoming a Visible Man (Vanderbilt University Press, 2020/2004).

Paul credits his upbringing in a large, Italian, East Coast family for helping him speak up at the dining room table, lest he go unheard. Having lived in Portland, Oregon, for over 30 years, he enjoys performing, producing shows, creating documentaries, teaching, and coaching. Paul has appeared in numerous national storytelling productions. You can follow Paul at www.ourboldvoices.com.

Stacey Rice is a speaker, educator and consultant and a community leader on transgender issues. She was recognized in 2016 as a Queer Hero NW by the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific NW and is the former Executive Co-Director of Q Center, the largest LGBTQ+ community center in the Pacific Northwest. More info on Stacey can be found at www.staceyrice.com.

Holly Stern is a native Oregonian who has made her career as a classical violinist, playing with the Portland Baroque Orchestra, Oregon Bach Festival, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theater. In addition, she taught at the University of Portland, the Community Music Center, and privately. Writing has been a lifelong passion of Holly’s. “Grieving During a Pandemic” is an adaptation of a chapter from her book, Small Triumphs: Lessons in Alzheimer’s and Love, soon to be published. Holly also enjoys gardening, hiking, biking, and reading good books on the couch with Theo the Cat.


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