October 19, 2004

Boise State's 'Point Of View' Academic Conference Addresses Sexuality In A Diverse Society

Gays in sports, hermaphrodites and teen pregnancy are just a few of the subjects slated for discussion at “Point of View 2004: Sexuality in a Diverse Society.” The academic conference, presented by Boise State University Student Activities, will be Nov. 16 and 17 in the Special Events Center. Admission is free and free parking is available in the Student Union Visitors Lot. Many of the events may not be suitable for young audiences. The conference kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, with a juried art exhibit reception and awards, followed at 7 p.m. by “The Performance of Pink” by Joanna Frueh, a professor of art history at the University of Nevada, Reno. This theatrical production examines the role of pink in erotic play. The academic portion of the conference on Wednesday, Nov. 17, consists of a number of presentations from professors and students from across academic disciplines. A full schedule of events will be available at sub.boisestate.edu. A sampling of presentations follows: 10:40 a.m. “Tony Sansone, ‘The Most Photographed Physique in the World’,” presented by art professor Nicholas Newman. Sansone was a bodybuilder in the 1930s who used photographs of his body to promote other business ventures. He self-published books of his images and sold prints via mail-order. Although he is now remembered as the single most admired poser in the industry’s history, no audience ever saw him do a posing routine, suggesting he was highly prescient in understanding how to create a marketable “image.” 1:40 p.m. “Sexual Development: Hermaphrodites, Supermales and Everyone Else,” by biology and criminal justice professor Greg Hampikian. Although our identities begin with the basic “boy or girl” distinction, sometimes that line is blurred. Hampikian will review how a fetus develops and how that process can diminish, enhance or even reverse sexual development. 4:20 p.m. “The Locker Room: Homophobia in the Sports Arena,” by photography student Abigail Bernards. With the help of two other students, Bernards produced a series of “zines” titled “The Locker Room” looking at how homosexual athletes are treated. They looked at a variety of professional, college and high school sports locally, nationally and across the world. “Being ‘in the closet’ causes more stress and problems than being ‘out’ ever could,” Bernards concluded. 7 p.m. “Widening Our View to Include the Intersexed,” by communication professor Heidi Reeder. While most people are clearly identified as male or female, an intersexed person may have sex chromosomes, external genitalia or an internal reproductive system that is not so easily classified. Reeder presents key information about the condition through the case study of one woman’s experience, with the goal of increasing our understanding of sex, gender and what it is to be human. -30- Contact: Autumn Haynes, Student Activities, (208) 426-3049, ahaynes@boisestate.edu  Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, communications and marketing, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu