For immediate release: Feb. 16, 2010

BLOOMSBURG — Alison Bechdel, author of the graphic memoir, “Fun Home,” and the syndicated comic strip, “Dykes to Watch Out For,” will speak about her work Monday, March 1, at 7 p.m, in Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Centennial Hall, room 218. The lecture is open to the public free of charge.

Bechdel grew up in rural Pennsylvania. After graduating from Oberlin College, she moved to New York City, where she began drawing “Dykes to Watch Out For” as a feature in the feminist monthly, Womanews, in 1983. Today, her comic strip is syndicated in more than 50 alternative newspapers and publications, and has been collected into a 12-book series with more than 250,000 copies in print. Four of her books won Lambda Awards for humor, and “The Indelible Alison Bechdel” won a Lambda Literary Award in the biography/autobiography category. Bechdel’s work has also appeared in Ms., The Village Voice, The Advocate, Out and Gay Comics. “Fun Home” is her first graphic novel.

At the podium, Bechdel redefines race and gender roles while taking aim at some of the most controversial topics of the day. Her BU presentation is sponsored by BU’s art and English departments, the Honors Living and Learning Community, the LGBTA Commission and the College of Liberal Arts.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 9,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.