On Monday, Oct. 13, esteemed author and editor Leslea Newman was on campus to give a speech entitled “You Can’t be a Lesbian – You’re Jewish!”

Newman’s main message to Quinnipiac students was to promote the acceptance of diversity.

“Respect all of your fellow and sister students no matter what their color, religion, sexuality of where they came from,” she said. “The more we talk to each other, the richer our lives will be.”

The presentation was organized by G.L.A.S.S., who hoped to help Newman’s goal to “speak out for the rights of all people.”

Newman’s presentation consisted of poetry and short story readings from the over 40 books she has published. She kept the entire Buckman Theater audience entertained with stories filled with a perfect mix of humor and emotion.

The Quinnipiac presentation was a series of attention grabbing readings, which included her award winning story, “A Letter to Harvey Milk.” Each story presented a different aspect of the hardships of diversity.

Hillel member Rebecca Kapchan, who attended the speech, felt Newman was effective with how well she related to the audience.

“The stories are very interesting because I am Jewish and I can relate in that aspect,” she said. “She’s a very good orator.”

Newman’s stories used her voice and words to add humor to serious subjects. Her stories danced back and forth between the hardships of homosexuality and being Jewish, using descriptions that everyone can relate to.

Her works discussed topics such as diverse lifestyles, loss, friendship and love.

“It was interesting because it was done in a different way,” sophomore Residential Assistant Pete Gallay said. “It was very well done, especially her voices.”

Gallay felt it was important for all his residents to attend the speech to promote diversity acceptance.

“There were a few indications that we needed something different and this was a very diverse program,” he said. “I thought that it would help because we have some Jewish guys but most of them didn’t know about the aspect of homosexuality.”

Newman was very pleased with the numbers who turned out