Marissa Alexa McCool is a podcast host, author, blogger, columnist, LGBT-rights activist, speaker, filmmaker, and stage performer whose goal is to speak out, speak loudly, and bring visibility to LGBT issues. As host of the Inciting Incident Podcast, which has a global reach and averages 30,000 downloads per month, she begins interesting conversations on difficult topics in current events, such as LGBT rights, transgender visibility, suicide and mental health awareness, and the myths of PC Culture. She is the author of seven books, including The PC Lie: How American Voters Decided I Don't Matter and the novel False Start.

Ris has been lovingly nicknamed "The Purple Amazon" for her bright purple hair, "Superqueer" affectionately for her openness about her identity and sexuality, and most notably, "the badass mistress of the podcast and written word universe" by the fine people at Utah Outcasts. She lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband and two children, and recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. In July, she will host her own live event at the Carlisle Theatre for The 100th Episode of Inciting Incident featuring her Inciting Incident cohosts, social activist and former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, and fellow podcasters from The Gaytheist Manifesto, Opening Arguments, The Scathing Atheist, and God Awful Movies.

Timeline for this event:
10:30 am - coffee and conversation  
11:00 am - announcements & presentation
12:30 pmish - "lunching in" at the Center (bring your own food, or bring cash and join us in ordering from Manhattan Deli & Grill)

Parking: The Community Parking Deck (6th & Walnut) is a few feet from this event. Street parking is available, but limited; meters are not enforced on Sundays. See http://www.allentownparking.com/ for more information.