ABOVE: A 2018 exhibit at the LGBTQ Resource Center. Watermark file photo.
GULFPORT, Fla. | The LGBTQ Resource Center of the Gulfport Public Library has announced the LGBTQ-focused SpeakOut, a series of public discussions led by authors and humanities scholars funded by Florida Humanities.
The nonprofit is the statewide affiliate of the National Endowment of the Humanities, the independent federal agency. Florida Humanities has awarded more than $16 million in support to cultural resources like the LGBTQ Resource Center since 1973, including $10,000 for this year’s Community Project grant.
“The Gulfport Library appreciates Florida Humanities’ support with this grant to support speakers through the LGBTQ Resource Center,” Library Director Dave Mather said in a statement. The space has long been celebrated for its resource center’s LGBTQ focus, which was established as its own nonprofit in 2019.
“Creating community dialogue is critical to the Resource Center’s mission of promoting awareness of the diversity of experiences, contributions and needs of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer,” LGBTQ Resource Center Board President Susan Gore added. SpeakOut is a natural extension of that programming.
The series begins April 21 and ends Dec. 8. It promises to “examine intersections between LGBTQ identity and aging, art, faith, law and literature.” View the full schedule below:
April 21, Dixon Osburn – co-founder of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and author of “Mission Possible: The Story of Repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”
May 5, Brian McNaught and Dr. Milton Wendland – implications for LGBTQ Baby Boomers to be aging, often without family or social supports, in a culture that celebrates youth.
June 4, Saudade Toxosi and Steve Glassman – beyond “creative” stereotypes, the challenges and contributions of LGBTQ artists.
Oct. 13, Dr. Stephanie Burt and Professor Kristen Adams – Why People Need Poetry (2013 TED talk) and how poetry explains law through an LGBTQ lens.
Dec. 8, Rev. Liz Edman and Dr. Susan Gore – authors of “Queer Virtue” and “Coming Out in Faith,” respectively, on the intersection of faith and LGBTQ identity.
For more information about the LGBTQ Resource Center and the SpeakOut series, visit LGBTQGulfport.org.
