A special guest speaker, a wine and cheese reception, exhibits and film screening are events planned to highlight transgender awareness at the Gulfport Public Library during the month of November.  All events are free and open to the public and take place at the Library (5501 28th Avenue South).

“Transcending Gender: Bodies and Lives” is the subject of an exhibit to be displayed in the Library atrium through the month of November.  The exhibit, on loan from the Stonewall Museum and Archives, addresses the intersection of gender and transgender people as part of the larger LGBTQ+ acronym. Exploring the interconnectedness and separateness of gender and sexual orientation, the exhibit presents language and etiquette addressing transgender people and subjects, as well as a timeline of the cultural and human rights struggles of transgender people in the United States, including images of prominent transgender activists and celebrities. “Transcending Gender” also highlights ongoing issues in the movement.

An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Thursday November 1 at 7p.m.  Complimentary wine, soft beverages and cheeses will be offered.  At 7:30 p.m. on the same evening, dynamic guest speaker Ashley Brundage will be featured.  Ashley will talk about her personal journey through discrimination and harassment to rise above and find employment with a major U.S. bank.  She self-identified during the interview process as a male to female transgender woman and was subsequently hired, beginning as a part-time teller and now working as a bank Vice President with the National Diversity and Inclusion team.  Ashley is a public speaker in great demand, having presented to numerous Fortune 500 companies, as well as universities and governmental agencies.  She recently celebrated 16 years of marriage to her wife Whitney and together they have two biological sons: Bryce, 12 and Blake, 10.

The free monthly LGBTQ film series at the Library will feature an award-winning 2016 film on November 8 at 7 p.m.  Filmed over the course of four years, this documentary is an intimate story about a family in transition, following the journey of trans teen Bennett as he navigates adolescence, sobriety and the physical and emotional ramifications of his changing gender identity.  Through the process, his mother Suzy makes her own transformation – toward accepting that the daughter she raised as Rachel is now her son Bennett.  (Not Rated)  Licensing restrictions prohibit explicitly naming of film titles in general press releases.  But feel free to call the Library at (727) 893-1074 for the film title and other information about the film series.  Or find titles and more information online: //www.mygulfport.us/lgbtq-resources.

The Library will also feature a display of selected books and films with transgender themes during November.  All items are from the 3000+ LGBTQ collection at the Library and available for check out.

All programs are sponsored by the LGBTQ Resource Center, a project of the non-profit Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Public Library.  The Resource Center provides collections, services and events throughout the year to the local LGBTQ community, its friends and family.  Find out more about the Resource Center, the Circle of Friends and the Library on the web at www.mygulfport.us/gpl or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GulfportLibraryFL.

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LGBTQ Film Series

Contact: Gulfport Public Library; (727) 893-1074

FREE at the Library (5501 28th Ave. S.).

Water, soda, popcorn and candy available – donations accepted for the LGBTQ Resource Center.  BYO “brown bag” supper and beverages.

Curve
Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide
Lesbian Connection
Passport
RFD
Sinister Wisdom
The Advocate
Out

• http://www.hrc.org – The Human Rights Campaign: Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equal Rights

• http://www.glaad.org – GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) is a non-governmental organization media monitoring organization which promotes the image of LGBT people in the media.

• https://lgbtqreads.com – LGBTQ Reads is a site dedicated to promoting curated LGBTQIAP+ literature for all ages.

• http://www.nclrights.org – National Center for Lesbian Rights – NCLR is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, legislation, policy, and public education.

• http://www.lambdalegal.org – Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights oflesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

• http://community.pflag.org – PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) We are a national support, education and advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, their families, friends and allies.

• http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/same-sex-marriage-laws.aspx – National Conference of State Legislature- same sex marriage laws.  A complete list of states where judicial decision established same sex marriage, where legislature has passed law allowing same sex marriage, and where no provisions allowing same sex marriage have occurred.

• http://www.actuporalhistory.org – ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) has compiled an oral history of surviving members of AIDS coalition to Unleash Power. The purpose of this project is to present comprehensive, complex, human, collective, and individual pictures of the people who have made up ACT UP/New York.

• http://www.sageusa.org – Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults.

• http://www.oloc.org – Old Lesbians Organizing for Change is a national network of Lesbians over age 60 working to make life better for Old Lesbians through support networks and by confronting ageism in our communities and our country using education and public discourse as primary tools.

• http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu -The Williams Institute is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.  A national think tank at UCLA Law, the Williams Institute produces high-quality research with real-world relevance and disseminates it to judges, legislators, policymakers, media and the public.

• http://www.colage.org – COLAGE unites people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer parents into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities.

• http://www.stonewallnationalmuseum.org – Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the Stonewall National Museum and Archives promotes understanding through preserving and sharing the proud culture of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their significant role in society. SNMA is one of the only museums in the United States dedicated solely to LGBT history, civil rights, art and culture. The museum features three gallery spaces with changing monthly and bi-monthly exhibits, and includes a permanent timeline of American LGBT history.

• http://eqfl.org – Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Through lobbying, grassroots organizing, education, and coalition building, we are changing Florida so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

• http://glsen.org/chapters/tampabay – Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network’s Tampa Bay chapter strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

• http://www.metrotampabay.org – providing premier HIV services, social networking, and other health and wellness programs that enhance the quality of life for the local community.

• http://www.stpetepride.com – The purpose of St. Pete Pride is to promote unity, visibility, self-esteem and a positive image of and among the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community of Tampa Bay and throughout the State of Florida by way of cultural and educational programs and activities.

• http://www.pridecenterflorida.org – We provide a welcoming, safe space — an inclusive home that celebrates, nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communities and our friends and neighbors in South Florida.

• http://gaystpete.com– online resource for LGBT information in the Greater St. Petersburg area.

• http://prosuzy.com – online resource for Lesbians in the Tampa Bay area. Includes a calendar of local events for lesbians ‘on the go and in the know.

• http://www.rainbow411.com/content/saint-petersburg.html – Listing/search engine for all the gay friendly businesses in Florida.

• http://www.watermarkonline.com – Watermark prints up to 20,000 copies every other Thursday, and distributes them in more than 500 locations throughout Orlando, Tampa Bay, Sarasota and throughout the state. The newspaper donates more than $200,000 annually in free and sponsor advertising to worthy local and national LGBT non-profits.

• http://www.save.lgbt – SAVE is recognized as South Florida’s leading organization dedicated to protecting people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) against discrimination.

• http://swimwomen.org – SWIM stands for Social Women in Motion. They are a social, professional and community minded lesbian group in the Greater Tampa/St Petersburg area.

• https://www.outcoast.com – Outcoast works with the LGBTQ community on Florida’s Gulf Coast to promote business and non-profits through online media, photojournalism and marketing consultation.

• http://transequality.org/index.html – National Center for Transgender Equality. Organization that is “dedicated to advancing the equality through advocacy, collaboration and empowerment.
• http://transgenderlawcenter.org – Transgender Law Center works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.
• http://www.translifeline.org – Trans Lifeline is not for profit dedicated to the well being of transgender people. Their FREE crisis hotline is run by transgender for transgender people in need of support and resources.
• http://transhealth.ucsf.edu/ – The mission of the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health is to increase access to comprehensive, effective, and affirming health care services for trans and gender-variant communities.
• http://transstudent.org/ – Trans Student Equality Resources is a youth-led organization dedicated to improving the educational environment for trans* and gender nonconforming students through advocacy and empowerment. We believe that trans* and gender nonconforming youth should be allowed the same opportunities and respect enjoyed by their peers and that an equal education is a matter of civil rights.
• http://www.tsroadmap.com/index.html – Transgender Road map compiles several kinds of resources on the physical, spiritual, sexual, and mental well being for trans* individuals in transition.

• King of Peace Metropolitan Church
  3150 5th Ave. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33713
  (727) 323-5857
  http://www.churchstpetersburg.org/
• Christ the Cornerstone Church
  5545 62nd Avenue Pinellas Park FL 33781
  727-547-6280
  http://christcornerstone.com/
• Paul’s Lutheran Church
  407 So. Saturn Avenue at Gulf to Bay
  Clearwater, FL 33755-6597
  727-446-7718
  www.stpaulsclearwater.org
• Petersburg Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  130 19th Ave SE
  St. Petersburg, FL 33705
  727-896-0310
  stpetersburgquakers.org/
• Pass-a-Grille Beach Community Church, U.C.C.
  107 16th Avenue
  St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
  (727) 360-5508
  www.pagchurch.org