Intersections of LGBTQ Identity and LITERATURE / LAW:
Reflecting – and Informing – Community Values
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Beyond literal definitions of authorship or story content, what makes LGBTQ+ literature different from other types or genres of writing?
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What is it about “queer” literature that is seen as threatening by some and valuable by others?
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Are different demographic groups affected differently by current policies?
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How do current attempts to restrict access to works that depict LGBTQ topics create dilemmas for educators, parents and students?
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How may these dilemmas be addressed productively?
is a Florida native who has served as a classroom teacher, non-profit leader, and Florida's former LGBTQ+ Consumer Advocate. He serves on the American Bar Association Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) and as co-chair of the ABA’s Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice SOGI Committee.
NATHAN BRUEMMER
is the co-owner of White Rose Books & More in Kissimmee, Florida. Previously, Erin used her B.S. in Math and Science Education and her Masters in Library and Information Science for nearly 10 years as a school library media specialist.
ERIN DECKER
is a Colombian-American writer and advocate for multilingual literacy. She is St. Petersburg’s first Latina poet laureate; her book DANZIRLY won the Academy of American Poets 2019 Ambroggio Prize and the Gold Medal Florida Book Award. Other honors include a Hedgebrook Residency, Highlights Foundation’s 2022 Diverse Verse Fellowship and a St. Pete Arts Alliance Muse Award.
GLORIA MUÑOZ
is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law, where he teaches writing and arbitration. Prior to joining Stetson, he worked for the Department of State representing the U.S. before the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal and in resolving claims on Swiss bank accounts by victims of Nazi persecution, among other cases.