HISTORY & MISSION
About SpeakOUT
Sexual orientation and gender identity are basic human characteristics. However, assumptions about these characteristics currently are fueling intense public debate. Increasing visibility of people who identify as LGBTQ+ has drawn heightened scrutiny from those believe traditional definitions of sexuality and norms of masculinity/femininity require defending. On the other hand, younger Americans, in particular, are questioning the validity of innate binary classifications, as well as heteronormative expectations in social relationships among individuals, families and work.
In 2014, the Gulfport Public Library received a gift of approximately 250 lesbian-themed books from the Womyn’s Energy Bank. The library director and Circle of Friends of the Library decided to create a separate collection within the library, naming it the LGBTQ Resource Center. Since 2015, the Resource Center has grown to more than 10,000 books, CDs, DVDs and online materials. The collection still appears to be the only one based in a public library in Florida.
In 2019, the LGBTQ Resource Center received recognition as a 501(c)3 nonprofit that offers independent programming alongside the library’s collection. It’s volunteer-based board is “…committed to promoting awareness of the diversity of experiences, contributions and needs of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer.” The board branded its programming on "OUT."
Programs that are supported by the Resource Center board include an annual literary festival (ReadOUT), a month-long art exhibition (ArtOUT), a dialogue series (SpeakOUT), LGBTQ student scholarships (BranchOUT) and a newsletter (ShoutOUT).
In 2019, the LGBTQ Resource Center received its first Florida Humanities grant, to bring Leslea Newman, the author of Heather Has Two Mommies, to keynote ReadOUT. In 2020, ReadOUT was the last live event held at the library before the initial COVID surge. It brought together 25 authors and 145 readers of lesbian literature. For 2021, ReadOUT was transformed into an online festival that promoted participation across the LGBTQ spectrum. The audience expansion and increased accessibility through Zoom exploded attendance for the 2021 and 2022 events to nearly 1,000 participants, with 101 and 74 authors, respectively. In 2023, ReadOUT was hybrid, with onsite and prerecorded presentations shared by comparable numbers. Florida Humanities provided ReadOUT with grant support in 2023 and has committed again for 2024.
In 2022, Florida Humanities awarded the Resource Center a grant for SpeakOUT, a new hybrid series of six dialogues on Intersections of LGBTQ Identity and the topics of aging, art, faith, law and literature, plus a capstone session. Well-known Humanities scholars were paired with local content experts for discussions designed to increase factual knowledge as well as build community connections. Onsite and online attendance across the series reached more than 250 people.
The current proposal seeks support to create a second SpeakOUT dialogue series. It will differ from the previous series by emphasizing local Humanities scholars and content experts as speakers. Reducing travel costs will allow more funds to be directed to promoting onsite and online participation across different demographic groups. The overarching goal remains constant, however, creating a safe space for thoughtful, interactive dialogue about how art, literature and mass media impact - and are impacted by - social values regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.