Tampa Bay News
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LOVING IN FEAR RETURNS TO LIBRARY
TAMPA -- Does your boss know you have a partner of the same sex? Can you keep pictures of your partner on your desk? Do you avoid saying where you went on the weekend because it may reveal something about you? Do you hesitate to participate in family conversations? Are you afraid to hold your partner's hand in public? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you know what it means to love in fear.
In honor of Gay and Lesbian History Month, Loving in Fear II will be held June 12 at 2:30 PM in the John F. Germany Library, 900 N. Ashley. The event is a free public reading featuring three local authors and moderated by Apple Love of Flirt.
The founder of Loving in Fear, Steven Reigns, is a published poet and author and an avid reader who has logged lots of library time. He says he has attended stimulating events for other minority groups, e.g. readings during Black History Month event, but noticed that there was nothing for the local GLBT community. Inquiries fell on deaf ears, and when he submitted his own proposal he was told that library-sponsored events must be booked two years in advance.
Reigns persevered, and learned that he could produce an event at the library as long as it was free and open to the public. So he scheduled the first Loving in Fear author reading last June - hosted but not sponsored by the library. The name came from a Canadian anthology Reigns admired (yes, he got permission), and more than 100 attended despite torrential afternoon rains. Many begged Reigns to do it again.
"It was a wonderfully mixed crowd -- heterosexual, homosexual, racially diverse and definitely open to the public," Reigns said.
The library continues to balk at sponsoring, but Reigns is hopeful they will eventually embrace Loving in Fear. Official involvement would mean publicity and promotion throughout the library system.
Authors participating in this year's Loving in Fear seminar include David K. Johnson (The Lavender Scare), Kimberly A. Hanna (Hypoxia Zone), and Reigns himself (Your Dead Body is My Welcome Mat).
Johnson is a history professor at the University of South Florida. His book deals with persecution of gays during the Cold War and McCarthy periods. Hanna will read from her current novel-in-progress. Stage Works is producing her play, Hypoxia Zone, in July.
Reigns will also read from current work, a powerful collection of poems. He captivated audiences at last year's St. Pete Pride with a moving reading of his poem about coming out and emotional abuse by family. Reigns was recently named Literary Director for The Center of Tampa Bay. Supporting positive growth within the GLBT community is something of a mission for him.
"As artists create, they help create community," Reigns said. "It's an important extension of being an artist."
He hopes Loving in Fear will create dialogue, heighten awareness and support growth within the GLBT community. With tongue only partly in check, he also says it's a great - and safe -- way to meet like-minded people outside the bar.
Tomes & Treasure will sell the authors' books at Loving in Fear, and a percentage of the profit will go to The Center. After the readings, the authors will be available for autographs and discussion. For more information, visit www.stevenreigns.com. W Joanna Cassidy
PRIDE PHOTO EXHIBIT AT MADSTONE
TAMPA - Photographer Todd M. Richardson contributes to the spirit of the season with his photography exhibit - "Snapshots: San Francisco Pride." The one-man show opens at Hyde Park's Madstone Theatres on Saturday, June 5 and runs through the end of the month.
According to Richardson, all of the photographs were shot during San Francisco's huge annual Pride celebration. They specifically explore subcultures within San Francisco's vast and diverse GLBT community.
In addition to Pride photos, Richardson has also included a 20x24 black and white print of anti-gay hate-monger Rev. Fred Phelps of Topeka, Kansas. Entitled "Stamp Out Hate II," the interactive exhibit is designed to allow visitors to speak out against hate - directly to Phelps' image. For a one dollar donation to Equality Florida, participants can also place a "Stamp Out Hate" sticker on Phelps' visage.
Richardson is a cum laude graduate of the University of South Florida. He is a former fashion photographer for Dillard's Department Stores and the Home Shopping Network. His photographs have appeared in Esquire, Watermark, and other periodicals and newspapers. He is currently a contributing photographer for The Weekly Planet. Richardson's photography has appeared in several museum and gallery exhibits. His photograph entitled "The Lost Pages of the Bard," was recently accepted into the personal collection of Sir Elton John.
"Snapshots: San Francisco Pride" is Richardson's second solo exhibition.
FILM FEST HIRES DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
TAMPA - The Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival has hired John J. Thomas, a 17-year marketing veteran, as its new Development Director. Now in its 15th year, TIGLFF is ranked among the top ten GLBT film festivals in the nation. This year it will run from Oct. 7-17.
Thomas will work with a growing list of national and local sponsors, as well as local business and community leaders, to increase funding and awareness for the Film Fest. "TIGLFF provides a key role in Tampa's cultural development," Thomas said.
Thomas most recently worked as marketing and program manager for the Square D North division of Schneider Electric. He has served on the board of directors of the Lexington Children's Museum, and is currently on the Sexual Minority Youth Committee of the Pinellas County Juvenile Welfare Board. He is also an active member of Tampa Front Runners.
TIGLFF hosts a fundraising screening of the Margaret Cho concert film, Revolution, at Madstone Theatre in Hyde Park on Sunday, June 13. Visit www.tiglff.com for info.
TAMPA BAY BRIEFS
EARLY EVENTS LAUNCH ST. PETE PRIDE
Several events throughout June will help build anticipation for the St. Pete Pride Promenade and Street Festival on Saturday, June 26. On Thursday, June 10 at 3 p.m., the St. Petersburg City Council will issue a Proclamation declaring June "St. Pete Pride Month." On Saturday, June 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. there will be a Pride Pet Show at Grand Central Station, and from 5 to 8 p.m. the Downtown Arts Association will host a special Pride Gallery Walk, including a "Pride In Art" reception at Fiorini Gallery, 2435 Central Ave. On Sunday, June 13 from 1:30 to 4 p.m., the Florida Holocaust Museum will host a workshop entitled "How Does Prejuduce Impact Me?" And from Thursday, June 10 through Sunday July 4, Gypsy Productions presents Community Property, a special Pride presentation at the Suncoast Theatre. Visit www.stpetepride.com for more information.
EQUALITY FLORIDA RECIEVES $50,000 LEADERSHIP GIFT
Fort Lauderdale philanthropist Ron Ansin has donated a $50,000 "Leadership Gift" to Tampa-based Equality Florida, the state's leading GLBT political voice. "The issues they work on are vitally important, the time is right, they have a talented team, and they have a proven ability to get the job done," Ansin said. Equality Florida is currently focused on GLBT voter registration and turnout.
HOWARD LEAVES POSITION AT EQUALITY FLORIDA
Ted Howard, who was the driving force behind Unity Leadership initiatives in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Tampa and Sarasota, has left his position as Director of Leadership, Infrastructure, and Central Florida Development at Equality Florida. "After more than four years, I am proud of all that I have been able to do to improve the rights of LGBT citizens in Florida," Howard said. He is currently seeking a position in either the private or public sector.
VALENTINE'S CLOSES, REOPENS
On Tuesday, May 18, the Tampa Police officers raided Valentines Nightclub on N. Armenia Ave. The popular club's liquor license was suspended for 14 days, and the club re-opened on Thursday, June 3. "It seems one of our 18 employees (along with five customers) was involved in illegal activity," management said in a press release. "Valentines has zero tolerance for this, and the employee has been dismissed. We're going to use this time to renovate and expand the club."
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