Out at the Library kicks off on April 17th. Help us make it a success! Join us for six weeks of author readings, workshops, book discussions, forums, theater, poetry, and films.
So what do you think about this unique historical exhibit? Are you excited about a queer lit fest featuring Montana authors? Would you like to see more events like this in the future? Share your opinion here.
18 comments:
This is one unique historical exhibit I could do without. I am NOT excited about a queer lit fest featuring Montana authors.I would NOT like to see more events like this in the future. Thanks
I think it's great! It looks like a great line-up of events. Impressive.
I wouldn't expose my kids to the sex lives of heterosexuals why would I expose them to this? Just keep the R rated stuff away from the kids.
Out at the Library has officially begun! Over 90 people turned out for the opening reception, which featured the Missoula Men's Chorus, a fascinating talk and reading from a piece on women in rodeo by bestselling author Patricia Nell Warren and a short documentary film discussing gay civil rights marches in the late 1960s. Stay tuned and keep the discussion going as there are many more Out events to come!
What a nice display and great program. Looking forward to more.
I worked for several years with gay, lesbian, bi and transgender youth across Montana. One underlying issue for them, whether they lived in Circle, Missoula or Libby, was the absence of queer history and the contributions to society by gay and lesbian Americans. I applaud the Missoula Library in sponsoring this comprehensive event. Hope many youth both queer and straight attend.
Betty Kijewski
Babb, Montana
I'm disappointed to see MPL promoting a deviant lifestyle and "celebrating" a way of life that is hurtful to individuals, families, and society as a whole.
We'll steer clear of the library until you're finished trying to elevate to importance a topic which doesn't deserve it.
I am not opposed to this exhibit, however, I strongly oppose this venue. The MPL is not the appropriate venue for this exhibit.
Ignorance (and its attendent, hatred) is hurtful to individuals, families, and society as a whole. I am once again grateful to the library for being a defender and bastion of intelligence and reason.
I am so glad to see this exhibit here at the library! I am not gay but have a family member who is and several friends. None of them in anyway have hurt individuals, our family or society. Homosexuality is not a choice, God has created them this way. Thank you for sponsoring this event.
We as a family will not support events like this. What makes this event so special? The fact that it is homosexual event? This is not the appropriate place for this event. The fact that the library is promoting a sexual lifestyle is not approprate. The library, which should be family centered, should not be showing anything that has to do with a sexual nature. If people wish to find out about who is a homosexual, they can do it by reading or looking it up, not by coming to an "event" at the library. Even if this were a heterosexual event, my family would not attend this event.
Our family does find this exhibit to be "family centered" since gay and lesbians are part of our family! Sexuality is beautiful and it is everywhere. A library, which has so many resources for all kinds of people, is the PERFECT place to explore this part of our culture. Bravo!
This exhibition is just one more reason why Missoula is such an incredible city to live. Everyone is celebrated, appreciated and nothing is swept under the rug as if it didn't exist. This cities (nations, worlds) history includes all of humanity participating equally and the public library reflects that well. Thank you
Looks like it's been going well. Good job on this. I was very excited when I heard about it. I wish I was going to be back to visit before the very end of the program.
It's too bad some people feel threatened by this, but that's their own issue.
I am disgusted that my children have had to walk past this depraved exhibit. I wouldn't want to see an exhibit on the sex lives of normal people. I find it highly offensive that my tax money is going to support a bunch of perverts who want nothing more than to drag our society down to the lowest common denominator. THIS EXHIBIT DOES NOT REPRESENT THE FAMILY FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT THAT PREVIOUSLY EXISTED AT OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY. I demand that the library apologize for exposing our children to this disgusting, perverted, over-the-top exhibit. There's a good reason why closets have doors (with locks.)
I so appreciated the previous historical exhibits that have been displayed during the past year. I have enjoyed pointing out different photos and information to my children. However, I was speechless, stunned, disgusted and greatly disappointed (TO SAY THE VERY LEAST) that our local library would allow San Francisco "values" to be shoved down our throats in the name of tolerance. I am personally offended that you chose such an exhibit that robs my children of their innocence on their way to go check out children's books. We feel violated that our children must be in the same building with an exhibit that is first and foremost morally bankrupt and age inappropriate. I wouldn't want my children to be exposed to literature on the lives and sex lives of heterosexual individuals. HOW DARE YOU USE OUR PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS AND PUBLIC LIBRARY WHICH SHOULD BE A SAFE PLACE FOR CHILDREN, TO BE A PLATFORM FOR SUCH DISGUSTING BEHAVIOR! I DEMAND AN APOLOGY AND WANT TO KNOW THAT THE LIBRARY WILL NOT VIOLATE THE COMMUNITY'S TRUST AGAIN!
Some tips for engaging in a community discussion. An anonymous demand for an apology is illogical: the library probably has a method for making inquiries and getting responses about programming and how its funded. Statements made in all caps belie anger, and statements made in anger can come across as irrational. For example, the line: "I wouldn't want my children to be exposed to literature on the lives and sex lives of heterosexual individuals." Of course the library has lots of literature on the lives of hetero people -- some of which also discusses their partnerships and families (i.e. "sex"). Many parents see issues like this as a way to reinforce their own religious or family values with their children. For families that are strong and values that are sincere, a library exhibit poses no threat but rather provides a wonderful teachable moment. Expressions of "disgust" are easy to construe as a projection for an author's own inner struggle with sexuality and gender norms. Finally, "shoved down our throats" is an amusing metaphor given the context of the discussion.
Well, Out at the Library is winding down and tonight is the last official event. The exhibit and queer literary festival have been an overwhelming success! People traveled from across the state and as far away as Coeur d' Alene to experience Out at the Library. Thank you to everyone who came to see this important historical exhibit and attend the many Out at the Library programs.
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