Traveling Exhibits
Out At the Library
April 17th - May 31st
The Missoula Public Library has been offered the unique opportunity to host a museum-quality exhibit from the San Francisco Public Library entitled, "Out at the Library" from April 17th through May 31st. The exhibit is a celebration of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) history, art, literature, and culture. Related library programming will feature bestselling authors, a choir performance, book-to-film discussions, local poets, panel discussions, a multi-media presentation by the Montana Rep, and much more. The exhibit also offers a rare look at what an archive is and how archives can ensure the legacy of LGBT communities. "Out at the Library" is an opportunity to celebrate both the diversity of the Missoula community and Montana's gay and lesbian heritage.
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Schedule of Events
*all events take place in the Missoula Public Library Large Meeting Room, unless otherwise noted.
Grand Opening Reception - April 17th, 7-9 pm
Kick off "Out at the Library" with the Missoula Men's Chorus, the short documentary film "Gay Pioneers," and best-selling author Patricia Nell Warren's answer to the provocative question, "Why gay culture matters?" Light refreshments and a docent's overview of the exhibit will be included.
A Pioneer Family & the Booklife (Deer Lodge Program) - April 18th, 12-1 pm
Join Patricia Nell Warren in her hometown of Deer Lodge as she shares her family's literary legacy. This event takes place in the Kohr's Memorial Library, 501 Missouri Ave, Deer Lodge, MT. Call (406)846-2622 for more details.
Page to Screen: Brokeback Mountain - April 19th, 2-5 pm
Read the Annie Proulx short story, then come watch the movie on the library's big screen. We will follow the screening with a discussion of this iconic story's evolution. Moderated by Mark Medvetz.
Film Screening: Red Without Blue - April 22nd, 7-9 pm
Growing up gay in Montana isn't easy. When one of two gay twin brothers becomes a sister, life gets even more interesting. This haunting documentary film has played festivals around the world. A short forum moderated by the Equality Project of the Montana Human Rights Network will follow. Film screening co-sponsored by the Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center.
Film Screening: The Life & Times of Harvey Milk - April 24th, 5:30 & 7:30 pm
This installment of the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center's Peace and Justice series follows the political career and assasination of the first openly gay elected official in the US. This screening will take place at the UC Theater in the University of Montana University Center (3rd Floor).
Out After Hours: Queer Poetry - April 25th, 7-8 pm
An intimate visit with Out at the Library's "resident" poets Casey Charles and Melissa Kwansy.
Workshop: Allies for LGBT Equality - April 26th, 10 am-5 pm
Presented by the National Coalition Building Institute of Missoula. This unique workshop brings together heterosexual allies who want to be more effective in working for LGBT inclusion. Advance registration & brown bag lunch encouraged. Call NCBI at (406)541-6891 to register or visit www.ncbimissoula.org. This workshop will take place at the 1st United Methodist Church, 300 E. Main St. Just across the street from the library!
Forum: Whence Lesbian Lit? - April 26th, 10-11 am
From potboilers to feminist polemics - explore the enigmas and variations of lesbian writing. Featuring poet/novelist Melissa Kwasny; pop culture watcher Kay Whitlock. Moderated by Caitlin Copple.
Workshop: Tom Spanbauer's Intro to Dangerous Writing - April 26th, 2-4 pm
Annie Dillard calls Spanbauer's technique "alligator wrestling at the level of the sentence." Spanbauer's workshops are a budding writer's fetish, but you don't have to fly to PDX for this one! Prepare to destroy convention and "investigate to the bone."
Reading: Tom Spanbauer - April 26th, 7 pm
Tom Spanbauer was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho and earned a degree in English Lit at Idaho State University. After stints in the Peace Corps, an Oregon commune, and a flirtation with marriage - Spanbauer headed for the East Coast where he waited tables, came out, and began writing a novel. Of his breakout "revisionist Western" - The Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon - Spanbauer has said, "I wanted to explode old myths and forms of gay literature." Spanbauer lives and works in Portland, Oregon. This event will take place at Shakespeare & Company, 103 S. 3rd Street West.
Discussion: How the Gays Saved Civilization - May 1st, 7 pm
Western civilization will never seem the same after this lively discussion in the tradition of Thomas Cahill's popular histories. From Latin American literature to Medieval sodomy - we're covering the waterfront!
Multi-media Program: The Tree Faces of Tennessee - May 2nd, 7-8:30 pm
Created and performed by the Montana Rep, this program combines Tennesee Williams' backstage notebooks, play readings, and film clips. Rep artists will tease out the sometimes bold, sometimes transient sexuality that permeates our theater canon.
Lecture: The Changing Ones: The Third Gender Tradition in Native North America - May 3rd, 7-9 pm
Using rare historical images, Will Roscoe studies examples on Native American Two Spirit and third gender roles, and their social, artistic and religious significance. A program highlight is the story of Oshtisch (Finds Them and Kills Them), a Crow medicine person who gained fame fighting in the Battle on the Rosebud in 1876.
Reading & Discussion: Will Roscoe - May 4th, 1-2:30 pm
Roscoe will read from his new club-land mystery novel and discuss his latest nonfiction work, Jesus and the Shamanic Tradition of Same-Sex Love. He will also reminisce about growing up in Missoula, the birth of gay activism at the University of Montana in the 1970s, and gay pioneer and radical faerie godmother Harry Hay. This program takes place at Fact & Fiction, 220 N. Higgins.
Children's Literature: Tango in Trouble! - May 7th, 7-8 pm
What's a penguin to do when his two dads become notorious? Children's Librarian Karen Gonzales opens the world of juvenile books with LGBT themes and Intellectual Freedom. Don't miss a bonus reading of the oft-challenged picture book "And Tago Makes Three."
Book Discussion: The Power of the Dog - May 8th, 10-11:30 am & May 13th 7-8:30 pm
Montana's first gay cowboy novel, set in the 1920s horse prairie. MPL has multiple copies of this title available at the check out desk. Pick one up today or put a copy on reserve.
Film Screening & Forum: Queer Youth Speak - May 14th, 7-9 pm
This film shows a teen response to the Out at the Library exhibit in San Francisco. Followed by a discussion led by students from Hellgate High School's Gay Straight Alliance.
Discussion: The Power of Thomas Savage - May 20th, 7-8 pm
A discussion of the life and work of the author of Montana's first gay cowboy novel. Featuring UM-Western professor Alan Weltzien and Out at the Library curator Karl Olson.
Book Discussion for Ages 13-18: Queer Heroes & Teen Queens - May 21st, 7-9 pm
Has over a classic or new LGBT book with Missoula Public Library Young Adult Librarian Linette Ivanovitch. Not sure what to read? Grab a list online or at the YA desk.
Funding for Out at the Library provided by:
David C. Moomey
Additional Funding provided by: San Francisco Public Library, Friends of Missoula Public Library, Missoula Public Library Foundation, and MPL Adult Programming
Additional Support comes from: Fact & Fiction, MaryAnn Flockerzi, MT Pride Network, Shakespeare & Co., University of Montana English Department, Western Montana Gay Lesbian Community Center