The Center on Colfax and Denver Public Library are teaming up to host a new, LGBTQ book club that will meet virtually starting February 11. Titled “Read it or Don’t Book Group,” the program aims to give LGBTQ readers an avenue to connect with each other to discuss ideas and experiences. The first book the group will discuss is I Can’t Date Jesus by Michael Arceneaux, a witty and insightful collection of essays that touch on love, sex and religion as seen through the eyes of a gay, black man in America.
Each meeting will be hosted by a panel that will talk about themes in the book and how they affect the LGBTQ community. The Denver Library has also ensured that each selection has copies available for checkout or is available as an e-book. The meetings will be streamed on The Center’s Facebook and Youtube pages, with subtitles and ASL interpretation.
The book group spawned from The Center’s desire to expand their programming and appeal to a growing array of community members.
“Our hope is that the book group will spark new dialog and help people unite over shared experiences. Even if participants don’t read the book, we’re creating this with the idea that someone will walk away inspired about learning something new or excited about making new connections,” says The Center’s CEO, Rex Fuller.
Representatives from Denver Public Library and The Center have chosen the list of upcoming books to represent the diverse experiences of those in the LGBTQ community. These include In the Dream House, by Carmen Maria Machado, A Two Spirit Journey: Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder, by Ma Nee Chacaby, and Ani DiFranco’s memoir, No Walls and the Recurring Dream.
The Center is also planning on hosting a two day Queer Author Expo in June, providing authors with a chance to showcase their works and will feature workshops held by those in the publishing business. Specific dates and times for the expo are to be announced.
Without the ability to meet people physically at the library anymore, this book club gives a great opportunity for like-minded individuals to share and discuss interesting books and ideas. If you are anything like me, reading books and mustering the courage to speak to strangers about them is the perfect motivation to start making good on my lofty, New Year’s resolution to stop being such a sad sack! Here’s to hoping others feel the same way.
