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Learn Your LGBTQ’s and your I’s A’s & 2’s Panel Presentations and Discussion (Online) Online

This series of presentations will cover multiple topics with a group of panelists brought together by Middletown’s LGBTQIA+ Commissioner, Laura Timmons.

There will be space for questions throughout the event and at the end.

This virtual program is for adults.

Registration is required and will close 1 hour before the event begins.

If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org 

This program is produced in partnership with Middletown Pride!


Karleigh Webb has been in sports journalism and sports broadcasting for 26 years. She is currently a writer-contributor to Outsports in addition to doing varied freelance editing/videography and producing projects through her firm Karleigh Webb Video in Connecticut.

When not chasing a story, Karleigh is a crisis operator for Trans Lifeline. North America’s only 24-hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week hotline dedicated to the need of transgender people. She considers her service as an honor as great as her awards and commendations she has earned as a journalist. It is this work that also fuels her work as a activist centering around human rights, anti-war issues, and the fight against economic violence placed upon working people.

Presentation: What Pride should be in 2021


Tony Ferraiolo is the Director of Health Care Advocates International’s Youth and Family Program. Over the past 15 years he as founded several support groups for transgender and non-binary youth and their families. He is also a certified life coach and the author of the book series “Artistic Expressions of Transgender Youth.”

Presentation: Pronouns Matter !!!!!!!!!!!!


Middletown City of Middletown’s LGBTQIA+ Commissioner, Cayes Jarda:

"I got my bug for teaching in Middletown. I started as A Circus kid at Oddfellows, and then was an arts camp counselor with the Buttonwood tree and Camp Ingersoll at the kids corner site and became the site director at Bielefield.

My parents owned and ran Imperial Caribbean Restaurant on Main Street. I moved to California for grad school, but I always thought I'd make change in my home town because my formative school years were all here. I'm a proud Laurence School alum, and graduated from Mercy in 2001.

I actually came out on national TV on a Show called “The Secret Lives of Americans” and after that I decided to come back to CT because it is the best rated state for queer folks.

I just bought my first home in the Butternut area of the city. I named my long driveway Allen Pavensberg. Before I even bough it, I was like, this is my house, and this is Allen (two LLs because it he is so long). I have all these memories from track team of running thorough Wadsworth and it is so great to walk out of my house with my dogs Opal and Biggs and enjoy it."

Presentation: Transgender Educator


Er. Vickie Boisseau CPS 

"I'm a 61 year old Intersex woman who was born with Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome which caused my Hypospadias. Starting at 8 months old I had 14+ failed Hypospadias repair surgeries ended in an amputation to try to make me look "normal". I overcame all that through studying men and women. Their mannerisms, topics of discussion, word choices to the point of being able to understand and be both. Now I'm the New England Director of Intersex Campaign for Equality IC4E and started the Intersex Day of Awareness in 2001 to help others born intersex. Now Living in Middletown CT doing Peer Support Specialist work helping others with Intersex variations."

Presentation: Overcoming adversity


Samuel Avery Giardina is a 22 year old trans photographer and designer from CT. This past year was a huge change for him as he came out as trans, female to male and began pursuing his passion for photography as well as being an advocate for the LGBTQ community through his brand.”

Presentation: "Be you, the world will adjust”


Middletown City of Middletown’s LGBTQIA+ Commissioner, and this event's moderator: Laura Timmons. 

I am a 54 year old transgender female living in Middletown, CT. Prior to coming out in 2018, I raised a family and worked in the Aerospace industry for over 30 years. Having lived with chronic depression and anxiety for all of my adult life, I decided to change my life and live my authentic self regardless of the consequences. Now, I am really living my best life.

Presentation: Living my best life


Stay tuned for more panelist details!

Date:
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Time:
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Time Zone:
Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
Online:
This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
Categories:
  Adult     Pride Event  
Registration has closed.

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Accommodation Statement

If you require special accommodations for any library sponsored event please call 860-347-2528 or email dmarques@russelllibrary.org at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.