Hyperlocal Worldwide

By Cameron Healy

As LGBTQ-oriented literature disappears from school bookshelves, the Gulfport Library’s LGBTQ Resource Center holds its sixth annual ReadOut: A Festival of LGBTQ Literature. From Feb.17-19, this free festival “showcases literature written by, for, and about LGBTQ community,” from 70 authors, according to the ReadOut website.

Each day includes discussions, panels, workshops, and book signings. Start the weekend festival with five introduction events on Friday from 5-8 p.m. Board President of the LGBTQ Resource Center Susan Gore expressed excitement for the discussion of lesbian literary icons in the past, present, and future.

Saturday’s events run from 9 a.m.7 p.m.; the day starts with a poetry panel featuring authors Gloria Muñoz, Rose Cervantes, Sheree L. Greer, Dustin Brookshire, and Sander Santiago. The day ends with a benefit performance of The Laramie Project at 7:30 p.m..

In past years, St. Pete’s first Latina Poet Laureate Gloria Muñoz attended the festival. This year, she’s a ReadOut presenter.

“I’m excited to talk about craft, poetry, and the making of a poem,” Muñoz said. “I think it’s really important because poetry is meaningful and it can change lives.”

Muñoz said she met Gore at Tombolo Books; they talked about ReadOut, and that sparked the idea for her to join the festival.

“With all the book bans, the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, and with curriculums changing to erase people’s history right now, I think festivals like this are incredibly important, and I’m proud to be part of a city and a place that supports that,” Muñoz said.

2908-B Beach Blvd. S. Gulfport, FL 33707 727-321-6965

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Cathy Salustri Loper cathy@thegabber.com

Advertising Director

Barry Loper barry@thegabber.com

Creative Director

Joey Neill joey@thegabber.com

News & Politics

Monroe Roark monroe@thegabber.com

Features & Events

Cameron Healy cameron@thegabber.com

Operations

Patrick Graney patrick@thegabber.com

Reporters

Mike Sunnucks, Crime

Amanda Hagood, Books & Environment

Jon Kile, Columnist

Joe Opaleski, Columnist

Serving Gulfport, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg West, Downtown St. Petersburg, Kenneth City, Tyrone, Tierra Verde, St. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille, Treasure Island, Pinellas Point, Madeira Beach, Pinellas Park

Owners

Barry Loper and Cathy Salustri Loper thegabber.com

Deadlines Friday at 5 p.m.

The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers, advertisers, or employees of the Gabber. The Gabber is not liable for any errors in advertising beyond the cost of the first printing of any advertisement. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced or copied without permission of the publisher.

RV Parking

I agree with Mike Cook: homeless sleeping on promenade, public works building, now this are you kidding? Realtors, merchants, wake up and stop this; this will hurt your wallet in the near future. No more million dollar sales, decline in tourists dollars, I wouldn’t risk it because of a small minority that can’t find parking for their new toy. Do I want to spend upwards of $700,000 or $800,000 and risk that next to me? I think not. Come on now, shut this dumb idea down.

–Dave Godshalk, Gulfport

Thanks to Gulfport City Staff

Gulfport on the Edge: Trends & Forces Impacting Our Town brought 120 people together to discuss the social, environmental, economic, and technological factors that are shaping our lives and the future of our community. This was the second of three town halls sponsored by Ward 1 City Councilmember April Thanos and produced by a group of 30 volunteers. We are especially grateful to the City of Gulfport and its caring, professional staff for helping create a welcoming environment for these meaningful and productive conversations. The formats of these events are different from “typical” town halls in that the participants have opportunities to interact and learn from each other about specific topics. Each event invites people to look at our town from different perspectives and encourages creative thinking. Information is documented and compiled for reference by civic, service, and business groups to help navigate and address the new realities of our times. The next event on April 10, 2030: Envisioning Possible Futures , will guide participants in creating stories of Gulfport from the perspective of seven years in the future. This process will spark creativity, encourage collaboration and harness the power of collective imagination to create a resilient, sustainable future for Gulfport. Everyone who loves Gulfport is invited to have a seat at the table. –Ingrid Bredenberg, Gulfport

Local Theater Coverage

Sir, your paper reviews plays from other areas of Florida, but not Gulfport. Why? An amazing production, Exit Laughing, was at [the] Hickman. I saw it twice. I spoke to many people who saw it and praised it profusely. Every performance sold out. Everyone I spoke [with] laughed at the comedy. I always thought your paper was about Gulfport. I am a local at Town Shores. –Peter Fletcher, Gulfport

Publisher’s Note: George Brann started the Gulfport Gabber in 1968 because he wanted to hold Gulfport government accountable. Although the name changed to The Gabber Newspaper with the June 24, 1999 edition, throughout four different sets of owners, we have always put Gulfport first. As daily news coverage decreases, we find other smaller communities asking us to cover their news, arts, and events.

As for Exit Laughing, we wanted to review it; Ron Zietz has immense talent, and we support Gulfport theater. The reality is one of economics: We have two theater reviewers, one of whom was working at another production and another of whom had other commitments. We do not have a full-time theater critic, so from time to time, we do miss a show. Exit Laughing ran only two weeks, so when we couldn’t get a reviewer there opening weekend, we had no chance to review the show.

–Cathy Salustri Loper, Publisher

The Gabber Newspaper encourages letters (one per person, per month). Include your real name and city, and please keep it short – <250 words. We may edit letters for content, clarity, and length. We don’t print letters that incite violence, include attacks on private citizens, or that intentionally mislead people. Letters may appear online and/or in print. Comments on The Gabber’s website and social media may get printed. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of The Gabber owners, advertisers, or staff. Send letters to news@ thegabber.com or 2908-B Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL, 33707.