January 2025: Inside this issue...

OUT Arts & Culture is excited for what is a busy time of year for our organization. In this issue, you can find information on our upcoming ReadOUT 2025 LGBTQ+ Literary Festival, our final SpeakOUT Dialogue and a fun and funny BranchOUT Fundraiser! We'd love to see you at all of our events and have your support. Read on for more important information.

ReadOUT 2025: Queering the Narrative:  Annual LGBTQ+ Literary Festival set for February 14-16 in Gulfport and around the world!

Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities are available NOW!

We are excited to announce our diverse and topical lineup of authors, panels and keynote speaker for ReadOUT 2025: Queering the Narrative. This year's literary festival will seek to center and uplift the voices of trans and BIPOC authors and appeal to LGBTQ+ literary fans of every genre. 

Check out the ReadOUT page of our website for more information including the weekend schedule which includes panels with over 35 LGBTQ+ Authors, a Keynote Address from trailblazing author, Ellen Kushner in addition to a steamy Be My Spicy Valentine panel on Friday Night, and a special Comedy Show from Comedian Poppy Champlin on Saturday Night. Simply put, there is something for EVERYONE at ReadOUT 2025.

Purchase ReadOUT Tickets

SpeakOUT: What's Next for the LGBTQ+ Community and the Humanities?

Join us on Tuesday, January 28th for our final SpeakOUT Dialogue in this series featuring Gloria Muñoz and Nathan Bruemmer. This discussion will feature conversation around what is next for the LGBTQ+ Community and the humanities as we explore topical questions around where we go from here in continuing to uplift LGBTQ+ voices in arts and humanities programming. The event is free and will take place in person at Stetson College of Law's Mann Lounge or virtually on zoom.

Register for SpeakOUT

FUNdraising with Comedian Poppy Champlin

Comedy show with Comedian Poppy Champlin and Rachel Covello is a fundraiser for BranchOUT Scholarships.

It's a perfect Valentine weekend date night and for a good cause! On Saturday, February 15th  hilariously funny Comedian Poppy Champlin is coming to Gulfport's Catherine Hickman Theater with Rachel Covello for a night of laughs and smiles. You won't want to miss this event and tickets are going fast. 

Proceeds from the event will go towards OUT Arts & Culture's BranchOUT Scholarship fund which awards scholarships annually to LGBTQ+ Students in Pinellas County. 

Purchase your tickets today! 

Buy Tickets for Comedian Poppy Champlin

ReadOUT is Nominated for a WONDER Award from Watermark Out News for Best Annual LGBTQ+ Event

Vote for ReadOUT Here

Watermark Out News features article on ReadOUT 2025

Read Here