Drag Story Hour’s Queer Visitors Book Club Reminder: Drag Story Hour (DSH) has launched a new book club program for adults called Queer Visitors! Part literary salon, part community circle, Queer Visitors blends literature, drag, and chosen family in joyful, genre-bending ways. Beginning Fall 2025, the program will feature seasonal book picks, virtual author events, themed drag programming, and partnerships with libraries, bookstores, and cultural institutions across the country. If you are interested in hosting an event, you can find more details on the Drag Story Hour website. Massachusetts Legislature Hears Right to Read Testimony On Tuesday, July 22, the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development heard testimony on An Act Regarding Free Expression, H.3594/S.2328. ABFE submitted written testimony in support of these bills and applauds the showing of inspiring testimony in support of the freedom to read. We look forward to working with Massachusetts legislators to make this legislation as strong as it can be. Students for Intellectual Freedom Virtual Workshops powered by Penguin Random House Hailie Bonz, an undergraduate student at the University of California, Irvine, is working with Penguin Random House over the summer to lead three virtual workshops. These workshops aim to train and empower student activists with advocacy tools and create a network to communicate with one another. The workshops will provide high school and college students with a deeper understanding of legislative processes surrounding censorship bills and an overall public speaking training. The workshops will be free for participating students, and an author whose books have been banned will be featured as a speaker. Workshops will occur August 1, 8, and 15, at 1:00 pm ET. If any students in your community are interested and would like to attend, have them fill out the programming survey with their name and email address to ensure they receive the meeting invites. |
