OUT Arts & Culture sends heartfelt thoughts to all who have been affected by the recent hurricanes, and hope that your recovery has been as smooth as possible. Our events were not immune from the storms either, and this issue of ShoutOUT contains information on our rescheduled and upcoming events. We're excited to return to our work of educating, celebrating and inspiring the LGBTQ+ community through arts and humanities programming.

SpeakOUT Dialogue Series combines focus on the intersections of LGBTQ Identity, Literature, Law and Media

The post-election future of LGBTQ+ equality

A combined installment of SpeakOUT 2024 kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 14th, with reception followed by a dialogue at 7pm on Intersections of LGBTQ Identity and Literature, Law and Mass Media with panelists Nathan Bruemmer, Erin Kratter, Silk Jazmyne, Steven Schoen and Bryan Hinkson. The event will be moderated by Susan Gore. 

Registration for this FREE event is encouraged but not required. The event will take place at Stetson College of Law's Great Hall and will be streamed live via Zoom. ASL interpretation will be provided.

Resgister for SpeakOUT Here

Save the Date: ReadOUT 2025

Planning is underway for the 8th Annual ReadOUT Literary Festival. Each year, OUT Arts & Culture is proud to celebrate LGBTQ+ literature through this event. This year's theme is Queering the Narrative. We will explore LGBTQ+ representation in literature through exciting panels, community dialogue and keynote speakers. More information on panels and registration is coming soon!

Learn More About ReadOUT

BranchOUT Scholarship Recipient Announced

OUT Arts & Culture is proud to announce Mindy Schumacher as our 2024 BranchOUT Scholarship Recipient. Mindy is studying Accounting at St. Petersburg College.

Mindy Schumacher was born in Wesley Chapel, Florida, and has lived in Saint Petersburg since 2006. She hails from a close-knit family, with her parents being high school sweethearts and her brother being her only sibling. Mindy has worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs since 2000, dedicated to supporting those who have served. In 2021, she married her wife, who is an extrovert, balancing Mindy’s more introverted nature.

Also in 2021, Mindy and her wife bought their first home together. A lifelong learner, Mindy enjoys discovering new things, which has inspired her to continue her education and career development. Mindy has a deep passion for rescuing pit bulls and regularly fosters dogs through a local nonprofit organization. In her free time, she also enjoys live music, arts & crafts, camping, fishing, road trips, puzzles, backyard fires, and connecting with nature—especially trees.

Our organization will release a new call for application in early 2025 for the Fall Semester as we recognize many who wished to apply in this round could have been adversely affected by the preparation for and recovery from two back to back hurricanes. Look for more BranchOUT information in 2025! 

Thank you to our tireless supporters for their gifts that make these scholarships possible. The BranchOUT Fundraiser featuring Comedian Poppy Champlin is being rescheduled with a new date to be announced soon! 

Learn More About BranchOUT