The Miller Nichols Library hosted the annual Rainbow Read-In on Oct. 11 to highlight LGBTQ+ literature, original stories and poems.
This event was on National Coming Out Day and was moved from June to October to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month.
It was inspired by the African American Read-In events the University Libraries have held for over a decade.
Students were invited to attend over Zoom and in person. Only those there in person could enter the rainbow flag giveaway.
“Participants can be listeners or presenters, and the readings are to be from LGBTQIA+ authors and artists,” said Tracey Hughes, Interim Chair and event opener.
Hughes said every reader was allotted eight minutes to read a work by someone in the LGBTQ+ community.
The first reader, Christie Webb, is a senior library information specialist. Webb read 3 poems, “Hope Is the Thing with Feathers” by Emily Dickinson, “Hope Is Not a Bird, Emily, It’s a Sewer Rat” by Caitlin Seida, and Webb’s original work, “Hope Is a Victory”.
Webb acknowledged that these writers may not have been open about their sexualities, but were subject to the environment and time they lived. Webb feels that these important stories must be heard.
“I’m going to live my truth. The truth is going to get lived regardless if I tell you or not, but if I’m telling you, it’s because I have hope that telling you will make my life better, easier, or improve the lives of others,” Webb said. “Being very visible makes it easier for those who aren’t safe yet. So it had to be about hope.”
Webb prompted the audience to think about the coming out experience and wanted to tell a story of hope.
Many others participated in reading excerpts from the community, giving a voice to the stories and troubles associated with being queer. One participant, former UMKC Librarian Anthony Rodgers, attended on Zoom to read “BunnyBear” by Andrea J. Lonely and participated from Washington.
“Being very visible makes it easier for those who aren’t safe yet, so it is about hope,” said Webb.
