Florida Agenda

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – On November 14, Stonewall National Library and Archives will open its first-of-its-kind and first-of-many celebrations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history and culture with the exhibition, “Our Stars – Gifts from Celebrities.” Personal photographs and artifacts from over forty featured  people include an autographed tennis racquet from Martina Navrátilová, an autographed soccer ball from Dan Woog along with Mark LaFontaine’s Boy Scout uniform and the hiking boots worn on an eight-day trek to  the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro by K.G. MacGregor.

Martina has won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles (an all-time record), ten Grand Slam mixed doubles titles and the women’s singles title at Wimbledon a record nine times. Dan has chronicled LGBT sports, written 16 books and is the head coach for a nationally-ranked boys soccer program in Westport, Connecticut. Mark was unjustly discharged from serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and is the first Eagle Scout to be banned from the National Eagle Scout Association for being gay. K.G. wore her hiking boots while on her journey up Mt. Kilimanjaro and gaining her inspiration to write Worth Every Step.

These and many other exciting and historic artifacts will be on display. The reception for the opening “Our Stars – Gifts from Celebrities” exhibition will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, November 14, and the exhibition will run through December 31. Admission is free.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The Stonewall Distinguished Author Series presents Cool Limbo by Michael Montlack on Saturday, October 15 at the Stonewall National Library and Archives, 1300 E Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Montlack is joined by Maureen Seaton and Neil de la Flor to celebrate his first collection of poetry.

Cool Limbo navigates a lavish parade of constantly shifting sexual codes, zeroing in with wit and precision on such topics as the pursuit of beauty, the lure of indifference, the gaudy charm of the suburbs and mortality. Even the somber pieces maintain a tone that celebrates subversive pleasure.

In addition to being the editor of the non-fiction anthology “My Diva: 65 Gay Men on the Women Who Inspire Them,” which was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award, Montlack is the author of three poetry chapbooks: “Cover Charge.” Girls, Girls, Girls” and “The Slip.”

This event is free and open to the public.

Nationwide Search Begins for New Executive Director

Photo: Jack Rutland resigns from Stonewall National Library and Archives.

By BOB KECSKEMETY

Stonewall National Library and Archives executive director, Jack Rutland has resigned his post effective March 31, 2011, Rutland oversaw the operations of Stonewall for the last five years, during its most explosive period of growth.

“I like symmetry in my life,” explained Rutland. “I came here when Stonewall was going through a big change and moving into a new space and now we’re getting ready for the next level and expand again. It’s also time for new energy here, for a new person to come in. It’s a good ending point for me as the library transitions into the next phase.”

Rutland became an archivist right out of college. Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Rutland lived in New York immediately prior to coming back to Florida where he was director of a museum for the New York Historical Society.

Rutland explained that when he took on the position of executive director, Stonewall shared a building with the Gay and Lesbian Community Center on N. Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. When Rutland came on board, the current space that is being used for Stonewall was just becoming available and Rutland was instrumental in the planning and execution of the new facility. The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the current location took place in April 2009.

“When we moved in here,” said Rutland, “I knew that was going to be a huge thing for us. I didn’t realize quite how huge it was. When we had our grand opening in April, I looked out into the audience and saw the city commissioners, sheriff, mayor of Ft. Lauderdale and it was at that moment I had a little bit of a epiphany that this was bigger than we thought or ever imagined.”

Now, just two years after moving into its current location, Stonewall has outgrown its available space and is looking to expand once again, this time taking an additional 1,500 square feet from the county library which occupies the same building.

Most of this new space will be used for an expanded museum.

Rutland explained that after being in the current location just a couple of months, he realized they were going to need more space.

“I’ve been considering this for a couple of months,” said Rutland, “and this would be a perfect time to do it. This way the new person can part of the planning of the new museum instead of coming in after the fact. But I’m sure that in another five years, we’ll be looking for more space once again.”

Just last week the board of directors announced the name change and added the word “National” to the library’s name making it the Stonewall National Library and Archives and better reflecting the scope of the organization. Stonewall currently has 16 exhibitions traveling around the country, and Rutland explained that the traveling exhibitions are now an entire program of their own.

Rutland says that the board of directors has already begun a nation-wide search for his replacement. “Stonewall has an excellent reputation and is now known worldwide and it a one-of-its-kind facility. They [the board] will have no shortage of excellent, qualified candidates for my replacement.

Rutland concluded saying he has no immediate plans after his retirement and, after a short break, may be willing to sit on the Stonewall board of directors and work as a volunteer.