Dayton Metro Library hosts 3rd annual ‘Summit on Trans Lives: Past, Present and Future’

With an expanded audience, an acclaimed keynote address and a few surprises, the Dayton Metro Library will host the third annual “Summit on Trans Lives: Past, Present and Future” on Saturday, October 17. Registration is free and required.

“Given the stress of the world around us, this is something that our community needs now more than ever,” said Jordan Ostrum, community impact specialist at the library. 

Billed as “educational, inspirational and celebrational,” the daylong event will feature workshops on topics ranging from gender-affirming voice care and Ohio legislative updates to clothing alteration and BIPOC LGBTQ+ history. 

A new workshop this year will be specifically geared towards trans allies. 

“If you just want to be a good neighbor, you can learn how to do that, show up for the trans people in your life and make Ohio a place where everyone can be who they are,” Ostrum said. 

The summit will also host a screening of Framing Agnes, the Sundance Film Festival award-winning documentary on transgender history. Closing out the day will be a keynote by Black non-binary author and activist George M. Johnson, whose young-adult memoir “All Boys Aren’t Blue” is one of the most banned books in the country.

Organizers also teased a very “special surprise” as part of the summit’s opening ceremony, but declined to share specific details, even when pressed. 

“I’ll just say that I’m ticked pink that we get to do this and it’s a bit of trans history that we’re excited to spotlight,” said Ostrum. 

Although organizers hope the turnout for the summit will be bigger than last year, they say that the true measure of success will be the transformative impact of the day.

“It feels like we are in an era of such despair, and I hope that attendees leave with a warmth of community and hope for a better future,” said Ostrum.

Housing the summit at the public library is an intentional choice, especially given Dayton Metro Library’s strategic plan of connecting patrons to community support systems and deepening community partnerships.

“A public library is for the public, and that means the entire public,” said Ostrum. “This summit helps fulfill our mission of making everyone feel very welcome and feel like they belong at their library.” 🔥

IGNITE ACTION

• “We’ll Always Be Here: A Summit on Trans Lives Past, Present, & Future” will be held at the Dayton Metro Library (215 E. Third St.) on Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Attendees can attend for all or part of the day. Registration is free but required and can be found here.