Oct. 16 event will include discussion of organization’s new approach and introduction of plan’s author, Tim McCarthy
Project Pride SRQ (PPSRQ), the local LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, will conduct a special event on Oct. 16 to offer clarity on its new community approach and to present remarks from Tim McCarthy, chair of LGBTQ+ issues at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), Project Pride SRQ has announced.
McCarthy is the author of the nonprofit’s new strategic plan, which will be launched after Oct. 16, a news release says.
The event also will offer information about how those who wish to see the emergence of a more inclusive and resilient community “can participate in making it happen,” the release explains.
PPSRQ Executive Director Tom Edwards will interview McCarthy “about his experience at Harvard as the university was embattled by the federal government — with billions of dollars in federal grants at stake — “over DEI programs, admissions policies, and allegations of inadequately addressing anti-Semitism on campus,” the release adds. “The experience was a brutal one for McCarthy,” the release adds. According to Edwards, the release continues, it highlights the importance of all populations coming together to work toward a better government for everyone.
The event will take place from to 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Harvest Sarasota, which is located at 3650 17th St. in Sarasota, the release says.
“During the event, Edwards will present the new direction of the organization and then introduce and interview McCarthy, with a Q&A to follow,” the release adds. “The Harvest Band will perform and light refreshments will be served,” it notes.
“We are living in unprecedented times; to call them uncharted would be an understatement,” said Edwards in the release. “Across the political spectrum, many of us are deeply concerned about the state of our country’s discourse and direction,” he continued in the release. “It’s clear that we need a new approach to the situation we find ourselves in today. We are thrilled to have engaged Tim — who understands very well what is at stake for all marginalized and targeted populations – to help facilitate our strategic planning and guide our future direction—with the process set to begin after this important fundraiser,” Edwards pointed out.
McCarthy “is an award-winning scholar, educator, and human rights activist who has taught at Harvard since 1998,” the release notes. At the Harvard Kennedy School, “where he was the first openly gay faculty member and still teaches the school’s only course on LGBTQ matters,” the release continues, McCarthy is faculty chair of the Global LGBTQI+ Human Rights Program at the Carr Center and faculty affiliate at the Center for Public Leadership.
“McCarthy was the co-recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama,” the release adds. “Inspired by the activism and organizing of his student years, McCarthy has devoted his life to public service and social justice,” it says.
The general admission fee is $35; students may attend the event for free, the release points out. Advance registration is required; visit ppsrq.org/lgbtq-events-sarasota to reserve a spot.