Encore Learning and the Arlington Public Library are hosting a tribute to civil rights activist Dr. Lilli Vincenz next Monday, May 12, at 3 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library.
The event will feature a screening of the documentary film “Gay Pioneers,” followed by a panel discussion featuring remarks by Charles Francis, Eva Freund, Bob Witeck, local activists for equality who will describe Vincenz’s historic contributions, including her 2013 donation to the Library of Congress of her personal archival documents and films. At the end of the program, PFLAG dad George Hobart will read the tribute to Lilli Vincenz.
“Gay Pioneers” is the story of one of the first organized “homosexual” civil rights demonstrations held in Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C. from 1965 – 69. The movie braids archival footage from these seminal demonstrations; FBI investigative files obtained under the Freedom of Information Act; gay pioneer interviews – including with Vincenz – about the homophobia of that era, the protocol for the demonstrations, and how those demonstrations impacted the movement.
This event is free and all are welcome to attend.
The Arlington Central Library is located at 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington. For more information, call the library at 703-228-5996.