History will come alive through personal stories and conversation when the Human Library arrives at Charlotte’s Independence Regional Library on June 13, offering community members a unique opportunity to learn directly from individuals who have helped shape the region’s LGBTQ+ community.
Unlike a traditional library where visitors check out books, the Human Library allows participants to engage with “living books” – people who share their experiences, knowledge and perspectives through face-to-face conversations. The event is designed to encourage understanding, preserve community history and create meaningful dialogue across generations.
Several well-known leaders and advocates from Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ community will participate as living books.
 Among them are longtime activist and attorney Connie Vetter, whose decades of dedication have contributed to advances in LGBTQ+ growth and visibility throughout the region.
Also participating is Bishop Tonyia Rawls, founder of Unity Fellowship Church Charlotte and a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ inclusion and social justice.
Rev. Deborah Hopkins, a transgender advocate and founder of the emergency shelter There Is Still Hope, will share her experiences working to support vulnerable members of the community.
Jim Yarbrough, publisher of Qnotes, owner of White Rabbit and an active community leader whose involvement in Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ community spans more than four decades will be on hand to share his experiences and recollections, as well.
Organizers say the event offers attendees an opportunity to ask questions, listen deeply and learn from individuals who have witnessed social change firsthand. Through personal conversations, participants can gain insight into the struggles, triumphs and community-building efforts that have shaped LGBTQ+ life in Charlotte.
The Human Library will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on June 13 in the Community Room at Independence Regional Library, located at 6000 Conference Drive in Charlotte. Admission is free and open to the public.
The event is sponsored by the Freedom Center for Social Justice (FCSJ), a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering marginalized communities. FCSJ focuses on advancing civil rights and equal protection while supporting transgender, gender non-conforming, LGBTQ+, low-income and minority populations throughout the state.
For additional information about the Freedom Center for Social Justice, visit their website at https://www.fcsj.org.
