17 Dec Celebrating Queer Joy, Family, and Belonging: A Powerful SB Reads 2025 Gathering
As SB Reads 2025 came to a close, more than 80 community members gathered for an evening of storytelling, connection, and celebration. Hosted in the Faulkner Gallery, the space was transformed into a warm, welcoming, and homey environment—soft lights hanging above, chairs arranged to invite closeness, and a sense of shared anticipation in the air. Before the program began, guests enjoyed a lively pre-reception that set the tone for a night centered on community and compassion.
The event brought together local storytellers and audiences to honor stories of queer joy, found family, liberation, immigration, and belonging—echoing the themes of this year’s SB Reads selection, The Magic Fish. We were deeply honored to welcome @jennaticowrites of @backbonestorytelling as our keynote storyteller, whose presence and performance grounded the evening in authenticity and heart. What followed was an evening of voices and experiences: stories carried by the currents of home, identity, and transformation. Each storyteller offered a window into lived moments of resilience.
This gathering was more than a program; it was a celebration of who we are and who we are becoming. Thank you to everyone who joined us in lifting up stories that center queerness, family, and belonging. Your presence helped make this year’s SB Reads a truly meaningful chapter in our shared story.
Stay tuned for more ways to read, share, and grow with us in the months ahead.
