Lock Haven University issued the following announcement on Feb. 28.
Lock Haven University Stevenson Library will host a ground-breaking exhibit, "With Open Heart and Open Arms: LGBTQ Cuban Refugees and Our Community's Response to the Mariel Boatlift," throughout March and open with a public reception on from 4-5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1 in the Stevenson Library lobby.
The free exhibit is co-hosted by the President's Commission on LGBTQ Affairs and features a series of panels displaying video clips, pictures and documents that tell the personal stories of LGBTQ Cuban refugees.
WHAT: LGBTQ Cuban Boatlift exhibit
WHEN: Throughout March
Opening reception - 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 1
WHERE: Stevenson Library, campus of LHU
WHO: Rick Schulze, fschulze@lockhaven.edu, 570-484-2155
From April through October 1980, approximately 125,000 refugees fled their homes in Cuba and traveled by American ships and boats to Key West in the U.S. Among those who left from the Cuban port of Mariel (and thus have become known as Marielitos) were a sizable number of LGBTQ Cubans.
These new residents of the U.S. were assisted in their resettlement by many from Pennsylvania who assisted at the resettlement camp in Fort Indiantown Gap, or helped those who settled in Pennsylvania.
A new exhibit explores the circumstances surrounding the exodus and resettlement, focusing on the personal stories of LGBTQ Cuban immigrants who have since made their lives in this country.
"It's an honor to host this exhibit," said Dr. Rick Schulze, interim chairperson, President's Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, and community and public health education faculty member. "It tells a story of social justice and how people responded when refugees needed a place to be welcomed."
Original source can be found here.
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