The University of Tennessee Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People is pleased to offer two special events highlighting the unique history and challenges of sexual minorities in the United States.

On Thursday, October 16, at 1 p.m. in the Mary Greer Room on the 2nd floor of Hodges Library the commission will present The History Project: Documenting Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Boston, a 28-year-old grassroots archive. Co-founder Patricia Gozemba will discuss the project’s history, current exhibits, a liaison with Northeastern University, and issues relating to the creation, collection development and management of a digital archive. The event is co-sponsored by The Library Diversity Committee and Writers in the Library.

Prior to the event, the sponsors will host a reception at Hodges Library in the Mary Greer Room (Room 258) at 12 noon.

Later that evening, in the University Center Shiloh Room (Room 235) at 7:30 p.m., the committee will present an author reading, discussion and signing of Courting Equality: A Documentary History of America’s First Legal Same-Sex Marriages (Beacon Press). The book examines the marriage equality movement in Massachusetts and its implications for the state of Tennessee and the country. The event will also feature an iMovie presentation.

Both events are free and open to the public.