The Writers Place (3611 Pennsylvania, 816-753-1090) works hard to elevate KC above "cracker central" status. Case in point: its Third Friday reading series, which focuses on diversity in 2012. Tonight's theme is
A Celebration of Queerness: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives. "Straight members of the audience can learn from this group. They will see that where deep emotions and convictions are concerned, all of us, straight and gay, have a great deal in common," says organizer and participant Wayne Courtois. Hear poetry, fiction, memoir and humorous essays from rainbow representatives at 7 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested. For more information, see
writersplace.org.
— Berry Anderson