Marlena Carrillo, Coordinator for Digital Initiatives at the Tampa Library
On December 8th, Pansexual Pride Day, we honor the beauty of a love and attraction that transcends gender. It is a cause for celebration, remembrance, and above all, understanding.
What is pansexuality?
The root of the word, “pan,” is Greek in origin, meaning “all.” Indeed, pansexual people love “all,” with gender taking no consideration in their attraction.
Pansexuality is nuanced, debated, and not well studied. It is also a fairly new term in the LGBTQ+ community that emerged in the 1990s. Some scholars argue if pansexuality is a branch of bisexuality or an orientation of its own – regardless, it is one of countless terms an individual might use to define something that is uniquely theirs: their identity. [1]
This year, USF Libraries invites you to recognize Pansexual Pride Day with the newly digitized Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF) Collection, a vibrant testament to the power of film and community in the Tampa Bay area.
Founded in 1990, TIGLFF emerged as an extension of local Pride celebrations, brought to life by organizations like the Tampa Bay Business Guild, the Bay Area Human Rights Coalition, and the Tampa Bay Gay Men’s Chorus. What began as a grassroots initiative to amplify LGBTQ+ stories has evolved into one of the most significant queer film festivals in the Southeast.
The TIGLFF collection chronicles over 30 years of the festival’s legacy and preserves a local insight into LGTBQ+ history and culture. Among the highlights are:
- Organizational Files: Offering a behind-the-scenes look at the festival’s growth, these documents reveal the tireless work of activists and artists who made it all happen.
- Programs and Schedules: Flip through decades of festival programs to discover films that moved audiences and sparked conversations. From groundbreaking documentaries to heartfelt narratives, these records showcase the evolution of LGBTQ+ cinema.
- Graphics and Promotional Materials: The colorful posters and flyers within the collection reflect the artistry and creativity of each year’s festival. They also offer a snapshot of how LGBTQ+ representation in media has transformed over time.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tiglff_records/10
The nuance and novelty behind pansexuality make it a term hard to come by in archival materials, and unfortunately the TIGLFF collection is no exception. However, I find strength in the stories of identity, adversity, and acceptance hosted by the festival; portrayals that look exactly like us are lovely, but I think there is even more value to be found in those that are slightly different. The TIGLFF Collection not only preserves the history of the festival but also highlights the enduring importance of queer visibility in media, no matter the form.
On Pansexual Pride Day, this collection invites us to celebrate love and identity in all forms while honoring the trailblazers who fought for the space to tell their stories.
To explore the TIGLFF collection, view the digitized materials on Digital Commons or make an appointment to view the physical records in our Special Collections Reading Room.
You may find even more LGBTQIA+ resources and collections by browsing our LGBTQ+ Digital and Special Collections.
🌈 Happy Pansexual Pride Day! 🌈
REFERENCES:
Goldberg, Abbie, ed. (13 April 2016). The SAGE Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies. SAGE Publications. p. 833. ISBN 9781483371290.
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