The Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth will host a presentation, “No Cinderella Story: Friends Remember Ben Scott “Benderella” Rae,” by Laura Hodgman on October 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the library, 93 Main Street in Tamworth Village.

In this talk, Dr. Hodgman will delve into the life of Ben “Benderella” Rae, a developmentally disabled victim of transphobia murdered in Tacoma, Washington in 1977. Before she died, Benderella led a life full of family strife, state institutionalization, hustling, self-advocacy, and friendship. She was part of a family, and part of communities, who accepted or rejected her. The many stories surrounding Benderella’s life and death help to increase understanding of transgender lives both past and present.

Laura Hodgman, Professor Emerita of History at Eastern Washington University, moved to Tamworth about 18 months ago. Between 2012-2016, she conducted an oral history project collecting stories of Rae’s life. The article she wrote on the project was published in the peer-reviewed Oral History Review’s Winter/Spring 2016 issue.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Eastern Slopes and Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth will cosponsor a film and discussion of “Screaming Queens” on September 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the UUFES Meetinghouse at 30 Tamworth Road in Tamworth, NH. Laura Hodgman will introduce this hour-long documentary, and lead a discussion following the film. This program is one of the One Book One Valley series of programs taking place this fall.

“Screaming Queens,” directed by Victor Silverman and Susan Stryker, paints a vivid portrait of the transgender scene in 1960s San Francisco. Three years before the famous uprising at Stonewall, oppression of the LGBT community in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District produced violent, collective resistance at Compton’s Cafeteria, a one-time haven for marginalized communities. Through archival footage, period music, and interviews with those involved, this documentary situates the riot at Compton’s within the broader questions of urban renewal, anti-war activism, civil rights, and policing characteristic of the time.

Laura Hodgman, Professor Emerita of History at Eastern Washington University, moved to Tamworth about 18 months ago. Her academic work includes oral history interviews and publications on LGBT history.

This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call the library at 603-323-8510.