LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair

Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 11:00am - 4:00pm

Toms River Branch

Click here for the LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair

 

Organizations Serving the LGBTQIA+ Community,

Workshops & Crafts,

and Special Guest Julia Scotti!

Build community and connect with local organizations that offer services specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Sponsored by the Ocean County Library Foundation and the Friends of the Ocean County Library - Toms River.

Special guests will include:

 

 

Schedule for the LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair

Drop-In Events

 

Information Table | 11:00am - 4:00pm

Prize Wheel

→ Spin our prize wheel when you sign-in for the fair to get library swag, LGBTQIA+ centered books, and other fun freebies.

Giveaway Baskets

→ Complete our Feedback Survey and turn it in before you leave to be entered into a giveaway to win one of our prize baskets.

*One winner will be chosen and announced at 3:30pm after Julie Scotti's presentation. This winner will get first pick of the prize baskets and must be in the building at the time of the announcement. All other winners will be chosen and contacted by phone after the fair.*

 

Mancini Hall & New Book Alley | Beginning at 11:00am

Information Vendor Tables

→ Meet representatives of local organizations from our state and county who provide services specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community.

 

Atrium | All Day

National AIDS Memorial Quilt Display

→ View a 12’ x 12’ panel of the AIDS Memorial Quilt up close and in person alongside informative materials about the history of the AIDS Epidemic and its effect on the LGBTQIA+ community.

 

Maker Space (2nd Floor) | *11:00am - 2:00pm (while supplies last)

Pride Buttons

→ Share them, trade them, wear them! Drop in the Sparks’s Lab, located on the second floor of the library, to come and create your own buttons.

 

Workshops

 

Green Room

Supporting Your LGBTQ+ Child Across the Lifespan: A Clinical Social Work Perspective for Parents and Caregivers | 11:00am - 12:00pm

→ When a child comes out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, or another LGBTQ+ identity, parents often experience a wide range of emotions, questions, and concerns. This presentation provides a compassionate, evidence-informed framework for understanding sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression across the lifespan. Participants will explore how parental support influences mental health outcomes, learn practical strategies for fostering resilience and family connection, and gain tools for navigating challenges that may arise from childhood through adulthood. Community resources, affirming communication techniques, and opportunities for reflection will be included. Presented in English by Juan Carlos Barrera, LCSW, RYT.

Apoyando a tu hijo LGBTQ+ a lo largo de la vida: una perspectiva clínica de trabajo social para padres y cuidadores | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

→ Cuando un niño se declara lesbiana, gay, bisexual, transgénero, queer/cuestionador u otra identidad parte de la comunidad LGBTQ+, los padres con frecuencia experimentan una amplia cantidad de emociones, preguntas y preocupaciones. Esta presentación ofrece una estructura compasiva e informada por la evidencia para comprender la orientación sexual, la identidad de género y la expresión de género a lo largo de la vida. Los participantes explorarán cómo el apoyo parental influye en los resultados de salud mental, aprenderán estrategias prácticas para fomentar la resiliencia y la conexión familiar, y lograrán herramientas para afrontar retos que pueden surgir desde la infancia hasta la edad adulta. Se incluirán recursos comunitarios, técnicas de comunicación afirmativa y oportunidades para la reflexión. Presentado por en español por Juan Carlos Barrera, LCSW, RYT

 

Hometown Dairy

A History of LGBTQ+ Medicine: We Have Always Been Here | 12:00pm – 1:00pm

→ The first gender reassignment surgery predated the first heart transplant or the first use of chemotherapy by decades. Often, there is a misconception that trans people and medical transitioning are modern phenomena but that simply isn’t true. This class will discuss the history of trans healthcare- and go back even farther to discuss how LGBTQ+ people have existed throughout history and have long had ties to the healthcare community. Presented by the Virtual Queer Library.

 

Special Guest: Julia Scotti

Green Room

Conversation with Julia Scotti | 2:30pm - 3:30pm

→ As a nationally headlining comedian, former teacher, and transgender woman, Julia strikes the perfect balance of heartfelt honesty, emotional understanding and hilarious observations. Join us as she shares her journey in returning to comedy after transitioning at the Ocean County Library's 3rd annual LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair.

 

Directions & Parking

Toms River Information

The LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair will be held at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library

 

Directions & Parking in Downtown Toms River

Click here for directions to and parking information for the library.

Click here for additional information on parking options.

**Note that on Saturday, the upper level of the municipal garage behind the library is FREE, not metered, courtesy of the Ocean County Library. But space in the garage is limited, so please have alternate parking plans.

 

Food

Food Options in Downtown Toms River

→ There are several restaurants within walking distance of the library for your food needs.

More Information About Downtown Toms River

→ Click here to see the Downtown Toms River website.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair?

→ The LGBTQIA+ Resource fair aims to bring local organizations offering resources and services dedicated to serving the LGBTQIA+ community into a visible and freely accessible location. The goal is to provide information and build community by connecting these organizations with LGBTQIA+ patrons and allies in the safe space of the Ocean County Library.

Who can attend the LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair?

→ Everyone is welcome! The LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair is FREE and open to the public. You do not have to be a resident of Ocean County. You can view the event here.

What can I do at the LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair?

→ The fair begins Saturday at 11 am with information vendors set-up in Mancini Hall and New Book Alley. Saturday’s vendor tables, workshops, and activities will culminate in a presentation by Special Guest Julia Scotti beginning at 2:30pm.

Workshop topics include “Supporting Your LGBTQ+ Child Across the Lifespan” which will be presented twice by Juan Carlos Barrera, LCSW, RYT, once in English and once in Spanish, and “A History of LGBTQ+ Medicine” presented by the Virtual Queer Library.

For our younger attendees, there will be button making in the second floor’s Maker Space from 11:00am - 2:00pm.

Who can I expect to see at the LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair?

→ Organizations confirmed to attend:

Do I have to register?

→ No! You may drop-in to the fair area or other all-day activities at any time. Sign-up for specific workshops will be available at the lobby information table on the day of the event. You can view the event here.

Do I have to stay the whole time?

→ No, but we hope you do! You are welcome to come for just one workshop, browse only a few tables or stay for the whole day. If you are thinking of coming early, note that the library does not open until 9:00am and the fair will not start until 10:00am. The library closes at 5:00pm. If you get hungry in the middle of the day, there are restaurants in the area.

Can I come in Pride gear?

→ Yes!

When planning your outfit, please be aware the library’s code of conduct will be enforced. Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn.

What is the Code of Conduct?

→ The library’s code of conduct will be enforced throughout the LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair. Click here to read the Code of Conduct.

NOTIFY A FRIEND NOTIFY A FRIEND