PALM SPRINGS — Janet Mock, a transgender activist and TV producer, will be here  Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 at the Historic Camelot Theaters. The main event begins at 7:30 p.m.

The event is presented by Palm Springs Speaks: A Speaker Series.

Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people on the internet and one of the 12 new faces of Black leadership, Mock is a New York Times bestselling author of two memoirs, Redefining Realness (2014) and Surpassing Certainty (2017). She is the host of the conversation series, Never Before, a writer, director and producer on Ryan Murphy’s Golden Globe-nominated series Pose on FX, becoming the first trans woman of color to write for a television series.

Mock will be joined on stage in conversation by Palm Springs Councilmember Lisa Middleton, who is the first non-judicial trans elected official in California. They will both then be joined by members of our community including Robert Woronoff, Executive Director of Sanctuary, Jill Hingston, LMFT Clinical Supervisor for the LGBT Community Center of the Desert and Anthony Velasco, an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner for the Desert Aids Project to discuss important trans and human rights issues. Healthcare–including access and appropriate healthcare, isolation and mental health issues facing this community, housing, employment and unique issue that trans people of color face; are among the topics the panel will discuss with Ms. Mock.

Representatives from the Transgender Community Coalition will have an information table in the lobby and Follet Books will be on site to sell both of Ms. Mock’s books. A book signing with Mock will follow the main presentation.

In addition to Mock, the season-two line-up for Palm Springs Speaks continues with legendary Actress, activist and author Jane Fonda on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 and America’s leading authority on European Travel, author, activist and public television and radio personality Rick Steves on Sunday, March 3, 2019 both at the Richards Center for the Arts, Palm Springs High School.  Each event has a Pre-Event Meet & Greet Reception + seating package available, sold separately, as well as book signings after the main speaking events. There are different seating levels and attendees can choose their seat from a seating map; tickets start at $30.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here. Other speakers and bonus events may be added to the schedule and announced at a later time.

Palm Springs Speaks benefactor sponsors are, Friends of the Palm Springs Library and the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Other series sponsors include LuLu California Bistro, The Auen Foundation, The City of Palm Springs, The Rowan Palm Springs, and Rivera Design.

Palm Springs Speaks began in the Fall of 2017 featuring a diverse selection of internationally known speakers and authors including Dan Savage, Vice President Al Gore, Dr. Deepak Chopra and best-selling author Lisa Scottoline. Mock is one more voice in the lineup.

Palm Springs Speaks seeks to entertain and educate while shining the spotlight on the written word and literacy for the Coachella Valley. The speaker series will provide access to culture and the arts with a variety of speakers representing many walks of life. This series will also provide an opportunity for the Friends of the Palm Springs Library and the Palm Springs Cultural Center to raise funds. For more information, please click here.