Feminist Friendly Places in Gainesville

The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida is based in Gainesville and provides meeting space and community support for LGBTQ organizations and events. As a supporter of the North Central Florida area, it has a comprehensive LGBTQ resource guide that lists everything from churches and organizations to political and legal support in the region. This organization regularly hosts community events and houses the Audre Lorde Library featuring genres including poetry, erotica, history/herstory, sexuality, and much more.The Civic Media Center is an alternative library, reading room, and infoshop that provides valuable resources for activists and community members. Founded in 1993, its community space has hosted political, educational, and cultural events that often support feminist issues among other social justice causes. Many local groups hold their meetings at the CMC, and the Center serves as a strong foundation for community alliances and activist coalitions. Beyond community support, the alternative media resources from the library collection are of particular use for those interested in local history or social justice research.Wild Iris Books is one of the few remaining feminist bookstores in the state as well as the nation, and it has supported the feminist and LGBT community in Gainesville since its opening in 1992. Although it is currently closed during the process of moving to a new location, it is still an integral feminist space in the Gainesville community. Not only does it provide a comfortable space for events and meetings, it also brings together consignment goods from local artists for sale along with general and specialized books. Despite its temporary closure, Wild Iris Books is still thriving with its multi-vendor online store, Wild Iris Marketplace.View the list »
Ustler Hall is the home to the Center for Women's Studies and Gender Research at the University of Florida. Built in 1919, the former women's gymnasium became the home for the Center and its undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Fall 2006. It is also the first UF academic building named after a woman, Kathryn Chicone Ustler, whose generous donations helped to renovate the historic building.

Gender Issues newsletter

There are many places to gather in Gainesville if you're looking for feminist-friendly company or activities. From a historical building with a gendered legacy to a community center providing activist resources and an alternative library, these places serve as meeting grounds and study spots. You don't have to be a student or a feminist to benefit from the resources and community space offered by these local businesses and organizations, since these places are welcoming in many ways.

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Some have explicit feminist legacies and sponsor events on gender and sexuality, and others have provided safe space and support for community members to gather to discuss such issues. These businesses and organizations have hosted community events, movie screenings, lecture series and local group meetings, all in the spirit of enriching the lives of those who support them. Given their commitment to the Gainesville community and support for feminist groups and events, please consider supporting these businesses and organizations and help Gainesville build alliances within the community.

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  • Ustler Hall is the home to the Center for Women's Studies and Gender Research at the University of Florida. Built in 1919, the former women's gymnasium became the home for the Center and its undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Fall 2006. It is also the first UF academic building named after a woman, Kathryn Chicone Ustler, whose generous donations helped to renovate the historic building.
  • Wild Iris Books is one of the few remaining feminist bookstores in the state as well as the nation, and it has supported the feminist and LGBT community in Gainesville since its opening in 1992. Although it is currently closed during the process of moving to a new location, it is still an integral feminist space in the Gainesville community. Not only does it provide a comfortable space for events and meetings, it also brings together consignment goods from local artists for sale along with general and specialized books. Despite its temporary closure, Wild Iris Books is still thriving with its multi-vendor online store, Wild Iris Marketplace.
  • The Civic Media Center is an alternative library, reading room, and infoshop that provides valuable resources for activists and community members. Founded in 1993, its community space has hosted political, educational, and cultural events that often support feminist issues among other social justice causes. Many local groups hold their meetings at the CMC, and the Center serves as a strong foundation for community alliances and activist coalitions. Beyond community support, the alternative media resources from the library collection are of particular use for those interested in local history or social justice research.
  • The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida is based in Gainesville and provides meeting space and community support for LGBTQ organizations and events. As a supporter of the North Central Florida area, it has a comprehensive LGBTQ resource guide that lists everything from churches and organizations to political and legal support in the region. This organization regularly hosts community events and houses the Audre Lorde Library featuring genres including poetry, erotica, history/herstory, sexuality, and much more.
  • Volta, a coffee house located in downtown Gainesville, is a favorite study spot for some UF graduate students looking for a quiet place with easy access to high-quality drinks and unending caffeine. This shop often hosts readings from UF graduate students and supports other local events and organizations in the community by providing a space for event postings. More often than not, you can find this place packed with students and professors all focused on laptop screens, books or papers to grade. This spot is of particular use for those who need communal support for studying and a coffee house with unbeatable drinks.
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, Gainesville Feminism Examiner

Michelle Harris, a graduate student at University of Florida's Center for Women's Studies and Gender Research, is a dedicated feminist and geek who rejects the notion that these identities are mutually exclusive. Currently researching feminist science fiction and fantasy literature and media for...

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