Jennifer Leitham, the renowned transgender jazz bass virtuoso, will be in Oak Park on Sunday, Oct. 19, as part of the special screening of I STAND CORRECTED—the true story of Leitham, who transitioned publicly during the height of her career.
Formerly known as John Leitham, the artist played with such top acts as The Tonight Show All-Stars, Mel Tormé and k.d. lang.
I STAND CORRECTED won the Best Film Award at the American Documentary Film Festival in 2012. The screening will take place at 1:45 p.m. at the Oak Park Public Library.
"We thought it would be a nice transgender film," said event organizer Katie Thomas. "Oak Park is a very liberal, out-reaching community, and its library has been very LGBT-friendly."
TRANS The Movie was shown at the Oak Park Public Library about three years ago and about 100 attended.
Thomas said 100 are expected for the Leitham documentary, and there will be a post-movie Q&A session with Leitham.
"Jennifer is a very interesting subject," Thomas noted of the performer who always stands when playing and plays left-handed. "I always enjoy talking about the successes of my trans sisters. It's always nice to hear and see a highly challenged person, with great musical skills—and to see her fighting, and winning, the battle.
"Oak Park Public Library has a wonderful transgender collection of films and books," Thomas added.
There will be a reception from 5-6 p.m. at the Oak Park Universal Church.
