Celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+: A Conversation with Rhea Rollmann
Thursday, June 27, 12-1 p.m.
SN–2109; online
Join Rhea Rollmann (she/her), award-winning journalist, writer and audio producer based in St. John’s, NL for a discussion on A Queer History of Newfoundland (Engen Books, 2023). Rhea is a founding editor of The Independent NL and her journalism has appeared in Briarpatch Magazine, CBC, Xtra Magazine, Chatelaine, PopMatters, Riddle Fence and more. Her academic work has been published in the Journal of Gender Studies, Labor Studies Journal, Canadian Woman Studies, Journal of Work and Society, Canadian Theatre Review, Canadian Review of Sociology, Screen Bodies and elsewhere.
About the book: A QUEER HISTORY OF NEWFOUNDLAND tells the powerful story of queer community-building and activism in Canada’s most easterly province, a story which it chronicles for the first time ever in comprehensive book form. It provides an unprecedented glimpse into this important history and the people and organizations that drove Newfoundland and Labrador’s twentieth century queer liberation movement.
Part community oral history, part archival study, A QUEER HISTORY OF NEWFOUNDLAND chronicles the fight for human rights protections, AIDS activism, the growth of the vibrant queer bar scene, lesbian struggles for space in the feminist movement, trans struggles for recognition and health care, and more. It showcases the important activism that helped overcome ignorance, bigotry, repressive laws and traditions as well as geographic barriers in the fight for equality and rights. The story of the queer liberation movement in this province is one of great pride and joy; one of hardship and struggle; and ultimately one of triumph.
Please note that this is a hybrid event with an option to participate in person on the St. John’s campus or online. Members of the Memorial community located outside St. John’s are encouraged to participate virtually.
Presented by Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism