SHAW (S)EXpo: a community-created gallery

The gallery will take place on February 9th from 6:30-10:00pm at the Tranzac Main Hall -- 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 2M7.

The gallery's theme is "Leaving Evidence" inspired by disability justice writer and educator Mia Mingus.

“We must leave evidence. Evidence that we were here, that we existed, that we survived and loved and ached. Evidence of the wholeness we never felt and the immense sense of fullness we gave to each other. Evidence of who we were, who we thought we were, who we never should have been. Evidence for each other that there are other ways to live--past survival; past isolation.” -Mia Mingus

When people's lives and histories are intentionally being lost, erased, and forgotten, what are the ways we document our own lives and histories as an act of radical memory-keeping? And how can we preserve the collective-memory of our communities?

The event will feature artists from across the GTA, as well as an hour of storytelling/oral history from leZlie Lee Kam (a self-identified World Majority, brown, Carib, trini Indo, Chinese, callaloo, differently-abled, Jurassic, bionic, DYKE Elder/Rainbow senior) from 7:30-8:30pm. We encourage you to drop in, get some food, enjoy the art, chat with the artists, hear leZlie’s stories, and connect with community members in a relaxing and welcoming environment.

This gallery prioritizes the work of Black, Indigenous, People of the Global Majority (BIPOC folks), queer, trans* and gender diverse individuals, sex workers, disabled folks, precariously housed & unhoused folks, folks with no post-secondary education status, survivors, and women.

If you are unable to attend the gallery in-person, all works will also be uploaded on our website at https://www.secutoronto.org/ for folks to access if they are unable to make it to the gallery night :))

Accessibility information:

The first floor of the Tranzac is fully accessible for folks with mobility aids, and they have an accessible gender-neutral washroom on the same floor. We will be encouraging masking and providing masks at the venue, along with ear plugs and sensory toys for folks to use. We will also have both written and auditory visual descriptions of each piece, along with an online version of our gallery for those unable to come to the gallery night. And of course, any and all support/care personnel and animals are more than welcome at the event, and all UTSEC events are completely free to anyone who wishes to attend. All food we will have will have options for folks who are gluten free, vegan, halal, and kosher.

If there are other considerations we can build our event to incorporate, please reach out to us and we will make them happen! DM us or email [email protected]

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Host or Publisher UofT Sexual Education Centre (SEC)