Writing Our Own Stories: Counter-Archiving in Divisive Times

Whose story? Who gets to tell the story? How do we make sure our stories are part of the story that becomes recorded and retold?
About this Event

This workshop is an exploration of the vastness of lived experience, tiptoeing around, running away from, shining furiously within, and fighting systems that deny queer and trans life, love, and magic. These structures, namely cis heteronormativity, prescribe pasts, presents and futures as though they are a given, and as though they are all there is. Queer/Trans lives have always refused, renewed and repurposed these binds.

We will use poetry, short prose, short film and art as materials to dive into lived archives of what it means to embody queerness, transness, and be identified by structures like class, caste, race, and nationality.

By the end of the workshop, participants will engage with these materials and think of lived archiving or counter-archiving as an ongoing project, rather than a flat retelling of past events. In an increasingly violent time, telling our own stories and ensuring none of the messiness gets smoothed out becomes more important. Participants will have multiple ways to record what they learnt/reflected on to capture all styles of learning.

Please note that the whole workshop is open for queer trans poc and their allies. However, one section of the workshop will be earmarked as a qtpoc only reflection space.

Agenda

🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Doors Open and Mingle
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Housekeeping and Icebreakers
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
BIPOC + Allies Session
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Community Lunch
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
BIPOC Session