Prominent Canadian queer writers to read from their works
The University will present its first annual scholarship for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gendered (LGBT) studies March 26 at the 15th annual Wilde About Sappho, a national celebration of gay and lesbian literature that brings prize-winning and up-and-coming queer writers to cities across Canada. This is the second year the literary festival has included Guelph in its national tour.
“Those who write and research queer subjects are still desperately in need of encouragement for work that is often still marginalized in our society,” says Prof. Sky Gilbert, who holds a University research chair in creative writing and theatre studies at Guelph. “This scholarship provides both emotional and financial support for students who dare to be more than just a little different.”
Co-hosted by U of G and the Lambda Foundation, the Guelph event begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Ebar, 41 Quebec St.
Lambda Foundation scholarships are the world's first national annual university scholarships in gay and lesbian studies and have been established at seven universities across Canada. They aim to encourage research on LGBT people and build bridges of understanding among gays and lesbians, other equality-seeking groups and Canadian society.
In addition to the award presentation, the Guelph event will feature a gala reception and readings by Gilbert and three other prominent Canadian queer writers, Emma Donoghue, Elizabeth Ruth and Peter Schaffter.
Among her credits, Donoghue is the author of Hood, which won the 1995 American Library Association's gay and lesbian book award, and Slammerkin, winner of the 2002 Ferro-Grumley Award.
Gilbert is the former artistic director of Toronto's Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, as well as a director, filmmaker and writer. He is the recipient of two Dora Awards, a ReLit Award and a Silver Ticket Award from the Toronto Theatre Alliance.
Ruth is the author of Ten Good Seconds of Silence and Smoke. She was the founder and curator of Canada's only monthly queer literary series between 1998 and 2002. She currently teaches creative writing at the University of Toronto.
Schaffter is a songwriter and classical pianist who has produced a number of commissioned pieces and has composed for the theatre. His first novel, The Schumann Proof, was published in 2004.
Tickets for the readings and gala are $40. The cost of the reading and awards ceremony alone is $10. Tickets are available from the drama office at Ext. 53147 and The Bookshelf.
