Winter Pride 2024

Winter Pride at the University of Guelph (U of G) is a 10-day celebration, shining a spotlight on queer activism and visibility. This year, OUTline has curated a Winter Pride digital display featuring works that celebrate LGBTQ2IA+ identities and creations. From fiction with queer characters to historical accounts documenting queer advancement, this curated collection invites readers to explore, reflect, and celebrate the rich tapestry of the LGBTQ2IA+ community. 

At the heart of this display is a commitment to learning and celebrating activism, recognizing history, and encouraging readers to ponder the profound impact of identity. Featured titles in this collection encapsulate the spirit of Winter Pride: 

• Our Work is Everywhere: An Illustrated Oral History of Queer and Trans Resistance, by Syan Rose visually captures the resilience of diverse queer and trans communities, exploring themes like Black femme mental health, Pacific Islander authorship, fat queer performance art, disability advocacy, and sex worker activism. 
• We are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation, by Leighton Brown & Matthew Riemer chronicles queer liberations roots to present activism through 300+ photos that challenges LGBTQ2IA+ history assumptions.   
• Stonewall: A Building, an Uprising, a Revolution, by Rob Sanders presents a visually striking oral history of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City, a catalyst for the U.S. gay liberation movement, and outlines the subsequent history of LGBTQ2IA+ rights. 
• Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches, by Audre Lorde is a collection of essays that challenge societal norms, advocating for change through the lens of feminism, racial justice, and embracing social differences. 

The Winter Pride 2024 digital display aligns with the overarching goals of Winter Pride, focusing on the celebration of queer identities and creations. Literature plays a pivotal role in understanding the history of queer advancement and the future of activism. By increasing the visibility of LGBTQ2IA+ identities through media representation, this collection contributes to fostering a more inclusive and accepting society. 

For the LGBTQ2IA+ community at the U of G, this display sends a powerful message — that queer identities and activism hold a significant place within the community. These carefully selected works allow community members to deepen their understanding or enjoy novels where their identities are reflected. This collection is not just a display of books; it is a celebration of diversity, resilience, and the ongoing journey towards a more inclusive future.