For the first time in Filipino-Canadian history, there will be a Queer Filipinos in Canada conference. Lead organizer Dr. Robert Diaz of OCAD University hopes that this event will jumpstart “a meaningful and diverse conversation about LGBTQ representation and community work in Canada.” This event brings together Filipino and Filipina artists, activists, academics and frontline community workers. It is open to everyone, and free of charge.
Image by Julius Manapul.
“Diasporic Intimacies: Queer Filipinos/as and Canadian Imaginaries” is a free conference featuring panel discussions, film screenings, performances, and a three-week art exhibit celebrating the contributions of the Filipino-Canadian LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Queer) community.
The inspiration came from Diaz’s research in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences at OCAD University. After interviewing many LGBTQ participants, Diaz saw the need for their voices to be heard. “The most innovative leaders in settlement work, academia, and the art scene are often Filipino/a and LGBTQ identified,” Diaz said. This conference is a space to share their achievements in art, film, frontline work, and academia.
The inspiration came from Diaz’s research in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences at OCAD University. After interviewing many LGBTQ participants, Diaz saw the need for their voices to be heard. “The most innovative leaders in settlement work, academia, and the art scene are often Filipino/a and LGBTQ identified,” Diaz said. This conference is a space to share their achievements in art, film, frontline work, and academia.
Dr. Robert Diaz
Diaz has been surprised by the overwhelming responses that he has received in support of this event, with Vancouver filmmakers, Montreal artists, Ottawa politicians, and Filipino and Filipina academics from across Canada and the United States voicing their support or asking to participate. An advanced book contract has even been secured, with event material set to be published by Northwestern University Press.
The opening keynote will be given by Dr. Roland Sintos Coloma of Miami University, who spearheaded the landmark book, Filipinos in Canada: Disturbing Invisibility.
Panel speakers will present on issues of indigenous issues, aging, storytelling, community and resilience, health, and performance. “Through an academic conference, a film screening, and an art exhibit, Diasporic Intimacies provides a unique window into the lives of LGBTQ Filipinos/as through their artistic, community, and scholarly work,” Diaz said. “It celebrates how complex and creative our lives are. This is a groundbreaking gathering, and we are excited that everyone can get to participate in it.”
There will also be a movie screening by Dr. Patrick Alcedo. The closing speech will be given by Dr. Martin Manalansan of the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign.
And to prove that this is no ordinary academic conference, the January 23rd opening reception at the Open Gallery will feature Sofonda Cox. She is one of Canada’s top drag queens, and has been coined Canada’s foremost Beyonce impersonator. She has appeared in Queer as Folk, Soldier’s Girl, Cake, and Entertainment Tonight Canada.
With the help of co-organizers Marissa Largo, Fritz Pino, and Karlo Azores, and representation from AIDS Committee Toronto, the Magkaisa Centre, the Philippine Women’s Centre of Ontario, the 519 Community Centre, Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture, and the Kapwa Collective, Diasporic Intimacies promises to unite academia, community work, and creativity in a groundbreaking event. And with free admission to the general public, this conference promises to create a space where everyone can belong.
For more information: www.queerfilipinosincanada.ca or @queerfilcan on Twitter and Instagram
To donate to this event: http://www.gofundme.com/queerfilcan
Conference Schedule:
Co-organizer Marissa Largo
Friday, January 23
-9:00am-7:15pm : Conference Panel Discussions, Lunch, Film Screening at OCAD University, Room 190 (100 McCaul Street). Breakfast and Lunch provided. Free.
-7:30pm-9:30pm: Opening Reception at Open Gallery (49 McCaul Street). Free.
Saturday, January 24
-5:00-9:00 - Artist Dialogue and Film Screening. The 519 Church Street Community Centre (519 Church Street). Free.
January 23 - February 15
Artist Exhibition, OCAD Open Gallery (49 McCaul Street). Free.
This article was originally published in The Philippine Reporter on January 23rd, 2015.