Chasing Rainbows: 2SLGBTQ+ in Library Collections

What's at stake when queer and trans stories are silenced? Increasingly, 2SLGBTQ+ materials are disproportionately censored or challenged. How can libraries, authors, educators, and communities work together to defend against the attacks to erase queer and trans lives?

Children’s book author, Dylan Glynn, TPL’s Director of Collections and Membership Services, Lisa Radha Vohra, Executive Director of The ArQuives, Raegan Swanson, and TDSB’s Shauna Thomas, join James Turk, Director of the Centre for Free Expression, to explore the intersections of intellectual freedom and 2SLGBTQ+ written works from academic, historical, cultural, public library, school and artist perspectives.

How does our society ensure queer stories continue to thrive and how do we protect the voices of marginalized people? How do each of us ensure that libraries remain welcoming spaces for all?

Join the conversation.

This event is part of our new series exploring what’s at stake when intellectual freedom is threatened.

Ticket registration for this event is required: Free tickets for this event will be available to book via Eventbrite beginning on March 5 at 9:00 am ET.

About this event's guests:

   Dylan Glynn, Children’s Book Author and Illustrator (Rain Boy)
   Lisa Radha Vohra, Directors, Collections and Membership Services, Toronto Public Library
   Raegan Swanson, Executive Director, The ArQuives
   Shauna Thomas, Secondary Teacher, Toronto District School Board Triangle Program

Moderated by James Turk, Director, Centre for Free Expression, The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.

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Note: This is an in-person event in the Hinton Theatre, located on the third floor of the Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street).

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Accessibility at Toronto Public Library:

Toronto Public Library is committed to accessibility. Please call or email us if you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation to participate in this program. Please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to meet your request. At least three weeks’ notice is preferred. Phone 416-393-7099 or email accessibleservices@tpl.ca.

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