The Transgender Archives at UVic: moving trans* history forward

At 320 linear feet, or 98 metres, of archival materials, books, and periodicals-representing 17 countries and spanning over a century of activism and research-The Transgender Archives at UVic are the largest in the world. From March 21 to 23, the Transgender Archives will host Moving Trans* History Forward, a three-day symposium of keynote speakers, panel discussions, film screenings and art exhibitions devoted to the acquisition, preservation, and access of trans* history and archival materials.

Funded in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Connections and presented in association with UVic Libraries, Moving Trans* History Forward will bring together scholars, activists and community members to exchange ideas and information, develop linkages and increase effectiveness in gathering and disseminating the history of trans* research and activism.

Since 2007, the Transgender Archives have been acquiring the historical documents, records, publications and ephemera of pioneering activists, organizations, community leaders and researchers who have contributed to the betterment of transgender people. The Transgender Archives feature important collections by transgender pioneers such as Reed Erickson, Virginia Prince, Rikki Swin and Stephanie Castle, along with many others.

Dr. Aaron Devor, founder and academic director of the Transgender Archives, and Lara Wilson, director of special collections and the university archivist at UVic Libraries, invite everyone to participate in the symposium.

Colonel Jennifer Pritzker will deliver the opening address, "Why a Private Museum/Library?" at the Friday night reception at the Legacy Gallery. Keynote presentations follow on Saturday and Sunday, including community activist Dallas Denny on "Preserving Trans* History: A Short History and Suggestions for the Future"; Vivian Namaste (Concordia University) on"Oral History, Archives, and Invisible Labour of Trans* Women in Montr&e#180;al"; and Susan Stryker (University of Arizona) on "Trans* Activism and Archiving in the US: History, Objects, Methods." Participating panelists include scholars and community activists from across Canada, the US, Europe and Central America.

For more information about the archives, or to register for the symposium, please visit: http://transgenderarchives.uvic.ca/symposium. All are welcome to attend; registration is open until March 14. Follow the conversation on Twitter at #mthf2014