Queer Archiving, Queer Collecting

What and where are queer archives? What does it mean to collect/collectivise in queer communities? What does archiving mean for queer struggles? What does collectivity mean for liberation? 

This discussion is an invitation to visit these (often-asked) questions in the context of the pasts, presents, and futures of queer organising and worldbuilding in the 'global south'. This conversation will build on Munirah, Ghiwa, Neha, and Akanksha's work in South West and South Asia, while rooting itself in transnational queer feminisms.  It will be an interactive gathering where all those present in the room (including the ghosts) will be drawn into the conversation. Together, we hope to raise new questions, meander through cyclical knowing, fight the knots of the world, and build queer solidarities.

*This will be a masked event*

Poster art by aparna konat (@aparnaknoat)

Aparna Konat is a multidisciplinary artist and designer whose practice spans performance, sound, print, illustration and visual storytelling

Munirah Almehri is a Kuwaiti artist and researcher based in London, currently pursuing a PhD at Goldsmiths. Her research focuses on queer and decolonial video practices from the Arab world. She will be talking about anarchival video cultures that challenge the dominance of the visual within Western heteronormative ways of sensing.

Ghiwa Sayegh is an anarcha-queer writer, independent publisher, and archivist from Beirut. They are the founding editor of Kohl: a Journal for Body and Gender Research. They will be talking about queer counter-archiving as a practice of haunting and militancy in the context of endless genocide(s).

Neha Anvar is an independent researcher with a background in social anthropology and is currently working on a project on queer collectivisation in India. She will be speaking about what it means to archive, document and remember for queer collectives in India and her own experience of discovering queer histories through the project.

Akanksha Mehta is a queer feminist educator, researcher, writer, photographer, and community organiser based in SE London and in India. She is Senior Lecturer and Co-Director of Centre for Feminist Research at Goldsmiths. She will be facilitating the conversation and possibly thinking about the contradictions and potentials of contemporary queer collective organising in India.

Access information

The event will last approximately 2 hours, with a comfort break before the Q&A. We will be using mics.

Getting here:

To reach The Feminist Library, the closest tube station is Peckham Rye (1.3km away) which is not step-free. The route from Peckham Rye station is step-free but not level throughout. The nearest wheelchair accessible tube station is Queen’s Road Peckham, via a boarding ramp. Bus stops for routes 63, 363, 381, and 78 can all be found nearby. The closest bus stop (for routes 63 and 363 only) is ~330m away, the route is step free and level.

Arrival:

The Sojourner Truth Centre which houses the Library is completely step-free with level floors through-out.

Ring the Feminist Library bells at the doorway (at 137cm), or call us in advance and you will be met. There is a slight depression in the floor where the welcome mat meets the floor. The door is 137cm wide, heavy, and is not automated.

A Library Opener will greet you when you arrive and open the door, please let us know if there is any way large or small to make your visit easier. There is no obligation to chat, you can write a message down and show them if you would prefer or email in advance.

There are three doorways to pass through to access the main Library hall. Foyer double door does not stay open on its own. Floors are smooth and may be slippery if wet.

The main Library Hall is a completely step-free space, with level floors throughout. There is a set of double doors into the hall, and typically only one of them is propped open. We will open both on request. We have a variety of chairs including wide seats, and chairs with arm/back-rests. All chairs have back rests. If you need to reserve an armchair or sofa space please get in touch.

There is a narrow kitchen with crockery and cutlery, a mini fridge, and a microwave. You are welcome to bring food into the library, or use the teas and coffee in the kitchen. There is a Londis 72m (~2 mins) away which is step free and level throughout, with a step free route from the library, though please note the pavement may not be level.

Toilets are all gender neutral. There is one accessible toilet, which does not require a radar key, and two toilet rooms, located just across from library hall, offering cubicles and a urinal. Pull-down changing table is available in the accessible toilet.

Children are welcome but we do not have a creche.

Assistance pets are welcome in the Library. There may be dogs in the Library on occasion, please let us know if you are not comfortable with this.

Hand sanitiser and masks are available.