LIVING QUEER HISTORY: A Storytelling Celebration AT PAMA
How do we, as queer people, create spaces where we truly belong? From finding our chosen families to celebrating ourselves in vibrant nightlife scenes, from reflecting in our private sanctuaries to organizing within activist movements, queer placemaking has always been an act of courageous defiance and deep love.
Living Hyphen and the Peel Art Gallery, Museum, and Archives are looking for artists poets, musicians, dancers, comedians, and all storytellers who live in or have lived in Peel and who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ to share their stories with us for our storytelling celebration at PAMA.
We encourage those from Indigenous, racialized, and newcomer communities to apply for this opportunity. You are a vital part of Peel’s past, present, and future and we want to showcase, document, and archive the stories of our region’s diverse communities!
We will be providing a $75 honorarium for all selected performers. We encourage all forms of creative sharing including but not limited to song, dance, spoken word, comedy, and storytelling. Tell us how you want to share your story!
Together we aim to honour the power of placemaking and the stories that remind us why queer spaces, in all their forms, are essential.
Performers must be available for our storytelling celebration on Sunday, June 22nd at PAMA from 2-4 pm.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
B Roett
B Roett is an arts facilitator and multidisciplinary artist based in the GTA. As a queer creator growing up with rich Caribbean and Southeast Asian cultural influence, B aims to connect BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to the stories, opportunities, and resources for success. With a passion for storytelling and community building, Roett uses poetry and songwriting to navigate their innermost feelings, as well as ensure that safe and supportive spaces are created for those who want to participate.
Michael Segbor
As a social worker, Michael’s work focuses on critical anti-oppressive practice that incorporates perspectives such as anti-racism, critical disability, queer theory, Black feminism, and Indigenous ways of knowing. Michael has spent three years working in the HIV/AIDS sector, where he has contributed to strengthening the diverse communities in the Peel region. As a Black queer man, Michael is dedicated to combating the structural and pervasive injustices faced by marginalized communities. He has extensive experience supporting gay, bisexual, trans, and queer men, as well as individuals with disabilities and members of African Caribbean and Black communities. Through engaging with his community, Michael looks for opportunities to grow as a person and discover creative ways to promote QTIBIPOC excellence and the flourishing of 2SLGBTQ+ persons. He is also a fan of anime and wildlife documentaries.
Robyn Kaur
Robyn is a queer, mad, disabled, Punjabi poet. They have had feelings publicly, and have performed them on stages across Turtle Island and the United Kingdom. They love being a youth arts educator. They are trying to be the adult they needed as a kid.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PEEL ART GALLERY, MUSEUM + ARCHIVES
PAMA is an accessible, safe space for the diverse communities of the Region of Peel (Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga) to come together and celebrate arts and culture. We strive to be a place where you can see yourself reflected and actively contribute to building a “Community for Life”.
It’s a place to explore and learn about Peel's culture and heritage, as well as use conversation, questions and stories to help make new and fascinating connections to the surrounding community. PAMA offers a variety of workshops and programs for all ages, families, and adults. There is something for everyone.
Our buildings are our largest artifacts. The site is made of historic buildings: the Peel County Courthouse and Jail, the former Registry Office, and the Modernist Building.