EDITOR’S NOTE: This event has been cancelled as part of Brock University’s ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the community in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Gender identity, family, class, social justice and queer liberation are just some of the topics that award-winning storyteller Ivan Coyote takes on.
They will be sharing their story, “Neither, Nor: How to Circumnavigate the Gender Binary in Seven Thousand Easy Steps,” with Brock University students and the wider Niagara community at a free performance on Friday, March 13.
The event has been organized by Natalee Caple, Associate Professor with the Department of English Language and Literature, in collaboration with community groups. When she inquired about bringing Coyote to meet with students in the department’s Creative Writing program, she learned that other community groups were also interested.
“This event will bring together a large number of community and University groups to promote safety and acceptance for queer and trans youth in the Niagara region and broadly,” says Caple, who collaborated with University and community organizations to arrange the free performance at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines.
Coyote, who has authored 12 books, created four short films and released three albums, is a seasoned stage performer. Their work combines storytelling with music, and they have become an audience favourite at festivals around the world.
“Coyote sells out performances across North America, but we wanted this to be a free event for the public,” says Caple. “Their performance directly addresses the experiences of queer and trans adults and youth with humour and insight.”
Coyote’s performance will follow a visit with students in Caple’s The Writer in the Community (ENGL 3P72) class earlier that day. Students have been reading Coyote’s latest book, Rebent Sinner, which explores what it means to be trans and non-binary.
The event is sponsored by Brock’s Department of English Language and Literature, Department of Women and Gender Studies, Office of Human Rights and Equity, Women’s Campus Safety Fund, Social Justice Research Institute, and Brock University Faculty Association (BUFA), as well as First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, OUTniagara and PFLAG.
This free, ticketed community event has limited seats available on a first come, first served basis. Tickets can be reserved through the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre website, in person or by phone at 905-688-0722.
