Hamilton's Queer Timeline
For my contribution to Hamilton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Community archives, I created a broad chronological timeline of queer history in Hamilton. To do this, I researched McMaster’s online library database and archives, McMaster’s student newspaper Silhouette, the Queer Events website, the Downtown Sparrow website, and the Points of Pride on the Hamilton Civic Museums website. Through McMaster’s database, I accessed archived newspaper articles from The Hamilton Spectator and various other newspapers and news outlets like the CBC, Global News, The Toronto Star, etc. These sources helped me piece together several key events and initiatives that have taken place in Hamilton since 1969.
Anna Samson (they/she) is a desi, queer, disabled writer and advocate. They graduated from McMaster University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in English & Cultural Studies. To learn more about the timeline project, you can reach Anna at samsoa1@mcmaster.ca.
Disability in Queer Archives
“An investigation into how disability has been included in queer archives.
This looks specifically at HIV/AIDS materials and how it was discussed as a disability. It will also explore the inclusion (or lack) of other disability-related material within queer archives and discuss the implications of ableism within 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and how that erases disabled queer folks, in the past and present.”
(Author’s bio and contact information appears above.)
HAMILTON'S TRANS & GENDER NON-CONFORMING: past/present/future
My project, titled “Hamilton’s Trans & Gender Non-Conforming Past/Present/Future” consists of three zines in which I explored trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming (TGNC+) experiences and histories in Hamilton. The zines were divided into “past”, “present”, and “future”, though I tried to highlight the fluidity of these temporal categorizations – that is, the influence of the past and perceived future(s) on the present day. I also extended my reach into possibilities for the future in the final zine, with a focus on intersectionality and a rejection of the assumption that systemic injustices occur in isolation from one another.
Matthew Aksamit (they/them) is a queer, non-binary student studying English & Cultural Studies at McMaster University. Their interests include writing poetry and prose, most often done in the company of their loyal (albeit distracting) cats, Frog and Bear.
Matt can be contacted with any questions, thoughts, or concerns at: matthew.aksamit25@gmail.com. Please include “Hamilton TGNC+ Zines” in the subject line.