The Niagara College Libraries and Learning Commons team is inviting all employees, students and alumni to register for the next edition of the Living Library event series, taking place on June 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. in honour of Pride Month.
Titled, “Is it gay in here, or is it just me?”, the virtual event will feature an unscripted, organic conversation between NC’s Dr. Chris McGrath, Vice President, Students, and Ali Ryder, Outreach and Education Coordinator, Student Recruitment, who participated in the Pride themed Living Library event with her mom in 2023.
“The Living Library planning team was really excited when Dr. McGrath accepted our invitation to be the guest at our next event,” said Bellan Dye, Library Technician, Libraries and Learning Commons and lead for the Living Library event team. “Participants will certainly come away from the event with a better understanding of who Dr. McGrath is and we hope that this event encourages more dialogue about inclusivity around campus and the larger Niagara community.”
Dr. McGrath recently spoke at NC’s Pride flag raising event where he reflected on coming into his own identity during the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s when systemic barriers to fundamental healthcare resulted in the deaths and erasure of a generation of 2SLGBTQIA+ elders. He also spoke about his own identity as a cis-gendered white queer man and his responsibility to be an agent of change and to “fight the fight” in the fullest expression of himself.
“Through Living Library events, we hope to connect people and stories in a way that is thoughtful, impactful and timely,” said Kimberly Christmas, Director, Libraries and Learning Commons – Welland Campus. “The event is a way to learn about the lived experience of another person in a safe and engaging environment, and we are looking forward to hearing Dr. McGrath’s story.”
About the Living Library series
The Living Library event series contributes to the wholistic experience of Niagara College and the wider community by offering a platform where the lived experiences of equity-deserving communities can be shared through open dialogue and in a respectful environment. Through the series, we challenge misunderstanding and provide educational opportunities to learn about topics that contribute to creating a vibrant and inclusive society.
NC’s Libraries and Learning Commons team, in collaboration with departments across the College, has hosted educational events in the Living Library format for various themes and days of significance since 2020.
Recordings of past events are available online via the Libraries and Learning Commons’ Living Library Event Guide.
