Symposium Description | Registration and Lodging | Schedule

Troubling Tucson: Trans and Genderqueer Poetry Symposium
w/Joy Ladin, Samuel Ace, Dawn Lundy Martin, CA Conrad, D'lo, Ian Ellasante, Hannah Ensor, Rae Strozzo, Rocket, and TC Tolbert

image by Rae Strozzo

May 9-12, 2013

Download Symposium Flyer

Casa Libre is thrilled to host the first Trans and Genderqueer Poetry Symposium in downtown Tucson. This 4-day event, created by TC Tolbert – trans and genderqueer poet and Assistant Director of Casa Libre – is a real life extension of the landmark anthology TC recently co-edited with New York based poet, Tim Trace Peterson. The first of its kind, Troubling the Line: Trans and Genderqueer Poetry and Poetics (Nightboat Books) gathers together a diverse range of 55 poets with varying aesthetics and backgrounds. After completing the book, poet Joy Ladin said to TC, “I just wish we could all get in a room somewhere and talk.” So that’s what we aim to do. By bringing together some of the most dynamic contemporary trans and genderqueer poets from across the country, we want nothing more than to meet, build community, celebrate, and, yes, talk.

So…if you are a trans or genderqueer poet or artist, if you are interested in what trans and genderqueer poets and artists are up to, if you want to talk about, learn about, ask questions about trans and genderqueer poetry or art, if you want to know what trans and genderqueer poetry and art has to do with you - come to this symposium. We want you here! You are welcome! We hope to see you soon.

During the weeks leading up to the symposium, local trans poets and artists will offer creative workshops for trans, queer, genderqueer, and allied Tucson youth. These youth-only events will focus on developing confidence and community through artistic exercises that encourage creative expression and strengthen the voice. During the Symposium, there will be a variety of presentations/workshops with trans and genderqueer poets, as well as two evening rooftop readings with all of the featured poets. A full symposium pass ($60) offers attendees access to all presentations and events. Individual workshops or readings are $10 each. Youth, ages 14-23, are free.

This event is generously funded by a P.L.A.C.E. Initiative grant from the Tucson Pima Arts Council. Additional generous support has been provided by University of Arizona Institute for LGBT Studies, Poets & Writers, Douglas Noffsinger, Roger Funk, and Mickey Odawa. We are incredibly grateful to our community supporters and allies in poetry and social justice. Thank you to the following people and organizations for volunteering, sharing resources, and cheering us on: Bob Byars, The University of Arizona Poetry Center, Kore Press, POG, Eon, Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA), Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF), FLUXX Productions, and VOICES, Inc. Thank you all for supporting this symposium – we could not do it without you!