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Toronto Symposium: "Disability and Sexuality: Globalizing Perspectives”

There aren't many professional opportunities for folks interested in sexuality and disability, no matter where you live. In Toronto we have something maybe once every two or three years, so when we heard about this one day symposium being organized by the International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation, we got in touch and offered to help.  Come As You Are has been helping out with organizing and programming, and I'm going to moderate a morning panel.  

I'm assuming there will be a a rehabilitation focus at this one, but the keynote speaker is simply one of the best speakers (and thinkers) in the areas of disability, gender, sexuality, trans, and queer issues. Funny, smart, powerful every time I see him. And lots of great people on the panels, so it should be interesting. Of course it will be more interesting with more folks from different perspectives attending.

The event is wheelchair accessible, ASL interpretation will be provided, as well as captioning.

Early bird registration ($60 or $25 for students) ends next Tuesday. You can download the flyer here, and information below:


2010 Symposium: “Disability and Sexuality: Globalizing Perspectives”
Friday, January 29, 2010
8:30 am ? 4:30 pm
500 University Avenue, Room 132


Keynote Address: “Pity, Stereotypes, and Access: Disabled People Navigating Sex”
Eli Clare, activist and poet
White, disabled, and genderqueer, Eli Clare has a B.A. in Women's Studies and a M.F.A. in Creative
Writing. He has spoken all over the United States about disability, queer and trans identities, and social
justice issues. Eli is the author of a book of essays entitled Exile and Pride: Disability, Queerness, and
Liberation and the poetry collection The Marrow's Telling: Words in Motion, and has been published in
many periodicals and anthologies.

Agenda in brief:
Morning panel: Reflections on Disability and Sexuality
Speakers include experts Loree Erickson (York University), Frank Folino (Ontario Rainbow Alliance of
the Deaf) and Sheryl Newman (Canadian Paraplegic Association), Moderator: Cory Silverberg

Lunch (provided)

Afternoon panel: Reflections on Working with People With Disabilities in Poor Countries
Speakers include Deb Cameron (Trinidad Working Group) and Lynn Cockburn (Cameroon Working Group), Moderator: Fran Odette

Looking Forward: Implications for the Field and for Us, Stephanie Nixon (ICDR Academic Director)

Conclusions: Meeting of Minds

Fee:
Early bird (Jan. 12) registration: $60
Early bird (Jan. 12) students: $25

After January 12:

Registration: $75
Students: $40

Tickets available at  UofTtix box office, 416?978?8849 and online at uofttix.ca