What is the Exhibition?
Community in Transition is a multimedia historical exhibition that explores themes in transgender activism over the last forty years through a combination of text, photography, ephemera, and film. In doing so, it engages viewers in contemplating both the conditions trans people were operating within and the collective responses through which trans people dealt with these circumstances.
Why Should I Host the Exhibition?
The Transgender Oral History Project seeks to make stories available to as many people as possible. While many members of our community have access to the internet, there are still many who do not. By hosting the Transgender Oral History Project, you can help connect information with people who will benift from it.
While creating positive and empowering representations is one part of the mission, the larger purpose is to facilitate discussion and dialogue about the histories that have shaped and continue to shape trans communities. The exhibition brings people together, creating a literal and figurative space in which that dialgoue can take place. Finally, you should host the exhibition because attending it is a rich, multi-faceted experience that can only happen in person.
Where Has It Been Presented or Published?
Community in Transition has been on display at:
Translating Identities Conference, UVM, Burlington, VT, Oct 2009
Community in Transition, Marlboro, VT, Drury Gallery, Dec 2009
Original work from the exhibition have been featured:
Stonewall Anniversary, Hooker-Dunham Theatre, Brattleboro, VT, June 2009
People's History Project, JustSeeds Cooperative, Forthcoming
Workshops and speaking engagments presented in conjunction with the project:
- Let's Talk Trans: Transgressing, Transitioning, and Everything Inbetween
- Marlboro College, Marlboro, VT, Fall 2008
- Privilege of Passing
- Bash Back! Convergence, Chicago, IL, May 2009
- Community Storytelling
- Translating Identities Conference, Burlington, VT, October 2009
- Internalized Transphobia
- Sexual Minorities Archives, Northampton, MA, November 2009
- Trans Activism in America: A Primer and Artist's Talk
- Drury Gallery, Marlboro, VT, December 2009
How Do I Book the Transgender History Exhibition or Related Events and Programs?
Whether you are an art student, an american history buff, a queer organization, or ANYONE ELSE, you are the right kind of person to host the oral history project if you care about sharing stories from trans and gender non-conforming people and creating dialogue about the issues those testimonies bring up (see our mission). It is recommended that you book a workshop or speaking engagment along with hosting the exhibition in order to give context for the work and to promote discussion.
While the Transgender Oral History Project is a non-profit, it does need to cover operating expenses and you can help by booking a workshop, exhibition and/or speaking engagment. We are very flexible, providing a variety of pricing and content options to fit your needs. Please contact us to discuss specifics.
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