Queer Writing Group
History
At the end of 1999 (2 founders):
In Toronto, during a regular
writing workshop, two fellows became friends sharing the same problem: their queerness
created a shift in the discussion related to their writing. Instead of commenting
on the structure and the plot, they were questioned and even challenged because of
the subject. Dave is gay and open about it in his texts. Jessica has a fascination
for transgendered female-to-male and and casted them as her main characters. Bitter
from the experience, they decided to meet on a regular basis to discuss their texts.
From January to March 2000
(4 members):
Eager to enlarge their circle,
Jessica and Dave invited others to join the discussion: with Tony Esposito and then-transgender
Kyle, they built the basis of the rules and process for the group to provide and
constructive and dynamic space for queer writers. Genres worked were short story
and journal.
The group was still weak and meetings were often canceled.
From May-July 2000 (6 members):
Dave's dream is strong and he tried again to regroup some people. The second incarnation had 6 members: 2 women and four men, including Chris Veldhoven, Steve Nugent, Tony and Dave. A woman came all the way from Buffalo, US. The rules are more defined and the group's meetings are regular. A strong cohesion and friendship evolved rapidly. Genres worked were short story, novella, novel and theater. Meetings were held at Ryerson University and at the Tequila Bookworm Cafe (except for a sunny early evening in the park).
From Sept- Dec 2000 (7 members):
The third session lost Dave and one of the woman, both due to a busy schedule. But three new members joined, including Susan Lee. Tony assumed some kind of leadership even if the nature of the group remains communal and democratic. Genres worked were short story, novella, novel (including SF), poetry (haiku) and theater. Meetings were held at Ryerson University.
Winter session 2001 (9 members):
13 people manifested their interest being a member of the 4th session. 12 showed up at the initial meeting. Three did not join for different reasons. But the group continued to grow with the addition of Sue Golstein, Clara Ho and Drew Rowsome. Because of the size of the group, new modalities were implemented, mainly the use of e-mail/fax to provide texts to read in advance. Genres worked were short story, novella, novel, poetry, rant, song/libretto, screenplay and theater. Meetings were held at Ryerson University and at Community Centre 519.
Spring session 2001 (11 members):
15 people manifested their interest being a member of the 5th session. 13 showed up at the initial meeting. One did not join. The group faced its first (and hopefully last) dark moment and, after many discussions, expelled one of the new members whose behavior was questioned. Genres worked were short story, novella, novel, poetry, rant, screenplay and theater. Two events allowed a more social side to the group as four members (Steve, Sue, Chris and Tony) were part of a gay and lesbian reading on May 29, and Drew had a performance (as a singer) on July 5th. Meetings were held mainly at Community Centre 519.
July 2001: Queer Writing
Group Online!
Fall session 2001 (11
members):
17 people manifested their interest being a member of the 6th session. 11 showed up at the initial meeting. Everyone joined. A definitive woman majority was reached for the first time. Genres worked were short story, novella, rant, novel and poetry. Meetings were held at Community Centre 519 and Ryerson University.
Winter session 2002 (12 members):
25 people manifested their interest being a member of the 7th session. 13 showed up at the initial meeting. 17 ultimately joined, including Duncan Armstrong and Bruce Weese. We slowly lost some mainly due to work load, until a definitive group of 12 was solid with a good balance men (7) / women (5). The massive amount of requests to join brought the group the reconsider its structure. It was decided for the next session to try to have to groups on different evenings, but to limit the amount of participants to 10 per group. Genres worked were short story, novella, novel, theatre, stage performance texts, song lyrics, tales, rant and poetry. Meetings were held at Community Centre 519 and Ryerson University.
Spring session 2002 (17 members):
22 people manifested their interest being a member of the 8th session. 18 joined under the new structure of limited places of two groups. Probably by habit, the Thursday night was filled right away, as a small but still big enough Monday group started a new adventure, including the return of funder, Dave. Genres worked were short story, novella, novel (including a detective story), theatre, TV script, stage performance texts, rant, comics scenario and poetry. Meetings were held at Community Centre 519 and Ryerson University.
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April 16th, 2002 - Bosie Lounge Rites of the Spring First Queer Writing Group reading |
Summer session 2002 (open membership):
In a different structure, a first summer session is tried. Short time commitment and relax atmosphere are the new elements of this short summer adventure.
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July 17th, 2002 - Cafe May Rites of the Summer Second Queer Writing Group reading |
Fall session 2002: (to be completed)
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Fall 2003: The end and the new beginning
The Group is unstable and the Monday night closes. Thursday night's leader, Terrence restructures and starts a new chapter, OutWrites