Ashley Currier: Opening Reception and Talk

The Denison Museum and Global Studies Seminar presents an opening reception of “About Ourselves/Inside Ourselves” exhibition and artist talk titled “Looking for Solidarity: Lessons from African Feminist and LGBTQ Organizing,” with Ashley Currier, professor of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at the University of Cincinnati.

Currier researches gender and sexual diversity politics in southern and West Africa. Her books include “Out in Africa: LGBT Organizing in Namibia and South Africa” and “Politicizing Sex in Contemporary Africa: Homophobia in Malawi.” Her research has appeared in Australian Feminist Studies, Critical African Studies, Feminist Formations, Gender and Society, GLQ, Journal of Lesbian Studies, Mobilization, Politique Africaine, Qualitative Sociology, Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, Social Movement Studies, Space and Polity, Studies in Law, Politics, and Society, and Women’s Studies Quarterly.

In some African countries, politicized homophobia makes it difficult for activists to advocate for LGBTQ rights. In Malawi and Namibia, LGBTQ activists have turned to HIV/AIDS, human rights, and women’s rights movements for solidarity. In this presentation, drawing on original research in Malawi and Namibia, Currier explains why some women’s rights activists do not express solidarity for LGBTQ rights publicly and what this means for LGBTQ rights organizing on the African continent.

“About Ourselves/Inside Ourselves” exhibition explores the interaction between LGBTQ+ identities and their history. The artists featured document their own stories as LGBTQ+ individuals, providing examples that describe not only struggle and oppression, but also love, resilience, and joy.

Opening reception for “About Ourselves/Inside Ourselves” at 6:30 p.m. 

Denison Museum Exhibition on display Sept. 24 through Dec. 13.

Artist Talk at 7:30 p.m.