For two years running, UBC Okanagan Library and Kelowna Museums have partnered to offer a singular, one-of-a-kind event that fosters 2SLGBTQIA+ community building and welcomes everyone to celebrate Pride through purchasing, trading, and reading zines.
In Kelowna and many places across the globe, June is recognized as Pride Month—a time to celebrate love, diversity, and inclusivity. Offered in June during Kelowna Pride Month, the Queer Zine Fair, the first of its kind in Kelowna, showcases zines created by 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals or focusing on 2SLGBTQIA+ themes.
The Queer Zine Fair is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished through strong collaboration and ongoing relationships. First established by Erik Beardmore, Programming Associate at Kelowna Museums and Donna Langille, Open Education Librarian at UBC Okanagan and with support from Christian Isbister, Indigenous Initiatives Librarian at UBC Okanagan the Queer Zine Fair has grown an established following and has quickly become community driven.
“This event is so special because it offers a venue for 2SLGTBQIA+ people in Kelowna, including youth, to express themselves through art and poetry,” says Langille.
Zines have been a powerful underground and DIY force of expression and cultural movement in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community since the 1970s. Queer artists, writers, and creatives are encouraged to sign up for free to sell, trade, or give away their zines at the Queer Zine Fair. After the fair, there is an open mic where attendees and exhibitors can further share their creativity.
“Having a space where people can meet, express themselves, and share love of art and writing with no entry fees and as small a material cost as possible is really important for community wellbeing,” states Beardmore.
To help encourage exhibitor participation and introduce newbies to the art form, the Queer Zine Fair organizing team offers a free, public workshop in the weeks before the main event. This workshop provides information on the history of zines, copyright, and Indigenous intellectual property. After the introduction, workshop attendees are provided with the time, space, and materials to create their own zines.
Beardmore has been impressed by the growth of the Queer Zine Fair. “I attended my first queer zine fair in Toronto years ago, and I can’t believe that in only two years, we’ve matched the size and quality I saw there.”
Langille adds that the Queer Zine Fair has become an important event in the community and there is a strong desire for it to continue. Attendees have provided wonderful feedback on their experiences at the event, stating that “It was a safe place and it really helped in raising awareness about a lot of issues.” Another participant claimed that the event filled their soul.
“Zines are about more than just sharing ideas,” says Beardmore. “They’re about expression and connection.”
UBC Okanagan Librarian Donna Langille and Erik Beardmore from Kelowna Museums have also collaborated on the Okanagan QueerStory podcast, which was featured through the Stories of Partnership podcast series by the Community Engagement Network.