UK Trailblazers Celebrate Literary Firsts at Lunch and Lit Series

News Summary

The University of Kentucky’s Lunch and Lit series hosted ‘Breaking Ground: UK Trailblazers celebrating firsts’ on March 3, featuring five authors discussing identity, resilience, and community support. The event emphasized the importance of affirming spaces in personal and academic growth, with insights on literature’s role in fostering inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community.

Lexington, Kentucky – The University of Kentucky hosted the second installment of its Lunch and Lit series, titled “Breaking Ground: UK Trailblazers celebrating firsts,” on March 3 at the Gatton Student Center. The event, organized by the Office of LGBTQ Resources, brought together five notable authors who shared their personal experiences in writing and navigating issues of identity. The discussion focused on resilience and the importance of creating supportive environments in which individuals can thrive.

The panel featured acclaimed authors Frank X Walker, Rachel Elliot, Greg Bourke, Willie Carver Jr., and Mariama J. Lockington. Each author presented their unique journey, illustrating how affirming spaces can lead to accelerated personal and academic growth. This event served as a platform not only for literary exploration but also for community building.

Key Insights from the Panel

Willie Carver Jr., recognized as the 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, highlighted how his experiences in identity-affirming environments significantly shaped his life. Carver emphasized the correlation between such spaces and individuals’ ability to flourish both academically and socially.

Greg Bourke, who played a pivotal role as a plaintiff in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges case that legalized same-sex marriage in the U.S., also discussed the transformative power of community support. He explained how being in a welcoming environment allowed him to envision a brighter future. Bourke’s contribution to the literary world includes his book, “Gay, Catholic, and American: My Legal Battle for Marriage Equality and Inclusion,” noted for being the first “queer-friendly” title published by the University of Notre Dame Press.

Reflections on Identity and Representation

Mariama J. Lockington recounted a defining moment that occurred during a college poetry slam, where she felt a strong affirmation of her identity, an experience that deeply influenced her writing. Her book, “For Black Girls Like Me,” tackles themes pertaining to race and identity through the narrative of a Black girl adopted into a White family.

Rachel Elliot, with her graphic novel “The Real Riley Mayes,” voiced her concerns over the rising trend of book bans and their adverse effects on LGBTQ+ representation in literature. She underscored that such restrictions inhibit the visibility of diverse voices and experiences.

As Kentucky’s first African-American poet laureate, Frank X Walker reminisced about his first exposure to an affirming performance, specifically a production of “The Wiz.” He articulated how literature and the arts serve crucial roles in empowering marginalized groups, stressing the importance of advocating for literacy among the youth, especially in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has diminished the joy of reading among young people.

Creating Safe Spaces Through Literature

The Lunch and Lit event underscored the significance of shared literary experiences in fostering a sense of belonging and representation, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. The authors collectively emphasized that literature and the arts not only provide an outlet for storytelling but also play a key role in shaping connections among individuals who have similar experiences.

Jay Stringer-Vaught, the event’s lead organizer, reiterated the objective of Lunch and Lit in establishing a safe environment for discussion and enlightenment. By allowing authors to share their insights and experiences, the series contributes to broader community understanding and solidarity.

This event serves as an example of how creative expression can build bridges between diverse communities, showing that shared experiences can help in understanding and acceptance. As the Lunch and Lit series continues, it aims to inspire attendees to reflect on their identities and narratives, fostering resilience through artistic expression.

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Additional Resources

• Spectrum News1: Lifting Queer Voices
• Kentucky.com: National News
• Electric Literature: 8 Kentucky Writers You Should Be Reading
• Encyclopedia Britannica: LGBTQ+ Literature
• Queer Kentucky: Silas House Awarded Duggins Prize