CELEBRATING QUEER BLACK HISTORY - Canadian Voices
February is a time to celebrate Black History. Today, we’re amplifying the profiles of Canadian queer Black activists, advocates, groundbreakers, artists, and academics. Join us as we learn more about Cicely Belle Blain, Manitoba’s own Uzoma Asagwara, Courtnay McFarlane, Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, and Makeda Silvera. Let's get started.
Cicely Belle Blain
Cicely Belle Blain, a Black, mixed, queer non-binary activist, poet, and community organizer, is an iconic figure in Canadian queer Black history. As the founder of Black Lives Matter Vancouver, they have been at the forefront of advocating for racial and social justice.
Blain's work has focused on exposing and addressing systemic racism, particularly anti-Blackness, and the impact of colonization on Black bodies. Through their poetry and activism, they have illuminated the connections between history and systemic oppression, fostering a deeper understanding of these issues within communities. Blain's commitment to visibilizing Black communities and challenging historical erasure has been instrumental in creating spaces for dialogue and change. Their multifaceted contributions as an artist, writer, and community organizer have made them a powerful voice in the fight for equity and liberation.
By fearlessly addressing the legacies of coloniality and racial injustice, Cicely Belle Blain has become an enduring symbol of resilience, empowerment, and advocacy in Canadian queer Black history.
References:
https://www.cicelybelleblain.com/
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/upclose/cicely-belle-blain-1.4182285
https://www.assayjournal.com/cicely-belle-blain.html
Uzoma Asagwara
Uzoma Asagwara, the first queer Black person and the first gender non-conforming Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Manitoba, Canada, is an iconic figure in Canadian queer Black history. Asagwara's historic election victory in 2019 marked a significant milestone, as they became the first openly queer person to be elected as an MLA in Manitoba's 150-year history.
Asagwara's political journey and their subsequent role as the MLA for Union Station have been characterized by a strong commitment to addressing issues such as mental health, addiction, equitable healthcare, affordable housing, and education. Their advocacy and leadership have been instrumental in amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities and advocating for policies that promote equity and inclusion.
Asagwara's personal journey, from navigating their identity as a queer person to co-founding the Queer People of Colour Winnipeg collective, reflects a deep commitment to creating safer spaces and fostering positive visibility for 2SLGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Through their advocacy, representation, and community work, Asagwara has become an enduring symbol of resilience, empowerment, and leadership in Canadian queer Black history.
References:
https://punchng.com/i-didnt-know-id-make-history-in-canada-uzoma-asagwara-canadian-lawmaker/
Courtnay McFarlane
Courtnay McFarlane, a Jamaican-born visual artist, poet, and activist, is an iconic figure in Canadian queer Black history. As a founding member of several Black queer groups and a long-time activist in Toronto's Black 2SLGBTQ+ communities, McFarlane has made significant contributions to the visibility and empowerment of Black queer individuals in Canada.
His work as a visual artist and poet, published in African-Canadian and Queer publications, has been instrumental in amplifying the voices and experiences of marginalized communities. Additionally, his role as a community organizer and manager of children, youth, and adult services at the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Community Health Centre reflects his commitment to supporting and uplifting the Black 2SLGBTQ+ community.
McFarlane's advocacy and creative work have played a vital role in addressing the intersecting forms of discrimination faced by Black queer individuals, making him an enduring symbol of resilience, empowerment, and leadership in Canadian queer Black history. His contributions as an artist, curator, poet, and activist have left an indelible mark on the cultural and social landscape of Canada's Black 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
References
https://bgmn.ca/profiles/courtnay-mcfarlane/
https://www.noprideinpolicing.ca/legacies-in-motion/
https://www.queerevents.ca/queer/individual/courtnay-mcfarlane
Dr. OmiSoore Dryden
Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, a Black queer femme, is an iconic figure in Canadian queer Black history due to her multifaceted contributions as an activist, scholar, and community leader. As the fourth James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies and the first queer person to hold the Chair, Dr. Dryden has been a trailblazer in academia, focusing on interdisciplinary scholarship and research that centers on Black 2SLGBTQ+ communities, blood donation systems in Canada, anti-Black racism in healthcare, medical education, and Black health curricular content development.
Her work has been instrumental in amplifying the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, particularly Black queer and trans individuals. Additionally, as an Associate Professor and the James R Johnston Endowed Chair in Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University, Dr. Dryden has been a vocal advocate for racial and gender equality, providing guidance on Canadian Black health metrics needed to inform the development of health policies and improve healthcare outcomes for Black communities.
Her dedication to academia, activism, and community leadership has made her an enduring symbol of empowerment and advocacy in Canadian queer Black history.
References
https://nsadvocate.org/2020/07/19/dr-omisoore-dryden-racism-is-a-queer-issue/
https://www.queerevents.ca/queer/individual/dr-omisoore-dryden
Makeda Silvera
Makeda Silvera is an iconic figure in Canadian queer Black history, known for her significant contributions as a writer, editor, and political activist. As a founding member of Sister Vision, a pioneering Canadian indie press devoted to publishing writing by women of color, she has been instrumental in amplifying the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, particularly queer women of color.
In 1991, she published "Piece of My Heart: A Lesbian of Colour Anthology," the first anthology of its kind to be published in North America, further solidifying her commitment to ensuring the stories of queer women of color are heard. Her work has painted vivid, multilayered portraits of the immigrant experience and the African diaspora, reflecting her own experiences as an immigrant from Jamaica.
Throughout her career, Silvera has labored to make sure the stories of women—particularly queer women of color—get told. Her resilience and dedication to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities have made her an enduring symbol of empowerment and leadership in Canadian queer Black history.
References:
https://www.queerevents.ca/queer/individual/makeda-silvera
https://www.cbc.ca/artsprojects/superqueeroes/makeda-silvera
http://www.femmenoir.net/lesbianl3112122.htm
Thanks for joining us today, we're back tomorrow to conclude this journey of queer Black history and culture.