An upcoming multi-media exhibition at the The ArQuives — Canada’s LGBTQ2+ archives — brings a new lens into the queer history of 20th century Canadian nightlife. Titled “ONSTAGE/OFFSTAGE,” the exhibition explores “the ways stage performance in nightclubs, cabarets, and drag venues offered opportunities for self-actualization for gender fluid, trans, and gender non-binary individuals in the second half of the 20th Century.” The curator, Jordan King, is a multi-disciplinary artist, performer, and writer who is currently serving as Artist in Residence at The ArQuives.  

The ArQuives is one of the largest independent LGBTQ+ archives in the world, and one of the oldest institutions of its kind. Founded in 1973, this community-based organization is currently celebrating its 50^th anniversary, and Jordan’s exhibition is part of those celebrations. The ArQuives preserves an extensive collection of materials that include personal and organizational papers, books, photographs, moving images, sound recordings, oral histories (including those collected and donated by the Collaboratory), periodicals, and ephemera, among other records. Jordan’s exhibition will focus specifically on documentary media, which “offers a unique lens into the world of queer stage performers — whether portrayed through the eyes of a filmmaker/documentarian or by the performers themselves.” 

Until recently, one of the salient features of The ArQuives was its attention to the experiences and histories of mostly white and cis-gender gay men. In the last few years, though, The ArQuives has undertaken various strategies to de-center those histories and experiences in order to advance more inclusive archival and organizational practices. Jordan’s exhibition contributes to this overturn.

A few months ago, Archive/Counter-Archive invited her to partner with The ArQuives to curate this exhibition — Archive/Counter-Archive is a project and research network based at York University dedicated to activating and preserving audiovisual archives created by BIPOC, women, LGBT2Q+ and immigrant communities. Jordan began with a research residency over a period of six weeks, browsing through The ArQuives’ robust collection and identifying material that had not been explored before or shared recently and that could help give visibility to the experiences and histories of gender fluid, trans, and gender non-binary individuals. She took inspiration from various sources, including the book Trap Door: Trans Cultural Production and the Politics of Visibility (2017) and a 2019 exhibition in London called “Kiss my genders.” Both the book and the exhibition were deeply influential in Jordan’s work and resonated with her interest in thinking about what visibility means for trans people and the ways in which trans culture can be shared, explored, and discussed. 

“ONSTAGE/OFFSTAGE” will also encourage critical conversations about history and language. Jordan hopes that people will approach the exhibition with an open mind to reflect on how certain language and terminology have been used and have changed over time. The documentary media included in the exhibition will show how people have referred to themselves and their gender identities in various ways. Some of this language might seem dated or inadequate for contemporary visitors, but it will encourage conversations about the history of gender and queer identities, and about the use of terminology both in the past and the present — because the language that we currently consider appropriate will likely continue to evolve. 

“ONSTAGE/OFFSTAGE” runs from September 21-October 14, 2023. All are welcome to attend the opening night and reception. Admission is free and doors open at 7pm.

Click here to reserve your tickets and to access more information about The ArQuives’ location and hours.

I recently sat with Jordan to talk about her work and upcoming exhibition. Have a listen!