Hi there folx! My name is Elizabeth Holliday (they/them/Mx.), and I’m a new Research Assistant with Dr. Brown in the Collaboratory. My duties include a whole variety of things, including posting on this website, which is why you’re getting an introduction to me straight from me. Read on to learn a little about me, and I’ll catch you on our social medias!

Photo by Avery Holliday

Born and raised on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory in British Columbia, I moved to Tkaranto just a few months ago to start my Masters of Information in Library and Information Sciences at the University of Toronto’s iSchool. I moved to New York at 17 to pursue a Certificate in Integrated Performance (Musical Theatre) at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, did a year of courses at the New School for Public Engagement, and then moved back to BC to complete a BA in Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice at the University of British Columbia.

Since beginning my undergrad, I have worked in theatre, radio, magazines (print and online), publishing, and book sales, often non-profits, always looking to facilitate community and marginalized access to media and media making. Having fallen in love with libraries at a young age, I decided to take that passion and pursue my MI for work in public libraries. I am deeply passionate about the library’s potential as a resource in low-income and queer communities (which often intersect). One such resource is the development of special collections of local histories, one designed by and for the community of patrons. This is what draws me to the Collaboratory. I am thrilled to learn more about the world of community archives and the barriers and successes of documenting Queer history, in the hopes that I can lend my skills to improving the systems we want to keep, and dismantling those that no longer serve us.

In addition to being an aspiring librarian, I am also a drag and theatre performer (alias Dank Sinatra) – there is some exciting Drag-related work coming down the pipe from the Collaboratory, so keep watching this space!