Below is a selection of readings, panels, talks, and public appearances I have given over the years, both in relation to my memoir The Inheritance of Shame and my advocacy work on conversion therapy.
November 18, 2020
Virtual Panel: Bill C-6 – Criminalizing Conversion Therapy
Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto
Panel discussion on Canada’s Bill C-6 with Florence Ashley, Nick Schiavo, and Peter Gajdics.
February 26, 2020
Conversion Therapy: Panel Dialogue
Calgary Public Library – Central Branch (Performance Hall), Calgary, AB
Panel discussion on the impacts of conversion therapy on the LGBTQ+ community (Pink Shirt Day event). Panelists included Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra, Dr. Kristopher Wells, Peter Gajdics, Shone Thistle, and Boban Stojanovic.
June 27, 2019
Outlaws Canada 2019: The Abolition of Conversion Therapy
Thomson Reuters Customer Centre, Toronto, ON
Panel discussion titled “Bad Education: Leading the Abolition of LGBTQ Conversion Therapy” as part of the Thomson Reuters event Outlaws: Advancing International LGBTQ Leadership.
March 12, 2019
The Inheritance of Shame – Stage Play Adaptation Discussion
The LGBT Center, New York, NY
Discussion on play adaptation of The Inheritance of Shame with director Scott Davis.
March 11, 2019
The Inheritance of Shame – Staged Public Reading
The Wild Project, New York, NY
One-night-only staged public reading of play adaptation of The Inheritance of Shame. Directed by Scott Davis and produced by Playhouse Creatures Theatre Project Company.
January 24, 2019
Book Club “Meet the Author”
Christianne’s Lyceum of Literature and Art, Vancouver, BC.
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame, followed by discussion on the long road toward publication and the creative process.
October 25–27, 2018
IFPE 29th Annual Interdisciplinary Conference
Mayflower Park Hotel, Seattle, WA
Presentation titled “Unsilencing My Past: Lessons Learned on the Road to Recovery from Conversion Therapy.”
October 20, 2018
The Vancouver Writers Festival – “Things We Inherit”
Granville Island, Vancouver, BC
Panel discussion with Elizabeth Hay (All Things Consoled), Chelene Knight (Dear Current Occupant), Lindsay Wong (The Woo-Woo), and Peter Gajdics (The Inheritance of Shame). The panel explored family history, intergenerational trauma, and the lifelong process of unburdening ourselves from family secrets and grief.
July 26, 2018
Reading & Talk
Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium, Vancouver, BC
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir, followed by discussion on conversion therapy, oppression, self-acceptance, and resilience during Vancouver Pride Week.
July 5, 2018
Reading & Talk
Victoria Public Library (Main Branch), Victoria, BC
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir, followed by discussion about my experiences undergoing conversion therapy in Victoria, as part of Victoria Pride Week.
May 17, 2018
Reading & Talk
Vancouver Public Library (Alice MacKay Room), Vancouver, BC
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir and discussion with Morgane Oger (trans politician and activist) in honour of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
April 25, 2018
The Publishing Triangle – Reading of Award Nominees
Bureau of General Services – Queer Division, New York, NY
Reading from nominated books for The Publishing Triangle Randy Shilts Award for Gay Nonfiction (I was nominated for The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir).
March 29, 2018
Reading & Talk
Simon Fraser University (Harbour Centre)
Department of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies, Vancouver, BC
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir, followed by talk on conversion therapy and my advocacy for legal bans.
March 23–25, 2018
15th Annual Saints and Sinners Literary Festival
Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, LA
Panelist and reader at the 15th Annual Saints and Sinners Literary Festival.
February 24, 2018
Book Signing
IndigoSpirit Bookstore, Vancouver, BC.
Book signing for The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir.
February 11, 2018
Reading & Talk
BC Humanist Association (Oakridge Seniors Centre), Vancouver, BC.
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir, followed by discussion on conversion therapy and my advocacy for legal bans.
January 18, 2018
LA Talk Radio – “Writers Block” Interview
LA Talk Radio Interview with hosts Jim Christina and Bobbi Bell discussing writing, The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir, and the creative process.
November 13, 2017
Reading with Lucy Jane Bledsoe & Julia Serano
Dog Eared Books (Castro), San Francisco, CA
Joint reading and audience Q&A with Lucy Jane Bledsoe (A Thin Bright Line) and Julia Serano (Outspoken: A Decade of Transgender Activism and Trans Feminism).
October 14, 2017
Book Signing
IndigoSpirit Bookstore, Vancouver, BC
Book signing for The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir.
June 3, 2017
Reading & Talk
Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir, followed by talk on the writing process and conversion therapy.
May 26, 2017
Reading & Talk
Another Read Through Books, Portland, OR
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir, followed by talk on conversion therapy.
May 25, 2017
LGBTQ Pride Reading
Laurel Bookstore, Oakland, CA
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir and in-conversation with author Lucy Jane Bledsoe (A Thin Bright Line).
May 23, 2017
Perfectly Queer Reading Series (LGBTQ Pride)
Dog Eared Books, San Francisco, CA
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir and In-conversation with author Anne Raeff (The Jungle Around Us).
May 19, 2017
Reading & Talk
Book Soup, West Hollywood, CA
Reading from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir and in-conversation with author Heidi Mastrogiovanni (Lala Pettibone’s Act Two).
May 18, 2017
Screening of Call Me Kuchu & Panel Discussion
The Art Theatre, Long Beach, CA
Screening of the documentary Call Me Kuchu, followed by panel discussion on conversion therapy with Ellen Hartwick, Clinical Director at The LGBTQ Center Long Beach.
May 16, 2017
Book Launch for The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir
Fingerprints Music, Long Beach, CA
Introductory comments by publisher (Brown Paper Press), followed by readings from The Inheritance of Shame: A Memoir, and limited audience Q&A.