Join us for a reflective exploration of the vibrant evolution of Queer Armenian literature over the past decade. In this talk, we’ll look at how the last ten years may represent a "golden age" for the genre—an era marked by an impressive wave of new publications and flourishing creativity. Authors like Michael Barakiva, Nyri A. Bakkalian, Taleen Voskuni, Nancy Agabian, and Armen of Armenia have not only published multiple works, but also helped establish a strong, interconnected community. Through this period, we’ve seen a collective achievement in both Armenian and Queer literature, with a rising sense of solidarity among writers. Join us as we reflect on this exciting literary moment.

Dr Suzan Meryem Rosita Kalayci (Pembroke College, Oxford University) will join us to discuss her leading role in creating the first and only physical version of the Queer Armenian Library at Oxford University's Bodleian Library.

This event is held to coincide with Pride Month, in collaboration with the Queer Armenian Library and Pembroke College, Oxford University.

About the Speaker

John Parker founded the Queer Armenian Library, the world's first and only digital library devoted to works by, about, and for Queer Armenians. Oxford University's Bodleian Library purchased and created the first and only physical version of the library in 2024. John was a 2022 Lambda Literary Fellow and his essays have been featured in a number of anthologies. He is a GLAAD Media Award nominee for his podcast This Queer Book Saved My Life. He is a member of The Podcast Academy and hosts The Gaily Show, the only daily LGBTQ news and talk radio show in the United States.

Suzan Meryem Rosita is the Director of the Oxford Network for Armenian Genocide Research and CDF Fellow in Women’s, Gender and Queer Histories at the Faculty of History, Oxford University. For more on the Queer Armenian Library residency at the Bodleian Libraries, please see here.

The Oxford Network for Armenian Genocide Research currently runs a series on ‘Creative Storytelling and Oral History’ for students and staff at the University of Oxford. As part of this series we are offering, with our project partners, oral history training courses, seminars, and public lectures.

Doing this, we hope to raise awareness for the importance of oral history and survivor testimonies as educational tools. This series is inspired by our collaboration with Columbia University Oral History Archives and our planned output is a graphic novel based on the Armenian genocide survivor testimonies digitised and transcribed as part of this collaboration.