UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Gathering together a selection of materials that illustrate the varied formats and expansive time periods of queer history, the exhibition “Give us also the right to our existence: Collecting and Surfacing Queer Narratives” explores the many facets of gender and sexuality.
Currently on display at Penn State University Libraries’ Eberly Family Special Collections Library through Sept. 17, the exhibition — inspired by the Penn State motto “We Are” — provides context for how we collect, describe and represent our shared humanity in the library. The exhibition is free and open to all.
An opening reception with refreshments will take place on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, on the University Park campus.
Visitors to the exhibition will find a first edition of James Baldwin’s "Giovanni’s Room," inscribed to Charles Blockson, selections from the Robin Becker literary papers, gay and lesbian newsletters from the Stonewall era, and historical Penn State flyers, correspondence and buttons that illustrates how queer identities and activism coalesced on campus, and more. Of particular note is the digital display of interviews from the Pennsylvania State University queer and trans oral history collection, led by the Malloy Graduate Assistant in the University Archives for 2022-23.
Various programming opportunities encourage visitors to engage with the exhibition. On Friday, Mar. 28, at 6 pm., join Opulence, Drag Ambassadors at Penn State, to make zines with drag kings and queens. Come back at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Apr. 13, for Drag Bingo, featuring bingo cards displaying archival and collection items from the exhibition. Opulence members will perform during bingo breaks.
Curator-led exhibition tours will be offered at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 25, and Tuesday, Apr. 22, and at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Please meet in the Special Collections Exhibition space located in 104 Paterno Library.
Building on the themes of the exhibition, the 2025 Charles W. Mann Jr. Lecture in the Book Arts will explore the intersections of gender, sexuality, and the book arts. Book artists Rowan Renee, Gino Romero, Emilee Taxman and Sky Syzygy, whose artist’s books appear in the exhibition, will discuss their work during a virtual panel and conversation. Please save the date and make plans to join us virtually on April 17 at 4-5:15 p.m. Registration information to follow.
“Give us also the right to our existence: Collecting and Surfacing Queer Narratives" is curated by Rachael Dreyer, Curator for LGBTQIA+ Collections, and organized by Clara Drummond, lead curator and exhibitions coordinator. Exhibitions within the Special Collections Library are made possible by support from the Sandra K. Stelts and Ronald L. Filippelli Exhibitions Program Endowment, the Krumrine Family Libraries Endowment, and the Dorothy Foehr Huck Endowment.
Questions and requests for class or public tours, including inquiries regarding accessibility accommodations, should be directed to Clara Drummond, lead curator and exhibitions coordinator, at cjd86@psu.edu.