By Erin Bailey

Please help spread the word about the upcoming Queering the History Museum Symposium on June 8, 2013 at the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle, Washington.

On June 8^th Queering The Museum Project (QTM) and the Museum of History & Industry are joining forces for the Queering the History Museum Symposium. This symposium will feature the Pop-Up Museum of Queer History based out of New York, and include a variety of breakout sessions to discuss issues of representation, inclusion and the role of museums in forming social norms around gender, race and sexuality. After the symposium we will host a reception on board the historic Virginia V steamship!

QTM is designed to be a community-based project that works to engage individuals in the administrative, historic, and creative components of museums, and this symposium is no different. We are requesting proposals from historians, artists, activists and community organizations to lead sessions during the symposium. Each session will be between 60-90 minutes in length. We welcome non-traditional session proposals that feature creative, interactive or performance-based activities.

We welcome a diverse array of presenters, including those:

• Of both Queer and non-Queer communities
• Of different levels of experience
• Both professionals and non professionals
• From community groups or individuals

In particular, the Community Advisory Committee is interested in proposals that accomplish one or more of the following:

• Feature diverse practices in historical, archive and museum work
• Incorporate performance based sessions
• Are relevant to our region and beyond
• Draw upon exhibits at MOHAI or other local museums
• Are based or supported by current research
• Stimulate and foster creative thinking
• Highlight links between the local and the global

The symposium will address themes, such as Presentation of Museums, Where’s the Queer, Future of Queer, and Community Engagement in museums.

Session proposals should include the following information:

• A 100 word description of the proposed session activities
• A 100 word explanation of why you think this session is a good fit for the symposium
• A brief biography of the session leaders
• Required equipment needs

Please submit proposals to queeringthemuseum@gmail.com by 5:00 pm on May 1, 2013.

For more information please visit our website, www.queeringthemuseum.org.

Interested in attending? Tickets are on sale, please visit MOHAI’s website to purchase your ticket today.