SSA’s Statement of Solidarity

The Sexuality Studies Association condemns the recent hate-motivated violence directed at a faculty member and students at the University of Waterloo. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues at the University of Waterloo and affirm our unwavering support for all those working in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.

This hate-motivated violence specifically targeted forms of knowledge production related to the critical study of gender and sexuality. Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, as academic disciplines, play a vital role in our society by challenging oppressive systems, advocating for marginalized voices, and fostering equity and equality.

In light of this recent incident, we are reminded of the 1989 mass shooting at École Polytechnique de Montréal that resulted in the death of fourteen women. We are reminded that today, cultural and political shifts including restrictions to reproductive health services and gender-affirming care, the attacks on critical race theory, the bans on drag shows, the attack on gay-straight alliances in schools, and the censorship of books/materials are part and parcel of the wider contexts of white supremacy and heteropatriarchy that embolden individuals to engage in acts of hate and violence.

It is vital that universities and colleges across the country unequivocally reiterate institutional support for Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies scholars, and take decisive action to ensure the well-being and safety of students, faculty and staff affected by this incident during this difficult time.

We call upon universities and colleges to recognize that faculty and students have the right to safe working and learning conditions. We also call upon ourselves and our colleagues to work against the reproduction of the violent acts we aim to challenge. Creating safe and equitable institutions and working and learning conditions is a collective responsibility.

SSA Board of Directors

Ricky Varghese (Toronto Metropolitan University/Toronto Institute of Psychoanalysis)

Cornel Grey (Western University)

Suzanne Lenon (University of Lethbridge)

Gary Lee Pelletier (University of Toronto Mississauga)

Melanie Fishbane (Western University)

Andi Schwartz (York University)