Wilde ’82: A Conference of Some Importance online archive launches

Wilde ’82: A Lesbian and Gay History Conference convened at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), formerly Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, from June 30 to July 3, 1982. Organized by Alan Miller and James Fraser, this conference brought together scholars, community historians and activists who were instrumental in shaping the evolution of queer studies. 

A team of students and faculty from TMU, with support from Alan Miller, worked toward collecting the remaining archival materials from the TMU Archives, The ArQuives and personal collections to create an online open-access archive, Wilde ’82: A Conference of Some Importance that launched in March 2024. Jillian Vandervoort, a third-year English student, played a key role in creating the website and content alongside English Professors and project leads, Dr. Jason Boyd and Dr. Craig Jennex.

Dr. Jennex explains that the Wilde ’82 conference was “one of the first meetings of academics and community members working in the field of gay and lesbian histories—and certainly the first international conference with a broad scope on gay and lesbian history. Many of the participants in Wilde ’82 went on to be leaders in their fields and many became known for the ideas and theories they were developing at the conference.” The influence of the conference was apparent: “Despite all the challenges facing LGBTQ2S+ people in the 1980s, this event was hopeful, creative and full of potential. Things were precarious, but in that precariousness was a lot of possibility. And when these folks got together for Wilde ’82, they harnessed this collective sense of possibility,” adds Dr. Jennex. TMU’s proximity to the Gay and Lesbian Village has created a closer relationship with the LGBTQ2S+ community versus other major universities in the city from the 1980s and 1990s. 

Wilde ’82 was a pivotal milestone both in the LGBTQ2S+ academic space and for TMU. Recovering the materials allows future generations to continue these conversations and discussions started at the conference.

Vandervoort is grateful for the chance to bring a fresh perspective to the Wilde ’82 conference. Reflecting on the experience, she notes, “This opportunity was incredibly enriching, providing me with both valuable academic insights and practical skills.” Vandervoort joined the project during her third year of undergraduate studies, seizing the chance to further develop skills learned in her English program. Engaging in research, Vandervoort authored the "About the Conference" and participant biographies sections, designed and built the website, delved into photography and diligently transcribed conference panels. Motivated by the importance of the conference, Vandervoort hopes that the archive can teach others about the conference’s impact on the creation of queer studies in academia and part of TMU’s history. 

Dr. Boyd shares the importance of this project stating, “Wilde ’82 aims to preserve and make broadly accessible a formative event in the development of lesbian and gay studies that included many scholars whose work would be foundational for today's queer studies.” Dr. Boyd highlights the significance of visitors gaining a heightened awareness of the academic and social challenges the queer community encountered while advocating for equality and visibility. This emphasis is important in light of the Doing It! festival, which marked the Toronto queer community’s refusal to be intimidated after the violent raiding of four gay bathhouses in the city. The conference and subsequent exhibition prompt visitors to critically reflect on the liberties often overlooked and to appreciate the groundbreaking scholarship and activism of those involved in Wilde ’82, which Dr. Jennex believes symbolizes hope.

Learn more about the conference and explore the Wilde ’82 conference digital archive. (external link)