Join us for “SILENCE = DEATH: Art, activism, and the queer joy of resistance,” the inaugural event in the Joy and Fury Teach-In series on April 8, 2024 at 6 p.m. This event will feature a lecture by Elizabeth Clement, historian and gender studies professor.

This public lecture will take place at the Marriott Library Gould Auditorium (Room 1701). It explores the intersection of art and activism during the AIDS epidemic.

Having been in New York City during the peak of the crisis, Clement brings her perspective as a former member of AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), witnessing both the devastating impact of the epidemic and the spirit of resilience during a mass coming-out movement. The event will be introduced by Sascha Darlington, a gender studies and history alumna, who is seeking a master’s degree in history at the University of Utah.

Through an exploration of art’s role in political protest, attendees will discover the extraordinary power wielded by ACT UP and the art collective Gran Fury. With expertise in graphic design and advertising, these activists transformed their creative skills into instruments of social change, sparking a shift in the Gay Liberation movement. Gran Fury’s artwork became a catalyst for breaking down barriers of ignorance, confronting deep-seated fears around homosexuality and disrupting the silence around the ongoing crisis.

This is an opportunity to discover the untold stories of resilience, defiance and, above all, the boundless joy found amidst the struggle for justice. Join us as we honor the legacy of those who dared to speak out, refusing to let silence kill them.

The lecture is sponsored by the School for Cultural and Social Transformation, the College of Social Work and the Women’s Resource Center. More details:

🚗 Parking
We have reserved Lot 4 by HEB for guests. Additionally, short-term visitor parking is available for purchase at any parking kiosk. The closest lots to MLIB are lots 6 and 8.
😷COVID Precautions
Masks will be available at the door and guests are encouraged to wear them to protect our community.
🎥Recording
There will be an official, transcribed recording of this event for use in future teaching purposes.
👂Interpreter Service
We will have an ASL interpreter on-site at the event for our Deaf/HoH guests.
🎫 Registration
You will not need to register to attend this event, it is entirely free to attend and open to the public.
⚠️Warning
Graphic images will be included in our presentation. Presenters will give a warning before showing the images on screen.
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For more information about ADA accessibility in the @marriottlibrary, please visit the library website.