On the 22nd of October we will dive into the radical diary writing of activist and writer Lou Sullivan. Sullivan’s writing in We Both Laughed in Pleasure: The Selected Diaries of Lou Sullivan chronicles his life as a gay trans man and was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Transgender Non-fiction in 2020 and a finalist for the Publishing Triangle Award. Brussels activist Robin Brettar will select fragments from Sullivan’s work and guide us through the text. In collaboration with Passa Porta, international house of literature.

lou sullivan’s archive today

Towards the end of his life, Lou Sullivan began editing his journals for publication, a task he was unable to complete. Now made public for the first time (Nightboat Books, 2019), we want to take the time to go through this archive of diaries with you. An archive of notes, experiences and ‘ephemeral expressions of identity formed alongside his queer community of family, friends, and lovers.’

Louis Graydon Sullivan (b. Milwaukee, 1951; d. San Francisco, 1991) was a writer, activist, typesetter, trans historian, and queer revolutionary. He was perhaps the first transgender man to publicly identify as gay, and is largely responsible for the modern understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity as distinct, unrelated concepts.

Robin Brettar studied painting and philosophy (kask, Ugent, CEU, KULeuven). They identify as non-binary trans-masc feminist and have a fierce passion for community organizing and collaborative projects. Robin is a member of Mothers and Daughters - a lesbian* and trans* bar and co-founder of Transemble. Currently, they are studying conflict mediation and hope to further develop these skills professionally.

This is one of three close readings rila* will host in collaboration with Passa Porta, a unique, multilingual meeting place in the heart of Brussels for anyone and everyone curious about ideas, texts and stories..

The reading group will go from noon at 12h00 until around 13h30. You have to reserve a place via Passa Porta. Tickets go from 2€ to 7€. More info and to make a reservation at https://www.passaporta.be/nl/kalender/close-reading-lou-sullivan.