From Marginalization to Visibility: 2SLGBTQ+ Archives and Public Memory is a queer and trans history and archives hybrid conference taking place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 15-17, 2026, with presentations in both English and French. It builds on the success of the National Queer and Trans+ Community History Conference held at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta, in 2024.

This conference brings together 2SLGBTQ+ community members, researchers, nonprofit organizations, heritage professionals, academics, historians, publishers, and emerging scholars who share an interest in documenting, preserving, and celebrating diverse and intersectional 2SLGBTQ+ histories in Canada.

During a period of escalating threats against 2SLGBTQ+ communities across the country, From Marginalization to Visibility aims to bridge the gaps between academia, activism, and community, fostering collaboration, solidarity, and public engagement.

About the Organizers

The conference is organized by a diverse team of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals from across Canada, including representatives from the four Atlantic provinces who make up the core conference planning team.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

There are a growing number of local 2SLGBTQ+ community history projects and archival collections that have taken root across Canada along with national organizations such as The ArQuives and The LGBT Purge Fund, the Lesbian Pulp Fiction Collection, the LGBT Seniors Archive in Nova Scotia, the Queer Heritage Initiative of New Brunswick, among others. From Marginalization to Visibility intends to draw upon and include many of these important community knowledge holders as conference presenters and delegates.

In contrast to more established archives across Canada, many local 2SLGBTQ+ community history projects are new, grassroots initiatives that often work in isolation. This conference seeks to foster collaboration and strengthen connections among archives, academics, and community members by developing a networked community of practice to support research, share resources, create connections, and enhance public knowledge mobilization strategies. We will also connect community practitioners with experienced archivists, academics, and student trainees to advance and support local 2SLGBTQ+ history projects.

Call for papers

Deadline to submit was 15 December 2025

A virtual Q&A session was held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 6 pm AST to guide anyone unfamiliar with submitting a proposal through the process.

Schedule/Program

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Accommodations

Space has been made available on campus.

When making your reservation, please use the promotional code FMV26

Reservations are accepted via: stay.dal.ca stay@dal.ca or 902.494.8840 1.855.DAL.STAY

Accessibility Statement

The conference planning committee is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming conference that provides reasonable accommodation to all participants.

If you require any accommodation to participate in the conference, please contact us at qhistories2026@gmail.com

Registration

If you have any questions please contact us at qhistories2026@gmail.com.

In person (Halifax)

Research or institutionally funded: $400

Full Conference: $300

One Day: $150

Low income/Student: $175

Conference Sponsor: $475 (helps support community members’ attendance)

Online (Zoom)

Full Conference: $100

Speaker: $75

One Day: $65

Low income/Student: $50

Conference Sponsor: $150 (helps support community members’ attendance)

Exhibitor Table

We have a limited number of exhibitor tables available. Please contact executivedirector@arquives.ca to reserve a spot.

List to be confirmed

The LGBT Purge Fund has provided a grant to support this conference.