Queer Visibility at a Small Catholic University

MMU faculty staff GSA at Lavender Commemoration

This Pride month, I want to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and its many allies at Mount Mercy, a small Catholic university in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I’ve taught English there my entire career. Twenty-seven years! As a Queer elder, I’ve enjoyed witnessing and contributing to the increased visibility of the LGBTQ+ community on campus. Queer Visibility … Read more

My Queer Joy

Mary Vermillion and Benjamin Thiel

When I taught LGBTQ+ Literature this past fall, many students were so locked in on queer oppression and trauma that they overlooked queer hope and joy. Their negative focus was partly because of the pandemic and political climate, but also because of my text choices and teaching strategies. So I wrote a post about the … Read more

Teaching LGBTQ+ Literature During the Pandemic

books taught in LGBTQ Lit

During the pandemic, students focused on queer trauma, but next time, I plan to ensure that they also explore queer joy.