The Limerick Lady 55: El Reid-Buckley, Alt-Pride, "The place in which I'll fit will not exist until I make it."

Special guest on the podcast this month is El Reid Buckley. El Reid-Buckley (they/them) is a sociologist, writer, and collage artist based in Limerick, Ireland. They are currently completing a PhD in Sociology on bisexualities in post-marriage equality Ireland – they're currently waiting on their viva voce! "Free 'Til Viva" in their own words. Their research, writing and artistic practice is broadly focused on issues of genders and sexualities; with research interests in a wide number of areas such as trans theory, pop culture, media studies, archival and memorial practices, and the politics of space. Overall, their work aims to connect art, academia, and activism, to celebrate the beauty, joy, and diversity of queerness and trans identity. You can find El on Twitter at @ereidbuckley.  El says that you can't live in a room if you don't clean it or at least re-organise it a bit. This episode explores the impulse many LGBTQIA+ people feel to mold themselves to cis-het expectations of them, rather than being and embracing their authentic selves. We look at queer identity, self-reflection within the community, the perception of events like Stonewall as "amorphous" in discussions around queer visibility and activism, and the importance of rage in making things happen. We also learn why sober events during Pride are so vital.  Referenced in the conversation:  "queerness in a heteronormative world is like sitting in an uncomfortable chair" – Sara Ahmed  "My Words To Victor Frankenstein Above The Village Of Chamounix" by Susan Stryker  RTÉ's coverage of the LGBTQIA+ community: https://gcn.ie/reeling-in-the-queers-rte-archives-70s-80s/  "The place in which I'll fit will not exist until I make it." – James Baldwin "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself." – George Bernard Shaw  "There is no thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives." – Audre Lorde  "Screaming Queens" documentary by Susan Stryker: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464189/  TLC (Trans Limerick Community): https://twitter.com/translimerick?lang=en  Event being run by El: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-ireland-we-dreamed-of-tickets-647128307187     The Limerick Lady is a grassroots movement based in Limerick, Ireland, with a focus on promoting conversation around gender, visibility, gender balance and the arts. It was founded in 2016 by award-winning (and losing) singer-songwriter Emma Langford, who hosts the podcast alongside fellow award-winning (and losing) Limerick woman, theatre-maker and musician Ann Blake. Find the Limerick Lady Podcast on all your favourite streaming platforms. New episodes drop once a month, on the third Thursday (or Thirdsday, if you will). The Limerick Lady is sponsored by Ormston House and supported by The Limerick Post Newspaper. Follow Ormston House at www.ormstonhouse.com Support the Limerick Post at www.limerickpost.ie