Invitation - Critical Decolonialities “Queer Archiving - a decolonial practice? The experiences of the GALA Queer Archive” with Linda Chernis

IFRA-Nigeria and the Institute of African Studies are pleased to invite you to another session of the "Critical Decolonialities: Afro-global perspectives" seminar series scheduled for 31 July 2025. This session will feature Linda Chernis, GALA Queer Archives, University of the Witwatersrand, who will present on “Queer Archiving – a decolonial practice? The experiences of the GALA Queer Archive”.

Linda Chernis will discuss ways in which queer histories and archives can be used to challenge dominant perceptions of history and traditional archives, including methods for ‘activating’ the archive, and making it more accessible and inclusive. Being an independent, activist archive that focuses on marginalised voices, she will invite us to constantly rethink how we work and how we add to and adapt from the traditional concept of an archive. In current tumultuous context, it is more important than ever to preserve queer voices, past and present, from the drive towards silencing and erasure that is sweeping large parts of the world.

 Linda Chernis is a South African archivist and heritage practitioner who has worked in museums and archives for the past 18 years.  She has a passion for bringing history, heritage, and the arts to the public. Linda has worked as the Archivist at the GALA Queer Archive since 2015.  She recently completed her Masters in History. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 GALA Queer Archive

The GALA Queer Archive is a non-profit archive based in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Founded in 1997, GALA aims to act as a catalyst for the production, preservation and dissemination of information about the history, culture and contemporary experiences of LGBTQI+ people in South Africa, and beyond.  In addition to the archive program, GALA is also involved with research, youth work, public education programs, book publishing, film screenings, exhibitions, conferences and dialogues.  We use these methods and events to bring the archive to the public, as well as to build the archive through public contributions and engagement. www.gala.co.za

 Seminar details:

Date: Thursday 31 July 2025

Time: 02.00pm WAT

Format: Online

Registration (deadline 23/06): https://forms.gle/NGE2ET2zv7i9iyaM8