Crazy about science: Trans literature

Transgenderism is not a new phenomenon in human history. Nevertheless, the representation of transgenderism has often been something that had to be hidden in secret. But these years we are seeing more writers who are beginning to put their trans experiences into words. And we would like to help pay tribute to and support this at Sydhavn Library.

Then, on October 27, we will be visited by researcher, Mons Bissenbakker and author, Lasse Dyrholm Jensen, who will each talk about trans literature.

They will talk about how transgender people have been represented throughout the history of literature; why the representation of transgender people in literature is important; about the fears and consequences of the censorship seen in the United States of LGBT+ literature — and then there will be a reading from Lasse Dyrholm Jensen's collection of poems, Supersoaker, about his transition.

It will be a really exciting evening about a field in literature that for a long time has not been particularly well illuminated or represented - but now both historically and currently may be in for a breakthrough. So come and get smarter about a new wave in Danish literature - and what it means for something to be trans literature.

Mons Bissenbakker is head of the Centre for Gender, Sexuality and Diversity and has for over 20 years been one of the leading researchers in gender studies in Denmark. Here, among other things, he has launched the concept of “the modern trans breakthrough” in Danish literary history, shed new light on the trans figure in Danish literature, and investigated the history of literature to uncover forgotten trans experiences.

Lasse Dyrholm Jensen is a significant new voice in Danish poetry. With his debut Supersoaker, he steps onto the stage with language that is both raw, sensuous and investigative. He writes from a place where the body is not a motif but an archive of experiences, expectations and desires. Meat, surgery, the images of childhood and the constant negotiations with the gaze of the outside world turn into poetic material that insists on challenging the ways we read and understand body and identity.

His work stems from a life story in which, throughout his childhood, the body was read, interpreted and commented on by others — long before he even found the words to write himself free of the categories that lay heavy around him. As a trans man and LGBT+ person, Lasse has experienced how minoritized bodies are often made into someone else's project or explanation. In his writing, this experience is turned upside down: here it is he who formulates, interprets and insists on breaking the boxes and categories.

Convenient
The event takes place in Café Karen and starts at 7pm. It will be possible to buy food and drinks in the café from 17:00. Please arrive early so that everyone has a seat when we start.

The event is free, but requires a ticket which can be obtained via this link or picked up at Sydhavn Library during the open hours

The event is part of Copenhagen Libraries' festival “Wild with Science”. The festival takes place in libraries in the municipality of Copenhagen between October and November. Here you will be able to experience non-fiction and scientific lectures and talks for adults on all kinds of topics.
Find all Avid with science events here: Vild med | Københavns Biblioteker