University Students and Faculty Hold Queer Scholarship Conference
LGBTQ+ faculty members showcase their scholarly work in the California Mission Room of Benson Memorial Center on May 14, 2026. (Joshua Nola/The Santa Clara)
Members of Santa Clara University’s LGBTQ+ community, including professors and students, showcased a glimpse of their work in the California Mission Room at Benson Memorial Center on May 14, 2026.
The event stemmed from the community’s desire to create a space where queer students’ work could not only be showcased, but where resources could also be shared, explained Dr. Michelle Velasquez Potts, an assistant professor of gender and sexuality studies at the University.
The event was hosted by Professor CiAuna Heard, and opened with remarks from Provost James Glaser, who spoke about Santa Clara University’s continued commitment to diversity. Fred Ferrer, a public health professor and former Santa Clara University student, reflected on how the University previously handled LGBTQ+ issues and emphasized the need for greater compassion, saying it aligned with what Saint Clare—the University’s namesake—would have wanted.
Following those remarks, five faculty members who were part of the University’s LGBTQ+ cluster hire—a recent all-at-once hiring of queer faculty members across multiple disciplines—spoke on the research they’ve been partaking in since joining the institution.
“I’m really excited to bring Split Britches for a residency at SCU next year,” said Dr. Benjamin Gillespie, discussing his analysis of the lesbian theatre group in his book “Late Stage.”
Dr. Miah Jeffra highlighted their ethnographic study in Appalachia, which examines the factors driving residents of a relatively impoverished region to vote as they do—work they later developed into a novel.
“Even though my book is not a direct meditation on queerness, it is informed by my queerness for sure,” Jeffra said.
Dr. Michelle Velasquez Potts and Dr. Paul Gilbert both followed with work centered on systems of care and power: Velasquez Potts examined the history of force-feeding as a gendered concept within the United States’ carceral system, while Gilbert focused on alcohol use and treatment, particularly how care differs across intersecting racial and gender identities.
Dr. Ruby Mendoza ended the first panel session with her work highlighting the rise of anti-trans legislation in the United States, and her upcoming novel on countering dominant narratives from certain political factions.
Following a brief Q&A session, the focus shifted to student work, beginning with Stella Cortese ’26 and her analysis of the common themes found within challenged children’s books.
Sophie Copple ’26 shared a glimpse into her Canterbury project with a presentation on Natalia Clifford Barney, a 19th-century lesbian who challenged dominant gender roles at the time, and related it to Barney’s discussions on Greek allegory.
Kat Temple ’26 discussed shifting attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals in Thailand, particularly in the wake of increasingly popular media centered on homosexual relationships in the region, while Emma Fox ’27 examined the 1968 play “The Boys in the Band” and its portrayal of repressed homosexuality.
A 40-minute intermission followed, during which attendees could enjoy snacks and coffee while engaging with poster presentations on queer-related academic work, including queer identity in relation to Jesuit faith and gender-inclusive housing.
The event then concluded with a final 40-minute session focused on gender binaries within a Christian context, featuring Dr. Claudia Moutray, Dr. Haruka Cho and undergraduate Diane Lue ’27, who discussed gender-affirming healthcare in Christian systems, Catholic constructions of the gender binary, and the literary works of Japanese author Ryūnosuke Akutagawa.
“I think this event counters the dominant narrative that institutions are getting rid of these conversations,” said Dr. Mendoza, “it shows students that they’re valuable and seen.”