The spark for this exhibition was lit on 18 May 2021, during a training session on preventing transphobia and non-binary phobia at the university. The few decalogues and guides we have for developing trans and non-binary policies at universities recommend having extensive bibliographic resources that address gender diversity. How else will students be able to do in-depth work on the subject? How else can teachers apply diversity to their teaching programmes? How else can the university community understand and respect their trans and non-binary peers?
Of course, the answer lies not only in books. There are many, many things institutions can do to eradicate violence against people whose gender identity does not match the one they were assigned at birth. Nevertheless, here we are pleased to say we are doing one of them.
With the aim of promoting inclusivity and diversity, at the Library, we have done our homework. After reviewing our collection and becoming cognizant of its gaps, we have decided to fill them. The present exhibition is the result of that intensive research, which includes both pre-existing resources and a large order of new documents. “TRANS·fons” is, thus, the backdrop surrounding our entire catalogue – old and new – a backdrop that welcomes our trans and non-binary lives, our politics, cultures, experiences and debates.
In Catalan, TRANS·fons is the second-person singular present indicative of the verb transfondre or transfuse. And that is precisely what this exhibition is: a transfusion of our texts. We invite you to connect with us and feel our stories in your body.