This year’s Jana Mackey Distinguished Lecture will feature Alicia Bunyan-Sampson, best known for her digital presence Polyamorous Black Girl, on Wednesday, November 16th, at 7 pm in the Jayhawk Room of the KU Memorial Union.

What happens when you are never taught the difference between hard work and abuse? What do you do when your small isolated community abandons you? How do you talk about what has happened to you when the language does not exist to do so?

Bunyan-Sampson's lecture, titled "Abuse in Polyamory: The Politics of Believability," will directly challenge mainstream polyamorous education and its continued refusal to consider and acknowledge the unique ways abuse happens in polyamorous relationships, the impact of that refusal, as well as the ways in which trauma can complicate both the access to and the experience of polyamory. She will largely focus on digital space, and its power to create and destroy connections.

Bunyan-Sampson is a registered social worker with over 10 years of practice in counseling and advocating for women, children, trans people, and non-binary individuals who have experienced or are experiencing gender-based violence.

Refreshments provided. 

ABOUT THE LECTURE SERIES

In honor and memory of Jana Lynne Mackey, the University of Kansas established the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity's Jana Mackey Distinguished Lecture Series in 2009. 

CO-SPONSORS

Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity; The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity; Jana's Campaign; Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging; Office of Multicultural Affairs; Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center; and The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center

ACCOMMODATIONS

People with disabilities are encouraged to attend KU-sponsored events. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity at emilytaylorcenter@ku.edu.