Canadian Studies Announcements

In This Issue:

News from Berkeley

• New Hildebrand Fellow Alexandra Coakley studies role of gay newspapers in AIDS activism

• Hildebrand Fellow Jennifer Kaplan continues study of non-binary French use in Montreal queer community

External Events

• The SF Expat Canadian Meetup Group 13th Annual Canada Day Celebration

• Berkeley Club of Canada Summer Mixer in Toronto

• Digital Moose Lounge Canada Day Picnic

• Friends of Canada at SF Pride

NEWS FROM BERKELEY

New Hildebrand Fellow Alexandra Coakley Studies Role of Gay Newspapers in AIDS Activism

The Canadian Studies Program is pleased to celebrate Pride Month with the announcement that Alexandra Coakley has been awarded an Edward E. Hildebrand Research Fellowship for Summer 2025.

Alexandra is a PhD student in the Department of History. Her research focuses on small local newspapers and international activism in the late 20th century. Her dissertation project examines the work of queer journalists during the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the ACT UP protest movement. Her Hildebrand Fellowship will support her travel to Toronto, where she will explore the critical role of the Canadian queer press in combating the disease.

Alexandra holds a BA in history from Occidental College, and she worked as an editor before arriving at Berkeley.

Hildebrand Fellow Jennifer Kaplan Continues Study of Non-Binary French Use in Montreal Queer Community

Hildebrand Fellow Jennifer Kaplan will also receive additional funding this summer towards her ongoing research on novel linguistic gender expressions among Montreal’s LGBT+ community.

Jennifer works across the fields of (socio)-linguistics, queer theory, trans theory, and feminist theory. To date, she has conducted research on New York City English, language attitudes and ideologies in the French press, and non-binary Romance language varieties. Her dissertation project, which is supported by the Hildebrand Fellowship and a Fulbright-Hays DDRA, applies the lenses of queer theory and transfeminism alongside methods of linguistic ethnography to examine the language practices and linguistic attitudes and ideologies within francophone queer, trans, and non-binary communities in Montreal. Through a combination of interviews, survey data, and ethnography, she examines what kinds of language(s) are being used and the contexts and linguistic attitudes and ideologies that condition and surround their usage. In her free time she enjoys befriending neighborhood cats, attending drag shows, and haunting your local coffee shop.

EXTERNAL EVENTS

The SF Expat Canadian Meetup Group 13th Annual Canada Day Celebration

Tues., June 24 | 5:30 pm | San Francisco, CA | RSVP

Join the San Francisco Canadian Expat Meetup Group to celebrate Canada Day in the city! ​Wear your red & white, rep your favorite Canadian team gear, and get ready to sing, “Oh Canada!” with fellow Canadians! Everyone is welcome – bring friends, family and coworkers. The event will be held in a new location with its own lane this year – which means block party! Learn more via Meetup.

Berkeley Club of Canada Summer Mixer in Toronto

Fri., June 27 | 6:00 pm | Toronto, ON | RSVP

The Berkeley Club of Canada invites all Toronto-area Bears to their summer mixer – a vibrant evening dedicated to fostering connections and celebrating our shared Berkeley spirit. This is a wonderful opportunity to mingle with fellow alumni, engage with current students, and warmly welcome the newest members of the Cal family. Please RSVP by June 20.

Digital Moose Lounge Canada Day Picnic

Sat., June 28 | 11:00 am | San Mateo, CA | Tickets

Our friends at the DML invite you to celebrate Canada’s birthday at their always-popular annual Canada Day Picnic on the Peninsula. Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon of games and activities for all ages along with a delicious BBQ lunch. Meet new friends and reconnect with old ones as you embrace your Canadian pride. Remember to wear your red & white Canada gear, alumni colors or support your favorite Canadian sports team.

Friends of Canada at SF Pride

Sun., June 29 | San Francisco, CA | RSVP

Consul General Rana Sarkar cordially invites you to join Canadians marching in the 55th Annual San Francisco Pride Parade! This year’s theme is “Queer Joy is Resistance.”

All are welcome to join Consulate staff and their families and friends to celebrate diversity and to support the 2SLGBTQI+ members of our communities here in San Francisco, at home in Canada, and abroad. The assembly point and time will be announced approximately one week prior to the parade; please register to receive updates.

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

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