CEDHARS and the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) had a fabulous time hosting LOOKING. DIFFERENT. a conversation with Riva Lehrer and Rosemarie Garland-Thomson on Thursday, May 8, from 5-8 p.m. at Haven in Birmingham.
The event featured the artwork Portrait of Rosemarie Garland-Thomson from Riva Lehrer’s exploration of cultural depictions of disability, a discussion between Lehrer and Garland-Thomson, and a short reading from Lehrer’s critically acclaimed memoir, Golem Girl.
The first 50 attendees received a free book, and a bookseller was in attendance to sell books from both Riva Lehrer and Rosemarie Garland-Thomson. Heavy hors d'oeuvres were provided, and a cash bar was available.
Click here to watch the talk on YouTube.
In anticipation of the event, Riva Lehrer and Rosemarie Garland-Thomson discussed the event on Wellness, Health & Everything Else: A NCHPAD Podcast. Riva and Rosemarie gave their perspective on the creative process for the Portrait of Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, what it meant to them and so much more. The episodes are available with no subscription required in the links below along with full episode transcripts.
Podcast episode with Riva Lehrer
Podcast episode with Rosemarie Garland-Thomson
Stayed tuned for video content from the event coming soon to the NCHPAD YouTube page!
About Riva Lehrer
Riva Lehrer is an artist opens a new website, writer, and curator who focuses on the socially challenged body. Recipient of multiple awards for her visual and literary work, Lehrer is best known for representations of people whose physical embodiment, sexuality, or gender identity have long been stigmatized. Lehrer’s memoir, Golem Girl (One World/ Penguin Random House), won the 2020 Barbellion Prize for Literature and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is represented by Regal Hoffman & Associates, NYC, and Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, Chicago. Learn more about Lehrer's work at her website opens a new website.
About Rosemarie Garland-Thomson
Rosemarie Garland-Thomson opens a new website is professor emerita of English and bioethics at Emory University. Her expertise in disability bioethics, critical disability studies, and health humanities brings disability culture, ethics, and justice to a broad range of institutions and communities. She is a Hastings Center Fellow and senior advisor, a National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar, a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is co-editor of About Us: Essays from the New York Times about Disability by People with Disabilities and author of Staring: How We Look and several other books. Learn more about Garland-Thomson's work at her website opens a new website.
Event Information
LOOKING. DIFFERENT.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
5-8 p.m.
Events at Haven
2515 6th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35233
Parking
In addition to street parking, we had a limited number of accessible parking spaces and free valet.
Accessibility
Haven is a large, flat space with no stair entry. ASL interpreters and CART services were provided.