Diverse Voices: Oral History Interview 03 — Philip Robert
The Evolution of LGBTQ Literary Events: An Oral History with Philip Robert
Lambda Scholarship Foundation Canada’s 40th-anniversary oral history series continues with a look at the role of literature and cultural events in shaping community connection and identity.
Each interview in this series documents different forces that influenced Lambda’s development—activism, education, social spaces, and, in this case, storytelling as a powerful form of visibility.
The third interview features Philip Robert, one of Lambda’s earliest board members and a central figure behind Wilde About Sappho, the Foundation’s flagship literary fundraising event. At a time when books were often among the few accessible sources of LGBTQ knowledge and representation, Wilde About Sappho brought together authors, readers, allies, and community leaders to celebrate queer writing in public cultural spaces.
Robert reflects on how the event helped establish a stronger cultural presence for LGBTQ writers, fostered new relationships within the community, and opened doors to broader audiences beyond traditional queer venues. His insight highlights how literary initiatives not only raise funds but also generate understanding, challenge stereotypes, and build common ground.
“Wilde About Sappho was a cultural milestone.” —Philip Robert
This conversation illustrates how Lambda’s mission extended beyond scholarships—toward promoting diverse voices, strengthening cultural expression, and creating more inclusive forms of community engagement. It also looks ahead, asking what the next chapter of queer literary celebration might become as representation evolves and expands.
This interview is part of a seven-episode series exploring Lambda Foundation’s 40-year history and its social and community impact.
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About the Interviewer: Christopher DiRaddo
Christopher DiRaddo is the author of the novels The Family Way (2021), shortlisted for the F.G. Bressani Literary Prize, and The Geography of Pluto (2014). His essays and short stories have appeared in First Person Queer: Who We Are (So Far), Here & Now: An Anthology of Queer Italian-Canadian Writing, and The Globe and Mail. He has also written for several publications, including Elle Canada, XTRA magazine, and enRoute magazine, for which he won a National Magazine Award. In 2014, he created the Violet Hour Reading Series & Book Club, which has to date provided a platform for more than 300 LGBTQ writers in Canada to connect with new audiences. He lives in Montreal. Check out his website and subscribe to The Violet Letter: Your guide to LGBTQ+ lit in Montreal (and beyond).
