Checking out a 'book' at Vancouver's Human Library
Credit to Author: Cheryl Chan| Date: Mon, 09 Sep 2019 01:13:56 +0000
Read a good book recently?
I have. On Sunday, I “checked out” Sex at 70 at the Vancouver Public Library’s central branch and settled into a quiet corner on the ninth floor for an engrossing 20-minute “read.”
Sex at 70 is a “human book,” one of about a dozen available this weekend at the Human Library, which allows people to “borrow” a human being to listen to their personal stories and ask them questions.
The project started in Denmark in 2000 as a response to a hate crime. Its goal was to encourage dialogue and reduce stigma and stereotypes by connecting people who might otherwise not have a chance to sit down and talk. Since then, the concept has spread to 80 countries.
In Vancouver, the Human Library started eight years ago as part of the PuSh festival. This year, organizers Zee Zee Theatre decided to go solo, holding three Human Library events at VPL in February, April and September.
“The whole project is built around getting to know other humans in other walks of life and demystifying other people’s experiences,” said producer Emily Neumann.
Given that Vancouver is also known for its high rates of loneliness, the event is also a way to encourage real life interaction with fellow human beings.
“People are enriched on both ends,” she said. “The ‘books’ get a platform to tell their stories, and people get a platform to connect with someone else.”
Some of the other “books” available this weekend include Deadbeat Dad, Confessions of a Liberal Snowflake, Polygamy and Me, Storied Man, and Certified Terrorist.
“Who certified him as a terrorist?” I asked curator Jordy Matheson at the registration desk. Matheson said I’ll have to ask him.
Often, the titles of the “books” are labels that society puts on people, Matheson said. “Part of the experience is tearing down expectations of what you would perceive a person to be by the titles they are given.”
In short, don’t judge a book by its cover.
Certified Terrorist wasn’t available, so Matheson signed me up with Sex at 70, writing down my name on an old-fashioned library checkout card.
Sex at 70, who asked that her name not be published, was a lively 73-year-old wearing a long red dress with bows on the sleeve and a dramatic black and gold beaded necklace. Her hair was pinned up in a loose knot.
A self-described hippie, she started off her story saying, “Let me introduce you to my libido.”
The following 20 minutes — plus a few more minutes that went into overtime — was a funny, candid conversation that began with her discovering sex at 19 and included her sex life, polyamory, feminism, orgasms, and sex when aging.
Good sex, she said, was playful and curious with lots of laughter and participants who are wholly engaged. Affection and respect are important. Falling in love was nice, but not necessary.
When asked whether she felt jealous in a threesome relationship, she said she seldom does. “I get more envious about people who get better work opportunities than I do,” she laughed.
Winnie Yen, a repeat “borrower” who had attended a Human Library event two years ago, was blown away by the honesty and vulnerability of strangers.
“I love the fact these people take it all off and show you their true selves,” said Yen. “I love it and recommend it to everyone I know.”