Notetakers
Kayla Greenstein, University of Sydney
Presenters
Chair: Catherine Carstairs, University of Guelph
Erika Dyck, University of Saskatchewan
Fionnuala Braun, Carleton University
Patricia Lynne McCourt, Mississippi State University
The panel focused on the central role women have played in the development of psychedelic studies, a contribution often overlooked in historical narratives. The presenters emphasized the need to re-evaluate existing historical accounts, challenging biases and omissions by incorporating feminist and critical theories to deconstruct patriarchal historiography. They also explored how women's experiences with drug use intersect with broader social and health issues, highlighting the stigmas they faced.
Erika Dyck, University of Saskatchewan "Acid Queens, Curanderos, and Grandmothers: Where Are the Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance?"
Dyck's presentation underscored the crucial role of feminist perspectives in reshaping the historical narrative of psychedelics. She highlighted the significant contributions of women often linked to famous psychedelic men, referring to these women as "mothers of the movement." Dyck stressed the importance of acknowledging and celebrating these often overlooked contributions, such as those of the "peyote women" within the Native American Church.
Fionnuala Braun, University of Saskatchewan "We Shoot Drugs and We Are Your Sisters”: HIV/AIDS, Lesbian Drug Users, and the Politics of Exclusion in San Francisco’s Queer Communities, 1980-1991"
Braun explored the intersection of queer women's drug use and the HIV crisis in the 1980s. She highlighted the challenges faced by marginalized communities, noting how lesbian drug users were often sidelined in harm reduction efforts. Braun's mapping of HIV cases in San Francisco revealed ongoing challenges and disparities within queer neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for inclusive and intersectional public health approaches.
Patricia Lynne McCourt, Mississippi State University "The Problem With So Many Names: An Analysis of the Relationship Between Mental Illness and Drug Use Among Nineteenth Century Women"
McCourt's presentation focused on the gendered diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the 19th century. She discussed how women seeking chemical relief, such as opium, were pathologized and dismissed by doctors. Despite societal condemnation, women continued to self-medicate, demonstrating their agency in seeking relief from oppressive realities.
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The panellists emphasized the need to challenge the creation of dominant queer identities through historical construction (e.g. Dyck's recounting of Susi Ramstein's role in documenting Albert Hoffman's work with LSD). Braun's presentation is a significant contribution to the historiography of HIV/AIDS, drug use, and queer communities, highlighting the importance of intersectional approaches while McCourt emphasized women's agency in self-medicating, challenging patriarchal biases that have traditionally marginalized women's experiences and contributions.
Q&A
The panellists discussed how societal norms imposed moral judgments on women's bodies and behaviours, particularly in contexts like childbirth and drug use, leading to stigmatization and inadequate medical care. Braun confirmed that the fetishization of lesbians likely exacerbated misunderstandings about lesbian sexuality and health risks, complicating the issues surrounding drug use and HIV/AIDS in queer communities. The panellists also highlighted how intersecting identities, such as race, class, and sexuality, compounded the stigmatization of drug use and mental health issues, with marginalized women facing more severe consequences.
Personal Reflections
The discussions in the Q&A session reminded me (Kayla) of a recent psychedelic conference where prominent principal investigators (PIs) attributed the success of their studies primarily to their own efforts. This highlighted a common issue: the tendency to attribute success to the most visible leaders and dominant forms of knowledge production. Having worked on large research projects myself, I am acutely aware of the crucial contributions of the many voices, including those most impacted or “on the ground”, are often omitted from the narrative.
The panel's emphasis on intersectionality and marginalized voices aligns with the broader need to recognize all individuals' contributions to historical and contemporary projects. This approach ensures a more accurate and inclusive understanding of past and present achievements. The presentations also highlighted how women, particularly those marginalized by gender, sexuality, and health status, played pivotal roles in various historical contexts, from the psychedelic renaissance to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Acknowledging these essential roles can reshape our understanding of history and inform more equitable practices in contemporary fields.