Estate gift elevates 2SLGBTQQIA+ initiatives on campus

When Tom and Rose Rogers share memories of their close friend James (Jim) Komar, who passed away in December 2023, they are visibly moved.

“Jim was an amazing man; he was a part of this family,” shared Rose. “He had a strong sense of justice and a strong desire to have LGBTQ people accepted in the community.”

Komar was born in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1932. A talented musician, he trained in piccolo, flute, classical guitar, violin, piano, mandolin, and even ballet. After serving in the United States armed forces, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The City University of New York in 1965. Komar met his lifelong partner, Canadian John Irwin, in New York in the late 1960s. Their love was immediate and enduring. The couple moved to Montreal in 1973 to escape the American political climate, and spent decades together, cautiously presenting as cousins to avoid discrimination. They would eventually make their way to Saskatoon in the 1980s, where Komar became a technical writer for space engineering companies.

“As gay rights became recognized in law, the societal persecution lessened somewhat,” shared Tom. “They married in 2005 one year after same-sex marriage was legally recognized in Saskatchewan. Jim and John were strong public supporters of LGBTQ rights.”

Despite personal hardships—including losing both legs to infection in 2007 and John’s passing in 2011—Komar remained active, immersing himself in books, music and advocacy. He played a key role in a landmark Supreme Court case against anti-LGBTQ+ and hate speech discrimination. A spiritual person, Komar was active in many Saskatoon church communities, challenging them to embrace true inclusivity. It was at one of these 2SLGBTQQIA+church groups where the Rogers met Komar and Irwin.

For his connection to USask, Komar sat on the advisory committee for the College of Education’s Breaking the Silence conference and participated in the programming.

“Breaking the Silence was a remarkable program and helped a lot of gay people,” said Tom. He and Rose attended many of the conferences.

Breaking the Silence was founded in 1998 by Dr. Don Cochrane (PhD), professor emeritus in the Department of Educational Foundations. It started as a multi-day conference focused on examining issues of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. It ran from 1997 - 2017 with an expanded program bringing a spotlight to a breadth of 2SLGBTQQIA+ issues in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Komar was the recipient of the conference’s Peter Corren award in 2013.

Cochrane spoke of Komar’s commitment to activism, “He received the Peter Corren award for his commitment and energy – the human rights campaign; talking to Bishops,” said Don. “Jim was fearless.”

Komar volunteered in hospitals, prisons, and medical training programs. Through their personal struggles with alcoholism, Komar and Irwin both became proud leaders and supporters of Alcoholics Anonymous groups. Up until Irwin’s death, Komar was quietly supported by his partner, who was working behind the scenes to support him fully through scheduling, note-taking, mobility assistance and anything else that was needed. Komar’s work earned him numerous awards from Out Saskatoon, and in 2023, he proudly served as a Saskatoon Pride Parade Marshall.

“For me, he was very determined to make society understand that gay people are human, and that they had every right that everyone else had,” said Rose. “It was important for him that people know this. There is nothing wrong with being gay and it should be celebrated.”

The estate gift, managed by the Rogers, will honour and celebrate Komar and Irwin at USask. At the College of Education, the gift is supporting renovations to queer the Student Lounge, creating a welcoming space for 2SLGBTQQIA+ members of the USask community. A new display will also feature the history of queerness in the college, including Komar's work with the Breaking the Silence conference and beyond.

At the University Library, the gift is establishing The James Komar and John Irwin Queer Project Fund, which will support programs and initiatives related to the development, preservation, and promotion of the library’s sexual and gender diversity collections. One such initiative was an event hosted by the library in collaboration with USask and community partners in recognition of Pride Month: Glitter and Glam: A Prom of Possibilities was an evening of self-expression, queer history, and celebration, featuring guest speaker Donald Meriam, a Two-Spirit Indigenous activist, alongside local drag queens China White and Iona Whipp, all of whom shared their journeys with dress, identity, and pride.

The evening showcased The Neil Richards Collection of Sexual and Gender Diversity, one of Canada’s most significant queer archival collections. This collection safeguards rare and fragile materials, ensuring that 2SLGBTQQIA+ voices—past and present—are preserved for future generations. It complements the library’s broader circulating collections and features unique pieces that document and safeguard Saskatchewan’s queer history.

Throughout their lives, Komar and Irwin amassed a considerable collection of queer cultural materials, including books, DVDs, and personal letters. This collection, donated to the library and housed at University Archives and Special Collections, offers an intimate window into their lives, their love, their struggles, and their unwavering commitment to advocacy. In honor of their legacy, the Rogers have chosen to support programs and initiatives that reflect Jim and John’s deep passion for community.

Komar and Irwin’s dedication to activism and inclusion will continue to shape the university for years to come. Those wishing to contribute to The James Komar and John Irwin Queer Project Fund can do so by donating directly through the University of Saskatchewan, ensuring that their legacy of advocacy and visibility thrives for future generations.

Article originally published at https://library.usask.ca