From SMU Alumnus to Talented Writer: An Evening with Bruce Bishop, an event hosted by the SMU Pride Society
Written by Simon Auffrey
Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Bruce Bishop
On November 19th, the pride society invited an author to speak to students of Saint Mary’s in room AT101.. Bruce Bishop, who has written impactful and fascinating novels, discussed challenges he has faced throughout both his studies and career, and the positive outcomes that they have brought. I consider myself lucky to have been a part of the audience. I was also able to briefly interact with Bishop, whose meaningful insight had me thinking of our campus as it stands today, and how far it has come in being a warm, welcoming, and accepting space for all.
Grow up, Rory Rafferty is Bishop’s latest release on October 31st of this year. It takes place in the 1970s, when a young individual makes the big move to Toronto, from the smaller province of Nova Scotia. The story blends both fiction and reality, by incorporating some personal experiences from the author in the late 1970s, as a homosexual man, with seemingly no way to come out of his shell and be his true self.
Throughout the event, both Spencer, president of the Pride Society at Saint Mary’s, and the audience, composed of students of various disciplines, professors, and fellow alumni, asked questions to pick his mind and get his advice on various topics. Bishop proved to be a wise and influential person, describing his personal journey through a BA (Bachelor of Arts) in English at Saint Mary’s, followed by a 4-year program at the Ontario College of Arts and Design in Film Production. Bishop has now written 4 novels, his latest being the first to break from a sequence of what he described as books that followed each other.
Bishop was asked about what his goals and hopes are in regard to readers from the Gen Z generation. He answers by saying, “The more things change, the more they can stay the same.”. Bishop used this quote to demonstrate how a change in mindset among individuals will ultimately have an impact on society, where more individuals will adopt this mindset, and become a more welcoming space. This quote got me thinking about how far we can take it, or how far it has already been taken in society. Looking around SMU’s campus currently, I am able to see that we have an open-minded, safe, and welcoming environment for all, something that perhaps was not the case during Bishop’s time at Saint Mary’s. However, this welcoming campus is proof that by keeping an open mind, having a change of mindset, and sticking with this change of mindset, it ultimately will remain, and make communities a better place.
When asked about his experience at Saint Mary’s, he explains that both his father and brother had attended the University, and jokingly admits “he had no choice”. During his studies, he resided in residence, and enjoyed every moment of it, having met people from around the globe with whom he remains in contact to this day. Overall, he had a positive experience while completing his BA.
Spencer directed the next question to the pride community on campus, keeping in mind that there is now a pride lounge on campus, along with an office for the pride society. Bishop admits to “not being able to get over it” and being “blown away" and “thrilled” by the fact that Saint Mary’s has both a lounge and office for the pride society. He is glad that both facilities are present as it allows students to be who they want to be, without any need to be nervous, or threatened.
A fellow alumnus prompted the question about the protagonist, Rory, in Bishop’s new novel, and asked if by writing the story, he felt his personal experience lived on through him. Bishop admits that he “had no choice” but to write the novel. His first novel, Uncommon Sense, depicted a closeted man in the 1930s. His second novel featured a lesbian couple, along with a bisexual character, with the story taking place in a similar time period, while his third novel featured a refugee gay couple. He realized at the end of writing the “trilogy” that he was “tip-toeing” on the idea of writing a novel which reassembled some of his personal experiences. Admitting that his family has a history of dementia, he wanted to write what he remembers while he still can. In the event he does get diagnosed with dementia, he will have already written down his story, through a mixture of fiction and real feelings and events he had experienced over his lifetime.
Listening to Bruce Bishop on a Tuesday night was perhaps one of the best ways I have spent a Tuesday night so far this semester. His insights and views in regard to society, along with sharing his personal experiences, made it a very inspiring event for students in the audience. His quote “The more things change, the more they will remain the same” is a very powerful message to individuals who may be struggling currently, indicating that change is possible, and is necessary for things to evolve and remain the same, by adopting new mindsets, being open to new ideas, and being yourself.