Queer quilter on a cross-Canada tour with his show “Quilting the Progression of Queer Rights in Canada”
From history, present-day occurrences, and personal stories, Bill Stearman, a queer quilt maker from Picton, Ontario, makes his way around Canada to share his personal experiences and educate people on the history of the queer community in Canada, mental health, and racism.
“The world is just so full of stories that need to be told. I’m blessed that I get to tell the queer ones,” said Stearman.
Stearman has hosted quilt shows across North America and the UK, intending to educate people. He has also won several awards at QuiltCon, the largest quilt show in the world, which features competition quilts, community outreach quilts, and special exhibits.
On Sunday, May 4, Stearman made his first stop on his “Quilting the Progression of Queer Rights in Canada” tour in Perth-Andover, with his trunk show, or as he calls it, ‘backpack show,’ “Speaking my truth: even if my voice shakes.”
The “Quiltivist” presented around 20 quilts to a packed house of quilters, members of the LGBTQ2+ community, and allies. He shared how he discovered his love for quilt making and his many quilts that advocate for topics like residential schools, aids, the Purge Project, and depression.
Stearman’s journey to quilt-making began in 2014 after deciding to stop taking his mind-numbing pain meds for his leg injury. As a person with ADHD, Stearman says he believes the meds were not only numbing his pain but also a large part of his mind that made up who he is.
“When I was making quilts, I wasn’t feeling any pain because I was using all my senses,” said Stearman.
Since then, Stearman has made over 300 quilts.
In 2021, Stearman received life-altering news. That January, shortly after his gallbladder surgery, he was told he had liver cancer with a life expectancy of two years.
However, he still had hope after being told in February that he qualified for a liver transplant. Just five months later, Stearman received two-thirds of his daughter’s liver, increasing his life expectancy from two years up to 20.
Those months of treatment changed how he looked at life, and now he wants to do everything in his power to change the world.
“For me, these extra years are not just a gift; they come with responsibility. I see that responsibility as my opportunity to bring about positive change in the world,” said Stearman.
Stearman believes being a social advocate is his calling and will continue to be a voice for others through his quilts.
“I have a voice, and it’s important to use it. And it’s my story. Because I can. It’s important, and it’s well-received. People just don’t know, and if you tell them, I mean, there’s nobody leaving here today, I don’t think, who feels worse about queer folk than they did before they came,” said Stearman.
Stearman will tour Atlantic Canada until June 4; then he will head across the country. For a complete listing of his events, visit billstearman.ca. If you’d like to see highlights from the tour, visit his Instagram account @bill_stearman.
