My name is Eric J. Van Giessen. I’m an artist, scholar, and writer.
I’m currently a Ph.D. Student studying Sociology at York University as well as a first-year student at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto’s five-year psychotherapy program.
I’m based in Toronto, Ontario, but prefer to be surrounded by mountains, trees, and open-water horizons.
After graduating with a Master’s degree in Social Justice & Community Engagement, I spent several years working with a national non-profit called Generous Space supporting 2SLGBTQ+ people-of-faith, and consulting with religious leaders about matters of faith, gender, and sexuality. Over time, I became fascinated with exploring the tensions and resonances between religiosity and queerness and returned to school to study queer theory, arts-based methods, the sociology of emotion, and lived religiosity. My goal is to run a Gestalt Psychotherapy Practice while continuing to teach sociology and philosophy at the university level.
Ph.D. Research
My research interests include critical sexuality studies, lived religion, affect theory, queer utopianism, (post)qualitative methodologies, and arts-based research practices. In 2016, I completed an MA in Social Justice & Community Engagement and Wilfrid Laurier University. I’m currently a PhD Student in Sociology at York University studying lived experiences of queer religiosity using arts-based research practices and community autoethnography.
Queero Gear
Queero Gear is an original pop-art & design brand that aims to inspire queer joy! Artist and Founder, Eric J. Van Giessen uses digital illustration and linocut printmaking to bring LGBTQ+ history, culture, and homoerotic imagery to life with bold colours, minimalist design, and a pinch of low-brow humour. Queero Gear regularly pops-up around Toronto as a participant in vendor markets as well as selling online at www.queerogear.com
Queerly Faithful Press
***Queerly Faithful Press is on hold while Eric completes his PhD***
Queerly Faithful Press is a literary press that publishes poetry, prose, creative nonfiction, essays, short stories, visual art, and photography.
Our focus is on creative and non-fiction content exploring the intersections of the following themes: sexuality, gender, spirituality, faith, religion, mindfulness, embodiment, intimacy, eroticism, sex-positivity, community, justice.
Our aim is to highlight and amplify the voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ people of faith and allies through publishing poetry, story, and other creative works that explore ideas, themes, and trajectories emergent from their lived experiences. Read more about the story of Queerly Faithful Press here.
In 2023, I am focused on completing my Ph.D. dissertation research, and am a frequent presenter at academic conferences and continuing education programs in religious communities. I’m also working on compiling a poetry collection about grief and masculinity and continuing to build my small business, Queero Gear. Finally, I’ve begun training as a psychotherapist at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto.
My home studio. Photo by Lucy Lu.