Sara Ahmed - No Is Not a Lonely Utterance
Join us for an evening of thought, conversation, and community as renowned writer and scholar Sara Ahmed returns to Sydney for a special event at Gleebooks. This isn’t just another book talk — it’s an invitation to rethink resistance, refusal, and the power of saying no in a world that often demands compliance.
Sara Ahmed’s latest work, No Is Not a Lonely Utterance, explores how refusal is not isolation but connection — a way of building solidarity through shared boundaries. With warmth, wit, and incisive analysis, Ahmed invites us to consider how saying no can be a radical, joyful, and deeply relational act. Whether you’ve read her before or are discovering her for the first time, this conversation promises to be both illuminating and deeply affirming.
She’ll be joined on stage by esteemed scholars Quah Ee Ling and Fiona Probyn-Rapsey, who’ll help unpack the personal and political resonance of Ahmed’s ideas. Together, they’ll explore how refusal operates across academia, activism, and everyday life — and what it looks like to say no while building space for others to say yes.
This event is perfect for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of expectation — whether at work, in relationships, or in society — and wanted to carve out a different path. Ahmed’s gentle but unflinching voice reminds us that resistance doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful, and that sometimes, the quietest “no” can echo loudest.
Bring your curiosity, your questions, and maybe even your own stories of refusal. We’ll be upstairs at Gleebooks, with accessibility features including mobility access. This is a space for thinkers, dreamers, and those who’ve ever whispered “no” — and want to know it’s not as lonely as it seems.
Don’t miss this rare chance to hear from one of the most vital voices in queer and feminist theory today. Whether you’re an academic, an activist, or simply someone who loves to think deeply about the world, you’ll leave this evening feeling smarter, seen, and perhaps a little braver.