R. Cassandra Lord

Areas of Interest

• Black Queer Diaspora (Canada/US and the Caribbean)
• Black/Feminist Theory and Methods
• Queer Studies
• Transnational Feminism
• Afro-Cuban Masculinities
• Critical Geography of Race, Space and Place
• Critical Race Studies
• Black Queer Fashion

Biography

R. Cassandra Lord is an Associate Professor of Sexuality Studies in the Department of Historical Studies, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program (UTM), with a graduate appointment in the Women and Gender Studies Institute (St. George).

Lord is an interdisciplinary scholar whose work explores the Black queer diaspora across Canada, the United States, and the Anglo- and Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Drawing on Black studies, feminist theory, and transnational feminisms, their research examines how race, gender, sexuality, and nation intersect in diasporic and transnational contexts.

Administrative Service

Acting Director, Black Research Network (BRN) 2025 – present

Program Director, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program (UTM) 2025 – present

Education

B.A. Hons, University of Toronto (Visual Arts and Women and Gender Studies) 

M.A., University of Toronto (Sociology in Education) 

PhD, University of Toronto (Sociology in Education, Women and Gender Studies) 

Selected Works

Lord, R. Cassandra, and Jamea Zuberi.“Reflections from a Black Queer Feminist: A Conversation on Caribbean Cultural Performance Practices, Collaboration, Resistance, and the Formation of Queer of Colour Spaces.” TOPIA: Canadian Journal of Cultural Studies. 2025, 50: 52-65. http:/doi.org/10.3138/topia-2024-0027

Kaya, Batu; Boerner, Katelyn; Lord, R. Cassandra; Potter, Emery; Dale, Craig and Moayedi, Massieh. 2024.“Body Image, Sex, Gender and Pain: Towards an Improved Understanding of Pain Mechanisms.” Pain: The Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain.2025, Dec 1,165(12):2673-2678. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003309

Lord, R. Cassandra. “We Have Always Been Here: Pelau MasQUEERade Disturbing Toronto Pride History.” Journal of Canadian Studies/Revue d’études Canadienne, 2020, 54, no. 2: 360-94. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870601143927.

Lord, R. Cassandra. “Pelau MasQUEERade: Making Caribbean Queer Diasporic Space in Toronto’s Pride Parade.” Transforming Anthropology, April 2020, 28, no. 1: 74-89. DOI:10.1111/traa.12169

Honours and Awards

Teaching