Video maker, performer, entrepreneur. A Montreal-resident, Val Desjardins has been an important member of its vibrant queer community. Not only was she a key member in the revival of Roller Derby in Montreal, but she also operated, from 2011 to 2014, her own queer space, The Royal Phoenix amidst Montreal's now famous Mile-End neighbourhood. She is currently working on another space, this time a queer-friendly gym, hoping for a 2015 opening date. In her artistic practice, Desjardins explores and deconstructs social histories and existing representations of gender and bodies, offering radical alternatives to mainstream ideas. Her videos Jerking (2008) and Work (2009) show Desjardins' in-your-face and provocative approach to video through extreme performances and rapid editing.