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Let’s‌ ‌Talk!‌ ‌Discussing‌ ‌Gender In The Classroom

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Let’s‌ ‌Talk!‌ ‌Discussing‌ ‌Gender In The Classroom

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Teaching Tolerance proudly presents our four-part webinar series Let's Talk! This series covers a range of critical topics that can be difficult to discuss with students and colleagues. For this third part in the series, Teaching Tolerance and Gender Spectrum are teaming up to help educators think beyond the gender binary and to create gender-inclusive classrooms. This interactive webinar will examine thought-provoking case studies and explore best practices.

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Let's Talk! Discussing Gender in the Classroom

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Teaching Tolerance proudly presents our four-part webinar series Let's Talk! This series covers a range of critical topics that can be difficult to discuss with students and colleagues. For this third part in the series, Teaching Tolerance and Gender Spectrum are teaming up to help educators think beyond the gender binary and to create gender-inclusive classrooms. This interactive webinar will examine thought-provoking case studies and explore best practices.

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1-866-488-7386

24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ youth.

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Walking in your truth as an LGBT youth | Daniella Carter

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Walking in your truth as an LGBT youth | Daniella Carter

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Walking in your truth as an LGBT youth | Daniella Carter

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Petitions to sign

If you are international and aren't able to sign here are some zip codes to use:

90015 - Los Angeles, California
10001 - New York City, New York
75001 - Dallas, Texas

LGBT Helplines

Educate Yourself

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If you are international and aren't able to sign here are some zip codes to use: 90015 - Los Angeles, California 10001 - New York City, New York 75001 - Dallas, Texas LGBT Helplines Educate Yourself

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1-877-565-8860

Open 24/7, but operators are guaranteed to be on call from 10:00am-4:00am ET.

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1-888-234-7243
help@lgbthotline.org

Monday through Friday: 4pm - 12am ET.
Saturday and Sunday: 12pm - 5pm ET.

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Duke students advocate for LGBTQ+ community in NC as lawmakers consider discriminatory bills

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Duke students advocate for LGBTQ+ community in NC as lawmakers consider discriminatory bills

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April 19, 2021 | 3:22am EDT

North Carolina has joined states across the country in considering bills that oppose LGBTQ+ rights, and Duke students are fighting against them-including pushing against one bill that cites research by a Duke Law professor.

Three bills recently introduced in the N.C. General Assembly deny LGBTQ+ people protection of their rights and access to public services. One, H.B. 358 or the "Save Women's Sports Act," would block transgender girls from participating in girls' school sports teams.

Of the six academic and journalistic articles cited in H.B. 358, three are co-authored or authored by a Duke Law professor, Doriane Coleman. Coleman has publicly condemned the N.C. bill and other bills across the country for excluding transgender athletes from school sports and misusing her research.

The two other bills deny LGBTQ+ individuals' access to health care. S.B. 514, the "Youth Health Protection Act," would prevent people younger than 21 years old from having gender-affirming health care, and health-care providers would be able to refuse services to LGBTQ+ patients under S.B. 515, the "Health Care Heroes Conscience Protection Act."

Junior Grace O'Connor, president of Blue Devils United, the largest LGBTQ+ undergraduate group at Duke, explained that members of BDU engage with members of the Duke and Durham community in their work to support the transgender community and advocacy for inclusion of transgender athletes. She explained that BDU shares what they have learned from reading legislation affecting the LGBTQ+ community in their meetings and in social media posts.

Co-signed by more than 10 Duke organizations, the Duke LGBTQ+ Network released a statement against the discriminatory legislation on April 13. The LGBTQ+ Network statement notes that the legislation cites Duke Law research and asks Duke to release a statement opposing the legislation.

Student activism

When the N.C. legislature held a Wednesday hearing on H.B. 358, Justin Sykes, a transgender man, spoke to his lived experience as a former cross-country athlete and student at Appalachian State University, according to NBC WITN. Sykes described the significance of support and affirmation of gender identity to transgender athletes who are "trying to live their life, and sports is how they find their joy."

"Team sports within high schools, within communities, is how people are able to find themselves through movement, and these bills are going to take that away from them," Sykes said.

"A 2017 Human Rights Campaign Foundation report found that while 68 percent of young people participate in organized sports, only 12 percent of transgender girls do," Elizabeth Sharrow, associate professor in the University of Massachusetts Amherst's School of Public Policy and Department of History, wrote in an April 2021 Washington Post analysis.

"That means transgender students are less likely to reap the rewards of athletic participation, which include improved academic performance, better physical and mental health, meaningful and even life-changing social ties, and other benefits that help build healthy and fulfilling lives," Sharrow wrote.

O'Connor, who identifies as a queer cisgender woman and an ally to transgender individuals, said that H.B. 358 is "extremely harmful." Gender-affirming sports teams are an outlet for LGBTQ+ youth to belong to a group supportive of their identity, mental health and development, O'Connor said.

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As a high school swimmer, O'Connor said that sports was a "huge part of [her] development as a person," and school sports should be a space for transgender and gender non-conforming youth to have an equitable experience.

"[H.B. 358] really harms all women, transgender women and cisgender women, by excluding transgender women," O'Connor said. "They require people to check medical records on what their gender is, or what their sex is assigned at birth, or their legal sex. I think that is extremely discriminatory."

O'Connor also spoke to how the "Duke label" gives power to the research used in the legislation. Bills opposing transgender athletes participation in school sports across the country reference the Duke research, according to the LGBTQ+ Network statement.

"We really think Duke, as a powerhouse of athletics and healthcare of its own, should make a statement against these legislative bills," O'Connor said.

Brett Ries is director of advocacy for Duke OutLaw, the LGBTQ+ law student group, and said that OutLaw believes H.B. 358 is "based on transphobic stereotypes that aren't founded in current practice." Ries cited transgender athletes currently competing with athletes of their gender identity and not "dominating sports, like the mainstream movement wants people to believe."

From South Dakota, Ries said that he is "used to legislators bringing hateful legislation to the LGBTQ community." For every instance of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, he said that it feels like "an attack on your community."

"It just impacts your sense of belonging and your feeling of welcomeness as well," Ries said. "When students, faculty [and] administration don't speak up about it, it fosters that idea that maybe I'm not feeling as welcome as I ought to be."

That's where Duke OutLaw comes in, Ries explained. Ries also noted that Duke OutLaw recently won Duke Law's annual organization award for Greatest Role in Building Relationships. The student group is "pretty quick to respond and provide insight as LGBTQ individuals," he said.

Ries also spoke to his lived experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community within the law school.

"I feel like I can openly talk about my experience as a bisexual man while we're in class, while we're in office hours," Ries said. "And so I don't think there is an issue of animosity toward LGBTQ individuals with our faculty or within the Law School. I just think that the image that the Law School itself sometimes presents doesn't fully commit to that ideal or what they're practicing, within the classroom or within the law school."

Duke Law

This has not been the first time this academic year that students have criticized the Law School for its actions regarding LGBTQ+ rights. In October 2020, nearly 200 Duke Law students sent a letter to Law School Dean Kerry Abrams demanding that a professor with "unapologetic anti-LGBTQ+ views," Helen Alvare, professor of law at George Mason University, be disinvited from a Duke Law event or the event be canceled altogether. Duke Law still hosted the event with Alvare.

Ries said that, in addition to the Law School's not making a statement about the anti-transgender legislation, the event with Alvare was "another disheartening experience, where we felt the University or the Law School's silence said more than what I think the administration thought that it said."

O'Connor similarly noted that she was disappointed with the Law School for the controversies involving the school and the LGBTQ+ community.

Andrew Park, executive director of communication and events at Duke Law, provided a statement from Abrams to The Chronicle.

"The Law School is committed to ensuring that every member of our community is welcomed and has the opportunity to thrive, and we oppose discrimination in all its forms. We are also committed to ensuring faculty and students have the freedom to explore issues of their choosing and engage in discussions with individuals who hold a wide range of viewpoints," Abrams wrote.

Coleman wrote in an email to The Chronicle that transgender students have the right "like everyone else" to participate in school sports. "Our work is aimed at helping to define the parameters that meet both Title IX and the needs of the student-athletes," she wrote.

Coleman wrote that she has conducted her research alongside transgender researchers in science and policy. She is also a member of the Women's Sports Policy Working Group, and Duke Law also sponsored a WSPWG event.

Asked about responses to that group not having any transgender members, she replied that the group acknowledges that "many individuals chose to work behind the scenes and don't want to endanger their personal safety by taking a visible public role," and that the group has been "in regular contact with many transgender colleagues."

Asked to provide evidence for her research examining participation in women's sports based on athletes' levels of testosterone, Coleman cited studies on athletic performance and hormones. She wrote that "testosterone is not determinative of outcomes within groups" but is a "primary driver of the performance gap," and acknowledged that further studies involving transgender athletes should be conducted.

Sharrow, who is also a former collegiate athlete, wrote in the Washington Post article that "athletic performance results from a complex interaction of many factors, not just hormones or chromosomes."

O'Connor advocated that Duke Law, in addition to the University, should issue a statement declaring their commitment to LGBTQ+ students, particularly transgender and gender non-conforming students.

LGBTQ+-affirming state legislation

On March 30, N.C. legislators introduced a set of LGBTQ+ -inclusive legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly. The package of affirming legislation comes five years after the passage of H.B. 2, the N.C. bill that prohibited individuals who were not cisgender from using public bathrooms according to their gender identity and restricted cities' authority in enacting nondiscrimination measures. One of the four newly introduced bills, H.B. 451, would repeal H.B. 2 in full.

Another bill would ban the use of the LGBTQ+ panic defense, so that a defendant would be barred from citing the victim's sexuality, gender or sex as a justification for the defendant's assault.

Ries, as an aspiring attorney, said that this legislation is "exactly the type of solution" that he wants to advocate for. He explained that 38 states still allow the gay panic defense and trans panic defense. Banning the defense would be "one of the best ways to increase LGBTQ equality, specifically in the criminal justice context," he said.

"As long as the gay panic defense is still legal, I'm here to fight," Ries said.

The third bill, Equality for All, would prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in housing, employment, public accommodations, education and other services. The Mental Health Protection Act would ban the use of conversion therapy on individuals under 18 years old and adults with disabilities.

"I look forward to having legislation that is LGBTQI+ friendly and gender affirming, so we can really support our trans youth specifically, but the entire LGBTQIA+ community and ban conversion therapy once and for all in North Carolina and allow really radical inclusion," O'Connor said.

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Duke students advocate for LGBTQ+ community in NC as lawmakers consider discriminatory bills

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April 19, 2021 | 3:22am EDT North Carolina has joined states across the country in considering bills that oppose LGBTQ+ rights, and Duke students are fighting against them-including pushing against one bill that cites research by a Duke Law professor. Three bills recently introduced in the N.C.

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A guide to understanding nonbinary

What is nonbinary?

To put it in simple terms, nonbinary means that you do not conform to the binary gender system that society placed for us. We reject being exclusively male or female entirely.

There are many misconceptions to what nonbinary really means. Many people believe it's a third gender, or that if you are nonbinary then you are genderless. These are not true! While there are many nonbinary people who do feel genderless, it does not mean we all are. Nonbinary is a spectrum and an umbrella term that encompasses identities such as genderfluid, agender, bigender, etc; it is not a singular identity. Not all nonbinary people are the same!

Is being nonbinary new?

Not at all. While the term itself may feel new, the concept of being nonbinary has existed for ages, extending back to the 11th century where people would use it/its pronouns instead of she, he or they.

Many nonwhite cultures celebrate being outside of the gender binary as well and even have special terms for them, such as Two-Spirit, Hijra and more. This is because the traditional gender binary we know today was the result of European Christian colonizers enforcing their gender roles and religion onto Indigenous and other nonwhite people. To say that nonbinary doesn't exist is disrespectful to these cultures and is laced with racism and xenophobia.

Do nonbinary people have to use they/them or present androgynous?

Nope. Nonbinary people can use whatever pronouns they please. Pronouns are a part of gender expression, and as such nonbinary people can use whatever pronouns that correspond to their gender expression.

The same reasoning can be said for clothes and presentation. Nonbinary people do not owe anyone they/them pronouns or androgyny; they are free to present themselves however they want.

What sexuality can nonbinary people be?

They can have the same labels as everyone else. Nonbinary people can be bi, pan, queer, and yes, even gay and lesbian. Yet another common misconception about being nonbinary is that we cannot use "binary labels" when this is far from the truth. Nonbinary people have always been included in every sexuality, which includes homosexuality. Forcing nonbinary people to use specific terms such as trixic, toric, etc. forces us into a "trinary", which is the opposite of what we are.

How can they be gay/lesbian?

Nonbinary is a spectrum, and as such, many nonbinary people will fall onto either side of the spectrum. For example, a nonbinary gay can be male-aligned or unaligned. As long as they aren't a woman or woman-aligned, they are gay. A carrd that explains it very well can be found

here and can help you understand nonbinary lesbians/gays better.

Are nonbinary people trans?

Many nonbinary people prefer to simply be called nonbinary, and are comfortable identifying as such, and that's okay! However, there are many nonbinary people who accept the trans label with open arms, and prefer both labels. Many trans people also identify as nonbinary themselves. For example, I am a transmasc nonbinary; I do not fully identify with being male.

Nonetheless, it depends on the person. While nonbinary people can fall under the trans umbrella, many n.b people may not feel comfortable being called trans! Be sure to check with them first before calling them so.

Also, an important reminder, the white stripe in the trans flag is for nonbinary people.

How do I know if I'm nonbinary?

If you do not exclusively identify with the two binary genders, then you are nonbinary. There is no checklist to being nonbinary. There's no test to pass. You can dress however you want, use whatever name you want, use any pronouns you want; it doesn't matter. It's

your identity and your presentation. Anyone can be nonbinary.

The only qualification you need to be nonbinary is that you identify with being nonbinary.

Can nonbinary people medically transition?

Yes. Nonbinary people can medically transition. It is their body and what they want to do with it is their choice and 100% valid.

A common example of nonbinary transitioning can be [butch] lesbians taking T or having top surgery. This can help ease their dysphoria.

Can nonbinary people experience dysphoria/euphoria?

Absolutely. Dysphoria is not limited to binary trans individuals! It's a reason why many nonbinary people want to medically transition. The same reasoning can be said for euphoria.

What terms should I use for nonbinary people?

You should use whatever terms they tell you they are comfortable with. Not doing so would be misgendering.

Not every nonbinary person is the same. Some may prefer feminine terms, others may prefer masculine, and sometimes others prefer to keep things gender neutral. It completely depends on the person.

However, you should always ask what terms they are comfortable with so you can know beforehand.

Can nonbinary people speak on gender-based oppression?

If you are a nonbinary woman or fem-aligned, then you may speak on gender-based oppression such as misogyny. Not allowing nonbinary people to participate in these discussions ignores our struggles, as we are constantly percieved differently by people in public. These issues can affect us as well.

Are all nonbinary people AFAB?

No. Nonbinary people are not always AFAB; we are not women lite. Many AMAB nonbinary people exist, and it does not make them any less nonbinary.

Also, avoid using these terms (AFAB / AMAB) to describe nonbinary people if they are uncomfortable with it. To most of them, it feels like misgendering.

Why can't we just use NB instead?

Black people have constantly said that NB is a term used for non-black individuals, and to ignore them and continue using their terminology would be disrespectful and would be appropriation. Listen to black people.

Just say nonbinary, n.b or enby.

What are some nonbinary identities?

There are many identities that fall under the nonbinary identity, to the point where it would be near impossible to list them all. However, the most common nonbinary identities are:

: A gender identity where you feel genderless or simply have no gender. Others have described it as feeling as if your gender is a mystery,

: A gender identity where you experience two genders at once, either at the same time or if it varies.

GENDERFLUID: A gender identity where you fluctuate between multiple genders. These can be between a binary gender to a binary one, a nonbinary one to a binary one or a nonbinary one to another nonbinary one.

DEMIGENDER: A gender identity where you partially feel a connection to a certain gender. If you are fem-aligned, this would be and if you are masc-aligned, this would be .

What is masc-aligned, fem-aligned and unaligned?

These are terms nonbinary people use to describe their experiences and connection to gender.

MASC-ALIGNED: This is a broad term that can encompass many male or masc-like genders, like demiboy. People are who masc-aligned, like myself, may feel more of a connection to masculinity and manhood but are not too connected to it to be binary.

FEM-ALIGNED: This is a broad term that can encompass any female or fem-aligned genders, like demigirl. People who are fem-aligned may feel more of a connection to femininity or womanhood, but not too connected to it to be binary.

: People who are unaligned may not feel a connection to the two binary genders, or even other genders that fall outside the binary. Agender people can be unaligned, and say that their gender feels null. However, they can still connect to masculinity / femininity and present how they want.

Thank you for reading this carrd! I hope it helped you learn about nonbinary people.

This carrd will be edited and constantly grow as I get new information. No matter how silly this all sounds, please remember to support nonbinary people. Be good allies, listen to our voices, don't act as if you know our identities better than us.

That is all we ask!

This carrd was made by a transmasc nonbinary gay.

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To put it in simple terms, nonbinary means that you do not conform to the binary gender system that society placed for us. We reject being exclusively male or female entirely. There are many misconceptions to what nonbinary really means. Many people believe it's a third gender, or that if you are nonbinary then you are genderless.

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http://www.thetrevorproject.org/pages/get-help-now#tc

Open daily from 3:00pm - 10:00pm ET

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LGBT National Youth Hotline (under age of 25)

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LGBT National Youth Hotline (under age of 25)

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1-800-246-7743
help@lgbthotline.org

Monday through Friday: 4pm - 12am ET.
Saturday and Sunday: 12pm - 5pm ET.

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presentation by Samantha N.
What social factors contribute to transphobic perceptions?

GENDER DYSPHORIA manifests itself when a child (or adult) has a gender identity that does not match their biological identity and typically says 'I am' not 'I want to be' the opposite gender.
(Di Ceglie 1998)
GENDER IDENTITY has been described as an individual's internal sense of self as being, male, female, or an identity between or outside these two categories (Wilchins 2002)
GENDER ROLES are what the culture thinks one should do with one's life, such as qualities, mannerisms, duties, and cultural expectations, according to a specific gender (Bornstein 1998).
GENDER QUEER: either drawing on several gender positions or otherwise not identifying with any specific gender ( nonbinary)

CISGENDER: a person who identifies with their sex assigned at birth .

TRANSGENDER people are those whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond to the gender they were assigned at birth.
TRANSSEXUAL refers to people who desire medical assistance (hormonal/surgical procedures) to transition from one sex to another.

(Hill and Willoughby 2005, p. 533)

TRANSPHOBIA can be defined
as "emotional disgust toward individuals who do not conform to society's gender expectations" characterized as an intense dislike or prejudice against Trans people

(Hill and Willoughby 2005, p. 533)

Why Transgenderism is An Important Topic

Not talked about constructively/positively in society and in education Trans youth should not grow up believing that they are sick or broken or alone. Importance to recognize the validity and the existence of transgender identity With our knowledge and understanding of issues specific to the trans community, we open the possibility to create an environment of support and awareness for ourselves and for future trans generations.

-In the U.S., between 2013-2015: ----More than two in five trans young people (--Experiences more 53 transgender homicide victims, none were prosecuted as hate crimes. (mostly Trans women of color)
2015 was thought to be the historic high with 21 victims...until 2017. In 2017, there were at least 29 deaths of transgender people in the United States due to fatal violence, the most ever recorded. 2018 has seen at least 22 transgender people fatally shot or killed by other violent means. 40-45%) have at

Over 41% of trans men and women are estimated to have attempted suicide - a rate that's nearly 9 times higher than the suicide rate of cisgender Americans. mental health issues
some point attempted to take their own life.

Stereotypes/Myths About Trans People

"playing dress-up" (perpetuated by media) aren't "real" men or women Transgender people live crazy lives. (e.g. drag shows, hyper-masculine or hyper-feminine behavior, drugs, or prostitution) Transgender people are confused. Transgender people are mentally disturbed. Transgender people are gay. Transgender people hate their bodies. You can tell someone is transgender just by looking at them.

HETERONORMATIVITY
The roots transphobic discrimination lie in the heteronormative social model and the related homogenous view of what a so‐called definition: the idea that binary gender identity and heterosexual orientation (meaning, there is only one sexual orientation and two genders - male & female) are the norm.
"Ideal family": Husband + Wife + Children ideal family should look like.
Effects: internalized transphobia (negative feelings about one's own nonheteronormative gender identity, gender expressions, and sexual orientation )

Transphobia Within the LGBTQ Community

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy: Prominent Transgender activist and Stonewall veteran

Interview with Jessica Stern 2009

SOCIAL INSTITUTION: RELIGION

The Christian Debate on Transgenderism
False Interpretations

-In general, religion = scapegoat/excuse used to justify hate
-Individuals cannot define the nature of their "self"; only God can.
-Forbids body alteration (genitalia)
So, biblical teachings don't necessarily speak to the complexity of transgender identity, nor is the Bible against Transgenderism.

Islam

Rare: an openly LGBTQ Muslim feels fully welcome at a mainstream mosque in the US. Cultural norms and traditional readings of sacred texts often uphold a heteronormative binary of gender identification and sexual orientation that don't allow for a wide range of identities present in today's society. But: according to a recent survey by Public Religion Research Center, (52%) of American Muslims are in fact accepting of homosexuality.
Transgender men and women are recognized and accepted in many Islamic cultures around the world. The idea of a man/woman identifying as the opposite gender is more likely to be accepted than that of a man/woman expressing sexual desire for someone of their own gender.

What Happens When a Parent is Transgender?
-Younger children are generally more accepting of a parents transness.
-However, children with a transgender parent may experience social stigmatization (disapproval).

The transition of a parent is not a neutral event for children. A wide range of emotions may be aroused, including feelings of loss, grief, as well as betrayal and shame.

Transgender Children
-Research shows that the majority of transgender people become aware of their gender identities at a very early age.
-If not supported: the child will begin to internalize the perception that they are the problem.

SOCIAL INSTITUTION: SCHOOL

Children spend a significant amount of time at school, surrounded by other kids/playmates and figures of authority that aren't their parents. Unfair policies and administrations who fail to advocate against bullies.... Because of this, trans students often feel like they have few choices between dropping out or taking their own lives. (High school)

SOCIAL INSITUTION: MEDIA

Cisgender actors who portray Trans characters perpetuate the myth that Trans people are "playing dress-up" Denied authentic representation Denied opportunity to Trans actors Negative representations of Trans individuals in TV/Film Coverage about Trans people is inaccurate and cause harm. Merely seeing valid portrayals of Trans characters by Trans actors: -Helps Trans youth feel seen. Their existence is acknowledged.
-Increases support for transgender rights and contribute to decreasing transphobia.

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM THEORY:
Gender socialization: specific messages and practices we learn in our culture regarding the nature of being male/female or masculine/feminine. Focuses on the meanings we attribute to male and female, of masculinity and femininity The concept of gender is created through social interaction.
View of Trans people...

References

The Importance of Transgender Awareness Week (2018) Retrieved from:
https://www.glsen.org/importance-transgender-awareness-week
Transgender homicide rate hits historic high in US, says new report (2015) Retrieved from:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/13/transgender-homicide-victims-us-has-hit-historic-high
Violence Against the Transgender Community in 2018 (2018) Retrieved from:
https://www.hrc.org/resources/violence-against-the-transgender-community-in-2018
Views of transgender issues divide along religious lines (2017) Retrieved from:
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/11/27/views-of-transgender-issues-divide-along-religious-lines/
Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Islam - Sunni and Shi'a (2018) Retrieved from:
https://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-islam
Resilience in Families in Transition: What Happens When a Parent Is Transgender? (2017) Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12282
Questioning the Heteronormative Matrix: Transphobia, Intersectionality, and Gender Outlaws within the Gay and Lesbian Community. (2017). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sih&AN=127448085&site=ehost-live
Why Heteronormativity Is a Bad Thing, (2016). Retrieved from: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/heteronormativity-gender-identity-sexual-orientation
A Look at Transphobia Within the LGBTQ community (2018). Retrieved from:
https://victoryinstitute.org/a-look-at-transphobia-within-the-lgbtq-community/
This is What Pride Looks Like: Miss Major and the Violence, Poverty, and Incarceration of Low-Income Transgender Women (2009) Retrieved from:
http://sfonline.barnard.edu/a-new-queer-agenda/this-is-what-pride-looks-like-miss-major-and-the-violence-poverty-and-incarceration-of-low-income-transgender-women/0/
Top 10 Myths About Transgender People (2012) Retrieved from:
https://everydayfeminism.com/2012/08/myths-about-transgender-people/

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presentation by Samantha N. What social factors contribute to transphobic perceptions? GENDER DYSPHORIA manifests itself when a child (or adult) has a gender identity that does not match their biological identity and typically says 'I am' not 'I want to be' the opposite gender.

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 LGBTQ Teens Online Talk Group (ages 12-19)

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 LGBTQ Teens Online Talk Group (ages 12-19)

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https://www.glbthotline.org/lgbtqteens.html
help@lgbthotline.org

Tuesdays; 1pm-9pm ET

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help@lgbthotline.org

Thursdays; 7pm-9pm ET

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http://www.thetrevorproject.org/pages/get-help-now#tt

Monday through Fridays between 3:00pm - 10:00pm ET

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a place where i'm trying to do smth for my community

first of all, what does genderfluid mean?
genderfluid is an identity in which other identities such as binary identity, biggenus and triggen identity can be located, concentrating on both binary and null identity. genderfluid establishes imprecise and variable transition periods in which it's identified as one gender and other periods in which it's identified as another. genderfluid isn't determined by the presence of certain sexual characteristics or sexual orientation, but by a constant search for conformity in gender identity. the same meaning of the word, genderfluid, is understood to mean that gender flows. which means that depending on how that person feels identified at that moment, they will use the pronouns that they want.

ok, and what does non-binary mean?
non-binary (also spelled nonbinary), is a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine-identities that are outside the gender binary. non-binary identities can fall under the transgender umbrella, since many non-binary people identify with a gender that is different from their assigned sex.

do they mean the same?
no, so stop making them invisible.

great question. you can use any pronoun, but first you have to ask them what pronouns to use. each person is different, and each genderfluid is different; or in other words, they use different pronouns. they can choose the pronouns they want to use for that time period. sometimes they identify with she/her, sometimes with he/him, sometimes with they/them and sometimes with other pronouns. they can be identified as female, male, as all genders or as a non-binary. there are people who like to identify with certain pronouns always. for example, someone may choose to be called she/him, or he/they, or she/they/he, or he/xe, etc. it looks a bit complicated but actually is not. so, in conclusion what pronouns should i use with a genderfluid person?
ask the pronouns.

a while ago i found a carrd explaining why we all have to have our pronouns in our bios of our social media, from people belonging to the lgbtq+ community to cishet people. and i also made a thread (in spanish) where i explain basic things about pronouns in general. you can find them here:

all members of the lgbtq+ community need to be visible, respected, supported and loved. STOP ENCOURAGING HATE AND RESPECT THE PRONOUNS! if you don't know that person's pronouns, ask them. don't use the pronouns that you suppose are correct because most of the time you can be we are here and we are real. wrong and we aren't bullshit. offensive. so please ask them and normalize that! all of you are valid, all of us are valid. genderfluid people exists. nonbinary people exists. and the others gender identities that i didn't mention, there are also exists.

and sorry if i made a mistake in the info that i'm sharing, just like u, i'm also learning. made by robin, a genderfluid and biromantic 15 year old.

i hope this has helped u understand more about this part of the lgbtq+ community !!
but if u have any questions or suggestions u can contact me by tapping here and i'll do my best to give u a well-argued answer ♡

remember to drink water and wear a mask, stay safe !!
thx for reading :^)

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a place where i'm trying to do smth for my community first of all, what does genderfluid mean? genderfluid is an identity in which other identities such as binary identity, biggenus and triggen identity can be located, concentrating on both binary and null identity.

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@pinkmantaray on instagram

Schuyler is a transgender Division 1 NCAA men’s athlete. His page is extremely informative on many topics such as trans rights, asian and POC issues and more.

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@mattxiv on instagram

Matt is a makeup artist who's looks often contain sociopolitical messages related to gender, sexuality, and violence. He is also a WHS graduate!

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@lgbt_history on instagram

Together they blend imagery and researched narratives to uncover details often overlooked in with queer history so that individuals and organizations can understand the present and shape the future.

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@queerbible on instagram
https://www.queerbible.com/

Launched in 2017, Queer Bible is a database of queer characters who changed the world through activism, art, performance and more.

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made by xredpaladinx on Twitter

What is asexuality?

Asexuality is a sexual orientation. An asexual person (or ace, for short) is someone who does not feel sexual attraction. It can also be used as an umbrella term for anyone who feels little to no sexual attraction (see You might have also heard of demisexuality, which is an identity under the asexual umbrella. (A person who is not asexual (or
greysexuality)

learn more)

ace-spec) is allosexual (from the prefix allo=other, because they feel sexual attraction towards other people)

This is our flag!

What is not asexuality?

* Celibacy
*"Hating sex"
* An illness
* A choice
*"Wanting to be special"
*"Being immature"

do asexual people have sex?

Some do, some don't. Both cases are equally valid, and having sex does not make anyone more or less asexual.
Why would an asexual person have sex if they don't feel sexual attraction , you might ask.
Well, they might like the way it feels. They might do it so as to have children. They might do it because it's fun.
It's important to note that sexual attraction and desire/libido are two different things, and even though asexual people do not feel sexual attraction, they might feel sexual desire. Picture libido as being hungry: your body tells you "hey i want/need this". You can eat anything to satisfy it, it doesn't need to be your favorite food. And in this case nothing will happen if you don't do anything to satisfy it. Continuing with the metaphor, sexual attraction would be when you specifically want to eat something. Like damn I'd really like a piece of that cake, it looks delicious.

Not all asexual people feel the same way about sex

Some aces are sex-favorable, meaning they like the idea of sex for themselves (not to be confused with sex-positive) And finally, some aces are sex-repulsed, meaning they feel uncomfortable/repulsed by the idea of sex for themselves and wouldn't want to find themselves in sexual situations (not to be confused with sex-negative, the belief that sex is something bad or shameful.
Some aces are sex-indifferent, meaning they don't specifically dislike it, but probably won't get out of their way to get it.

It is possible to be sex-repulsed and sex-positive ) An asexual person's stance on sex for themselves does not make them any more or less asexual than others, and all of them are equally valid.

not all asexual people are aromantic

And not all aromantic people are asexual. An aromantic person (aro, for short) is someone who doesn't feel romantic attraction. It can also be used as an umbrella term for anyone who feels little to no romantic attraction (see
grayromanticism).
The aromantic community and the asexual community overlap, but they're different communities.
Aromanticism doesn't fall under the asexual umbrella, it is its own separate thing.
I'm bringing this up because aromanticism has even less visibility than asexuality (and that's a lot to say). Aromantic people's stance on romance can vary --using the same terminology listed before, with slight changes (romance-favorable, romance-indifferent and romance-repulsed)

This is our flag!

You might have also seen the aroace flag

It's a flag for personal use. It's still important to give visibility to the ace and aro flag separately!

now that we're talking about Romantic attraction... (

the Split Attraction Model)

We've established that not all asexual people are aromantic, so we know that sexual and romantic attraction are two different things that might not be connected to each other (of course, for some people, they are! one could be bisexual and biromantic, for example). For those people whose sexual and romantic attraction are different, the Split Attraction Model (SAM) can come in handy.
An asexual person can be homoromantic, heteroromantic, biromantic, etc., the same way an aromantic person can be homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual, etc.
The SAM isn't exclusively for aspec people. Still I think it's worth mentioning that non-aspec people using the SAM is quite an uncommon thing, and could be internalized homophobia or biphobia.

where can i learn more?

I don't want to make this too long, so I'm ending this here. If you want to learn more, you can visit
AVEN's site. You can also ask asexual people (just remember to be respectful!). I'm always glad to help, so you can hit me up (@xredpaladinx on Twitter)

I also want to clarify that the hyperlinks I used might not be 100% correct (most of them were taken from AVEN's site, which I believe hasn't been updated in a while, so they might be outdated, but I consider that they're good enough as an introduction). I didn't want to write about graysexuality/grayromanticism myself because I'm not graysexual or grayromantic and I didn't want to risk making a mistake.

so I'm leaving you with the graysexual flag

and the grayromantic flag

and for real, don't be afraid to hit me up! thank you for reading the whole thing

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made by xredpaladinx on Twitter What is asexuality? Asexuality is a sexual orientation. An asexual person (or ace, for short) is someone who does not feel sexual attraction. It can also be used as an umbrella term for anyone who feels little to no sexual attraction (see You might have also heard of demisexuality, which is an identity under the asexual umbrella.

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WHAT ARE NEOPRONOUNS?

neopronouns are a set of (usually) gender neutral pronouns commonly used by trans or gnc individuals. pronouns are simply a set of words that are used in place of someone's name, and therefore do not have an inherently implied gender, just as someone's name does not inherently equal their gender. neopronouns are common and have been around for years, with the first known set of neopronouns thought to be created by Charles Crozat Converse in 1858 (thon/thons). furthermore, many other cultures and languages have had neopronouns for many years before that.

COMMON NEOPRONOUNS

here are some common neopronouns and how to use them!
following this format: he/him/his/his/himself

xe/xem/xyr/xyrs/xemself
fae/faer/faer/faers/faerself
ve/ver/vis/vis/verself
ae/aer/aer/aers/aerself
zie/hir/hir/hirs/hirself
per/per/pers/pers/perself
e/em/eir/eirs/emself

you can also use the pronouny website to make your own pronouns visib;le!

WHO CAN USE NEOPRONOUNS?

neopronouns are for people who have a complex relationship with gender! although many neopronouns were coined by neurodivergent people, people use neopronouns for other reasons. if the pronouns make you comfortable, then you can use them. there are more sets of neopronouns than the ones i listed, so feel free to do some of your own searching if you think you want to use neopronouns but none of those feel right!

NEOPRONOUNS + AUTISM

as i've said before, many neopronouns have been coined by neurodivergent people. the reason for this is because neurodivergent people tend to have a special relationship with gender, especially autistic people. many (not all) autistic people have difficulty understanding gender because it is, at its core, a social construct. since we have trouble understanding gender the same way allistic people do, we use neopronouns for comfort in our identities.

NEOPRONOUNS + CULTURE

another common reason someone may use neopronouns is that english is not their first language, and/or they are part of a culture where gender does not have the same standards and binary limitations as is common for most european cultures. when this is the case, many people will use neopronouns because none of the other common pronouns in the english language accurately express their identity or carry properly back into their culture.

F.A.Q

Q: can i use neopronouns?
A: if it makes you comfortable, yes!

Q: why not just use they/them?
A: pronouns are supposed to make someone comfortable, and those pronouns might not!

Q: i don't understand how to use these pronouns in conversation
A: respectfully ask the person who is using them, or google them to see if there is already a guide!

Q: aren't these pronouns just made up?
A: you've got it! every word in the entire english language is made up!

Q: don't these pronouns make cis people disrespect us?
A: transphobia makes cis people disrespect us! disrespecting your fellow trans peers will do nothing to change that, it will just create a divide in our community.

Q: how am i being ableist by mocking neopronouns?
A: many neopronouns were created by autistic people because we have a special relationship with gender that allistics don't understand

Q: how am i being xenophobic by mocking neopronouns?
A: many people use neopronouns because eng is not their first language and these pronouns express their identity better

Q: but my trans friend said-
A: it doesn't matter! your trans friend is being disrespectful and so are you!

Q: aren't these pronouns demeaning?
A: if they make someone comfortable and don't harm someone, they aren't demeaning at all

Q: i'm still confused. how do i learn more?
A: dm me or send me a cc and i will do my best to explain!

Q: where can i contact you for more information?
A: the way to contact me is listed on the home page!

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here are some common neopronouns and how to use them! following this format: he/him/his/his/himself xe/xem/xyr/xyrs/xemself fae/faer/faer/faers/faerself ve/ver/vis/vis/verself ae/aer/aer/aers/aerself zie/hir/hir/hirs/hirself per/per/pers/pers/perself e/em/eir/eirs/emself you can also use the pronouny website to make your own pronouns visib;le! neopronouns are for people who have a complex relationship with gender!

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Merriam Webster Names 'They' as Its Word of the Year for 2019

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Merriam Webster Names 'They' as Its Word of the Year for 2019

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Merriam Webster Names 'They' As Its Word of the Year

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The dictionary chose "they" as its word of the year and also said searches for "quid pro quo" had spiked 644%

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https://www.glsen.org/

GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Their goal is to transform the nation's schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.

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Why I have a Pride Flag in my Classroom #pride2019 #bostonpride

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Schools Struggle to Support LGBTQ Students

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Schools Struggle to Support LGBTQ Students

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Pinning Roddy Biggs against a locker, a student whaled on him, giving him a black eye, fracturing his eye socket, and bruising his ribs. It wasn't a lone incident for Biggs, who came out as gay to his Tennessee high school when he was a freshman.

"I didn't really do the best in school because of it," recalls Biggs, now 23, who says homophobic slurs, death threats, and shoves were commonplace. "I had depression and panic attacks and all that stuff along the way."

Biggs can still remember the teachers who ignored the bullying or simply said, "That's not cool," and walked away. But there were also the educators who tried to help, like the science teacher who took him to the principal's office after he was beaten and sat with him for more than an hour during class time. Oftentimes, though, the best efforts of teachers were stymied by district or state regulations that stopped them from doing much more.

"Most of the educators wanted to help, but did not know how or were limited in what they could do," says Biggs, referring to Tennessee's lack of legislation preventing the bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) students. Tennessee is one of 32 states that do not have such protections in place.

The researchers surveyed nearly 2,500 teachers and students across the country and found that teachers were less comfortable intervening with bullying due to sexual orientation and gender identity than with bullying based on race, ability, and religion. And while 83 percent of educators felt that they should provide a safe environment for their LGBTQ students-by displaying visible symbols of support or disciplining students for using homophobic language, for example-only half had taken action to do so, according to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), an organization that helps K-12 schools create safe environments for LGBTQ students.

Teacher Intervention Reported by Students

This lack of support for LGBTQ students stems from a variety of causes.

Some teachers reported feeling uncomfortable talking to their students about sexuality due to their beliefs or perceptions about what's appropriate-often conflating sexual orientation with sex-while others felt pressure from administrators or parents to keep tight-lipped. And a lack of professional development on how to address LGBTQ issues and bullying has left teachers ill-equipped to establish LGBTQ-inclusive cultures or to identify anti-LGBTQ behaviors and harassment. Meanwhile, the emergence of highly politicized issues like allowing transgender students to use bathrooms aligned with their identity has raised the LGBTQ profile nationally, but made constructive dialogue harder.

The Need for Training

For Loretta Farrell Khayam, a high school math teacher in Northern Virginia, the hesitation to support LGBTQ students reflects a simple lack of training.

"We've had no guidance from administration on how to handle students transitioning," said Khayam, who wants to help a transgender student at her school. "I'm not a young, hip teacher. I don't know what to say or do. It would be nice to hear from our administration-both school and district level-what we as a school and a school system will do to support these students."

While there has been an increased interest in training educators on topics like inherent bias and equity and inclusion, these trainings often do not include LGBTQ issues because most school systems aren't requesting it, according to educators and advocacy groups. And when teachers have asked for training, some report that they've faced reluctance from administrators who said they need to focus on other priorities.

Melissa Joy Bollow Tempel said she encountered pushback when she wanted to start including professional development on gender identity in the training she provided as a culturally responsive teacher-leader in the Milwaukee Public Schools district. Bollow Tempel had to go outside the district to receive training herself, and her offers to share what she had learned were repeatedly resisted.

Even within the 18 states with anti-bullying laws aimed at protecting both sexual orientation and gender identity, and within "blue bubbles" like California, both discomfort and neglect are common, according to Vincent Pompei, director of the Youth Well-Being Project at the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in the U.S. Pompei noted that attendees at a recent training in Southern California couldn't differentiate sexual orientation from gender identity.

Students Taught an LGBTQ-Inclusive Curriculum

"Educators still have a tremendous amount of worry around LGBTQ inclusion-they fear parent or community pushback, and are uncertain if they'd be supported by school or district leadership if they took action," Pompei said. "We say students need to see visible signs of a safe space, but educators also need to know that their administration supports them and will have their back if a parent or community member with anti-LGBTQ views complains."

Avoidable Struggles

When LGBTQ students feel the lack of staff support at school, the impact can be substantial.

Students Hearing Biased Language at School

"My middle school didn't have any procedures, and my teachers didn't know what to do," reflects Miles Sanchez, a ninth-grade bisexual and transgender student in Colorado. Sanchez says he repeatedly went to administrators to ask them to establish policies to protect LGBTQ students from bullying. "I feel like a lot of my struggles could have been avoided if educators were trained in dealing with bullying for all types of students," he said.

The problem is not restricted to students.

Teachers like Hanan Huneidi, a 7th- through 12-grade teacher for at-risk students in the Bay Area, California, says she feels that if she includes LGBTQ content in her lessons, staff and students assume she's trying to push a particular agenda because she's gay. Huneidi says she has at times avoided the topic because she doesn't always want to "automatically be the representative of all gay things."

Last year, a frustrated Huneidi told colleagues they needed to "carry the torch too" in disciplining students for using homophobic hate language, which is against school rules.

Creating a Safe Space

To address the need for more awareness, organizations like Gender Spectrum and History UnErased are providing professional development and support for K-12 classrooms. Resources provided by these organizations include lesson plans, workshops, and guides.

And some districts, like the Madison Metropolitan School District in Madison, Wisconsin, are embedding professional development directly into their schools. The district has a staff social worker in charge of LGBTQ-specific staff training and family support, and last year the district adopted the LGBTQ professional development program Welcoming Schools.

As part of the program, district staff members-including school psychologists, social workers, and teachers-received training so they can coach their colleagues on topics like embracing family diversity and preventing bias-based bullying. The district also hosts parent and student panels to share LGBTQ students' experiences with staff, and community events, like readings of children's books with LGBTQ characters.

But according to LGBTQ advocates, it doesn't take a top-down approach to make a difference in students' lives-help can come from a single educator.

Sometimes it's as simple as putting up safe space signs, or a sign that says a classroom or school is welcoming of all identities; reprimanding a student who uses the phrase "that's so gay"; or reading a book with an LGBTQ protagonist. Small changes from one person can often lead to bigger ones from more.

Dan Ryder, a teacher at Mount Blue High School in Farmington, Maine, said he's personally seen change happen slowly over the nearly two decades that he's worked at his school. He remembers the days of "don't ask, don't tell" and the widespread use of homophobic slurs. Now, he says, students in the school's tech program are making signs to affix to new gender-neutral bathrooms of their own accord.

"I'm doing my best to show them that even though I may be a straight, cis, married white male, we are all fairly complex beings that change over time and have experiences that may unite us more than we realize," he says of his own efforts to help students. "Often we just need someone to say, 'Hey, you are who you are. I get it. It's OK by me. And I want to be helpful to you in whatever way that means for you.'"

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Schools Struggle to Support LGBTQ Students

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Recent research finds the majority of teachers want to help LGBTQ students but don't always know how.

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National Center for Transgender Equality

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Supporting the Transgender People in Your Life: A Guide to Being a Good Ally

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Learning to be an ally to the transgender people in your life, or to transgender people overall, is an ongoing process. Some ways to be a good ally are simple and easy, while others require more time, energy, and commitment. Whether you’re looking for information on supporting a transgender person in your life or helping to change the world to be better for transgender people overall, this guide can help.

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Instagram lets users add pronouns in new featured section of profiles

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Instagram lets users add pronouns in new featured section of profiles

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Instead of using up precious character space in their bio, Instagram is now letting users select their pronouns in a specific section of their profile.

Users can choose from a variety of pronouns including he/him, she/her and they/them. Once selected, the pronoun preference will appear in small gray letters next to the username on profiles.

"They" is often used as a singular pronoun for a person "whose gender is intentionally not revealed" or "to refer to a single person whose gender identity is nonbinary," according to Merriam-Webster, which selected "they" as word of the year in 2019.

The company announced the new pronouns feature will only be available the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia but there are "plans for more."

By Tuesday evening, the feature appeared to be working on many United States-based profiles.

Instagram isn't the only website making changes to allow people to choose their preferred pronouns. After President Joe Biden took office in January, WhiteHouse.gov updated its contact form to include gender-inclusive pronouns and prefixes. The move was praised by leaders in the LGBTQ community at the time.

"Pronouns matter, and adding inclusive pronouns to a contact form is more than just a demonstration of allyship," GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement sent to TODAY in January. "Research has shown that recognition and respect of our pronouns can make all the difference for our health and wellbeing - especially when it comes to LGBTQ youth."

One in four LGBTQ youth use pronouns or pronoun combinations that "fall outside of the binary construction of gender," LGBTQ suicide prevention organization the Trevor Project found in a 2020 study.

"The results show that although LGBTQ youth are using pronouns in nuanced ways, the majority who use pronouns outside of the gender binary use either familiar pronouns or combinations of these familiar pronouns to express their gender," the study said. "An individual's pronoun expression, or even the decision to avoid them altogether, is a very important reflection of a person's identity. Respecting pronouns is part of creating a supportive and accepting environment, which impacts well-being and reduces suicide risk."

Instagram's move on Tuesday seemed widely celebrated on social media - and many users encouraged other social media sites to follow suit.

"Love the fact that Instagram has included the option to put pronouns in our profile and not just in the bio! I hope we see this feature added on all socials," Mica Burton, actor and daughter of LeVar Burton, posted on Tuesday with a heart emoji.

"Well thanks, @instagram! You can now add your pronouns. It's a simple act, but an important one. @Twitter, you next?" Canadian politician Janis Irwin tweeted.

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Instagram lets users add pronouns in new featured section of profiles

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Instead of using up precious character space in their bio, Instagram is now letting users select their pronouns in a specific section of their profile. Users can choose from a variety of pronouns including he/him, she/her and they/them. Once selected, the pronoun preference will appear in small gray letters next to the username on profiles.

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what is misgendering and how can i avoid doing it?

written by a transmasc demiboy

misgendering is a common form of transphobia. to misgender means to call someone by the wrong pronoun or gendered word. only trans people (enbies are included) can be misgendered. cis people can be called by the wrong gendered word but that is not misgendering. the reason for this is because misgendering is a form of transphobia and cis people do not face transphobia. just like a straight person doesn't experience homophobia and a white person doesn't experience racism

reminder: misgendering is still misgendering whether it was accidental or not!

an example of misgendering;
if you were to call a nonbinary person by the wrong pronouns, or with a gendered term like "boy" or "girl". that would be misgendering (unless the person you're talking to allows those terms)

"so how can i avoid misgendering someone?"

here are some things you can do!

use they/them pronouns when you dont know which pronouns the person you're talking/referring to uses ask which terms they are comfortable with! some people may not be comfortable with certain gendered terms no matter their pronouns. its always best to check if they use she/they or he/they, ask which pronouns they prefer. until you know, use they/them don't use gendered terms until you know what they're comfortable with

"i just misgendered someone by accident, i feel guilty, what should i do?"

here's a few things you can do if you misgendered someone :)

own up to your mistakes! realise that you did something wrong apologise! you probably made that trans person quite upset so it's best if you apologise don't play the victim! you misgendered them, it's your fault, nobody elses. don't blame the victim! it wasnt the victims fault. it was yours and you should take responsibility don't act defensive! there's no need to get angry at anyone trying to correct you don't be rude, the fact that you misgendered someone is not an inconvenience for you, it's an inconvenience for them

there are many types of pronouns. but here are some common ones/combinations and how to use them!

he/him. these pronouns are usually used by masc aligned people, but not always by boys.

she/her. these pronouns are usually used by fem aligned people, but not always by girls

they/them. these pronouns are gender neutral. they're usually used by non binary people. these pronouns are also often used when we dont know someones gender or pronouns

she/they. these pronouns are often used by fem aligned non binary people. when using these pronouns, some people will prefer you to interchange them, others may only want certain people to use a certain pronoun. it's best to check with the person

he/they. these pronouns are often used by masc aligned non binary people. when using these pronouns, some people will prefer you to interchange them, others may only want certain people to use a certain pronoun. it's best to check with the person

he/she/they. these pronouns are often used by non binary people. when using these pronouns, some people will prefer you to interchange them, others may only want certain people to use a certain pronoun. it's best to check with the person

note: some people may put their preferred pronoun first (when they use she/they or he/they), however i dont think this is always the case so it's best to ask the person

also, someone's pronouns are not preffered. they are mandatory. a preferred pronoun would be when someone uses a combination of 2 or more pronouns and askes you to use a certain one.

i hope this helped you understand the concept of misgendering

if you have any questions, feel free to dm me on twitter

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what is misgendering and how can i avoid doing it? written by a transmasc demiboy misgendering is a common form of transphobia. to misgender means to call someone by the wrong pronoun or gendered word. only trans people (enbies are included) can be misgendered.

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Why should you put your pronouns in your bio?

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Why should you put your pronouns in your bio?

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why you should put your pronouns in your bio!

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why you should put your pronouns in your bio-

a carrd made by a trans man

words in this carrd

cis/cisgender: someone who identifies as the gender they were assigned at birth; not trans

trans ally: a cisgender person who supports and lifts up trans people.

pronouns: set of words that refers to a person (ex: he, they, she)

why do people put their pronouns in their bio?

trans people often put their pronouns in their bio to avoid getting misgendered and so that people will know the correct pronouns to use for them!! cis people often put their pronouns in their bio so that people will know their pronouns, and to be a good
it makes a lot of people feel safer on twitter, knowing that people will always be able to easily find my pronouns in my account.

some people also can't use the pronouns they want outside of social media because of transphobia. being able to proudly put their pronouns in their bio on social media means a lot to them.

trans ally!

why should cis people put their pronouns in their bio?

trans people are often harassed by transphobes for putting their pronouns in their account.
the more people who put their pronouns in their bio, the more normal it becomes. if people think everyone puts their pronouns in their bio, they'll stop harassing trans people for it.

it makes some trans people feel safer when they see a cis person with their pronouns in their bio, because they know that you support trans people!
also, so people know how to address you!

but it will ruin the aesthetic of my account :(

get over it.

can't i just put "h/h" for "he/him" or "s/h" for "she/her" ?

please only do this if you're trans!! a lot of trans people do this because they feel unsafe having their pronouns on their account, but if you're cis, PLEASE DO NOT because it could stand for anything !!!

do all trans people need to put their pronouns in their bio?

NO!
trans people putting their pronouns in their bio is a lot different than cis people doing it!
there are trans people who can't put their pronouns in their bio for their own safety, while cis people won't be unsafe for putting their pronouns in their bio.

this carrd was made by @IunaIoud on twitter!!! if you have any questions or complaints, or want me to add anything, feel free to dm me or send a cc!

thank you for reading this carrd and taking some time to educate yourself <3

other resources
- tweet by @astronautpjm - - article from medium.com - - quora answer by elliot steel - - tweet by @hcrvinas -

◇, 🔶, and ◈ are symbols for people who can't put their pronouns in their bio because they're not out as trans or they can't safely put them on their acc! if you see someone with any of those symbols in their bio please don't try to pressure them into putting their pronouns in !

heres a thread about the symbol!

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why you should put your pronouns in your bio!

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why you should put your pronouns in your bio- a carrd made by a trans man cis/cisgender: someone who identifies as the gender they were assigned at birth; not trans trans ally: a cisgender person who supports and lifts up trans people.

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for both bi people and non-bisexuals, made by a bi person!

bi people can be attracted to 2 or more genders, and there's usually a preference. bisexuality includes trans and nonbinary people.

leans/preferences

having a preference does not make someone any less bi

social media enjoys perpetuating the stereotype that bi women/women-aligned people have to have a preference for women. this is entirely false and normalised posts like these can make coming to terms with your bisexuality extra hard! that is not to say that this is not the experience for a lot of bisexual folk; it can be. but it's not a universal bi experience.

just remember: no matter a bi person's lean, no matter if they have a lean or not: they are still bisexual! a bi woman dating a man or a bi man dating a woman are still bisexual.

harmful stereotypes

bisexuality and pansexuality co-exist and are not one and the same, and one does not negate the other. see this carrd for more information.

bisexuality is not transphobic or n-bphobic, and never has been. bisexual people are attracted to nonbinary and trans people, and nonbinary and trans bisexual people exist.

even if you are bisexual, your experience is not universal. if a bi person says you are perpetuating biphobia, listen to them.

bi lesbians don't fucking exist. check out this informative carrd for more info.

for non-bisexuals!

non-bisexuals don't get to dictate how bisexuals present themselves or discuss themselves. generalising bi people, calling us "annoying" and "cringey", or implying we aren't valuable unless in a 'gay' relationship is biphobic.

likewise, jokes about "bi culture" from non-bisexuals are distasteful and biphobic. we are already erased in lgbt+ spaces and irl. do not turn our identities into a joke.

biphobia within the lgbt+ community is insanely normalised, and this needs to change. call out biphobia as and when you see it, and don't defend biphobic remarks. we are not any less lgbt+, we are an important part of the community, and we deserve to be defended and fought for.

remember: if you are a non-bisexual, you don't get to say what is or isn't biphobic.

bi people i love u

thank you for reading! enjoy this sexy variation of the bi flag someone made for pride month!

made by a bi nonbinary person! dm me w any queries

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for both bi people and non-bisexuals, made by a bi person! bi people can be attracted to 2 or more genders, and there's usually a preference. bisexuality includes trans and nonbinary people. having a preference does not make someone any less bi social media enjoys perpetuating the stereotype that bi women/women-aligned people have to have a preference for women.

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click on the flag to start

LAST UPDATE: Thu Apr 15, 2021 08:25 PM EST

this carrd was created because of the widespread trend of using slurs which you can't reclaim! if you see any mistakes or have any questions, please contact one of us on twitter.

DISCLAIMER: some of these terms arent necessarily slurs, but they are still offensive terms that shouldnt be used by anyone other than the people who can say it.

if you have any genuine complaints or would like something fixed in the carrd please contact one of us, we are willing to hear you out and correct any and all mistakes if given a valid reason. some of these terms have details provided by people who can reclaim the slurs and know more than what could be shown in an official source.

sources at the end of each section

BEFORE WE CONTINUE! if you arent in any of these categories, then no need to go on. there are no slurs you can reclaim other than *it is important to note the word

people who have slurs:

anyone mlm (men who like men- gnc mlm, nblm, etc)

transfems

lesbians

queer, because every other slur is targetted towards another specific audience. fruity, which is NOT a slur- it's aave and said to be fine to use for anyone who identifies as queer

almost ALL known slurs used in our community are gender/sexuality-lesbians can claim their own slur, not all wlw, because of the "but i was called [slur] before as a [sexuality/gender,] so why can't i also say it?"

specific.

root meaning and the use of the word. it loses its use when someone wlw who likes men as well uses it!

the same goes for mlm- all slurs used on mlm were meant to target how they were "less masculine," so it would make no sense for someone fem aligned to use it (there are exceptions for transfems!)

alright! lets go! click on a map to navigate

( each section was written by someone who can reclaim the slurs mentioned (someone gay wrote the mlm slurs, a lesbian wrote the lesbian slurs, and someone trans (transfem) wrote the trans slurs.) there are people who helped with this carrd that did not want to have their profile shared, but feel free to contact any of the accounts linked at the end of a section if you want something fixed.)

"what does mlm mean?"

MLM is an acronym that stands for either man-loving-man or men who love men. its used by the LGTBQ+ community for a relationship involving two male presenting people. the term mlm includes bi men, gay men, pan men, masc nonbinary people, and et cetera (nblm is also a term used to refer to nonbinary people who like men since some n-bs dont feel comfy using mlm to refer to themselves)

another term often used to refer to them is achillean, although some people don't like it being used due to the discourse around it. other words you can use instead of that are apollian or chaeronean.

faggot and any variation of it*

the slur fag was originally targetted against guys who were considered "feminine" or dont fit in w stereotypical masculinity, e.g. assuming that men lose their masculinity by liking other men. it also extended to calling anyone who wasnt "masculine enough" to be a "real man."

people who can say this word:
anyone who is mlm, nblm, etc
transfems

SOURCES:
A Qualitive Study of How Gay and Queer Men Make Sense Of F**/***

Who Can Say F*****? A Two Part Study on Online Slur Reclamation"

One of the Boys: Homosexuality in the Military During World War II

Celebrate Kindness: No Name-Calling Week.

pansy

not necessarily a slur, but this word is used against men who are seen as "effeminate" or "not man enough." it was used to call out men who liked other men or were into the arts (dance, painting, etc)

people who can use this word:
anyone who is mlm

*this is also used against transfems

SOURCES:
"--and Then I Became Gay": Young Men's Stories
Is It Ever OK to Call Someone a 'Pansy'?

fruit/fruity/fruitcake

not necessarily a slur, but sometimes seen as a derogatory word. the term fruit used to refer to "an easy victim-" it later became a word to represent "a soft, tender, effeminate" man.

people who can use this word:
anyone who is mlm/nblm

*this word is also viewed as aave and commonly used as slang, please do not demonize aave under the excuse of being "woke" on tiktok or twitter ( creator of this carrd would like to apologize for the lack of official sources for this yet, this is information that has been relayed verbally)

SOURCES:
Fraser, Bruce (December 1981). "Insulting Problems in a Second Language"
One of the Boys: Homosexuality in the Military During World War II

poof

poof isnt exactly a slur, but it was a word used more commonly in australian and british english rather than american english. it originates from the phrase "poofter-bashing" (a collection of organized hate crimes against homosexual men that happened throughout the 1960s and 1970s.) it is also used on males who do not conform to society's ideas of "masculinity." calling a homosexual man this can be insulting

people who can say this word:
anyone who is mlm, nblm, etc

SOURCES:
Neil Chakraborti, Jon Garland; Hate Crime: Impact, Causes and Responses - page: 67

"what does wlw mean?"

WLW is an acronym that stands for either woman-loving-woman or women who love women. its used by the LGTBQ+ community for a relationship involving two female presenting people. the term wlw includes lesbians especially, bi women, pan women, fem aligned nonbinary people, and et cetera. (nblw is also a term used to refer to nonbinary people who like women since some n-bs dont feel comfy using wlw to refer to themselves)

another term often used to refer to them is sapphic.

dyke

dyke is a word that has been around for a long time to put down lesbians for not being attracted to men. the MEANING of dyke is lack of attraction to men as a lesbian. the purpose of the slur is to point out their lack of attraction towards men, not their attraction towards women. other wlw can NOT say this slur because they still experience attraction to men, people who are on the ace spec spectrum also can't say it UNLESS they're also a lesbian. this word was borrowed from african american vernacular from the 1920s.

** this is aave and black lesbians are asking nb lesbians to stop using it, so please decide what to do accordingly. official source included in last link.

people who can reclaim this slur: black lesbians ONLY

SOURCES: Origin of the slur D***
One, Two, Three
"Reconsidering the Etymology of Bulld***"

D***

lesbo

lesbo is not exactly a slur, but it is still used in derogatory context sometimes. Gay terms should not be used as an insult because there is nothing wrong with being gay. Therefore, lesbo is no different. It is offensive towards lesbians, just as dyke. If a lesbian says it, it's okay as it is THEIR slur and not for others to call them even "jokingly." (this word also means lesbian in Finnish)

people who can reclaim this slur:
lesbians ONLY

only tranny

transfems should reclaim this slur. since its a transmisogynistic slur, it should not be reclaimed by transmascs

HOWEVER there has been discourse and many different opinions on this

SOURCES:
Outspoken: A Decade of Transgender Activism and Trans Feminism (paragraph 18)

Who You Calling A T*****?

this slur is used to refer to pre-op transfems (women who havent had both top and bottom surgery done.) the slur only shemale

shemale is VERY disrespectful

transfems can reclaim this slur.

SOURCES:
Who You Calling A T*****?

the carrd that was recently linked here to inform people of current world issues is incredibly biased and had some problematic stories around it, so instead of offering a carrd i will implore you to search through twitter and instagram and help as much as you can- you are not alone in this world and though i offer this to u as comfort it is also a reminder to take care of the earth, the nature and environment, the humans that exist with you. if you have even a few dollars to spare donate and help others who need it, and keep kindness in your heart.

take the time to find gofundme's for trans people looking to transition easily or poc low on funds, trying to improve their life. retweet something about a small business owner's shop to help support them.

please do not message us with the intent to start an argument over sections that have their sources provided and listed clearly, as well as many people agreeing on the topic. read the articles and sites linked before deciding to contact one of us in complaint. you will be ignored! thank you very much.

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click on the flag to start LAST UPDATE: Thu Apr 15, 2021 08:25 PM EST sources at the end of each section ( each section was written by someone who can reclaim the slurs mentioned (someone gay wrote the mlm slurs, a lesbian wrote the lesbian slurs, and someone trans (transfem) wrote the trans slurs.)

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a guide to the aromantic spectrum <3

what is aromance?
in short, an aromantic person is someone who does not experience any romance attraction. it's not the same as asexual in which asexual people are not attracted to anyone sexually. a person who identifies as asexual can still seek out a romantic relationship.

aromanticism
while some under the LGTB+ spectrum have the capability to fall in a romantic relationship with someone, aromantic people simply cannot. however, being aromantic doesn't stop the possibility of having a significant relationship if a particular aromantic person wants one. the relationships that aromantic people are involved in may often instead be platonic feelings compared to romantic ones.

types of aromantic people (pt 1)

lithromantic - enjoy the idea of romance in theory and can feel some degree of romantic attraction, but do not seek out romantic relationships and do not need their feelings to be reciprocated.

cupioromantic - do not experience romantic attraction, but they are still curious about romantic relationships and tend to seek them out. they enjoy romance, to a certain degree, but do not actually experience romantic crushes.

grey romantic - experience romantic attraction, but it is rare and infrequent. they can seek out romantic relationships, but more often than not, they do not.

types of aromantic people (pt 2)

demiromantic - only experience romantic attraction after forming a close bond with another individual. do not experience primary romantic attraction, but secondary romantic attraction.

apothiromantic - do not experience any form of romantic attraction and are generally repulsed by romance.

misconception
a common misconception is that aromantic people do not date nor can't be in a relationship. some individuals have the capacity to date compared to others who cannot. aromantic relationships tend to be queerplatonic ones. queerplatonic relationships are non-romantic relationships that involve a close emotional bond between two or more individuals (they can be monogamous or polyamorous). they may appear to be a general romantic relationship to onlookers, but they lack romantic aspects. people in a queerplatonic relationship may also kiss, go on dates and engage in sexual activities.

thank you for reading!
thank you for taking the time to read this. as for me, i've noticed a lot of people tend to not know what it is to be aromantic or really understand the spectrum, but i hope this guide helped you! pride month is soon, and i wanted to help educate many on this lovely spectrum i am so proud to be a part of. to my fellow LGTBQ+ people, i wish you a happy pride month!
my social media links:

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a guide to the aromantic spectrum <3 what is aromance? in short, an aromantic person is someone who does not experience any romance attraction. it's not the same as asexual in which asexual people are not attracted to anyone sexually. a person who identifies as asexual can still seek out a romantic relationship.

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Sapphics in LGBT+

this is an informational carrd about what sapphics are in the lgbt+ community.
if you have any more questions or info, dm me @gallifreyansalt on twitter.
find the info you want to learn below and get started.

Sapphics in LGBT+

What is the definition of Sapphic/Sapphicism?

With a simple google search, Sapphic is defined as this:
Sapphic (adj): relating to lesbians or lesbianism

In the LGBT+ community, this means that Sapphic refers to any woman or woman-aligned person loving another woman. This is also an umbrella term. I myself am a bisexual woman, so I am a sapphic because I am sexually attracted to women.

Sapphics in LGBT+

So, isn't a sapphic just another name for a lesbian?

NO.
As you see in the definition, "relating to lesbians or lesbianism"
Let's talk about the definition of "lesbianism" and "lesbian"

Lesbianism is defined as having sexual attraction or intercourse with a woman as a woman/woman-aligned person. This isn't specific to just homosexual women.

Lesbian, however, is defined as a homosexual woman; women or women aligned people who only love women period.

So, Sapphic is relating to either lesbians, or people who are sexually attracted to women and are women aligned. All lesbians are sapphics, but not all sapphics are lesbians.

bisexual lesbians and pansexual lesbians invalidate the lesbian, bi, and pan communities because of this misinformation.
THEY ARE DIFFERENT SEXUALITIES; YOU CANNOT IDENTIFY WITH TWO AT THE SAME TIME. It's very invalidating and disrespectful to those communities. If you are questioning your sexuality and don't know if you're bi OR lesbian, you can say you're sapphic! It's a general term and does not invalidate others.

Sapphics in LGBT+

Okay, so what sexualities and genders apart of Sapphicism?

Any gender identity is generally able to be a sapphic as long as they are woman or woman-aligned. Remember, pronouns do not equal gender.
Nonbinary people can be sapphics as long as they align more with a woman identity.

Pretty much all of LGBT+ sexualities can be considered sapphic, as long as it is a woman/woman aligned person sexually attracted to another woman. Obviously, heterosexuality, strict ace & aro, and many other forms of sexuality may not fit this label.

So, you can have a bisexual sapphic, or a pansexual sapphic, lesbian sapphic, etc.
Remember, however, you cannot be a bisexual lesbian, pansexual lesbian, or any other -sexual lesbian. Lesbian means homosexual woman.

Sapphics in LGBT+

So, can I just call myself sapphic?

Yeah! That's totally fine! It's very valid and if you don't like very defining labels and just want to try it out, sapphic is a safe option as long as you are wlw.

Sapphics in LGBT+

The End

Thank you for reading through this carrd and educating yourself on what it means to be sapphic. I know it's confusing, but I promise it's very simple once it's laid out in front of you and you begin to catch on.

love, ronnie x

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this is an informational carrd about what sapphics are in the lgbt+ community. if you have any more questions or info, dm me @gallifreyansalt on twitter. find the info you want to learn below and get started. What is the definition of Sapphic/Sapphicism?

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The Challenges of the Pandemic for Queer Youth

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The Challenges of the Pandemic for Queer Youth

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The Challenges of the Pandemic for Queer Youth (Published 2020)

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Issues include limited access to community support and counseling and, in some cases, quarantining with unsupportive family members.

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JoJo Siwa makes 'DWTS' history in show's 1st dance with same-sex partner

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JoJo Siwa makes 'DWTS' history in show's 1st dance with same-sex partner

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JoJo Siwa just made history on "Dancing With the Stars" as the first contestant to compete with a partner of the same sex.

The "J Team" star, 18, danced a lively quickstep with pro partner Jenna Johnson, 27, during Monday night's season 30 premiere, performing the upbeat routine to "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Jet.

"You. Betta. WINK!!! That was THE BEST ever!!!!" Siwa wrote on Instagram after the show. "I can't even believe that week 1 is over!!! @jennajohnson I couldn't ask for a better partner! Thank you for taking me through this process while making it the most fun ever."

Siwa, sporting a neon orange crop top embellished with one of her trademark, sparkly bows, nailed the intricate footwork of the routine. She and Johnson earned the top score of the night, 29 out of 40.

"Making history and Top score of the night was literally a dream come true for me," Siwa continued. "Chase every dream you have and believe in yourself. Know that I love you all and I am smiling so big right now because of you, we did this !!!"

Johnson, who has been a professional dancer on the ABC dance competition show since 2016, wrote, "IM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!!!" in the comments section of Siwa's post and added a string of same-sex couple emoji.

She also honored Siwa in her own Instagram post, celebrating "history made."

"JoJo Siwa. There aren't enough words to express my absolute admiration for you," Johnson wrote. "The moment I met you, I knew that you were going to change my life. You are full of love, laughter, positivity, and GLITTER!!!"

Johnson also thanked Siwa for helping her when she made a slight slip during their routine.

"Thank you for an epic night... (and saving me from falling flat on my face 😵)," she wrote. "FIRST EVER SAME SEX COUPLE!!!! And I'm proud to say it. Night one down and (hopefully) many more to go! ... And I'm sorry but can we check out her frame?!?!?!!!! Ok I'm done :)."

Versions of "DWTS" in other countries have included same-sex couples, but this is the first time same-sex partners have competed for the Mirrorball Trophy on the American show.
Related:
Siwa came out as part of the LGBTQ community earlier this year and revealed she has a girlfriend, Kylie Prew.

She said when "Dancing With the Stars" gave her the opportunity to dance with a woman instead of a man, she didn't hesitate.

"When I got the email to be on 'Dancing With the Stars,' I didn't even read the whole email, I just replied yes," she told E! News' "Daily Pop" earlier this month. "And then when I read it, they asked me, they said, 'We want to give JoJo the chance if she wants to, to dance with a female instead of a male, but if she wants to dance with a male and keep it traditional, we want her to be as comfortable and have the best experience ever.' And immediately I was like, 'That is so groundbreaking.' (It's) history, never been done before, and it needs to be done."

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JoJo Siwa makes 'DWTS' history in show's 1st dance with same-sex partner

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JoJo Siwa just made history on "Dancing With the Stars" as the first contestant to compete with a partner of the same sex. The "J Team" star, 18, danced a lively quickstep with pro partner Jenna Johnson, 27, during Monday night's season 30 premiere, performing the upbeat routine to "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Jet.

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Why cisgender individuals should put their pronouns in their bio

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Why cisgender individuals should put their pronouns in their bio

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by James Tinkler

If you use social media, then you probably have a bio or two or three spread out across whatever different platforms you may use. Your bio usually contains general information about yourself and among trans, non-binary and gender nonconforming people it also contains preferred pronouns. This could be one set of pronouns or multiple depending on the individual's identity and relationship with their gender.

Having your pronouns in your bio is an easy and sure way to make sure you don't get misgendered by those who don't know you personally on social media. But more recently cisgender individuals both within and outside of the LGBTQ+ community have started to do this as well which has resulted in some mixed opinions. Some believe that by cisgender people meaning those who are not trans, non-binary, or gender nonconforming should not put their pronouns in their bio as it's easy to "tell what their gender is." But there is no way to tell what a person's gender is or how they might identify. There is no one way to look or be cisgender or to look or be transgender. Policing people's appearance regarding their identity is offensive and only perpetuates harmful stereotypes and transphobic rhetoric.

It's helpful for cisgender people from both within the LGBTQ+ community and outside of it to include their pronouns in their bio as it creates a safer environment for trans people. It opens a safe space to talk about pronouns and it also lets those of us who use different pronouns to share ours without being the odd one out. When cisgender people share their pronouns whether it be in an online bio, on a name tag, or shared face to face during introductions it helps to normalize the act of sharing one's pronouns in all settings not just LGBTQ+ ones. This helps us not only normalize sharing and asking about pronouns, but it also helps to normalize the larger trans community and its umbrella communities. Everyone should be able to feel comfortable with their pronouns and have their pronouns respected by others.

By having their pronouns listed in their bios cisgender individuals are allying themselves with us and helping our community further spread the important conversation that needs to be had about pronouns and trans rights.

What are yours?

About the Author:
James Tinkler is a 21 year old college student living in Central Florida. He is a gay trans masc person, and he uses he/him pronouns. James is a psychology major and a humanities minor. He wants to be a therapist one day and help trans kids access medical care, and he loves Harry Potter, Bad Suns, and LGBTQ activism. He was Vice President of the LGBTQ group on his campus for a year, and will continue to keep activism close to his heart in everything he does.

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Why cisgender individuals should put their pronouns in their bio

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by James Tinkler If you use social media, then you probably have a bio or two or three spread out across whatever different platforms you may use. Your bio usually contains general information about yourself and among trans, non-binary and gender nonconforming people it also contains preferred pronouns.

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'My Pronouns Are They/Them.' Singer Sam Smith Changes Pronouns to Gender-Neutral

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'My Pronouns Are They/Them.' Singer Sam Smith Changes Pronouns to Gender-Neutral

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'My Pronouns Are They/Them.' Singer Sam Smith Changes Pronouns to Gender-Neutral

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Grammy-award winning singer Sam Smith announced on Instagram on Friday that they've decided to start using gender neutral pronouns.

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Creating an Inclusive Classroom by Offering Pronoun Choice

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Creating an Inclusive Classroom by Offering Pronoun Choice

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How do you handle gender issues in your classroom? How are they treated schoolwide?

Does your school district, like New York City's, explicitly state that "Every student is entitled to be addressed by the name and pronoun that corresponds to the student's gender identity that is consistently asserted at school"? Does it insist that teachers and other school staff be made aware of and honor a student's request to be referred to by the name and gender that corresponds to that identity?

Below, a high school teacher in Massachusetts describes how her school worked to find the best way to support students who identify outside of the gender binary, or who don't subscribe to traditional labels.

Please share your own ideas in the comments. And if you would like to suggest a Reader Idea of your own, tell us about it here.

_________

Idea: A Times article helps a high school faculty group make recommendations for a new schoolwide approach to the use of gender pronouns.

Teacher: Jacqueline Maxwell

School: Wellesley High School, Wellesley, Mass.

Grade level: 9-12

Why we chose it: We hear from thousands of students around the world each week via our many interactive features, and we've been struck by how passionate teenagers are on issues of gender and identity. As this teacher writes, "Young people are not only starting a gender revolution, they are leading the way - and it is in our best interests to listen." This piece offers practical advice about how to do just that.

_________
What Ms. Maxwell did and why, in her own words:
How, in 2017, can I best support my students and prepare them for the world beyond the bubble of high school?

Given the tensions of the current political climate, now more than ever many educators feel the importance of starting the school year by fostering an inclusive classroom, as well as by showing students the value of empathy and critical thinking, both inside and outside of school.

As our world is changing around us, our students are speaking out about who they are and how they identify, and many of the terms they use are new to educators. Young people are not only starting a gender revolution, they are leading the way - and it is in our best interests to listen.

The start to an answer about how to create an inclusive classroom might begin with just one word: a pronoun.
First step: A faculty discussion group makes recommendations to the school at large
In the summer of 2016, I worked with a group of educators at Wellesley High School to consider how best to support and welcome students who identify outside of the gender binary, or don't subscribe to traditional labels.

We used the 2016 New York Times article " She? Ze? They? What's In a Gender Pronoun " to help start our project.

As Jessica Bennett notes in the piece, in order to use a person's pronouns, "you need to have at least some knowledge of the identities to which they correspond - beginning with an understanding of the word 'identity,' along with its sister verb, 'identify.'" Our first order of business, therefore, was giving our students an opportunity to self-identify.

Our group created a student survey that asked students how they identify, and a faculty resource with suggestions about how to create safe spaces in the classroom, using recommendations from our school's Gay Lesbian or Whatever (GLoW) Club.

Because sharing one's pronouns aloud can make students feel vulnerable, we decided to ask these six questions in a written survey and follow up with individual conversations where appropriate. Here is what we asked:

1. What name do you want me to call you in class?

2. Please write your name phonetically.

3. How do you identify racially?

4. What is your pronoun?

5. What pronoun do you want me to use when I address you in front of other students?

6. If there are other things you'd like to talk to me about, please let me know.

The survey and the faculty resource, titled "He, She, Ze: A Guide to Supporting All Students," was distributed to the staff by our principal, in the hope that teachers would incorporate our questions into their own surveys at the beginning of each school year.

In addition, we recommended that staff members post signs that encouraged safe spaces, using posters such as the popular gender unicorn, similar to the Genderbread Person prominently featured in National Geographic Channel's " Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric." We also included some general recommendations for educators, which can be found in a list at the bottom of this page.

At the end of our summer work, we made recommendations to our administration about how to continue our work with diversity and inclusivity. This included sharing our recommendations with the entire district, finding more ways for our students to self-identify, and working to change some of the binary systems that we currently have in place.
Second step: Changes in email signatures and grammar lessons

One small but powerful acknowledgment of a nonbinary world is the email signatures many of us adopted.

As Elizabeth Reis, a professor of gender studies at the City University of New York's Macaulay Honors College, explains in her Times Op-Ed, "Pronoun Privilege," those of who are cisgender do not have to worry about someone using the wrong pronoun to address us, especially in a public setting. One way that educators have shown respect for others' identities is simply by including their own pronouns in their email signatures - by, for example, simply putting "she/her," or "they/them," in parentheses after the name.

For me as an English teacher, changing pronouns meant a change in teaching pronouns - specifically, the singular "they." As a Times piece called " Who's They? " puts it: "We are witnessing a great explosion in the way that human beings are allowed to express their gender identities. We are also hearing a lot of awkward conversations. What are we supposed to ... call everyone?"

At last year's National Council of Teachers of English conference in Atlanta, Ga., I attended a panel discussion called "Progressive Pronoun: The Question of Singular They" (Page 116 of this PDF) which presented the current debate about whether or not to adopt the pronoun in this form:

The N.C.T.E. itself hasn't decided whether or not to formally adopt the singular "they," but you can read a discussion about the issue in this 2015 blog post from the organization, " The Singular 'They' - When Pronouns Get Personal." The audience of educators that day also seemed torn, not because they weren't open-minded, but largely because of the fact that standardized testing hasn't changed to account for the use the singular "they." The presentation showed some of the debate between prescriptivist grammar and inclusive language, and one of the speakers noted that by using the singular "they," we are also promoting inclusivity of gender variant groups, such as people who are nonbinary, agender, genderqueer or transitioning.

I agree with many who spoke that day that any grammar confusion is outweighed by making an individual feel accepted. Therefore, I've chosen to adopt the singular "they" when teaching about pronouns and antecedents, and I remind students to allow the use of the singular "they" when peer-editing, as well. Even if "they" is not officially adopted in all forms of journalism or education, the use of traditional pronouns is changing, so it only makes sense to start the conversation now.

While we work to queer some of the potentially harmful, traditional norms with the help of students and the administration, our departments are also working to offer more diverse courses, in which students can pursue their own interests while also participating in difficult conversations in safe spaces. For example, I am piloting a "Beyond the Binary: Gender and Sexuality in Literature" course this fall. Offering more curriculum choices for high school students, we believe, gives them more opportunities to explore their own identities and develop thoughtful, informed ideas about the world around them.
Some recommendations from our school's staff survey, GLoW club and the N.C.T.E. conference on creating an inclusive classroom
* Give your students an identity survey at the start of the school year.

* Ask students their pronouns. Know that pronoun use is not a "preference," so don't ask which one students "prefer." Acknowledge that you may mess up as you adopt new language, but don't be afraid to try.

* Accept the singular "they/them/their" in written assignments.

* Put up signs that let students know you want to create safe spaces for them.

* Be mindful about how you address groups of students by using gender-neutral language. Create and enforce norms that promote respect in order to have difficult conversations.

* Don't shy away from tense or difficult conversations; they are necessary for progress and a great way to model empathy in the classroom.

* Be clear that in your classroom, racial intolerance, religious intolerance, and intolerance based on sexuality or gender will not be accepted. Let it be known that homophobic and transphobic language is absolutely not allowed. Speak up when you hear it.

* Let the students lead, and learn from them.

* Include texts that reflect human diversity and challenge heteronormativity.

* Ideally, provide narratives with positive outcomes for historically oppressed groups.
Related Resources
GLSEN | Pronouns: A Resource for Educators

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center | Gender Pronouns

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education | Safe Schools Program for L.G.B.T.Q. Students

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Reader Idea | Creating an Inclusive Classroom by Offering Pronoun Choice (Published 2017)

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How do you handle gender issues in your classroom? How are they treated schoolwide? Does your school district, like New York City's, explicitly state that "Every student is entitled to be addressed by the name and pronoun that corresponds to the student's gender identity that is consistently asserted at school"?

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Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill Restricting LGBTQ Education

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Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill Restricting LGBTQ Education

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The Republican governor said the legislation, which would restrict lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity, was "overly broad and vague."

Gov. Doug Ducey said parts of the bill, which the State Senate passed in a party-line vote, "could lead to serious consequences." Credit... Pool photo by Ross D. Franklin

Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have imposed some of the country's most restrictive rules regarding L.G.B.T.Q. education, calling the bill "overly broad and vague."

The bill, which was sponsored by eight Republicans and passed the Arizona Senate on a party-line vote, would prohibit schools from teaching about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and L.G.B.T.Q. history unless a student received "signed, written consent" from a parent or guardian opting them in to the lessons.

Students would also be unable to receive lessons about H.I.V./AIDS unless they were opted in to them.

Parts of the bill "could lead to serious consequences," Mr. Ducey, a Republican, said in a letter explaining his veto.

A provision completely banning sex education before fifth grade "could be misinterpreted by schools and result in standing in the way of important child abuse prevention education in the early grades for at-risk and vulnerable children," he said.

Mr. Ducey's rebuke of his fellow Republicans comes after Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, also a Republican, vetoed legislation this month that would make it illegal for transgender minors to receive gender-affirming medication or surgery. The Arkansas Legislature, however, with a large Republican majority, quickly moved to override Mr. Hutchinson's veto.

An override is unlikely in Arizona, as Republicans in the Statehouse there - the bill passed the Senate, 16 to 14 - would need support from Democrats to do so.

In the letter, Mr. Ducey thanked the bill's lead sponsor, State Senator Nancy Barto, who represents parts of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Glendale, for "bringing this discussion to the fold," adding, "I know her heart is in a good place."

Ms. Barto said in a post to her website that the legislation would "provide vital tools to families and protect Arizona's children as they go through the early years of their education." She said that sex education had become "graphic and explicit," adding that "related topics like gender identity and sexual orientation" were being "snuck into" classrooms.

As Mr. Ducey vetoed the legislation, he also issued an executive order mandating that all sex education lessons be posted online for parents to review, a move that he said "seeks to encompass the heart of the bill."

The executive order maintained the bill's provision that students be opted in to sex education by their parents or guardians, a requirement that already exists in Arizona, where schools are not mandated to teach sex education.

The veto was welcomed by state Democrats, who hailed it as "the right decision." Kathy Hoffman, the state superintendent of public instruction, thanked the governor on Twitter for "standing up to bigotry and intolerance."

Madelaine Adelman, a professor at Arizona State University who focuses on justice studies and L.G.B.T.Q. issues, said that an inclusive education - in which "every student gets to see their own stories being told" - was important for all students, not just those who identify as L.G.B.T.Q.

"Students are learning about gender and sexuality every single day of their lives, formally and informally, inside and outside of schools," she said. "How do you want them to learn about it, and what do you want them to learn about it?"

Tony Navarrete, a Democrat in the Arizona Senate, said that "as a member of the L.G.B.T.Q. community myself, it would have been really nice to grow up with the opportunity to ask questions of why I felt the way I felt and why I felt different."

The bill's attempt to connect H.I.V. and AIDS with L.G.B.T.Q. history was "hypersexualizing" discussions about the topics, he said, adding that a "more medically accurate sex education" was important.

Dr. Adelman said the legislation was so broad that it could unintentionally limit other curriculums, like English classes, where heterosexuality is "the main theme of almost all of the books."

Simply put, she said, "it was a bad bill."

In 2019, Mr. Ducey signed a bill repealing a 1991 law that had banned education that promotes a "homosexual lifestyle" or otherwise portrayed "homosexuality as a positive alternative lifestyle."

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Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill Restricting L.G.B.T.Q. Education

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The Republican governor said the legislation, which would restrict lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity, was "overly broad and vague." Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have imposed some of the country's most restrictive rules regarding L.G.B.T.Q. education, calling the bill "overly broad and vague."

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Amazon Prime

** not rated

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Amazon Prime

** not rated

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The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (TV-MA)

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The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (TV-MA)

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Netflix

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HBO Max

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HBO Max or Youtube TV

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Apple TV

** not rated

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Netflix

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@joshhelfgott on tiktok and instagram

Josh was named the 2021 GLAAD Queer Advocate of the Year. He is the creator of the daily "gay news" series, where he highlights and speaks on relevant LGBTQ+ news.

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Amazon Prime

** not rated

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This podcast highlights interviews with important figures in the movement. Helpful tool for me as a student and as a teacher.

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Episode Notes

Until 1981, Larry Kramer was best known for his Academy Award-nominated screenplay for "Women in Love" and Faggots , his controversial novel about New York City's gay subculture in the post-Stonewall 1970s. And then he picked up the New York Times on the morning of July 3, 1981 and read about a rare cancer found in forty-one gay men.

It was in that moment that Larry Kramer was-to quote gay rights champion Frank Kameny -radicalized. Larry went on to co-found GMHC (originally known as the Gay Men's Health Crisis) and ACT UP (the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), two of the leading organizations that responded to the AIDS epidemic.

To learn more about Larry Kramer's activism and his career as a writer, have a look at the information, links, photos, and episode transcript below.

---

Larry Kramer died on May 27, 2020. For an overview of his life and work, read his New York Times obituary here.

In 1970, the the movie New York Times reviewed Women in Love, which was written and produced by Larry Kramer.

You can find a copy of Larry Kramer's 1978 book Faggots here . In 2000, the Los Angeles Times published an essay about Faggots by Reynolds Price, a version of which appeared as a forward to the book's new edition.

Read the July 3, 1981 New York Times article that made Larry Kramer-and plenty of other people-sit up and take notice.

In his Making Gay History interview, Larry mentions the three men he called to organize the first meeting of what later became the Gay Men's Health Crisis. Read about Larry Mass here , Donald Krintzman here , and Paul Rappaport here . Larry also mentions Dr. Friedman-Kien .

For more information about GMHC (the Gay Men's Health Crisis), please visit their website . And to read about Larry's reconciliation with GMHC, have a look at this 2017 Poz magazine article.

We recommend the following two books for a detailed understanding of the AIDS epidemic: And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts and How to Survive a Plague by David France. David France also directed a documentary of the same name. You can also find the documentary United in Anger: A History of ACT UP on YouTube.

Larry Kramer's papers are housed at the Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Larry Kramer attempted suicide in 1953 when he was a freshman at Yale University. For more information about LGBTQ suicide and/or to seek support in a crisis, contact The Trevor Project .

New York Times theater critic Frank Rich reviewed Larry Kramer's landmark play about the AIDS crisis, "The Normal Heart." The play was adapted for a 2014 star-studded film of the same name, which you can read about here .

Larry Kramer married his long-time partner, David Webster, in a hospital ceremony in 2013, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act.

You can find a review of Larry's most recent book, The American People, here.

---

Episode Transcript

I'm Eric Marcus and this is Making Gay History!

If you've heard of Larry Kramer, then his reputation as a passionate activist with high expectations and a short fuse probably precedes him.

If you don't know him, Larry is famous for being one of the first civilians to sound the alarm even before AIDS was called AIDS and became a catastrophic worldwide epidemic that has swept away millions of lives.

Back in the early '80s, Larry earned more than a few enemies because of his calls for gay men to cool it with their sex lives. Even before the virus that causes AIDS was discovered, it was clear to Larry and many others that it was a sexually transmitted disease. Coming on the heels of 1970s gay liberation and newfound sexual freedom, almost no one wanted to hear an angry middle-aged man tell them that they had to stop having sex-that it was a matter of life and death.

Before the AIDS crisis, Larry was best known for his work as a screenwriter and author. He wrote the Oscar-nominated 1969 screenplay for "Women in Love." And he wrote the controversial 1978 novel, Faggots , which pulled back the curtain on a world of promiscuous sex and drug use in New York's post-Stonewall gay subculture.

It was AIDS that propelled Larry Kramer into the movement. His friends were dying and he had to do something. In 1982 he co-founded the Gay Men's Health Crisis, now known as GMHC. Five years later he co-founded-along with Vito Russo and others-ACT UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power. ACT UP came to be known for its brilliant use of public protests to bring attention to the epidemic. By early 1989, when I first met Larry, AIDS had taken more than 60,000 lives, most of them gay men.

Given all that, I knew Larry was someone I needed to interview. But I wasn't looking forward to it. I only knew Larry from press reports and television appearances and from what I could see, he had more than earned his reputation as an uncompromising, angry, outspoken firebrand who was unafraid to offend.

That's not the Larry Kramer I found on a winter afternoon at his apartment in New York City. I had braced myself for a tornado and I found a Teddy bear.

So here's the scene. I'm sitting opposite Larry in his Greenwich Village living room. We're separated by his broad desk in a room that's all white. Out the window I can see Washington Square Park and in the distance, the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

As I set up my tape recorder and attach the lapel mic to Larry's shirt, we chat about how we both had wanted to find a husband early in life and settle down. And that leads us back in time to Larry's memories as a confused and unhappy college student in the early 1950s. I press record.

---

Interview with Larry Kramer, Thursday, January 26, 1989, at the home of Larry Kramer in New York City. Interviewer is Eric Marcus. Tape one, side one.

Larry: When I went to Yale, I thought I was the only gay person in the world, and tried to kill myself because it was so lonely.

Eric: Actually did try to kill yourself?

Larry: Yeah.

Eric: What year was that, that you...

Larry: And I think that was '53 was the year, my freshman year at Yale. Oh, it was awful. I mean I-do you want to go back that far?

Eric: Well, I'm also curious, because I was a college student in '76, desperately unhappy.

Larry: Where?

Eric: At Vassar College.

Larry: Where there were a lot of gays.

Eric: There weren't that many. People think there were a lot. I always said if there were so many gays, why was I so unhappy. But I was a miserably unhappy person, and death seemed very appealing at moments during my freshman year, when I was dating a woman and sneaking off with a man behind... And life in '53 at Yale must have been much more difficult than '76 at Vassar.

Larry: Well, I don't know if you could even start in '53. I knew I was gay, I think, from the day I was born. And I think there have been-I now know that there were experiences all through, before I even got to Yale, and they were all covert and guilt-inducing on everybody's part.

So it seemed as if all those early years were spent trying to deny these feelings. The feelings would sort of get too strong and erupt, and I would have an experience which would always make me feel guilty in one way or another, and then you'd put it-you'd be calm, Vesuvius would calm down for a while.

Eric: A week.

Larry: A week or two. And Yale was awful. There was a gay bar called Pirelli's. It was just awful, when I finally had the courage to go there. It was only two blocks from campus. But it was a million years away. It was very dark and gray inside, and smoky, and filled with older men, and I only went the once. And somebody picked me up in a car and drove for what seemed like hours before we found a place that was quiet, to do it, and then he drove me back, where you didn't say a word, all of that.

Eric: How did you try to kill yourself?

Larry: I ate two hundred aspirin.

Eric: Oh my God, talk about slow and miserable death. You must have been pretty miserable to swallow two hundred-and you must have been even more miserable after. Did you just, you wanted out? Was that...?

Larry: Who knows? It's a scene I'll never forget.

Eric: The scene of taking the pills? Or the scene of waking up and finding you're still there.

Larry: I didn't wake up. I went to bed and I got scared and I called the campus police, and they came and took me to the hospital and pumped my stomach. And I was in a-then I fell asleep and I woke up in a room with bars. And... at the Grace New Haven Hospital, and it was this very unpleasant hospital psychiatrist who said, "Alright, Mr. Kramer, why did you do it?" And I said, "Go fuck yourself," or words to that...

And he said, "You're not going to be let out of this hospital until you tell us why you did it." And I said, you know, I just had a-he rubbed me the wrong way, and I wouldn't have told him. Who knew why I did it, anyway?

So my brother, who's always sort of looked after me, came and got me out, and he was friends with the dean of freshman. My brother had been to Yale before me. And it was, you know, ordinarily when something like that happened you were shipped off to go join the army.

Eric: Really?

Larry: In those days, yeah. And then you'd come back to Yale when you'd sort of grown up. But they let me stay if I went to the university psychiatrist. His name was Dr. Fry, Clement Fry, and he was about, in his sixties. He had silver hair, and he was a good-looking man, he wore his rep tie and his button-down shirt. And you just knew that he cared more about Yale than he ever did about you.

And I told him of this experience that I had had of-I had been invited to go to the room of two of my freshman year, two guys freshman year that I had met. And they somehow mercifully had found each other, and they were living in this room, and I was invited for tea or something. And I walked into this room and the room-you know how awful freshman year rooms are-well, they had done their room, and it was painted all black. And there was, everything had been taken out of the room except, you know, a low mattress, which was black, and there was a perfect coffee table with a rose in a vase, that was spot lit, and...

Eric: Gay men are born.

Larry: And Mabel Mercer is playing on the phonograph, right? So I described this all to Dr. Fry, and Dr. Fry's reaction was, "I wouldn't see those guys anymore if I were you." And that's what Yale was like, and that's what going to a psychiatrist was like, so...

Eric: And there wasn't, there wasn't a local gay student group for you to call.

Larry: There was not, I mean, I love going back to Yale now, and this is my real yardstick of how far we've come, even though I'm always yelling about how we've not come far enough. I go back to Yale and Yale is like the gay college now. And there's a dance every year for, you know, well over a thousand gay men and women, you know, across the campus from where I tried to kill myself because I thought I was the only one.

Eric: So that is your yardstick for change.

Larry: It certainly is, yeah.

Eric: That in thirty years' time... You were completely alone.

Larry: Thirty years it is. God. It's a long time. So, where does that leave us? A lot of change and no change.

Eric: Well, yeah.

Larry: Well, I guess, it's in my nature to be impatient. And I only got politically involved because of AIDS. And there's no question that we have lost the war to AIDS, and that we have lost and will continue to lose a great many people whom we did not have to lose, and that the speed of research, treatment, education, you name it, has been tragically and inhumanely slow. It's an epidemic that need not have happened. And that we should have listened. There's no question that enough people knew what was happening.

Eric: Who should have listened? Are there people specifically who should have listened?

Larry: Well, the community. I mean, the gay press, the gay leaders.

Eric: You were there before it was an epidemic, or just as it was becoming...

Larry: Well, I think now we know that even when we found out in '81, it was much bigger than we thought, but we thought it was just beginning. Right. '81, in this very room, in August '81, eighty men sat with Dr. Friedman-Kien from NYU, who told us, in no uncertain terms, exactly what was happening. And, uh, and he was right.

Eric: In '81.

Larry: In August of '81. The New York Times article that alerted everybody, really, was July 3, '81. The New York Times headline was something like, "Rare Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals," and it said that all the guys had the same history, which was the history of having had all of these sexual diseases: amoebas, hepatitis A and B, and mononucleosis, and syphilis, and gonorrhea. and you name it.

When I saw that in the New York Times , I was scared. Because I'd had all, and I guess a penny dropped, as the English say, or the bell rang, or something. And I called Larry Mass, who was and is my friend, who is a doctor and who had written some articles. He wrote a health column for the Native , and had written about it before the Times had. And I guess I'd spoken to him peripherally about it, but not-it had, the bell hadn't rung, I guess, until the Times- the Times has a way of making you really sit up and say wow.

Eric: Well, if the Times covers it, it has to be real.

Larry: So he said, "Go talk to Alvin, to Dr. Friedman-Kien," which I did. And Alvin, who turned out to be gay, and we turned out to have mutual friends, said, "This is what's happening, you gotta' stop fucking. You're someone well-known in the gay community. You have to do something about it. Somebody's gotta' go out there and tell them." And it was because of that, that I invited Larry Mass and I and two other guys now dead, Donald Krintzman and Paul Rappaport, invited everyone we knew to come to this first meeting in August.

Eric: Did the that include people from political groups, gay political groups?

Larry: We got on the phone and we called everybody. We called anyone we could think of. Political people, rich people, media people, doctors-none of whom showed up-and it was a good cross-section. And it was, you know, a lot of people didn't believe 'em.

Eric: Did you know this was a hot political football when you picked it up? Or did you expect people would respond to you, or to what you had to say?

Larry: You know, that very meeting that night, with-it was in the early evening, with Alvin, so that, I mean, there were a lot of very nasty questions put to him. There were a lot of people saying, you know, you're a born-again. How can you make all of these assumptions on the basis of so few cases? And how can you expect the whole community to stop fucking? And, you know, you haven't got into, you know, there was no virus then. I mean, people say there's no virus now, but there certainly was no virus then, and that didn't come for another couple of years, and people could say, "You have no evidence to base this on."

Eric: But didn't anyone say, even if there's the slightest possibility?

Larry: Well, that's what he was saying and that's what I was saying. And it wasn't so much the people that Paul Popham and Nathan Fain, who came to be my big adversaries in Gay Men's Health Crisis... It wasn't so much that they didn't believe or not believe what was happening. Paul had of course lost a couple of friends by then, and a lover. It was that he didn't think it was GMHC's, or anybody's position to tell anybody else how to live their lives, and that people had to make up their own minds.

And so a lot of valuable time was lost not being the conduit. I thought I was setting up or fighting to help set up with others, an organization that was going to do one thing, and that organization became, and still is another.

Eric: What was it...?

Larry: It was set up to spread information and to fight. To fight to make the system accountable and to spread the word of what was happening, and that, you know, we gotta' cool it. It was not that at all. It became very quickly-it was taken over by the social workers, and it is now what it is then, it's a social service, and a very good social service organization.

But it, again, that's our tragedy. It's an organization that helps people to die, it is not an organization that helps the living go on living. And we still don't have an organization to do that. You know, except maybe ACT UP, which came along much too late. Better late than never, but much too late.

I blame myself. I am very cognizant of a great failing on my part that I did not have the ability to be a leader, that I did not have the ability to deal with my adversaries and still be friends. God didn't, if there is a God, did not give the gay community a leader when the gay community needed a leader. And it still hasn't.

Eric: And you failed in that role.

Larry: And I failed in that role. I feel very strongly, I failed in that role.

Eric: What does the future hold, then?

Larry: I think AIDS is going to get much, much worse and a lot more people are going to die, and I hope that one of these drugs is going to do something about it, but... I never seem to hear of any letup in the number of people who seem to be getting sick, and that's very scary. And I'm HIV-positive myself, which I've just discovered and, uh...

Eric: You just were tested. For the first time?

Larry: For the first time, yeah. And I... you know, for the first time it's come home to me in a more personal way that my days may be numbered, in a way that I didn't think of before. And that's made me real sad, more than angry.

I find myself going back to ACT UP, which I haven't done in a long time, because I got fed up with it.

Eric: Well, there must be a renewed personal, there's a greater personal interest than before, I would think.

Larry: Their fighting takes me out of my negativity. Makes me, just sort of being touched by their positivism helps me.

Eric: There are a lot of things I haven't asked you. Is there anything that you would like to comment on...

Larry: I don't feel like I've been at my best today with you.

Eric: I'll come back.

Larry: I feel a little specious in what-not specious. I feel a little...

Eric: Scattered?

Larry: Buck scattered in what I've said. So I don't know if I've said what I've... I love being gay. And if I have been, and am critical, it's only because I think we are very special people and capable of so much more. And it's taken me a long time to be able to say that, because I'm of a different generation than many, you know...

Eric: You were born what year?

Larry: '35. And I'm the generation that was sent off to shrinks because shrinks then thought they could change you, and you were expected to change. And it took a long time for me to come to terms with my homosexuality, and a lot of shrinks. Now, having come to terms with it, and liking it, and then having to face AIDS, is almost like a bum rap. Nevertheless, it's... you know, I think we are very lucky.

I just, I think being a gay man, even today, with AIDS, is a wonderful, is a wonderful thing. I love being gay.

---

After I turned off my tape recorder, Larry Kramer and I talked about his health, which hadn't been great. Besides being HIV-positive, two thirds of his liver had been destroyed by the Hepatitis B virus. His doctor told him that he had maybe three years to live. But Larry is still alive today. Experimental drugs and a liver transplant in 2001 saved his life. Larry also got his wish to find a husband, settling down with David Webster in 1991. They married on July 24, 2013.

Larry and I talked about how he'd like to be remembered. He told me that he sees his work, like the landmark play "The Normal Heart," as his legacy. But at the risk of disagreeing with Larry, I think his biggest legacy was saving lives through the activism he inspired and his warnings about AIDS, which were heard by more than a few of us, including me. A lot of us owe our lives to Larry Kramer.

We've really appreciated all your emails telling us how much you love the Making Gay History podcast.

This note came to us from Jason Clark on Facebook:
I just wanted to say thank you for the countless hours that you have put into making these recordings and the podcast. I am a thirty two year old gay man, and before I was a teenager, I knew I was gay, and I lost an uncle due to AIDS back then, but he was never out and I didn't learn that last fact about him until I came out to my grandmother. I feel like I missed a lot of his life because of that. I never understood why he never came out, and your podcast helps me realize that I have taken a lot of freedoms that I have today for granted that my uncle and millions of others never had. I can't thank you enough for making me realize this.
We'd like to include some of your thoughts in your own voices in future episodes, so email a voice memo to us at hello@makinggayhistory.com .

And congratulations to Fran Tirado from the podcast, Food 4 Thot, for his winning entry into the inaugural Baking Gay History competition at our live event, which we held upstairs at the historic Stonewall Inn earlier this month. Food 4 Thot's new season is out very soon-find out more at food4thotpodcast.com.

Thank you to everyone who helps Sara Burningham and me make Making Gay History each week. We couldn't do it without you: Anne Pope, Josh Gwynn, Michael Green, Bronwen Pardes, and Zachary Seltzer. Our theme music was composed by Fritz Meyers. Thank you, also, to social media strategist Will Coley and our webmaster, Jonathan Dozier-Ezell. A very special thank you to our guardian angel Jenna Weiss-Berman.

The Making Gay History podcast is a co-production of Pineapple Street Media, with assistance from the New York Public Library's Manuscripts and Archives Division and ONE Archives at the USC Libraries.

Season three of this podcast is made possible with funding from the Ford Foundation, which is on the front lines of social change worldwide.

And if you like what you've heard, please subscribe to Making Gay History wherever you get your podcasts. You can also go to makinggayhistory.com to find all our episodes, plus photographs, notes, and links for all the people we feature in Making Gay History.

So long! Until next time!

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Until 1981, Larry Kramer was best known for his Academy Award-nominated screenplay for "Women in Love" and Faggots , his controversial novel about New York City's gay subculture in the post-Stonewall 1970s. And then he picked up the New York Times on the morning of July 3, 1981 and read about a rare cancer found in forty-one gay men.

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The List is a curated bibliography highlighting books with significant LGBTQ+ content, aimed at children and youth from birth to age 18.

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The Rainbow Book List Committee is proud to announce the 2019 Rainbow Book List. The List is a curated bibliography highlighting books with significant gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning content, aimed at children and youth from birth to age 18. This List is intended to aid youth and those working with youth in selecting high-quality books published between July 2017 and December 2018.

As a committee, we evaluated over 400 books and selected 107 titles from over two dozen different publishers. Starred titles indicate the Rainbow Book List's Top Ten choices, which are books that the committee considers to be of exceptional merit.

The committee members were overwhelmed by the explosion of content in all age groups. Realistic fiction dominated this year, as well as #ownvoices titles.

Now, without further ado, we present to you the 2019 Rainbow Book List!

* Haack, Daniel and Lewis, Stevie. Prince & Knight. 2018. 40p. little bee books, $17.99 (9781499805529). Grades Pre-K to 3. The Prince and the Knight meet when they have to defeat a terrifying dragon, and their friendship blossoms into love.

Love, Jessica. Julián is a Mermaid. 2018. 40p. Candlewick, $16.99 (9780763690458). Grades Pre-K to 3.
This lushly-illustrated picture book tells the story of Julián who, with the help of his abuela, dresses up and joins the Coney Island Mermaid Parade.

* Pitman, Gayle E. Sewing the Rainbow. 2018. 32p. Magination Press, $16.95. (9781433829024). Grades Pre-K to 3.Growing up, Gilbert Baker loved sewing and design. He left Kansas for the bright colors of San Francisco to pursue his dreams and went on to create an enduring symbol of the LGBTQIAP+ community. Sanders, Rob. Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag. 2018. 48p. Random House Books for Young Readers, $17.99 (9780399555312). Grades 1-3.
As an elected official, Harvey Milk worked with his community in San Francisco to create a symbol for gay rights and continued fighting for equality until his assassination.

* Callender, Kheryn. Hurricane Child. 2018. 224p. Scholastic Press, $17.99 (9781338129304). Grades 5 to 8. Caroline is alone: her mother has disappeared and her only friend is a spirit that no one else can see. Then she falls for new student Kalinda, who helps her track down her mother in the middle of a hurricane.

Johnson, Maureen, ed. How I Resist: Activism and Hope for the Next Generation. 2018. 224p. Wednesday Books, $18.99 (9781250168368). Grades 9 and up.
This personal, creative, and deeply hopeful book features words of wisdom and guidance from writers and artists like Alex Gino, Malinda Lo, Jacqueline Woodson, and many more. MacCarald, Clara. Beating Bullying at Home and in Your Community. 2018. 64p. Rosen Young Adult, $34.45 (9781508174240). Grades 7 and up.
A straightforward guide that describes the types of bullying LGBTQIAP+ kids face as well as realistic responses.

Albertalli, Becky. Leah on the Offbeat. 2018. 368p. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $17.99 (9780062643803). Grades 9 and up.Leah Burke must navigate first love, her college search, and the unexpected implosion of her once-unshakable friend group. She's also bisexual but she can't find the right way to come out to her friends. Albertalli, Becky and Adam Silvera. What If It's Us. 2018. 448p. HarperTeen, $18.99 (9780062795250). Grades 9 and up. Arthur wants to find a relationship and Ben wants to get over his ex. After a serendipitous meeting they discover the reality of romance together.

Berube, Amelinda. The Dark Beneath the Ice. 2018. 336p. Sourcebooks Fire, $17.99 (9781492657071). Grades 9 and up. Marianne begins to experience scary paranormal phenomena as her parents are undergoing a divorce. After an attempted exorcism with her new friend Rhiannon, Marianne is not sure that she and the people she loves will survive this haunting.

Booth, Molly. Nothing Happened. 2018. 336p. Disney Hyperion, $17.99 (9781484753026). Grades 9 and up.
In this retelling of Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing , camp counselors Bee and Ben snark and flirt while shy Hana and Claudia battle their own insecurities to try to get together.

Forman, Gayle. I Have Lost My Way. 2018. 272p. Viking Books For Young Readers, $18.99 (9780425290774). Grades 9 and up. Freya, Harun, and Nathaniel have all suffered significant loss. Their lives intersect in New York City one fateful day, and they work together to heal.

* Kann, Claire. Let's Talk About Love. 2018. 288p. Swoon Reads, $16.99 (9781250136121). Grades 9 and up. Alice is asexual and biromantic, which is something she's been dumped for in the past. She was not expecting to fall head over heels for Takumi, a fellow library employee. Karcz, Lauren. The Gallery of Unfinished Girls. 2017. $17.99, HarperTeen (9780062467775). Grades 9 and up. Mercedes Moreno hasn't been able to paint in a year, her abuela is in a coma, and she has an unrequited crush on her best friend, Victoria. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she visits the Red Mangrove Estate: a magical space where art can be created but can never leave.

Kisner, Adrienne. Dear Rachel Maddow. 2018. 263p. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (9781250146021). Grades 7 and up. School doesn't come naturally to Brynn Harper. After her brother's drug-related death, she stops trying. Stuck in remedial courses and considering dropping out to escape an abusive household, Brynn discovers a spark of passion in an unlikely place: school politics.

Lee, C.B. Not Your Villain. 2017. 320p. Interlude Press, $16.99 (9781945053252). Grades 7 and up.Bells is levelling up to superhero-if the bigger heroes don't stand in his way, in this sequel to Not Your Sidekick .

Lundin, Britta. Ship It. 2018. 384p. Freeform, $17.99 (9781368003131). Grades 9 and up.Claire writes slash fiction based on her favorite TV show, Demon Heart , and she's convinced that her ship should go canon. But when she confronts the show's actors and producers at a convention, Claire risks losing everything she cares about, including her new romance with fellow fan, Tess.

Poston, Ashley. Heart of Iron. 2018. 480p. Balzer + Bray, $17.99 (9780062652850). Grades 9 and up. Ana and her found family of thieves make a living doing whatever jobs they can get when Ana's best friend D09 needs her help. In a desperate bid to save him, she meets a rich, spoiled Ironblood, and together they track down a ship that may have all the answers they need.

Surmelis, Angelo. The Dangerous Art of Blending In. 2018. 315p. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $17.99 (9780062659002). Grades 9 and up.Evan returns from summer camp to discover his best friend Henry has become impossibly attractive. As his feelings for Henry grow more intense, Evan's mother becomes more abusive, and he must find the courage to speak up. Talley, Robin. Pulp. 2018. 416p. Harlequin Teen, $18.99 (9781335012906). Grades 9 and up. In the present day, Abby is a high school senior dealing with lingering romantic feelings for her best friend/ex-girlfriend. In 1955, Janet must hide her relationship with her best friend Marie even though she knows there is nothing wrong with their love. Both Abby and Janet find solace in the lesbian pulp novels they read.

Grace, Sina & Vitti, Alessandro. Iceman, Vol. 1: Thawing Out. 2018. 136p. Marvel, $10.87 (9781302908799). Grades 9 and up.Long-time X-Men member Bobby Drake, also known as Iceman, has always been quick to crack a joke-until a teen version of himself is brought to the future and comes out as gay. Now he has to deal with his sexuality, his family, and his exes. Grace, Sina & Vitti, Alessandro. Iceman, Vol. 2: Absolute Zero. 2018. 112p. Marvel, $12.18 (9781302908805) Grades 9 and up. Bobby Drake, aka Iceman, must contend with Wolverine's son, a new love interest, his old team, and his parents discovering his time-displaced self.

Larson, Hope, Jackie Ball and Noah Hayes. Goldie Vance Vol 3. 2017. 112p. BOOM! Box, $10.19 (9781684150533). Grades 6 and up.Goldie's detective skills are put to the test when she is forced to team up with her rival Sugar Maple to figure out who is sabotaging cars in the big race. Larson, Hope, Jackie Ball and Elle Power. Goldie Vance Vol 4. 2018. 112p. BOOM! Box, $9.32 (9781684151400). Grades 7 and up. Mysteries abound leading up to the St. Pascal Rockin' the Beach Music Festival, but Goldie Vance is on the case.

Rowell, Rainbow & Kris Anka. Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home. 2018. 136p. Marvel, $12.23 (9781302908522). Grades 7 and up.The author of puts her spin on the new classic Marvel team of teens who discovered their parents were supervillains. Now a few years older, the team has split apart. But when one of their members is back from the dead, maybe it's time for everyone to come back together. Rowell, Rainbow & Kris Anka. Runaways, Vol. 2: Best Friends Forever. 2018. 136p. Marvel, $17.99 (9781302911973). Grades 7 and up. Karolina's girlfriend comes to visit, and everyone must adjust to life as a team again.

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The Rainbow Book List Committee is proud to announce the 2019 Rainbow Book List. The List is a curated bibliography highlighting books with significant gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning content, aimed at children and youth from birth to age 18.

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The Monmouth County Consortium for LGBTQ+ is a non-profit organization of concerned and determined educators, community leaders, arts and cultural organizations, businesses and individuals who are are pooling resources and ideas to make it better with education, outreach, and social opportunities for our LGBTQ youth.

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Our Mission

The Monmouth County Consortium for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth is a non-profit organization of concerned and determined educators, community leaders, arts and cultural organizations, businesses and individuals who are are pooling resources and ideas to make it better with education, outreach, and social opportunities for our LGBTQ youth.
Learn more about what we do

A Vision of Ourselves: LGBTQ Inclusive Curriculum

LGBTQ Inclusive education is more than celebrating one day, one person, or one event. For far more than a decade, national and state level professional educational organizations, gender and sexuality focused advocacy groups, and educational leaders have called for more LGBTQ inclusion in public education. From teacher training (pre-service) to professional development, the impact of educators on the outcomes of their students has been a topic of study and increasing focus. With regards to gender, race and ethnicity, we know that seeing oneself positively contributes to greater likelihood of positive outcomes.
Learn more about the NJ LGBTQ Inclusive Curriculum

Pride 2020

Join us for PRIDE online. Engaging, funny, introspective, and aspirational conversations with the artists, representatives, the politically motivated, and the vocal members of our queer community. Anyone can join, especially relevant for queer teens and their mentors.
View the Pride 2020 Schedule View the Pride 2020 Panelists

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The Monmouth County Consortium for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth is an umbrella organization of concerned and determined educators, community leaders, arts and cultural organizations, businesses and individuals who are are pooling resources and ideas to make it better with education, outreach, and social opportunities for our LGBTQ youth.

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Six Ways Educators Can Support LGBTQ Students During COVID-19

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Six Ways Educators Can Support LGBTQ Students During COVID-19

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The question is:
How can teachers support LGBTQ students during the school closure crisis?
I've shared several posts discussing ways educators can support particularly vulnerable student populations, including English-language learners and those with special needs.

Today's post will address reaching another vulnerable group: our LGBTQ students.
"For LGBTQ students, supportive teachers are a lifeline" Caitlin Ryan, Ph.D., ACSW, is a clinical social worker, educator, and researcher who has worked on LGBTQ health and mental health for 45 years in diverse settings, including schools, and whose work on LGBTQ health has shaped policy and practice for LGBTQ and gender-diverse children and youths. She directs the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) at San Francisco State University-a research, education, intervention and policy project that helps ethnically, racially, and religiously diverse families to support their LGBTQ children.
Ricky Robertson, M.Ed., is an educator, author, and consultant. Ricky is the co-author of the book, Building Resilience in Students Impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Whole-Staff Approach (Romero, Robertson, & Warner). Ricky supports schools and districts in developing multitiered trauma-informed systems of support that foster educator & student resilience.:

One of the immediate outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic is helping us recognize essential resources that bind us together and strengthen connectedness. Foremost among them are schools and teachers that throughout modern history provide critical structure to normalize children's lives, including during wars and other catastrophic events. This time is no different as the pandemic that threatens our lives has forced us apart to protect one another. For children and youths who are more vulnerable, isolation significantly increases risk. This is especially so for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified (LGBTQ) students.

Even in the best of times, LGBTQ youths are at higher risk for victimization and being bullied, for substance use, depression, and attempted suicide. In a national study, lesbian, gay, and bisexual students were 2.5 times more likely to report feeling hopeless or sad and 4.5 times more likely to attempt suicide during the past 12 months, compared with heterosexual peers. LGBTQ youth of color are at higher risk. Among LGBTQ students, about 1 in 3 had attempted suicide during the past 12 months (29 percent of LGB students and 35 percent of transgender students), compared with less than 1 in 10 non-LGBTQ peers.

For LGBTQ students, supportive teachers are a lifeline, and school is often the one safe place to connect with peers and adults that buffer rejection and provide affirmation. As information has become more widely available about sexual orientation and gender identity, more parents are supportive of their LGBTQ children. However, many parents don't know specific ways to reduce their LGBTQ children's risk or behaviors that strengthen relationships and promote well-being. And many don't know about LGBTQ resources that are available online or in their communities. In addition, many students lack family support and may live with rejecting parents and caregivers. All students benefit from sharing information about how teachers and families can increase support and reduce serious health risks.

LGBTQ young people from families that are highly rejecting are more than eight times as likely to attempt suicide, nearly six times as likely to report high levels of depression, and more than three times as likely to use illegal drugs. The stress of being confined with parents and caregivers who engage in rejecting behaviors that communicate anger, hostility, and shame in response to the youth's LGBTQ identity can become overwhelming without external supports.

The Family Acceptance Project (FAP) at San Francisco State University identified and measured more than 50 specific family-rejecting behaviors that parents and caregivers use to express rejection of their children's LGBTQ identity. FAP's research shows how behaviors such as preventing their child from having an LGBTQ friend or using religious or cultural beliefs to condemn or try to change their child's LGBTQ identity contribute to serious health risks. FAP's research also measured and shows how more than 50 family-accepting and -supportive behaviors-such as requiring that other family members treat their child with respect and supporting their child's gender expression-help protect against health risks and promote well-being.

During this time of uncertainty and great hardship for young people and families, supportive teachers can make a critical difference in the lives of all LGBTQ students-especially those who are experiencing ongoing rejection from families and caregivers because of their LGBTQ identity.
How Teachers Can Help

1. Identify yourself as an ally to all students. If you teach in a virtual setting, let your students know that you're there to support them by sending a class email or mailing work packets home, even if you don't mention LGBTQ students specifically. "Please let me know if you need to talk. I care about you and I'm here to support you." If your school has a GSA adviser (school diversity clubs for LGBTQ students & allies), check in about ways to increase support for LGBTQ students.

2. Refer to students using appropriate names and pronouns. This is a simple but powerful act that lets transgender and nonbinary students know they are seen and respected. Research shows that when others use the chosen name that matches a youth's gender identity, transgender youths report 71 percent fewer symptoms of severe depression and 59 percent fewer suicide attempts.

3. Learn ways to decrease rejection & increase family support. The Family Acceptance Project did the first research and developed the first evidence-based family-support model to help racially and religiously diverse families learn to support their LGBTQ children. FAP provides family services and produces multilingual resources to help youths and families understand how to reduce their children's risk and increase support-even when parents and caregivers believe that being gay or transgender is wrong:

1. Learn about virtual support. If your school has a GSA, host online meetings, if possible. The GSA Network's Instagram posts information about virtual GSA meet-ups across the country. Gender Spectrum hosts online groups to support transgender, nonbinary, & gender-expansive youths. Gender Diversity has virtual groups for parents of transgender and gender-diverse children and youths. If there are organizations in your community that support LGBTQ youths, check their websites to see if they have virtual offerings.

2. Get ideas for LGBTQ inclusive instruction. Students in schools and classrooms that prevent bullying and support all students, including LGBTQ students, have fewer mental-health problems, higher grades, and more positive outcomes. For ideas on creating LGBTQ-inclusive lessons in virtual classrooms, look at GLSEN's guide to Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Classroom Resources.

3. Know about crisis & suicide-prevention resources. The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386) has a 24/7 hotline and virtual chat for LGBTQ youths who are struggling emotionally and may be considering suicide.

Teachers are a lifeline, especially for isolated LGBTQ students. Your work is critical and has an emotional impact. Take care of yourselves and stay connected. Tell us about your experiences and resources so we can share them with others.

Thanks to Caitlin and Ricky for their contribution!
Just a reminder; you can subscribe and receive updates from this blog via email or RSS Reader. And if you missed any of the highlights from the first eight years of this blog, you can see a categorized list below. The list doesn't include ones from this current year, but you can find those by clicking on the "answers" category found in the sidebar.
Please feel free to leave a comment with your reactions to the topic or directly to anything that has been said in this post.

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Six Ways Educators Can Support LGBTQ Students During COVID-19 (Opinion)

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The question is: How can teachers support LGBTQ students during the school closure crisis? I've shared several posts discussing ways educators can support particularly vulnerable student populations, including English-language learners and those with special needs. Today's post will address reaching another vulnerable group: our LGBTQ students.

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Beacon Press: A Queer History of the United States for Young People Discussion Guide

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'Tears of joy': Elliot Page gets emotional in first TV interview with Oprah since coming out

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'Tears of joy': Elliot Page gets emotional in first TV interview with Oprah since coming out

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Elliot Page, who came out as transgender last December in a social media post, got real with Oprah Winfrey during a new interview.

In his first on-camera interview since coming out, Page sat down with Winfrey on " The Oprah Conversation," (streaming Friday on Apple TV+). They talk about the "crucial" moment when he came out, how he felt "unwell" after the success of "Juno" (a 2007 movie that earned him an Oscar nomination) and how his transition is bringing him "tears of joy."

"I wanted to make something clear that all trans people are different, and I'm only speaking from my experience," Page said in the interview.

The coronavirus pandemic has allowed Page to spend a lot of time alone. He said the time helped him "connect" to his body, "fully listen" to himself and encouraged himto come out on social media.

"Knowing the pain and the difficulties and struggles I faced in my life, let alone what so many other people are facing, it absolutely felt crucial and important for me to share that," he said.

Winfrey said she first came to know Page when he was promoting "Juno," which Page described as an "intense time."

"I remember it felt so impossible to communicate with people about how unwell I was," he said with tears in his eyes. "There is so much excitement, the film unexpectedly became a big hit, I became quite known."
More:'Juno' star Elliot Page comes out as transgender; wife Emma Portner 'so proud'
He added: "The Oscars, for example: I could not look at a photo from that red carpet -and again, people might watch this and be like 'Oh my gosh, this person is crying about the night where they went to the Oscars?'"
More: Elliot Page covers Time magazine, talks coming out and trans equality: 'I'm fully who I am'
Page revealed he had top surgery in a cover story for Time's March/April cover issue. Then, he emphasized that surgery was not essential to identifying as trans. Page told Winfrey he wanted to go public because his transition was life changing and he was upset by the "attack on trans healthcare."

Legislators in Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia and other states have introduced more than 20 bills this year restricting transgender youths' access to certain medical procedures, according to Freedom for All Americans, a bipartisan LGBTQ advocacy group.
More: As Arkansas bans treatments for transgender youth, 15 other states consider similar bills
Page got emotional explaining how he feels after his medical surgery.

"Getting out of the shower and the towel's around your waist, and you're looking at yourself in the mirror and you're just like, 'there I am' and I'm not having the moment where I'm panicked," Page said, wiping away "tears of joy.
Contributing: David Oliver, Sara M Moniuszko and Chelsey Cox
"From where I'm sitting now, all I know is the degree of comfort, sense of home, ability to be present feels so profound and life changing," he added.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, conducted by trans journalist Thomas Page McBee (which sparked social media praise for representation), Page revealed his initial hesitancy to talk with Winfrey.

"It was something I needed to sit with for a moment, because the backlash right now is so intense," Page said. "So (talking to Oprah) felt like an opportunity to use a wide-reaching platform to speak from my heart about some of my experience and the resources I've been able to access."

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'Tears of joy': Elliot Page gets emotional in first TV interview with Oprah since coming out

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Elliot Page, who came out as transgender last December in a social media post, got real with Oprah Winfrey during a new interview. In his first on-camera interview since coming out, Page sat down with Winfrey on " The Oprah Conversation," (streaming Friday on Apple TV+).

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Ignorance Isn’t Bliss – Why We Need LGBTQ Education

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Ignorance Isn’t Bliss – Why We Need LGBTQ Education

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Ignorance Isn’t Bliss – Why We Need LGBTQ Education | Grace James | TEDxSWPS

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The Science of Being Transgender ft. Gigi Gorgeous

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Gender Neutral & Inclusive Signs | Queer ASL

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Gender Neutral & Inclusive Signs | Queer ASL

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Gender Neutral & Inclusive Signs | Queer ASL Ponderings

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Without LGBTQ history, there is no American history. From Learning for Justice and hosts Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio, Queer America takes listeners on a journey that spans from Harlem to the Frontier West, revealing stories of LGBTQ life we should have learned in school.

This podcast is produced in partnership with University of Wisconsin Press, publishers of Understanding and Teaching U.S. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History. It is the first book designed for high school and university teachers who want to integrate LGBTQ history into their standard curriculum.

Listen to each episode individually, or subscribe for automatic downloads using:

Queer America is an exploration of the history of sexual identity and gender identity in the United States. Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio host this new podcast from Learning for Justice-a resource to help educators integrate LGBTQ history into their curriculum.

From the Gold Rush to the Cold War, Historian Daniel Hurewitz offers strategies for integrating LGBTQ History into your curriculum. He shares lesson examples from U.S. history and insights from educators already teaching queer history in their classrooms.

In a fascinating conversation with host Leila J. Rupp, historian and writer Genny Beemyn brings us inspiring-and surprising-stories of trans and gender nonconforming figures, from the Frontier West to the modern civil rights movement and beyond.

Lessons from the classroom-from high stakes testing to critical thinking skills-professor Emily Hobson & public school teacher Felicia Perez discuss their experiences and practical advice to help you incorporate LGBTQ History.

We're passing love notes across time. Historian Susan K. Freeman takes a deep dive into the history of women who loved women-and offers ways for educators to connect love letters to lessons on culture, women's rights movements and literary themes.

Lifelong partnerships between women existed long before the legalization of gay marriage. Susan K. Freeman continues her exploration of the spaces they found-in their words, their societies and their homes-for same-sex intimacy.

"If we teach only about the Red Scare, we're only telling part of the story of the Cold War." Historian David K. Johnson explores the systemic firing of gay government employees and the consequences of a homophobic culture that still endure today.

World War II plunged a double-edged sword into the heart of the U.S. queer community. Historian Susan Freeman examines how the war brought gay men and lesbians together, and the ways it isolated them from the right to serve and benefit from their service.

What can the private lives of public figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and J. Edgar Hoover tell us about their impact on U.S. history? Historian Claire Potter helps us navigate the relationships among identity, power and actions-and why we must teach them.

Don't start-or stop-with Stonewall. To understand not just LGBTQ history but all post-war U.S. history, students must see the 1960s in context. In this episode, Amnesty International's Ian Lekus dives into the minority-rights revolutions of the 1960s.

The revolution was intersectional. Amnesty International's Ian Lekus returns to discuss ways educators can highlight the many identities of 1960s activists and help students understand the roles LGBTQ people played in movements you already teach.

"Inequality directly affected the scope of the epidemic." Historian Jennifer Brier and CAARAC founder Shakita Jones discuss the history and structural discrimination surrounding AIDS, and how to approach these difficult conversations in the classroom.

Queer characters have existed on screen since the era of silent film. But do they have a starring role in your syllabus? Scholars Sharon Ullman and Nicholas Syrett offer concrete strategies for teaching LGBTQ history through films and documentaries.

On our season finale, join Learning for Justice Senior Writer Cory Collins and hosts Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio as they offer concrete tips for creating LGBTQ-inclusive classrooms and taking themes from this podcast into our daily practice.
Read the Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ Students Guide

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Without LGBTQ history, there is no American history. From Learning for Justice and hosts Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio, Queer America takes listeners on a journey that spans from Harlem to the Frontier West, revealing stories of LGBTQ life we should have learned in school.

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Understanding the Experiences ofLGBTQ Students

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Understanding the Experiences ofLGBTQ Students

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Weightlifter poised to become first transgender Olympian

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Weightlifter poised to become first transgender Olympian

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Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard is set to become the first transgender athlete to compete at an Olympics after qualifying for the rescheduled Tokyo Games due to a rule change, Inside the Games website reported on Wednesday.

Hubbard was effectively guaranteed a spot in the women's super heavyweight category, the report from the Olympics-focused trade publication said, after the International Olympic Committee approved an amendment to the rules as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of many qualifying competitions.

New Zealander Hubbard, 43, has not yet been named to the national women's weightlifting team going to the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Hubbard competed in men's weightlifting competitions before transitioning in 2013.

She has been eligible to compete in the Olympics since 2015, when the IOC issued new guidelines allowing any transgender athlete to compete as a woman provided their testosterone levels are below 10 nanomoles per litre for at least 12 months before their first competition.

Weightlifting has been at the center of the debate over the fairness of transgender athletes competing in women's sports, and Hubbard's presence in Tokyo is set to attract huge media attention as well as criticism from fellow lifters and coaches.

Her gold medal wins at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa, where she topped the podium ahead of Samoa's Commonwealth Games champion Feagaiga Stowers, triggered outrage in the island nation.

Australia's weightlifting federation sought to block Hubbard from competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast but organizers rejected the move.

USA Weightlifting said it had no issue with Hubbard competing in the Games.

"We respect the rules established by the International Weightlifting Federation and the International Olympic Committee for qualification and will be focusing on assisting our athletes to compete against all those who are qualified for the Tokyo Games," spokesman Kevin Farley told Reuters.

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Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard poised to become first transgender Olympian

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Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard is set to become the first transgender athlete to compete at an Olympics after qualifying for the rescheduled Tokyo Games due to a rule change, Inside the Games website reported on Wednesday.

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What is the difference between she/her and she/they?

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What is the difference between she/her and she/they?

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she/they just means that they go by both she/her and they/them pronouns. If a student has she/they or he/they pronouns, we recommend asking them if they have a preference. If you don’t know their preference, use they/them. Even if they say both are okay, try to interchange the pronouns.

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How best do you think a staff member can address a student who identifies differently from their biological gender and if grouping students into cohorts, should they ask them one on one where they would like to be placed? For example, if a teacher would like a mix of students per group and the student(s) don't identify as their biological gender, having groups with 3 identifying females and 3 nonbinary or born female biologically all are wanting to be grouped together, it may show a significant discrepancy depending on what the circumstance is. Versus previous groupings sometimes were split male vs. female. 

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How best do you think a staff member can address a student who identifies differently from their biological gender and if grouping students into cohorts, should they ask them one on one where they would like to be placed? For example, if a teacher would like a mix of students per group and the student(s) don't identify as their biological gender, having groups with 3 identifying females and 3 nonbinary or born female biologically all are wanting to be grouped together, it may show a significant discrepancy depending on what the circumstance is. Versus previous groupings sometimes were split male vs. female. 

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There are many different ways to split a group of students besides by gender. Try birth months, favorite colors or anything else you can think of, be creative! And for gym teachers, remember that gender and physical strength/athleticism do not always correlate!

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Do you recommend a separate pronoun survey or including the pronoun survey in a larger "get-to-know-you" Google Form?

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Do you recommend a separate pronoun survey or including the pronoun survey in a larger "get-to-know-you" Google Form?

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We would recommend including it in your general get to know you form instead of a separate survey. Asking a persons pronouns is a baseline question, just like you would ask for their name, so working it into your general form will normalize it in your classroom!

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Gender neutral pronouns in foreign languages is a difficult question as many countries outside of the US have not made as much progress with gender identity and establishing gender neutral pronouns. We are continuing our research on each language and will keep updating this place with any new information we find!

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“Elle” has started to become a gender neutral spanish pronoun. It is a cross between él and ella. Young people are also beginning to replace the masculine “o” or the feminine “a” with the gender-neutral “e” in certain words in order to make words gender. Along with this pronoun ending come the noun and adjective endings -e (singular) and -es (plural) and the articles le, les, une, and unes. Thus we have les chiques instead of l@s chic@s or lxs chicxs. It is easy to pronounce, very systematic, and easy to use given the willingness to do so.

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Elles: Being Non binary and Latinx (Spanish Resource)

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Elles: Being Non binary and Latinx (Spanish Resource)

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Elle como pronombre (inclusivo) - y a la RAE muchos besis (Spanish Resource)

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Elle como pronombre (inclusivo) - y a la RAE muchos besis (Spanish Resource)

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Elle como pronombre (inclusivo) - y a la RAE muchos besis

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Élle (o éle) como pronombres neutros (Spanish Resource)

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Élle (o éle) como pronombres neutros (Spanish Resource)

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En español tenemos él y ella como pronombres de tercera persona. Si utilizamos la e para hacer las palabras neutras (por ejemplo: humane, cansade), tiene sentido que neutralicemos los pronombres mediante el mismo método.

La primera vez que lei sobre estos pronombres fue en este post: http://lilleskvat.blogspot.com/2012/06/ele-o-elle.html

Tanto élle como éle serían neutros. A mí me parece mejor élle porque éle podría escucharse como él cuando va seguido de otra e. Élle también podría confundirse con ella, pero es más difícil.

Creo que podríamos utilizar ambos y que cada individuo utilice el que prefiera.

Es importante utilizar la tilde diacrítica para no confundirlos con los nombres de las letras l y ll.

Evidentemente, esto no lo va a aceptar la RAE así por las buenas. Pero igual que en inglés hay pronombres neutros que no son tan comunes (como ze o sie), nosotrxs podríamos crear los nuestros y empezar a usar una forma de hablar neutra (con la e al hablar para poder pronunciarlo, y la e o la x al escribir). Yo no lo haría en ciertas situaciones, pero utilizarlo al escribir en internet, en nuestros blogs personales, etc, puede ser una buena forma de difundir esta forma de lenguaje neutro.

No sólo nos beneficia a quienes nos identificamos con géneros no binarios, sino que también sería una buena alternativa al lenguaje sexista. Actualmente escribimos "los/las alumnos/as" y decimos "los alumnos y las alumnas" para no utilizar el masculino e incluir a las mujeres, pero si utilizáramos la e podríamos escribir y decir "les alumnes", algo inclusivo con todos los géneros (no sólo mujeres y hombres) que además es fácil y cómodo de usar sin tener que repetir la misma palabra con distintos géneros.

2:11 am - Mon Jul 23

garosmith-deactivated20120813

garosmith-deactivated20120813

#género queer #no binario #nobinario #pronombres neutros #genderqueer español

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En español tenemos él y ella como pronombres de tercera persona. Si utilizamos la e para hacer las palabras neutras (por ejemplo: humane, cansade), tiene sentido que neutralicemos los pronombres mediante el mismo método. La primera vez que lei sobre estos pronombres fue en este post: http://lilleskvat.blogspot.com/2012/06/ele-o-elle.html Tanto élle como éle serían neutros.

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As of now, there is no gender neutral pronoun in Italian. Loro or essi could be used however they are not mainstream and not very common as they both typically indicate a high level of formality. I would recommend explaining this to your students and letting them know that you will introduce them to a gender neutral pronoun as soon as there is one!

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In French, people have begun to use the pronoun “iel” (and sometimes “ille”) to refer to a nonbinary person. Linguistically, these are a mix of “il” and “elle”. Some people have also begun to use pronouns in French such as "ol", "al", "ul" or "yul".

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Atelier Queer Week 6 mars 2015
Le chantier linguistique : éléments pour une grammaire non binaire
Alice Coutant, Luca Greco, Noémie Marignier

1. 1. Le chantier linguistique : éléments pour une grammaire non- binaire Alice Coutant (Paris 5/IEC) Luca Greco (Paris 3) Noémie Marignier (Paris 13/Paris 3/IEC) Atelier Queer Week - 6 mars 2015

2. 2. " Tell them about how you're never really a whole person if you remain silent, because there's always that one little piece inside you that wants to be spoken out, and if you keep ignoring it, it gets madder and madder and hotter and hotter, and if you don't speak it out one day it will just up and punch you in the mouth from the inside " (Lorde 1984 :42) 2

3. 3. Pour une linguistique queer  Une linguistique qui questionne les dispositifs de catégorisation en général et la binarité du système sexe/genre en particulier  Une linguistique s'intéressant aux processus de catégorisation genrée, sexuée, à la façon dont les participantEs construisent des corps, des genres et des sexes dans et par les pratiques langagières.  Une linguistique queer est inévitablement inter-(voire trans- )disciplinaire  Une linguistique queer s'intéresse davantage aux processus qu'aux produits finis. La langue - comme le genre - sont toujours en train de se faire. 3

4. 4. Introduction Le genre et la langue  Le genre en linguistique : un instrument de catégorisation de l'univers référentiel  Bicatégorisation : le genre oppose de manière exclusive et binaire les catégorie de masculin et de féminin  Différenciation des catégories en appréhendant les formes du masculin comme premières  Hiérarchisation des catégories et invisibilisation du féminin 4

5. 5. Introduction (2) Le genre et la langue  Bicatégorisation  Fascisme de la langue (Barthes)  Double contrainte : choix obligatoire et choix exclusif  Différence sexe/genre et genre grammatical  Le neutre en français (n'existe pas)  Hiérarchisation et Invisibilisation  Au niveau morphosyntaxique (masculin l'emporte)  Dans le lexique (formes féminines manquantes)  Comment revisibiliser le féminin?  Mais ca ne suffit pas... 5

6. 6. Agir sur la langue  Transformer les pratiques  Rédaction(s) non sexiste(s)  Double marquage du genre (" épicénéisation du discours ")  Transformer les règles et le lexique  Dé-hiérarchiser (rétablir la règle de proximité etc.)  Féminiser les noms de titres et de fonctions  Transformer les catégories  Supprimer les catégories de genre (dé-binariser)  Créations de nouveaux termes et de nouveaux pronoms 6

7. 7. Des actions différentes pour des enjeux différents  Revenir sur la masculinisation de la langue  Ne règle pas le problème de la binarité...  Dépasser et se défaire de la double binarité linguistique et sociale : Neutraliser la langue (Wittig, Michard)  Masculin générique  Ex : Ce matin, Samia s'est préparé pour aller à l'université, il a rejoint des amis et ils ont été boire un verre. Il était très content.  Féminin générique  Ex : Thomas s'est préparée pour aller à l'université ; elle a rejoint Claire et Nadir, elles ont été boire un café au bistrot du coin. 7

8. 8. Le double marquage du genre  Revisibilisation du féminin et des femmes  Formes typographiques  Les étudiant(e)s sont allé(e)s boire un verre.  Les étudiant-e-s sont allé-e-s boire un verre.  Les étudiant.e.s sont allé.e.s boire un verre.  Les étudiant·e·s sont allé·e·s boire un verre.  Les étudiant/e/s sont allé/e/s boire un verre.  Les étudiantEs sont alléEs boire un verre.  Conservent la binarité ? 8

9. 9. Le E (Féminin majuscule) Double marquage ou différEnce ?  bonjour Curtis jsuis pas mortE mais big probleme virus PC et je profite de ce poste pour ""vous passer l'info '  Une journaliste de paris match m'a contactéE à propos de mon projet où j'avais photographié X, pour utiliser une de mes photos [...]  Vincent Guillot, fondatRICE du mouvement intersexe en Europe francophone, revient sur les derniers développements de l'affaire du Distilbène, [...]  Les bouchers ont un bel avenir devant eux, il y a les bonNES is [intersexEs] et les falacieuSEs. Il est une chose de se sentir déstabilisé par sa démarche artistique, il en est une autre que de le présenter comme "traitre à la cause"! 9

10. 10. Pratiques langagières queer  Prolifération de catégories  Travail sur la neutralisation de la langue (pronoms) Quelques solutions, dans différentes langues  En suédois: hen C'est un néologisme qui remplace han [il] et hon [elle].  En espagnol : l@s chic@s, tod@s l@s amig@s  En italien : ciao bellissim@, buongiorno a tutt*  En hébreu (Bershtling 2014): haverot (fp) haverim (mp) : haverimot. Transiot (fp) transim (mp) : transimot 10

11. 11. Neutraliser la langue française  Travail sur les pronoms  Mais travail de la langue et du genre est extrêmement lourd en français  5 classes de mots prenant la marque du genre en français  Substantifs (boulanger, boulangère...)  Adjectifs (beau, belle...)  Verbes (participes passés) (accepté, acceptée...)  Pronoms (il, elle, celle, celui...)  Déterminants (le, la, un, une...)  Problème des accords en français 11

12. 12. Langage non binaire en français : Pronoms  Pronoms personnels de 3ème pers : ille, yel, iel, illes, els, iels, yol, ol, ul, uls  Ul est gentil.  Illes sont venuEs.  Pronom tonique : Ellui, eulles,  Yel est venuE avec eulles.  Pronom démonstratif : ceulles, celleux, cellui.  Déterminants  Définis : lo, lu, li, le-a (ex: Lu boulanger)  Indéfinis : uno, unu (ex : Unu ami)  Illes (Pour une grammaire non sexiste, Labrosse 1996), Ille (Hoquet 2011), Iel (Larue 2013) "qui a le mérite de défiminiser le pronom "elle" (ce n'est pas "ielle"), UL (Barasc & Causse 2014) 12

13. 13. Langage non binaire en français : autres mots  Le E  Les étudiantEs sont alléEs boire un verre.  Nouveaux noms et adjectifs  Les chanteureuses, les chômeureuses, toustes  Les chanteureuses ont réalisé une très belle performance ce soir : illes se donné ??s à fond.  Formes mixtes  Les chanteureuses ont réalisé une très belle performance ce soir : illes se donnéEs/donnéX à fond, et sont ensuite allé-e-s boire un verre toustes ensembles.  Oh là non, je crois que tu ne choques personne parmi nous, qu'on soit intersexe, trans, indéterminéEs ou les deux ou trois à la fois - c'est nous qu'on est choquantEs pour les "normales" ! Au contraire, bienvenue à toi ! Plus on sera mieux ça vaudra ! 13

14. 14. Chez les Drag King de Bruxelles (Terrain L. Greco) 14 Yel, iel Yels Toustes - tous(pause)tes, tou(pause)stes, tou(pause)tes Ceuses, celleux, ceu(pause)ses.lleux Nombreuxses S/He She : générique They Womanity (humanity) Herstory (history)

15. 15. Problèmes et écueils (1) La performance/performativité  Idée que le langage a une action sur le monde, la société les corps  Il y a un travail de transformation corporelle et existentiel et en même temps un travail de transformation des formes linguistiques  Mais il faut se méfier de cette vision " transparente " du langage  Problème de l'idée d'un moi stable, fini qu'on pourrait dire par un langage transparent  S'intéresser aux processus de changement de la langue, aux identités se faisant et se défaisant par le langage 15

16. 16. L'anarchie des formes non binaires  Modeler la langue au fil des désirs de chacun mais rester dans le processus et non pas s'arrêter au résultat  Mixer les formes selon les contextes et les usages, ne pas recréer une grammaire normative et prescriptive...  Faire attention aux autres stratégies langagières queer  Exemple :  " Guten soir every menschen, je me suis inscritE depuis déja quelques jours, [...]bon bref je suis une herma (et fier de l'être) algeriennE "  Mais intérêt néanmoins de la stabilité des formes d'un certain point de vue militant... 16

17. 17. Problèmes et écueils (2) La question de la langue  De la difficulté de changer volontairement le système de la langue  Question des politiques linguistiques  Question des animés/inanimés  Marie a posé le carafe sur le table.  Yel a mangé uno steak.  Question des usages 17

18. 18. Langue et évolutions spontanées  Féminisations spontanées (peu importe l'Académie Française !)  Accords non réalisés  (o) " Mes carottes, je les ai mis_ à cuire " (Top Chef, source inépuisable !)  (o) " Là, je dois dire que tu m'as surpris_ " (Reines du shopping, locutrice)  (o) " Aïssa s'est plaint_ de mon comportement " (QVEMF, locuteur)  (o) " Et y a des choses que vous avez jamais fait_, comme le bistournage ou l'attente aux fers ? " (S.V., chercheuse)  (o) " Mais il t'a mis_ par terre ou quoi ? " (S.V., chercheuse)  (é) " Mme X et M. Y m'ont orienté_ vers vous " (expéditrice mail)  (é) " Mon père m'a toujours impressionné_ " (autrice billet blog)  (é) " Paul Dupont était inquiet parce qu'il était déjà 22 heures et parce que sa femme, Marie, n'était pas encore rentré_ du travail. " (enquête RISC) 18

19. 19. Neutralisations spontanées  Adjectifs  (o) " Dans cette robe, je fais Grace Kelly mais en plus gros_ " (Reines du shopping, locutrice)  Usages indifférenciés des pronoms  F : J'ai l'impression de vivre avec eux, moi, tout le temps (eux = les voisins, pour les voisines)  M : On a beau coucher nos enfants à huit heures, ils dorment pas avant dix heures et demie, onze heures, quand eux  K : à cause des voisins ?  M : voilà, quand eux ils ont décidé de dormir ou...  F : J'ai l'impression qu'ils veulent même pas essayer de me comprendre, parce que quand je leur dis de venir constater eux-mêmes, eux ils viennent pas  M : Je vais pas aller m'en prendre après eux, me battre avec eux alors que c'est c'est que des filles 19

20. 20. Contextes  Problèmes des contextes  On parle toujours différemment selon les contextes et les interlocuteurICEs  Adapter selon contexte militant, professionnel, amical, familial etc.  Mais formes impossibles dans certains lieux/institutions 20

21. 21. Contourner le genre ?  Stratégies discursives de contournement du genre (dans la langue), qui répondent soit à un besoin (celui de ne pas trahir sa transition), soit à un choix politique et militant (émancipation par rapport à la binarité)  Mêmes stratégies que dans les guides de rédaction non sexiste !  Stratégies qualifiées de "neutre"  " tourner mes phrases autrement pour ne pas genrer "  " tortur[er] la langue française pour ne pas avoir à utiliser les accords féminins "  " tourner ses phrases différemment, employer de nouvelles formules etc... "  " fai[re] des détours (je fais des tas de périphrases) " 21

22. 22.  usage d'un verbe plutôt que d'un nom  si on n'est pas un grand sportif → si on ne fait pas beaucoup de sport  je ne suis pas un grand lecteur / une grande lectrice → je ne lis pas beaucoup  verbes à l'infinitif  Et tout ça, sans qu'ils aient à se déplacer ! → Et tout ça, sans avoir à se déplacer !  " je n'ai jamais été "contente", ça me "faisait plaisir"... "  tournures impersonnelles  c'est pour ça que j'étais absent / absente → c'est la raison de mon absence mais aussi  → c'est pour ça que je ne suis pas venu/e (oral)  → c'est pour ça que je n'étais pas là  Relatifs  lequel / laquelle, auquel / à laquelle, duquel / de laquelle → qui, de qui, dont  adjectifs indéfinis  chacun / chacune → chaque  génériques : personne(s), gens, membre(s)  collectifs : la communauté, l'électorat, le lectorat, le personnel, la clientèle 22

23. 23. Les épicènes architecte zutiste bibliothécaire yéyé cadre xénophobe décisionnaire WASP élève virtuose fleuriste utile gestionnaire tranquille hygiéniste sauvage interprète riche journaliste quadragénaire kinésithérapeute pâle linguiste peu orthodoxe médecin novice notaire malade ophtalmologiste lourdingue photographe kleptomane quattrocentiste juste réceptionniste intrépide spécialiste humaniste toréador grêle urbaniste fidèle vétérinaire égoïste webmaster drôle xylophoniste cynique yankee bête zoologiste apte 23 * Épicène : non marqué du point de vue du genre grammatical.

24. 24. Atelier (1) : Dictée (!)  énoncés où le genre est audible et visible  ex : je suis certaine que ces étudiantes sont malignes et intelligentes  énoncés où le genre n'est pas audible mais est visible  ex : je suis sûr?e? que ces élèves sont subtil?e?s, futé?e?s, dégourdi?e?s  énoncés où le genre n'est ni audible, ni visible  ex : il est certain que ces élèves sont lucides et perspicaces 24

25. 25. Atelier (2) : Comment lisez- vous ce texte ? " Suite aux récents échanges, et parce que le bureau d'Efigies se réunit bientôt, je me demande s'il ne serait pas intéressant de travailler sur des protocoles pour les étudiantEs et chercheurSEs qui veulent récupérer des savoirs, en particulier auprès de personnes et groupes minoritaires. Nous sommes très souvent sollicitéEs, maintenuEs comme objets d'étude, avec le sentiment d'une confiscation de nos expertises pratiques et militantes, afin qu'elles soient traduites en langage universitaire (dans le meilleur des cas), et au final pour quel résultat pour les personnes concernées? [...] " 25

26. 26. " C'est très bien d'aider des chercheurSEs à avancer dans leur travaux, mais quand il n'y a jamais de feedback, jamais de renvoi d'ascenceur pour améliorer la situation des gens, jamais d'explication claire sur le pourquoi et le comment de la recherche, que les "objets" d'études sont juste utiliséEs, réduitEs à une valeur de témoignage, niéEs dans leur capacité politique de produire par elles/eux-mêmes, et quand dans le pire des cas des recherches sont utilisées de façon malhonnetes et contre les intérêts des concernéEs, il est normal qu'il n'y ait plus aucune confiance envers les chercheurSEs. 26

27. 27. Confiance, qui est loin d'être acquise dès le départ pour des personnes ou groupes qui sont très stigmatiséEs et qui sont plus ou moins excluEs des sphères de savoir. (Et oui il y a aussi des discriminations à l'université...) Les personnes et groupes sollicitéEs doivent fournir de leur temps, parfois perdre de l'argent, surtout quand on les contacte sur leur lieu de travail, sont parfois exposéEs à des conséquences quand leur anonymat ou des données confidentielles ne sont pas protégées, et sans jamais être rémunérées par ailleurs. " 27

28. 28. Suite et fin " Quand est ce qu'on se posera la question de l'utilité de la recherche pour les individus et groupes étudiés? Quand est ce qu'on réfléchira à la meilleure façon de les inclure dans la recherche? A travailler avec, en collaboration, et pas uniquement sur les gens et sans eux/elles. Je sais qu'il existe quand même de nouvelles pratiques, qu'il y a des chercheurs qui font des efforts, et c'est un plaisir de travailler avec elles/eux, mais on ne peut que constater encore la constance des mauvaises pratiques, surtout quand on reçoit des dizaines de demandes d'étudiantEs régulièrement et qui ont l'air de n'avoir aucune réflexion sur leur façon d'approcher les gens et de récolter ces savoirs auprès des dites "populations" " Mail T.S., Liste EFIGIES, 29/10/2014 28

29. 29. Atelier (3) : Comment écririez- vous ces textes de manière non-binaire ?  J'ai toujours voulu faire démarrer ainsi mon roman, par une phrase qui les gifle. Et lui : Ton roman ? Tu as vraiment l'intention de l'écrire ? Qui gifle qui ? Et elle : Qui les gifle, eux, les esclaves gras de l'Europe, et les esclaves boudinés, et les cravatés, et les patrons militarisés de l'Amérique, et les serfs du patronat, et tous ces pauvres types asservis par tous, et les sociaux-traîtres et leurs dogues, et toi aussi, mon dogue, toi aussi. " (A. Volodine. Lisbonne, Dernière marge 1990).  J'espère avoir montré l'importance des pratiques de nomination du chercheur et des scripteurs [...] (NM) 29

30. 30. Webographie  Genres pluriels http://www.genrespluriels.be/Le-langage-non- sexiste-ou  Sur l'extension des genres grammaticaux en français http://www.culture- libre.org/wiki/Sur_l%27extension_des_genres_grammaticaux_en _fran%C3%A7ais  Pour un pronom personnel de genre neutre en français!http://www.facebook.com/groups/197025787116944/ 30

31. 31. Problèmes et écueils Impossibles neutralisations  " "lesbienne" est le seul concept [...] qui soit au-delà des catégories de sexe (femme et homme) parce que le sujet désigné (lesbienne) n'est pas une femme, ni économiquement, ni politiquement, ni idéologiquement. [...] En effet, bien que subissant les effets de l'appropriation collective des femmes - salaires inférieurs, agressions, viols, etc. - les lesbiennes échappent à l'appropriation privée par un homme. "  (Wittig 2001[1980], " On ne naît pas femme ", La Pensée Straight, Paris : Amsterdam) 31

32. 32. Exemples en contexte (1) Les militantes intersexEs  Les militant-e-s intersexes qui restent focalisé-es principalement sur le corps et sur les traumatismes subis sans intégrer les besoins de la personne qui se trouve dans ce corps. L'identité de genre de cette personne ne sert pas à grand-chose finalement parce que nous cherchons à être une partie intégrale de l'humanité. On ne peut pas considéré comme humain et intersexué-e légalement. Pour exister légalement comme être humain, il faut être categorisé-e soit comme homme soit comme femme.  Pour ceulles qui veulent en savoir plus, il y a notre site qui est toujours mentionné dans les articles et qui permet à nombre d'is de ne plus être seulEs au monde.  Mais alors LA solution est d'être touTEs visibles et non pas de critiquer ceulles qui le sont tout en restant planqué 32

33. 33. Militantisme intersexe Illes, i-elles, E  Les réassignéEs peuvent se dire et s'opposer à l'assignation, les assignéEs ne le peuvent pas où difficilement car illes ne le savent souvent pas, illes n'existent pas.  Il faut savoir que jusqu'à il y a peu (en Belgique en tout cas) i-elles ne recevaient aucune formation psychologique pour dialoguer avec les malades et les traiter en être humain et non pas comme des organes ou des parties de corps.[...]  Oh là non, je crois que tu ne choques personne parmi nous, qu'on soit intersexe, trans, indéterminéEs ou les deux ou trois à la fois - c'est nous qu'on est choquantEs pour les "normales" ! Au contraire, bienvenue à toi ! Plus on sera mieux ça vaudra ! 33

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Atelier Queer Week 6 mars 2015 Le chantier linguistique : éléments pour une grammaire non binaire Alice Coutant, Luca Greco, Noémie Marignier 1. Le chantier linguistique : éléments pour une grammaire non- binaire Alice Coutant (Paris 5/IEC) Luca Greco (Paris 3) Noémie Marignier (Paris 13/Paris 3/IEC) Atelier Queer Week - 6 mars 2015 2.

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Pronouns are a part of language used to refer to someone or something without using proper nouns. In standard English, some singular third-person pronouns are " he" and " she," which are usually seen as gender-specific pronouns, referring to a man and a woman, respectively. A gender-neutral pronoun or gender-inclusive pronoun is one that gives no implications about gender, and could be used for someone of any gender. Some languages only have gender-neutral pronouns, whereas other languages have difficulty establishing any that aren't gender-specific. People with nonbinary gender identities often choose new third-person pronouns for themselves as part of their transition. They often choose gender-neutral pronouns so that others won't see them as female or male.

Although many gender-neutral pronouns were created to speak of no specific person, some nonbinary people adopt these pronouns for themselves. They ask that other people call them only by one particular set of gender-neutral pronouns. This can be a part of a nonbinary person's social transition.

Examples of specific nonbinary people's pronouns

Some nonbinary people ask to be called by gender-neutral pronouns. Other nonbinary people ask to be called by "he" or "she" pronouns, some of whom see that as a gender-neutral use of those words. The use of binary pronouns doesn't necessarily mean that someone has a binary gender identity. Some nonbinary people have more than one set of pronouns that they are okay with people using for them.

He. Some specific nonbinary people who ask to be called by " he/him" pronouns include writer Richard O'Brien.

She. Nonbinary people who ask people to use " she/her" pronouns for them include public speaker Olave Basabose, internet personality Left at London, musician JD Samson, activist Kate Bornstein (who also goes by "they") and comedian Eddie Izzard.

They. Some nonbinary people ask to be called by "singular they" pronouns, including comedian Jes Tom, writer Ivan E. Coyote, actor Jiz Lee, writer R.B. Lemberg, singer-songwriter Rae Spoon, performance poet Kae Tempest and musician Stevie Knipe.

Other pronouns. Nonbinary people who go by other pronouns include singer Mx Justin Vivian Bond, who goes by v pronouns. " Ze, hir" pronouns are the preferred pronouns of revolutionary communist Leslie Feinberg (who also went by she).

Any pronouns. Some nonbinary people have no specific pronoun they want used; they are okay with any and all pronouns. For example, the model Rain Dove, voice actor Casey Mongillo, and makeup artist Justin Saint.

No pronouns. Some nonbinary people wish that no third-person pronouns be used, preferring their name or another descriptor be used in place of pronouns. For example, the evangelist Public Universal Friend and the software developer Lianna Newman.

There have been a few surveys on gender-neutral pronouns and pronoun preferences.

This survey by anlamasanda on Tumblr ran for many months. The results were published at the start of 2012, and showed that of the 800+ people responding, singular "they" was the most popular pronoun at 62%. Commentary.

This survey by Lottelodge (now cassolotl) on Tumblr ran for two months. The results were published in July 2013, and showed that of over 2,000 respondents singular "they" was the most popular pronoun at 63%. Commentary. This rose to 74% in 2015, and 77% in 2016.

Nonbinary Stats Survey of 2016 ran in January for 8 days, and published its results in March. The most popular pronoun was "they," at 77.5%, followed by she, he, "mix it up," and a preference to not have others pronouns for one at all. The survey recorded 123 different pronoun sets in use among 3055 nonbinary people, of which, 90 pronouns were entered only once.

If you are nonbinary and want to change your pronouns, this is a purely social part of your transition, rather than one using paperwork. First, you should put some thought into choosing pronouns that feel satisfactory to you. Research and experiment to find out what feels right. Next, you need to tell other people. As a part of social transition, you need cooperation from other people in order to be called by the pronouns you want, so it's important to keep your composure as well as stay firm. You can help remind people of your pronouns by wearing them on a badge or writing them in your social media profile.

First, form your opinions on what you want from your new pronouns. Next, list your favorite pronouns, and compare them to your opinions so that you can list their pros and cons. Meanwhile, test your favorite pronouns out loud and in writing, to see how they feel to you in action. You might want to think about why exactly you do not like your "original" pronoun.

Form opinions

You can use several criteria to help rank and decide between different pronouns. See Pronouns criteria for a whole list.

Compare them

Next, after you decide what criteria you want for your pronouns, browse a list of pronouns. You can find such a list for the English language at English neutral pronouns on this wiki. Other lists are available at Talk:English neutral pronouns, Nounself pronouns, on Wiktionary, on Pronoun-Provider.tumblr.com, or in Failedslacker's Pronoun Dressing Room. Write down a list of the ones you like. Put them in a table, with columns for what you see as the good and bad traits of those pronouns. After you finish assessing them all, write down your concluding opinion about each in the last column. Here is a small example of such a table.

You can use the above table as your template. Create your own table in a word processor, or draw it by hand in your journal. Although the above table only compares two sets of pronouns, you can add rows for as many pronouns that interest you. You don't need to form your conclusions on all pronouns in one sitting. Perhaps over the course of a few days, take your time to form your opinions on each pronoun set, and return periodically to add more notes to your pronoun table.

At the same time as you work on the above table of pros and cons, test the pronouns that you might like. Try them in several ways: in writing, out loud, and in reference to you. If you have friends who understand, test out having them call you by these pronouns for a little while. You can help your friends with this by wearing a pronoun badge (see below). You can also test how your pronouns look in writing by using web-sites that put them into a text. Such sites include Genderev's Pronoun Try-On, Failedslacker's Pronoun Dressing Room, Pronoun Island and PracticeWithPronouns.com. You may find that you feel differently about the pronouns when they are in action, and when they are in reference to you.

When you have settled on your chosen set of pronouns, you need to tell people, so they can start using them for you. Announce it to them by a handwritten letter, e-mail, or blog post. Keep your message polite, and say "please" and "thank you." In order to be complete, and to address the first questions the reader might ask, your announcement should include these parts:

Opening: Assuming that you have already come out to these people as nonbinary, your announcement message should open with a reminder of that, as part of the explanation for why you want to change your pronouns.

List all the grammatical forms of your new pronouns.

Show people how to use these pronouns by giving an example of them in use in a sentence or several.

You might tell how to pronounce the pronouns.

Briefly say why you chose these pronouns rather than others.

If you use two sets of pronouns, explain which set is more appropriate, under what conditions.

Conclusion: Request that people use these pronouns for you.

Based on the above, here is a sample letter of a fictional person announcing their pronoun change. You can use it as a template for writing your own.

Dear Stuart,

As you know, I have a nonbinary gender identity, meaning that I don't think of myself as a woman or a man. I'm transitioning to a gender expression that feels more like the real me. Since being called "he" or "she" doesn't feel right to me, I have decided to change my pronouns to singular they (they, them, their, theirs, themself). For an example of these pronouns in a couple sentences: "They are Morgan, that's them. They will read their book by themself". I like these singular gender-neutral pronouns the best because they were used by Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and other great writers. They have been a part of English for a long time. From now on, please call me by "they" pronouns, instead of "he" or "she".

Mx Morgan Doe

You can also use the above sample letter as a template for writing an e-mail, just by leaving out the signature. Use it as a template for a blog post by leaving out the salutation.

To help other people remember which pronouns you want to be called by, you can wear a badge, jewelry, accessory, or piece of clothing with your pronouns written on it. Learn more at Pronoun badges.

Many binary and nonbinary transgender folk experience gender dysphoria when people refer to them using the wrong pronouns. For those who don't pass as well as they'd like, being called by the wrong gender ( misgendered) with the wrong pronouns is a common problem with a lot of work involved. An individual, upon being misgendered, is forced to either do the coming out spiel or grin and bear it, making the coming out later more awkward. If someone corrects you on their pronouns, the best way you can help is to start using their preferred pronouns right away without argument.

If your pronouns are unusual, or aren't what people think of as matching your gender expression, you may have to get used to reminding people to use them, and explaining them to people a lot. Learn people's common questions and objections to your pronouns, and rehearse your responses to them, so that you can keep your composure.

A person can have more than one set of pronouns that they want people to use for them. For example, suppose that your favorite set of pronouns might be "ze, hir." However, you don't want these to make an accessibility problem for people who have trouble with English, or maybe there are some situations where you don't feel safe using them, or don't feel up to the challenge of getting people to use them. In that case, you have decided to let people also call you by a second set of pronouns ( auxiliary pronouns) that you like almost but not quite as much: "she, her." Many nonbinary people may also use two or more pronouns with equal preference, which may look like allowing others to decide which of their pronouns to use, using different pronouns in different situations, or alternating pronouns equally. For another example, some genderfluid people feel comfortable or uncomfortable with certain pronouns depending on the current state of their gender identity. As a result, they alternate pronouns depending on their current identity, and ask to be called by different pronouns at different times.

Unusual pronouns can make trouble for people who speak English as a second language, or who have disabilities that make it harder for them to speak and understand English. Unusual pronouns are difficult to understand for people who lipread. If you or another person have difficulty using unusual pronouns for these reasons, then it is acceptable and appropriate to ask a person if they have another set of pronouns that you can use in that case.

Gender-neutral pronouns in Modern Standard Arabic (اللغة العربية) include:

هما means "they, originally dual, can work as a neutral singular third person."

انتما means "second person dual."

Gender-neutral pronouns in Bulgarian language (български език) include:

те/тях/техен/им "generally used for a group of people, could be used as singular as in 'they'"

то/него/негово/му "means 'it', informal"

Gender-neutral pronouns in Mandarin Chinese (普通话) include:

As the logical gender-neutral character is "他" ("亻" meaning "person"), one solution would be to use a character composed of "男"("male") and "也" to mean "he", which would make it evident that "他" used in the same text can only be meant in a gender-neutral way. However, as Unicode does not provide "男"+"也" as a single character, this is currently only possible in handwriting.

Some people simply write "TA" with Latin letters ("TA是我的朋友。"). The same can be done in Bopomofo ("ㄊㄚ是我的朋友。").

Gender-neutral pronouns in Cantonese (广州话) include:

keúih/keoi5 佢 meaning "them/him/her/it"

Ancient Chinese texts use more pronouns that are not gender specific to refer to other people, for example bǐ/bi3 彼 , qí/qi2 其 , and zhī/zhi1 之. Among the less used are the pronouns qú/qu2 渠 and jué/jue2 厥, which are not gender specific either. Despite the word 她 being reappropriated as a feminine pronoun by Liu Bannong in his poems, Ancient Chinese people also used a pronoun that is feminine called yī/yi1 伊, exemplified in Lu Xun's works. However, some Ancient Chinese scholars argue that due to the difference of modern and ancient Chinese grammar, the use of these words as pronouns might not be the same as contemporary pronouns.

Gender-neutral ways of referring to others in Chinese language (中文) include:

Gender-neutral pronouns in Czech language (čeština) include:

Gender-neutral pronouns in Danish language (Dansk) include:

Gender-neutral pronouns in Dutch language (Nederlands) include:

'''Die, hen, hun'''is also often used with die being a translation of who or another way of using a Dutch version of they

Dutch has three grammatical genders, masculine, feminine and neuter, but most forms are identical for masculine and feminine (while often opposed to neuter). This makes avoidance strategies attractive. E.g. while the third person singular personal pronoun is differentiated between feminine ("zij") and masculine ("hij"), the demonstrative pronoun is identical for these two genders (" die") and can often be used instead.

In 2016 Transgender Netwerk Nederland held a poll, in which hen, hen, hun or die, hen, hun were chosen as gender neutral pronouns.

See also: gender neutral language - English, and glossary of English gender and sex terminology

This section has its own page: English neutral pronouns.

Normally, Esperanto doesn't have any neutral pronouns for people, only female or male. Some proposed grammatical reforms suggest adding a neutral pronoun. The problem with reforms is that the mean that, since you're not speaking dictionary Esperanto, many speakers won't understand you. Esperanto is supposed to be so uniform that everyone speaks it the same and can understand it. For more information about this issue, see Wikipedia's article gender reform in Esperanto.

Some proposed gender-neutral pronouns in non-standard Esperanto include:

gi. "A popular proposal because it is iconic: in writing, it resembles ĝi, which it also resembles in meaning, and it is similar to the occasionally epicene prefix ge-. This makes it readily recognizable. Also along these lines is the use of the epicene prefix itself, geli."

hi. Proposed "so that the gendered pronouns hi and ŝi both derive from English."

li. A common proposed neutral pronoun that is "related to the epicene plural ili 'they'".

ri. "Riist Esperanto," or "Riisim," is a grammatical reform to Esperanto that makes the language more gender-neutral in several ways. One of these changes is to replace the gendered pronouns entirely with the neutral pronoun ri. This was popular for some time for the Esperanto community on the Internet in the 1990s.

ŝli (sxli). "Instantly recognizable to most Esperantists ... This is just the reading pronunciation of the abbreviation ŝ/li, the equivalent of English "s/he", and is not infrequently seen in informal writing."

Estonian has no grammatical gender. There are no pronouns to specifically mean "she" or "he". Only the genderless pronoun tema/ta is used.

The Finnish language (suomen kieli) doesn't have grammatical gender. There are no pronouns that specifically mean "she" or "he". Everyone is called by the genderless pronoun hän.

In French, talking about one's self or another person in a gender-neutral way requires using created pronouns since the language only have two genders (feminine and masculine). These pronouns are not used officially, but are more and more used in gender-inclusive texts and spaces, along with gender-inclusive grammar rules for adjectives.

ile. A mix of the French words "il" ("he") and "elle" ("she"). Some nonbinary people in France go by this pronoun. In 2015, an intersex adult in Tours won the right to change their birth certificate to say "gender neutral". The news mentioned that this person went by "ile" pronouns.

oulle, oulles Based on "ou" and ille/elle (Source unknown, unfortunately)

æl, æls.

ael, aels.

People have proposed and are using these neutral pronouns in the German language (Deutsch):

Alternating between he and she.

as. Based on es (it), vowel changed to mark difference between things and people.

dier/dies/diem/dien. Relative pronoun set based on dier (pronounced [di:ɐ̯]), an alternative to die and der.

em.

hän/sires/sim/sin. used as a replacement for er/sie

k. inplace of she/he said you say k said "k hat gesagt"

sh'he/hi'er Gendered neopronoun that is both masculine and feminine and derived from contractions of she/her and he/him as a gendered alternative to explicitly gender neutral and nongendered neopronouns for multigender people

xier/xieser/xiem/xien. Personal pronoun set based on xier (pronounced [ksi:ɐ̯]), an alternative to er and sie. And xies can be used as the base to matching possessive pronouns, that are declensed with endings you would use for sein and ihr, xies/xiese/xieses/xiesem/xiesen

For examples of how to use many of these, go here.

Icelandic has three grammatical genders, feminine, masculine and neuter. In the plural, it is colloquial to use the neuter for a mixed-gender group of people or for people of unknown gender.

For the singular, the third-person pronoun "hán" has been proposed, (genitive "háns", dative "háni", accusative "hán").

See also the page Gender neutral language in Icelandic.

Italian is a very binary language, with two grammatical genders, masculine and feminine. In writing, signs like * or @ or the letter x are sometimes used where the feminine has "a" and the masculine has "o", although no specific pronunciation is linked to them. Some people use "u" when speaking in these cases, others the dialectal ending "ə" (as there is no standard spelling linked to this sound, "@" might sometimes be used to represent this pronunciation). This applies to a lot of words, such as nouns, adjectives and to a lesser degree articles. There seems to be no clear solution for plural forms.

This usage can be applied to some third person pronouns, e.g. the object forms "lo" and "la" may in this way be replaced by "lu" or "l@". The subject forms "egli" and "ella" are already less evident, but "elu"/"el@" is thinkable. The third person plural "loro" is gender-neutral and can be used as subject and as direct object (It is sometimes proposed to use this as singular as well, a translation of the English singular they). However, there is as yet no full table of proposed neo-pronouns.

Illo (nominative) and lo (accusative) have been approved as gender neutral pronouns by the International Auxiliary Language Association.

See the page Gender neutral language in Polish.

See also: and glossary of Portuguese gender and sex terminology.

The Portuguese language (português) doesn't normally have neutral pronouns and indicates gender by letters in pronouns, ela (she) and ele (he). However, people have created some new, neutral pronouns, which are used in some groups. These include:

el@, del@, nel@. This uses an @ (at symbol) to show ambiguity of the letter. This only works in writing.

elu, delu, nelu. This uses an u to show ambiguity of the letter. It's the most recommended to be used to include visually disabled people. This pronoun has some variations in its writing and pronunciation: êlu, dêlu, nêlu; élu, délu, nélu.

éli, déli, néli. This has a similar pronunciation as the male pronoun ele, but shows ambiguity by the use of i. And as the above, it also has variations: eli, deli, neli.

íli, díli, níli. This shows ambiguity by the letter i. Some variations can be found: ílu, dílu, nílu; ílo, dílo, nílo; ile, dile, nile; ilo, dilo, nilo.

ély, dély, nély. As the pronoun éli, déli, its pronunciation is very simillar to ele. Some variations are: ely, dely, nely; élw, délw, nélw.

els, dels, nels. This shows ambiguity by the usage of s instead of a gendered letter.

yn, dyn, nyn. This pronoun is very different and doesn't follow the structure of "el_, del_, nel_".

éle, déle, néle. This pronoun follows the Spanish elle pattern, drawing a line between é from éla and -e from ele.

See also: gender neutral language - Spanish and glossary of Spanish gender and sex terminology.

The Spanish language (español) doesn't normally have neutral pronouns. However, people have created some new, neutral pronouns, which are used in some groups that are sensitive about LGBT, feminist, and social justice issues. Most of these neutral pronouns work by taking the feminine pronoun, ella, and the standard abstract neuter pronoun ello (which can't be used for people), and substituting a different letter or symbol for the masculine "o" or feminine "a" ending. This approach of substituting a letter is shared by creating other parts of gender neutral language in Spanish, such as neutral-gender endings for adjectives. See gender neutral language - Spanish for information about that. These new, neutral pronouns include:

ele. A neutral pronoun that is a mix of the masculine pronoun él ("he") and a proposed gender-neutral ending letter, -e. This is less common. The plural would be elles.

ell*. A neutral pronoun that can't be said out loud. This is less common. The * (asterisk) means that the "a" or "o" is left out. Compare the splat *e pronouns in English, which work by the same idea.

ol. A neutral pronoun. Non-standard and uncommon. The plural would be olles. This would go with the non-standard definite article that is also ol.

In 2014, the Swedish language (Svenska) officially added a new gender-neutral pronoun, hen, which is popular among Swedish-speaking nonbinary people.

den, den, dens (dess). Means 'it'. This isn't usually used for humans. Traditionally, the word den has been used as a gender neutral pronoun and remains widely used today. However, depending on the context, the word den can also mean "it," leaving it unsatisfactory as a gender neutral pronoun for many who do not wish to be seen as like an inanimate object.

hen, hen (henom), hens (henoms). This neutral pronoun was first proposed in 1966. Since the 1960s, the person pronoun hen has become increasingly popular. It was proposed independently in 1994, based on the Finnish neutral pronoun hän. It came to be used in magazines and books during the 2000s and 2010s. In 2014, it was officially added to the language. In 2015, it will be added for the first time to Svenska Akademiens Ordlista (the Swedish equivalent to France's Dictionnaire de l'Académie française). It usage, however, remains somewhat controversial and is vigorously opposed by some. Hen is used for people whose gender is not known, as well as for nonbinary people who ask to be called by this pronoun. It's not meant to replace the gendered pronouns hon ("she") and han ("he"), but to exist together with them. For more information, see the Wikipedia entry on hen.

Standard gender neutral / third gender personal pronoun: hen

Possessive form of hen: hens

Object form of hen: henom. The object form of hen is sometimes just hen. It is very individual.

Some neutral pronouns in West Frisian language (Frysk) include:

1. This quote is a snippet from an answer to the survey conducted in the year 2018. Note for editors: the text of the quote, as well as the name, age and gender identity of its author shouldn't be changed.

2. Kate Bornstein [@katebornstein] (2016-01-26). "Thanks for asking, @msmacb. I like they/them. She/her are also okay-makes me smile. xox" - via Twitter.

3. otherkinlogic, vulpinekin, and roborenard. "Nounself pronouns and how to use them." http://otherkinlogic.tumblr.com/post/92382457520 [Dead link]

4. Alice Coutant, Luca Greco, Noémie Marignier. "Le chantier linguistique : éléments pour une grammaire non-binaire". Atelier Queer Week 6 mars 2015.

5. Pronomen. Nichtbinär-Wiki. Accessed August 15, 2017. [1]

6. "Are there any gender neutral pronouns in German too?". Transgender teen survival guide (blog). 25 January 2015.

7. @MayGriffin64 (20 December 2020). "I've kinda made my own neopronoun because none of the others really work for me. They're sh'he/hi'er and contractions of she and he and him and her. So this pronoun is explicitly gendered male and female and I do not consider it gender neutral" - via Twitter.

8. [3]Orientando, um espaço de aprendizagem. Tipos de linguagem.

9. "Linguagem neutra de gêneros gramaticais". Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre (in Portuguese). 2020-11-11.

10. Phoenix Tawnyflower. "Nonbinary Spanish." May 24, 2014. Reflections of a Queer Artist (personal blog). http://phoenixtawnyflower.blogspot.com/2014/05/nonbinary-spanish.html

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Pronouns are a part of language used to refer to someone or something without using proper nouns. In standard English, some singular third-person pronouns are " he" and " she," which are usually seen as gender-specific pronouns, referring to a man and a woman, respectively.

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Mandarin Chinese has only one third-person pronoun, tā (他), for all referents. Tā can mean "he", "she", or "it".

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‘X也’and ‘Ta’: The gradual rise of gender-neutral pronouns in Chinese (Mandarin Resource)

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‘X也’and ‘Ta’: The gradual rise of gender-neutral pronouns in Chinese (Mandarin Resource)

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Over the past few years, an increasing number of people in Hong Kong and mainland China have come to realise that gender is not a black-and-white matter. While the majority of people still identify as either male or female, not everyone fits into those two categories. Non-binary individuals may have a gender that blends male and female or experience a gender that changes over time; others may not identify with any gender.

As our understanding of gender evolves, so does the language we use to describe it. In English, some non-binary people use pronouns such as 'they/them' or 'zim/zir' to refer to themselves. In 2019, Merriam-Webster named 'they' the Word of the Year in 2019, while the Oxford English Dictionary added 'Hir' and 'Zir' to its lexicon, reflecting the widespread usage of gender-neutral, third-person pronouns.

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong and mainland China, the Chinese-speaking transgender community has been experimenting with the introduction of non-binary pronouns as an alternative to gender-specific pronouns, such as 他 (he) and 她 (she). To learn more about this linguistic evolution, we invite advocates in Hong Kong to walk us through the latest developments.

A brief history of China's gendered pronouns

In contemporary Chinese, the character 他 (pronounced as tā) is specifically associated with men, however, that is a relatively modern construct. For much of Chinese history, the word served as a gender-neutral pronoun, covering feminine, masculine, and neutral pronouns - the equivalent of 'he', 'she' and 'it' in English. In many works of Chinese classic literature, such as 18th-century Dream of the Red Chamber, authors used 他 to describe male and female characters.

Due to increasing linguistic and cultural interactions with the West, a shift took place at the turn of the 20th century. Gradually, Chinese speakers started using 他 to refer to only to men, since the character contains the radical 人 (meaning 'human' or 'man'). In Chinese, a radical is a basic graphical component of a Chinese character that imparts linguistic meaning - not unlike a category or classification in English.

The usage of 她 as a female pronoun did not become prevalent until the 1920s, when the women's movement in China shed light on women's independence and individuality. Renowned female writers, such as Bing Xin and Lu Yin, started using 她 in their writing, which was published in fiction journal Fiction Monthly in 1921.

The usage of 她 as a female pronoun did not become prevalent until the 1920s, when the women's movement in China shed light on women's independence and individuality.

The introduction of the female 她 met controversy, though, because some women felt that it equated women with animals. For instance, women's publication Women's Resonance Monthly, released a notice in 1934, which stated: "Using a 人(human) radical [in 他] to represent men, a 女(woman) radical [in 她] to represent women, and a 牛(cow) radical [in 牠] to represent animals is an insult to women because it implies they are not human... we refuse to use the term 她."

Despite the criticism, 她 eventually gained popularity as a female-specific pronoun and is still widely used today.

A Weibo post using ta in Chinese sentences to be more inclusive. Credit: Weibo

Introducing the non-binary 'X也'

According to Kaspar Wan, founder of grassroots transgender information and support charity Gender Empowerment in Hong Kong, transgender individuals still debate whether it is necessary to create a pronoun for non-binary people who do not identify as 他 (he) or 她 (she).

One example is 'X也,' which is a gender-neutral alternative to 他 and 她. Invented in 2015 by an intersex information platform called The Missing Gender 0.972, the word uses the English letter X to represent the non-binary community.

"I found it quite inspiring as it resembles Chinese words," says Wan, who identifies as a transgender man. He later obtained permission from the platform to create stickers featuring this invented character, which he used to raise awareness about gender issues during a 2017 activism event in Hong Kong.

Though they improve inclusivity, invented characters like X也 pose linguistic and practical challenges. "For instance, how do you type X也 [on a phone or keyboard]? If you cannot type it, then circulation [and adoption] will be limited," says Joanne Leung, a transgender activist in Hong Kong who identifies as non-binary. "Besides, there are situations where the writers won't have room to explain to readers how and why an invented pronoun is used."

As another option, Wan says that some non-binary Hongkongers also welcome the third-person, gender-neutral pronoun, 佢 (pronounced as qú), which is used in spoken form and in informal contexts, such as in tabloids, instant messages or social media.

Ta is used where a person's gender remains unknown or irrelevant. Credit: Weibo

Re-embracing 'ta'

Meanwhile, in mainland China, many people are using the pinyin, ta in situations where a person's gender remains unknown or irrelevant.

"Nobody knows when it started but, at one point, some people in mainland China came to realise that 他 and 她 represent male and female characters, so they started to use ta in Chinese sentences to be more inclusive," explains Leung. "Some mainstream companies including China Central Television and JDB Group [a beverage manufacturer] are also using ta in their advertisements or Weibo posts when gender is irrelevant," says Leung.

Although this phrase is less common in Hong Kong, Leung chooses to use ta because it is a more inclusive option. For instance, the activist used this gender-neutral pronoun when writing The Book of Transgender in Hong Kong: Gossip Boys & Girls, a guidebook for transgender people which Leung published in 2012. "[We] hope to remind everyone that respect for people's gender expression and identity can be demonstrated through the language that we use," Leung wrote in the footnote of the book.

For transgender Hongkongers, the most important thing is to acknowledge that their gender identity is different from their assigned sex. If we don't impose a 她 (she) on them, that is already a recognition of their gender identity.
Kaspar Wan

When writing articles or op-eds for media publications tailored for the general public, Leung often uses 他 along with a brief explanation that this pronoun does not indicate a specific gender. "Why can't we make people understand that 他 was originally a gender-neutral pronoun? If we keep arguing about the binary 他 and 她, we are actually falling back into the ideology of patriarchy."

Wan adds that many of his non-binary friends feel comfortable being referred to as 他 in Chinese, especially those who were assigned female at birth.

"They understand that 他 was originally gender-neutral," he explains. "Also, for transgender Hongkongers, the most important thing is to acknowledge that their gender identity is different from their assigned sex. If we don't impose a 她 (she) on them, that is already a recognition of their gender identity."

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'X也'and 'Ta': The gradual rise of gender-neutral pronouns in Chinese - Ariana Life

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Over the past few years, an increasing number of people in Hong Kong and mainland China have come to realise that gender is not a black-and-white matter. While the majority of people still identify as either male or female, not everyone fits into those two categories.

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US agencies temporarily barred from enforcing LGBTQ guidance

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US agencies temporarily barred from enforcing LGBTQ guidance

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US agencies temporarily barred from enforcing LGBTQ guidance

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A federal judge in Tennessee has issued an order barring two U.S. agencies from enforcing new federal guidance extending enforcement of discrimination in schools and workplaces based on gender identity

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'A really important moment:' New art exhibit celebrates Windsor's LGBTQ community

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'A really important moment:' New art exhibit celebrates Windsor's LGBTQ community

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cbc.ca 17 hrs ago Katerina Georgieva

An exhibit at the Art Gallery of Windsor is shining a light on the experiences of Windsor's LGBTQ community.

"For me, it's a really important moment in my life," explained Meaghan Sweeney, one of the artists on display, who identifies as queer, on the asexual spectrum.

The Pride and Joy Community Art Exhibition, sponsored through an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, features about 46 artists of all ages, with more than 70 pieces of art featured so far.

Sweeney explained that for a long time, they had a hard time feeling like they belonged or that they were "queer enough."

"Being able to give myself the space to exist is one of the biggest kindnesses that I can do for myself, and also, one of the best things that people can do for themselves within the community," they said.

"So that's also why it was really important for me to be involved with this exhibition."

Sweeney's art used playing cards to create representation for the asexual, or ace, community.

Janet MacIsaac, a queer non-binary woman, submitted two pieces of artwork for the exhibit, one of which, The Art of the Flight, represents the the journey of finding love and joy after being a survivor of sexual violence.

"The piece really captures the journey from kind of that place of trauma to a place of kind of reclaiming a sense of love, happiness and pride in who I am and in my body," they said.

"That journey is something a lot of people go through, and it's a struggle ... to get to that point of loving yourself again is radical and revolutionary. And I'm happy that I was able to kind of channel a lot of the stuff I've learned over my years in education and feminism into this piece. So really proud of it."

The special initiatives co-ordinator with the art gallery, Derrick Carl Biso, who also happens to be MacIsaac's spouse, has been working on programming for the LGBTQ community for the past year.

They explained that this exhibit is the "capstone project" of everything they've been working on.

"Listening to some of the artists speak, I was getting teary-eyed," Biso said.

"I realize how important this show was and how meaningful it was to me personally. And getting to be in this room and look at all the art on the walls, and I've been doing it for a couple of weeks now, I feel so good. I feel so grounded and held by a community."

Biso added that they feel so much pride and joy with how it's all turned out, along with being able to include two pieces of their own in the exhibit as well.

The exhibit includes art work on the walls, digital displays - plus an evening gown created by a teenager getting involved in drag.

"I hope it inspires dialogue and conversation about how we can make Windsor a better place for trans and non-binary people and just generally the communities and people here who face marginalization and exclusion," MacIsaac said.

"But also dialogue about the joy and happiness and pride that we have happening in this community and just the amount of talent, creative talent that we have in the queer and trans community in Windsor."

Sweeney hopes the work generates excitement among those who identify the same as they do.

"There's very few opportunities for ace representation," they said.

"So, I hope that they enjoy that and I hope that people are curious and open and that they do feel like they're celebrated through what's going on here today."

The exhibit is already open to the public, and continues until the end of October.

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'A really important moment:' New art exhibit celebrates Windsor's LGBTQ community

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cbc.ca 17 hrs ago Katerina Georgieva An exhibit at the Art Gallery of Windsor is shining a light on the experiences of Windsor's LGBTQ community. "For me, it's a really important moment in my life," explained Meaghan Sweeney, one of the artists on display, who identifies as queer, on the asexual spectrum.

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