The Sexual Health Alliance held a transformative and inclusive conference on Philosophy, Identity, Activism: Exploring Queer and Trans Identities - facilitated by Dr. Ley David Elliete Cray, SHA alum and teacher. We heard from queer, non-binary, and transgender professionals, including asexual advocate Yasmine Benoit, gender-affirming medical professional Dr. Jerrica Kirkley, graphic novelist Justin Hall, health nurse practitioner Rachel Featherstone, professional counselor Taylor Mizuno-Moore, sex worker and advocate Margaux Underwood.
Ley opened the conference with an electric statement addressing that now more than ever, we need to uplift the voices of queer folk, especially with the rise of hate and bigotry towards queer and trans communities. Throughout the United States, conservative politicians and activists are attempting to silence the voices of the LGBTQ+ community - this conference is a symbol of resistance. SHA is crafting educators, counselors, and therapists to become interpersonal allies, advocates, and mentors for queer and trans people.
Language: How we speak and address people matters.
In the conference's first session, Featherstone demonstrated the power of language and how the words we use can validate or invalidate a person's identity. Health practitioners make sure that their questions are necessary and intentional. Here is their example:
YES: "Are you having sex with someone that produces sperm."
NO: "Are you having sex with men?"
This simple distinction not only includes intersex and trans people but also demonstrates to individuals that they are in a safe space to express every part of their identities. The power of language has become even more important since the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade - where trans and queer folks have been discluded in reproductive rights conversations.
Pregnancy and reproductive systems aren't inherently tied to gender! People can be pregnant and identify as men or anything they'd like. Discussions surrounding abortion and reproductive rights must include everyone, not only those identifying as women. Men, non-binary and trans people can have a miscarriage, an abortion, and experience reproductive discrimination. Featherstone and Kirkly emphasized that gender is an affirming label that people can opt in and out of - we cannot reject people from having a voice simply because they fall outside the norm. The "norm" is an oppressive framework that all presenters spoke out against.
Reject the Framework: The first step in learning how to work and validate people within the queer community is to reject any form of the heteronormative cisgender framework.
Underwood addressed toxic framework in their presentation, focusing on non-binary and trans sex workers. They said that any form of categorization leads to some form of discrimination and censorship; sex workers are categorized as either victims or criminals - especially for non-binary and trans individuals who are systemically ignored in almost every facet of society. Letting go of assumptions and stereotypes is necessary for productive and inclusive dialogue. Ley's discussion of autosexuality challenged that queer people will never live up to the "norm" that cisheteronormative has created. "The entire concept of sexual orientation is both conceptually confused and intrinsically wedded to cisheteronormative oppression, and we would do well to jettison it from our conceptual repertoire," said Ley during her presentation.
Mizuno-Moore expanded the conversation beyond gender and sexuality; they demonstrated that our identities are not singular and that society doesn't make space for intersectionality. As a mixed-race non-binary queer person, Mizuno-Moore was forced to fit herself into boxes so that her existence would make sense to society. She advocates that to prevent limitations of identity and expression; we must welcome all identities and recognize that every identity affects a person's personhood. Integrating identities is the best way to reject and challenge the cisheteronormative framework.
Affirmation Saves Lives: Simple as that.
Kirkley and Featherstone both presented how trans and non-binary people are consistently ignored within the healthcare system, thus endangering people's physical and mental health. Featherstone discussed that trans folks seek care outside hospitals for increased privacy and comfort because hospitals can force them to explain themselves. Patients commonly experience constant misgendering/lack of understanding. Misgendering and invalidating queer people's identities has lasting effects on their ability to thrive - accepting people as they are and embracing the complexities of gender and sexuality.
Kirkley presented that gender-affirming care, whether a form of therapy, hormonal or surgical, is life-saving. Living within a body and mindset that doesn't align with who you are is an excruciating burden. Gender-affirming care relieves that burden and gives people the resources to feel themselves fully. This work makes life more fulfilling and comfortable for trans and non-binary people.
Educate Yourself: Limit your toxic curiosity.
You are in charge of your education! It's ok to ask questions about a person's gender, sexuality, race..etc., but only if necessary. Don't use people as your sole source of education. You can do the preliminary work independently if you want to learn more about asexuality and sex work. It is NOT the responsibility of the community to educate you. The world is at your fingertips. Use it before you ask someone intimate questions about their identity. Queer and trans people are forced to carry the weight of educating society on who they are - which is exhausting. So what can you do? Read, watch, and explore - be the ally that works to understand the burden of cisheteronormativity, affirm identities without hesitation, and be intentional with your language.
By Abby Stuckrath