New Gender 101 Video! Episode 37: Sylvia Rivera

Lucy (a.k.a. Benji) tells us about Sylvia Rivera, a legend and role model in the Transgender community.



You can find out more about Sylvia and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project by visiting their website here.

Just a note: Saying someone is a 'role model' isn't saying that they are a 'perfect person.' While I wish Sylvia hadn't had to be a sex worker during her life (I wish no one would have to be), and I would never want to say that that part of her life should be held up for others to emulate, by being her authentic self, standing up and fighting for herself and other people who were also disenfranchised, Sylvia Rivera stands as a strong, powerful role model to many - including me!

ALL NEW Gender 101 Video: Episode 36: Gender Queer Panel Finale

Here's the finale of our Gender Queer panel, with Lucy (a.k.a. Benji), Nenu, Emmi and B J.



I was really moved by their eloquence, honesty and wisdom.

Let kids find their own place in our world.

Let people self-identify.

You don't have to be alone. Find your community.

Don't look for others for validation. Validate yourself.

And don't wait for what you need. Start it yourself!

Brilliant!

My thanks to all the panelists, and to you, for watching and learning along with me.

Gender 101, Episode #35 Redux: Lucy, Nenu, Emmi and BJ on Misconceptions About Being Gender Queer

In this last of the Redux episodes (new episodes debuting in 2015!) Lucy (a.k.a. Benji), Nenu, Emmi and BJ discuss some of the misconceptions they've faced being Gender Queer...



My thanks to Benji, Nenu, Emmi and BJ for sharing so honestly.

You can check out the original post here.

Gender 101 Episode #34 Redux: Lucy, Nenu, Emmi and B J on the "T" in GLBT

Our Gender-Queer friend Lucy (a.k.a. Benji) talks with Nenu, Emmi and B J about how Transgender and Gender Queer people are treated within the "Gay Community," both by individuals and organizations.

It's a fascinating discussion...



My thanks to Lucy, Nenu, Emmi and B J for sharing so openly about their experiences!

You can find the original posting here.

Gender 101 Episode 33 Redux: Benji, Nenu, Emmi and BJ on Being "Enough"

Benji (a.k.a. Lucy) continues the conversation about being Gender Queer, asking Nenu, Emmi and B J to discuss the concept of being "Enough," exploring situations where they confronted issues of being trans-enough, or enough of one gender or the other, when really just being themselves should be enough.



My thanks to Benji, Nenu, Emmi and B J for sharing, and just being themselves. Each one of you is enough, just as you are.

Are so are all of us.

Namaste,
Lee

ps - you can see the original posting here.

Gender 101 Episode 32 Redux: Nenu and Frankie on Being Gender Queer AND Persons of Color

Benji (a.k.a. Lucy) continues our discussions on gender, asking Nenu and Frankie to share about being both Gender Queer and People of Color.



What amazing latin@s!

Check out the original posting here.

Namaste,
Lee

Gender 101, Episode 31 Redux: Benji, Nenu, Frankie and Emmi on Presenting

It's the first of our panel discussions on gender, and Benji (a.k.a. Lucy) continues the conversation with Nenu, Frankie and Emmi. They discuss being Gender Queer and how they present themselves... covering issues of clothing, body acceptance, androgyny and safety.



My thanks to Benji, Nenu, Frankie and Emmi for sharing so honestly.

You can check out the original posting here, where Sally Bibary wrote this comment:

Sally Bibrary said...
Fantastic video! It makes me feel so good to see the next generation sharing so openly and honestly. :)
May 30, 2012 at 6:46 AM

Also, note that tomorrow (November 20th, 2014) is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. You can find out more about this annual observance that honors the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence here.

Namaste,
Lee

Gender 101, Episode 30 Redux: B J on Role Models, Hiding and Healing

Benji (a.k.a. Lucy) continues the conversation about gender with B J. B J shares about their search for gender non-conforming Role Models, and their own journey.

It's a little longer than most of the Gender 101 videos at thirteen and a half minutes, but worth the time!



As B J said about doing this video,

"Even if one person finds something at all worth taking from it, it's worth it"

Absolutely.

Thank you B J, for sharing so honestly.

You can check out the original posting here.

Namaste,
Lee

Gender 101, Episode 29 Redux: Meet B J

Benji (a.k.a. Lucy) introduces us to another gender non-conforming community member, B J...



So delighted to meet B J,

You can check out the original posting here.

Namaste,
Lee

Gender 101, Episode 28 Redux: Emmi's Tips on Interacting With Gender Non-Conforming People

Emmi shares some wonderful advice:



Thanks Emmi!

Here are the comments from the initial post:

Cynthia Leitich Smith said...
Respecting self-identification works well for biracial people as well. There are all kinds of reasons a mixed-race person might identify with one side of their heritage or another or both or neutral, despite their outward appearance and apparent posturing to other people.
May 2, 2012 at 7:31 AM

Angie said...
Thank you so much for doing this series, Lee. And thanks to Emmi, Nenu and others for openly sharing and educating!
May 2, 2012 at 8:08 AM

Elizabeth Twist said...
This is such a great series. Thanks to all of you!

Elizabeth Twist: Writer, Plague Enthusiast
May 6, 2012 at 4:27 PM


Namaste,
Lee

Gender 101, Episode #27 Redux: Emmi's Gender Non-Conforming Heroes

Benji (a.k.a. Lucy) continues the conversation about Gender with Emmi...



You can find out more about Julia Serano at juliaserano.com

Thanks Lucy and Emmi!

You can see the original posting here.

Namaste,
Lee

Gender 101, Episode #26 Redux: Meet Emmi

Our Gender-Queer friend Lucy (a.k.a. Benji) introduces us to another wonderful Gender Queer community member, Emmi!



I'm delighted to meet Emmi, and look forward to the discussions ahead.

Here are the comments from the original posting:

ivanova said...
Way to go, Emmi! That was expressed so well. I love "Gender 101."
April 18, 2012 at 10:36 AM

Joanna said...
Thanks, Emmi, I am so enjoying this series - every episode!
April 19, 2012 at 10:32 AM


Namaste,
Lee

Gender 101, Episode #25 Redux: How Gender Non-Conforming Are You?

Continuing the conversation about gender and gender expression with Nenu...



"Breaking the gender norms" - It's a great point, Nenu!

You can check out the original post here.

Namaste,
Lee

Gender 101, Episode #24 Redux: Nenu's Gender Non-Conforming Heroes

Our Gender Queer friend Lucy, a.k.a. Benji, continues our conversation about Gender with Nenu Cruz, exploring Nenu's gender non-conforming heroes.



You can find out more about Frida Kahlo here.

And how awesome is it for Nenu to be able to refer to Nenu's grandmother as "bad ass?"

Namaste,
Lee

You can see the original post here.

Gender 101, Episode #23 Redux: Meet Nenu

Our Gender Queer Friend Lucy, a.k.a. Benji, continues the conversation about gender with Nenu Cruz, who explains their own journey with gender, and introduces us to the term "Maribri."




Here's that amazing image of Maribri again, and my thanks to artist Cindy Segura for allowing me to share it with you all!

Maribri

"A Maribri is a hybrid that transforms into their own image without limits or expectations.  The mix of a Mariposa (butterfly) and Colibri (hummingbird).  The hybrid of masculinity and femininity and neither.  A third gender that wants to be liberated from the social construct roles and their own."
- Nenu

I'm so glad to have met Nenu!

Namaste,
Lee

ps- my apologies for the video quality being so inconsistent.

You can check out the original posting and comment here.

Gender 101, Episode #22 Redux: Community Insurance

I'm very excited to continue the conversation about Gender with Frankie Palacios.

In this episode, Frankie shares about their fundraising efforts for their partner's top surgery… and the concept of "community insurance."



VERY cool.

You can see the original posting here.

Gender 101, Episode #22 Redux: Frankie's Gender Queer Heroes

Lucy continues the Gender 101 discussion with Frankie Palacios, asking about Frankie's Gender Queer Heroes.



Thanks, Frankie and Lucy!

Here's links to more information about:

My Princess Boy

Raja

Morrissey

and

Freddie Mercury.

You can see the original post, here.

Gender 101, Episode #20 Redux: Gender Queer People Of Color

In this episode, Frankie Palacios talks with Lucy about being a Gender Queer Person of Color, and they discuss the 2012 Queer People of Color Conference at Cal State Northridge.



Thanks, Frankie and Lucy!

(The 2014 Queer People of Color Conference was in San Diego.)

Here's a comment from the original post:


Kelly Robinson said...
Always such useful posts. I almost always end up sending a link to someone! Thanks!
February 29, 2012 at 10:03 AM

Gender 101, episode #19 Redux: Meet Frankie

My Gender Queer friend Benji continues the conversation about gender by introducing us to Frankie Palacios.

They discuss identity, how gender is culturally defined - particularly in Latino/Latina culture, and the term "Macho Femme." It's a great introduction to another Gender Queer and very cool person, and I'm so delighted to meet Frankie. I think you will be, too.



Here are three comments from the original post, many of which reference the series' return:

ivanova said...
Awesome! I'm really excited we have another "semester" of Gender 101 and I hope Frankie will return.
February 22, 2012 at 6:19 AM

Lisa Jenn Bigelow said...
Oh yay, I was hoping there would be more of these! Awesome.
February 22, 2012 at 6:48 AM

Joanna said...
I love this series and was waiting for its return. Thanks Lee, Benjie and Frankie.
February 22, 2012 at 10:58 AM

Gender 101, episode #18 Redux: Being Trans Enough

Continuing my discussions with my gender queer friend Lucy, we explore Lucy's experiences with being seen in different circumstances as being either too trans or not trans enough. Here's the link, with the video below:





Thanks, Lucy.

Here are the comments from the original post, some of which reference a planned break in the roll-out of the Gender 101 series:

ivanova said...
I'm going to miss these Gender 101 videos and look forward to seeing them again in the spring. I have heard some things recently that echo what Lucy was saying about being considered not trans enough or too trans, such as some people in the trans community criticizing "no hos" or saying that genderqueer people are just posing. I like what Lee says about keeping your eyes on your own mat. There are a lot of people "on our team" who don't have a handy label to describe them, like partners of trans people. Queer people don't all have to like each other or hold hands and sing kumbayah, but I feel like allowing differences to divide us is just knuckling under to forces of oppression, if that doesn't sound too dramatic.
December 7, 2011 at 8:54 AM

erica lorraine scheidt said...
Lee, I've really liked this series too.

I'm going to resend you an email, will you look out for it from elscheidt at gmail?

Thanks -- see you soon.

And Lucy? You rock.
December 7, 2011 at 11:20 AM

Kelly Robinson said...
I'm a new reader/subscriber, but I've loved what I've seen of this series. I know there will be plenty of good content to take its place, though!
December 7, 2011 at 3:40 PM

KristinClarkVenuti said...
I've enjoyed this series and look forward to future content! Episode #18 really hit home in terms of expressing the unique challenges of gender fluidity. Love the yoga analogy and the gentle reminder that everyone needs to keep their eyes on their own mat. Bravo!
December 8, 2011 at 8:14 AM

Hannah said...
I've found this vlog post very in formative. As a trans woman, I often feel that I am not trans enough. Not because I haven't transitioned, I have, but because I don't fit the unwritten criteria of other trans people. Additionally I find SOFFA groups or people often dominate trans support groups and often challenge particular trans voices.
December 8, 2011 at 1:57 PM