Occupying Margins: A Panel Discussion on Gender, 2016

Partial Transcript: So, to start out, we gonna have them tell us their pronoun, names, and to read the last thing that they've tweeted.

Segment Synopsis: The panelists take turns introducing themselves before moving into the panel questions.

Partial Transcript: To start off, I'm going to apologize to the panelists because I am going to ask these out of order. What do identities that fall outside of the binary look like to you? What do they say?

Segment Synopsis: The panelists discuss what non-binary identities and people "look" like to them, what it means to identify as non-binary, and how this relates to peoples' cultures and social locations.

Keywords: Gender binary; difference; gender identity; passing; trans; transgender; transition; visibility

Subjects: Gender identity; sexual minorities; transgender people

Partial Transcript: Kind of going off of that, how do you view non-binary identities in terms of trans, starting with your own experiences?

Segment Synopsis: The panelists discuss the relationship between the concept of "trans" and non-binary gender identities. Their responses cover a range of topics from the use trans as an umbrella term to talking about the narratives surrounding trans identities and expressions.

Keywords: Gender; bodies; gender binary; gender identity; gender non-conforming; gender presentation; language; non-binary; trans; trans narratives; visibility

Subjects: Gender identity; language; transgender people

Partial Transcript: To clarify what Malik just said, how do feel about the way gender is defined in mainstream feminism? How can we improve/expand this definition?

Segment Synopsis: The panelists talk about current definitions of gender in the mainstream feminist movement, focusing on how it excludes trans and non-binary people as well as the importance of thinking about gender in relation to other identities and social locations (e.g. race).

Keywords: Dark Matter; Gender; colonization; disability; feminism; feminist activism; gender binary; gender normativity; intersectionality; narrative of transness; protests; race; the social construction of gender; transphobia; white feminism

Subjects: Gender; Intersectionality (Sociology); activism; feminism; imperialism; racism; social constructionism; transphobia

Partial Transcript: So, how do in-between identities complicate the other ways that you identity?

Segment Synopsis: The panelists talk about the relationship between their non-binary gender identities and their other identities, focusing on the importance of thinking about identity through an intersectional lens.

Keywords: Gender; class; gender identity; identities; in-between; masculinity; mixed people; mixed race; passing; privilege; race; religion; sexuality

Subjects: Gender; class; gender identity; identity; masculinity; race; sexual minorities

Partial Transcript: Why are panels like this important and why does sharing experiences have so much power?

Segment Synopsis: The panelists discuss the importance of panels organized around personal narratives and experiences with identities. They talk about the importance of complicating narratives surrounding gender and sexuality, as well as other social locations/identities.

Keywords: LGBTQ; QTPOC; community; complicating narratives; experiences; histories; queer trans people of color; solidarity

Subjects: community; experience; sexual minorities; solidarity

Partial Transcript: So, how can we support these identities that are beyond the gender binary and how do you want people to support you?

Segment Synopsis: The panelists describe ways to be supportive of trans and specifically non-binary identities, such as introducing pronouns into a space, having difficult conversations with family members, and generally being supportive of other people.

Keywords: Gender; gender pronouns; inclusivity; invasive actions; invasive questions; safety; sexuality; support

Subjects: Gender; safety; sexual minorities

Partial Transcript: So the last question before opening it up for other people to talk. Tips that you have for some of us that are still struggling to with our own gender identity?

Segment Synopsis: The panelists offer guidance for people struggling to find or understand their own gender identity.

Keywords: Community; resources; self-care

Subjects: community; resources; self-care

Partial Transcript: Ok maybe I'll split it into a two-part question... if either one of you guys were mentally ill or maybe are, you don't have to talk about it if you aren't comfortable, but if you are, how do you deal with the intersection of you know especially using them/them pronouns and then being mentally ill?

Segment Synopsis: The panelists talk about the intersection of gender identity and mental illness.

Keywords: gender; mental health; mental illness; neurodivergence; neurodiversity; sexuality

Subjects: gender; mental health; sexuality

Partial Transcript: I know that you Malik and you Tara have different connections with the make-up community... and how being queer and not identifying, as just a person really complicates your existence in that space.

Segment Synopsis: The panelists describe their relationship with make up and involvement in the make-up community.

Keywords: gender; make-up; sexuality

Subjects: cosmetics; gender; sexuality

Partial Transcript: I have a question. Just because I have been thinking about this a lot recently where my family is... but with the holidays coming up and wit the election, what do you think, just for y'all personally, I feel like tips are always great in these types of spaces are always great to deal with things...

Segment Synopsis: The panelists describe their strategies for dealing with difficult situations with their families.

Keywords: LGBTQ; families; politics

Subjects: family; politics; sexual minorities

Partial Transcript: So that was all the time we have. Let's give it up for our panelists.

Segment Synopsis: The facilitator brings the panel to an end, and Malik asks a final, uplifting question.