DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
My Background
My school's motto is: Learning Lives Forever. Some folks say that the only constant is change. But as someone who identifies as a perpetual student/teacher hybrid, I know that another constant is learning who you are in this world and how you fit in it.
One of my goals as a theatre-maker is to put a greater emphasis on Queer stories written by and for Queer people. I want to carve out future space for us, and excavate our history. We have always been here.
Here are some examples of my leadership and dedication to diversity in the face of adversity:
YOUTH COUNSELOR FOR THE
ALI FORNEY CENTER
A survival job that serves my community, affirms my identity, and keeps me dedicated to being my best self.
Who says you can't LOVE your day job? I take care of some of our population's most vulnerable: unhoused transgender youth. I offer them compassion and accountability as we catch up on important life skills and help them claim their autonomy as young adults.
This work has been eye-opening, gut-wrenching, and life-affirming. It it just as exhausting as it is rewarding, and I have been forever changed (for the better!) through it.
TWO-TIME TITLE IX CHAMP
How my senior year of college tuned into a queer YA novel about perseverance.
Throughout the same school year, I was fighting a Title IX case against a tenured professor that had been harassing marginalized students (and even faculty) for decades.
On the first day of my fourth and final year at Southern Utah University, I was publicly hazed by Richard Bugg for being Non-Binary and using they/them pronouns. Richard declared my pronouns "too political" for the classroom.
My University, my department, and Title IX all prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity. In an effort to preserve equal access to education—for myself and my peers—I filed a Title IX claim. I was met with near-universal support from my classmates and faculty. Countless students came to me with their own stories about Richard; decades of racism, sexism, and queerphobia.
An investigation into his conduct found evidence of multiple violations of two university policies, and multiple departmental policies.
This recommended conclusion evolved into a hearing, which confirmed the findings of the investigation. I had already graduated by the time this conclusion was reached.
Three sanctions were placed on Richard, with the addition of a fourth, in response to him challenging the outcome of the hearing.
But if there's one thing older white men hate: it's being told "no." The case has (hopefully!) evolved into its final form: a lawsuit against the university on the grounds of freedom of speech. Sure, as an American, he can say whatever he wants! However, as an employee of SUU, he is contractually obligated to provide equal access to education. Hate speech may be ~somewhat~ protected by the First Amendment, but it is prohibited by Title IX Policies 5.60 and 5.24, as it constitutes harassment.
Richard shows no signs of remorse or willingness to learn from his mistakes.
The trial is set for Spring of 2024. I hope to find closure, and pray that no other student experiences what Richard put me through.
IDEJ STUDENT REP
An opportunity to represent my peers and create change.
My senior year of college, I was the Student Representative for the Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Justice Committee. I gave voice to any questions, concerns, and/or perspectives from the student body. I worked to uphold the values and mission of the committee, department, and university as a whole, with an ultimate goal of equal access to education for all.
I moderated and contributed to conversations, engaged my peers in an effort to increase attendance, and had the honor of leading one of our town halls. I was a confidant to my fellow students, and a driving force for change on campus.
HIGH SCHOOL
Living a double-life as I became myself for the first time.
My senior year of high school, I was chair of our Gay Straight Alliance (in a town that just banned Pride flags)
In that year, attendance tripled. I coordinated involvement with the community, resources for queer youth, monthly activities, and weekly meetings.
I also organized and was a keynote speaker at a walkout in response to the rampant school shootings and gun violence experienced by teens in America.
I did all of this while living a double-life: out as Trans at school, but not at home. I had discovered the genderqueer side of myself while playing a trouser role. Home was not a safe place to be myself, so I strove to create a safe space for myself and others in my school community.
(Are we sensing a trend?)