Looking for bi/poly/trans speakers

[sebastienne]

Hi all - especially, but not exclusively, those connected to Oxford Uni,

Are you bi/poly/trans/asexual/queer/in otherwise an overlooked part of the LGBTQ* spectrum? Do you have 5-10 minutes' worth of material in you on the topic of "LGBT Community", and how you feel you (don't) fit into it?

Do you want to speak as part of an Oxford University panel discussion for Oxford Pride at 6pm on Wednesday 8 June?

Reply to me with a brief idea of what you might like to talk about!

Comments

[thefairymelusine]

Hi, I'd be interested in talking about being trans, concepts of passing, genderqueer (and being expected to be either totally male presenting or to destroy gender) and queer safe spaces.

[sebastienne]

Fantastic, thank you!

We're just waiting to hear back from one speaker - if they say yes, I'm afraid we're full up, but if they say no it would be great to have you. I'll let you know as soon as I know!

[sebastienne]

You're on! This pleases me immensely ^_^

I have a bunch of speaker information to pass on to you - is your email address the one with a Shakespearean name in it?

[thefairymelusine]

yes, it is (dates from me being 14)

[naraht]

Might turn up to this as an audience member, if I can get away from work in time. Sadly I think I'm not quite enough part of the LGBT community to feel qualified to talk about how I don't fit into it!

[sebastienne]

Feel free to sneak in halfway through, and/or to ask awkward questions!

[sebastienne]

sorry for the delay - have emailed you now!

[alittleacademe.livejournal.com]

I assume you're not wanting L, from your wording, but I do identify as queer & could be interested in speaking on LGBT community & religion, but it may not be what you're after!

[sebastienne.livejournal.com]

Mostly I'm trying to make sure that the panel ends up decently diverse. Other members of the committee are approaching monogamous L & G people, so I decided not to.

But religion/queerness was an intersection that I hadn't thought of in relation to the title, so thanks for bringining it up. When I think about that intersection I mostly think about "what is it like to be LGBT in a religious community" - so I would be really interested to hear about "what it is like to be religious in the LGBT community"?

I am only information-gathering for the organisers, so can't promise anything, but thanks for getting in touch and hopefully I'll be able to let you know for certain one way or the other by Monday!

[widsidh.livejournal.com]

It might be useful to seek out an asexual angle.

I am not volunteering as a speaker, since It would be unfair on you if I did: (as you know) I do not feel I belong to a specific community on account of my gender and sexuality. However, I have learnt that a lot of asexuals do just as much as many other LGBT etc. (but feel sidelined), and there might be someone else out there who is interested.

Just a thought.

[sebastienne.livejournal.com]

The people that I know read this journal and consider themselves part of the ace community [nice icon choice, btw!] also identify as 'queer' - but I take your point that it's not obvious, and I could have specified their inclusion. Editing now!

[widsidh.livejournal.com]

Thank you.
The icon sort of presented itself ;-)

And I hasten to add my post was meant as a suggestion not a criticism. It is good to know that Oxford aces feel included.

[sebastienne.livejournal.com]

Hurrah! Panel organisers are as excited about your contribution as I am. Is it OK for me to pass your uni email address on to them?

[alittleacademe.livejournal.com]

Sure! Please do. :)