🧡 A Queer Perspective: Decolonizing Work, Justice & Intersectionality by A.Comeau [she/they] MSW RSW My positionality as a trans, neurodiverse, Acadian, white, and queer settler on Turtle Island, who is specifically occupying the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and the Attawandaron puts me in no position to speak with expertise on Indigenous life, hopes, wants, needs, or dreams. What it does put me in the position to speak on is to other settlers both in the professional space of therapist and to others who are interested in reflecting on their own colonial impact. Whether it is your first read on what this means or not, please do not take my writing here as an “expert” guide, as it is far from it. #1 Orange square with faded half Canadian flag, overlaid with: “What does it mean to decolonize? What does it mean to return land, to return sovereignty, to deconstruct settler colonialism? While it is hard to provide “step by step” ideas on how to do this, as everyone’s situation is different, there are examples we can look to.Some examples for therapists:” #2 Orange square with faded close-up of a child's face and mother overlaid with: “What does it mean to decolonize? Therapeutic practices can prioritize accessible cost services for Two-Spirit and Indigenous peoples.” #3 Orange square with faded Canadian Rocky Mountains overlaid with: “What does it mean to decolonize? Therapists can own their own social location when providing support to Indigenous people in their community. What is your settler history? How does that show up in your work as a therapist? Do you rely heavily on your Indigenous peers to work with Indigenous people due to your own discomfort or uncertainty? Can you balance your need to grow in decolonization while also not potentially burdening Indigenous peers?” #4 Orange square with faded close up of female -presenting white settler therapist overlaid with: “What does it mean to decolonize? Therapists can look at their practices regarding Duty to Report and ask themselves: Do these practices contribute to colonization? Are there ways to maintain our College’s standards while also decolonizing these practices?
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Happy Intersectionality Awareness Month! 💕🙌 This month, let's strive to create a more inclusive and equitable society where every layer of our identities can shine. How are you taking action to promote intersectional awareness and understanding in your community? Share your thoughts and ideas below! 👇💬 #IntersectionalityAwarenessMonth #DEI #Intersectional #Celebrate
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On 17 May 1990 has been declared that "homosexuality is not a disease, a disturbance or a perversion". Since then, this date has been celebrated as the International Day of Queerfobia and Xenophobia (please allow me to put this as an alternative to the usual name - International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia). As researchers, we are fortunate to work in environments where we can enjoy more freedom than elsewhere. However, we must never forget that this “safe island” is not separate from the outside world. Academia is not immune to the capitalist and cisheteronormative structures that perpetuate systemic queerphobia and racism. These structures emphasize quantitative measures of merit and excellence. Even in academia, hierarchical structures and power dynamics are prevalent, pressuring many of us to conform. We often feel judged on how we dress and behave on “special” occasions, sometimes to the point of being silenced or denied our identity. The personal experiences of individuals, particularly queer people and those from “third-world” countries, often go unnoticed. These experiences, though often painful, foster resilience and critical thinking, helping us navigate and challenge the demanding academic world. They bring unique perspectives that enrich our academic communities, fostering reciprocal care and respect. To my fellow researchers: have the courage to be yourselves. Your diversity strengthens our academic communities. I would also like to ask everyone to reflect on these issues and strive to welcome people regardless of their identity, be it gender, sexuality, or origin. Try to make an environment around you as inclusive as possible by showing support to people. It is not that hard! You may just start by trying to ask questions (especially towards yourself). For example, a simple question “Which pronouns do you prefer?” might seem to be a silly question to you, but it might mean a whole world to other people. Small actions can make a world of difference. --------- [Designed by Freepik www.freepik.com]
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Founder | Storyteller | Theatre Maker | Writer & Director | Life Skills Trainer | TEDx Speaker
Breaking the Silence: Conversations That Build Queer Visibility At Breaking the Glass Slipper, authentic representation begins with meaningful conversations. Engaging with voices like Farhan Zia (Center for Social Justice) deepens our understanding and fosters visibility beyond the stage, embedding inclusivity into daily life. As Farhan Zia (they / them) puts it: "We all play roles every day. Some of us who are mild have to be loud and commanding in tough situations. Some of us who are aggressive need to be calm and cool-headed when tact is needed. We show care, harshness, tact, spontaneity, kindness, coldness, and so many more opposites in a single day. If we do not, parts of us are lost. To be trans is to accept all the different sides of yourself; to accept that they exist simultaneously. People may have a body made for childbirth yet feel more at ease leading a competitive law firm. They may have a body built for combat but find child-rearing more natural. Some may change their bodies to feel closer to what they want, while others keep theirs intact and embrace them wholly. If a role is what we all play, and parts of our character are left out, the character becomes less rich - almost one-dimensional. And nobody likes one-dimensional characters." These conversations allow us to move beyond rigid binaries and explore the fluidity of identity in ways that deepen empathy and acceptance. True change requires spaces where queer identities are not just acknowledged once but engaged with regularly—be it in schools, workplaces, or theatre. We invite community members, allies, and organizations to join the conversation. Together, let’s co-create narratives that reflect the complexity of human identity and foster belonging. #BreakingTheGlassSlipper #QueerVisibility #GenderFluidity #AuthenticRepresentation #SafeSpaces #LGBTQInclusivity #DiverseNarratives #CommunityEngagement
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Manager of Affinity Group Development and Community Engagement at Yale University; Board Chair of She Leads Justice; Facilitator & Certified Expert ERG Trainer; Parent Cabinet Member; COLOR Power List 40 Under 40
Intesectionality at Yale Series - Navigating Bias: How to break down visible and invisible barriers for those with and without disabilities in the workforce Tuesday, May 28 | 5:30-7pm | Zoom | RSVP: https://lnkd.in/g-V-rg7K The Intersectionality at Yale Series aims to promote diversity and inclusivity by highlighting specific issues within different communities. The panels themselves are diverse, reflecting the intersectional nature of the topics being discussed. The series will focus on original topics such as ableism, trans and queerness, and racial and gender bias. Each panel will delve into specific issues within specific communities to help attendees understand the unique biases faced by these groups. This will allow for more targeted and productive discussions, as attendees can ask specific questions beforehand.
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Political Marketing Consultant, Political Analyst & Writer (Former Asst. Professor)
Need for Intersectionality: An interdisciplinary approach must also embrace intersectionality—the understanding that various social identities (race, class, sexuality) intersect with gender to create unique experiences of oppression or privilege. Scholars like Kimberlé Crenshaw emphasize this complexity in their work.
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"To truly be transformative, we need to distinguish between markers of difference and forms of oppression. Race, gender, ability, ethnicity, sexuality, and other markers of difference are not inherently oppressive or forms of oppression. Forms of oppression and discrimination are racism, classism, heteronormativity, cis-normativity, binarism, ethnocentrism, ableism, or ageism, etc. They are systematic and violent acts of maintaining hierarchies and positions of power in society." Read the Intersectionality and Development blog piece below. https://lnkd.in/gRShCuHM
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Lead Associate - Compliance and monitoring at the Payment Systems Regulator with expertise in research and analysis, policy making, and supervision, compliance and monitoring.
We at the Financial Conduct Authority are delighted that you’re coming Jacynth Bassett, so much so, that you even made the front page of our internal website today. The Financial Conduct Authority is leading the way by making age part of the DEI conversation and talks like yours are a vital part of knowledge building and discussion. #age #ageism #ageing
Age-Inclusivity & Age Positive Expert & Consultant- ‘Anti-Ageist Activist Of 2023' - Founder of Ageism Is Never In Style® - ‘Campaigner Of The Year’ Finalist 2024 - Evening Standard's 22 Londoners Changing The World
Delighted to be giving a talk to the Generate and Balance Networks at the Financial Conduct Authority later this week I'll be discussing the complex and nuanced issue of ageism, and why it’s vital for all ages to engage with the topic, as well as exploring gendered ageism – the intersectionality between ageism and sexism – asking the question, "Is a woman ever really the ‘right age’?" Thank you Dr. Gisela Mann for the invitation - very much looking forward to this! #AgeismIsNeverInStyle #Ageism #GenderedAgeism #FCA #FinancialServices #Ageing #Aging #AgeInclusivity #AgeInclusion #Intergenerational #IntergenerationalWorkplace #IntergenerationalWorkplaces #MultiGenerational #DEI #DiversityAndInclusion #AgeismInTheWorkplace #AgeDiscrimination #AgeBias
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Holistic Leadership Coach for Ambitious, Purpose-Driven Managers and Entrepreneurs | Executive Coach, Wellness Expert, & Facilitator for Heart-Centered, Innovative Leaders
To achieve true equity, we need to stop centering around privileged classes as “normal” and those outside of them as “other.” For example... 🔹 It’s true with concepts like heteronormativity, or the idea that being cis-het is “normal” and anything else requires justification. 🔹 It’s true with calling non-white people “minorities.” The term “global majority” is more accurate. 🔹 And it’s true with the neurodivergent, with the medical field’s history of pathologizing traits, focusing on deficits, and ignoring the impact of the environment on people who deviate from the average. We’ve inherited these constructs, and they’re ours to upgrade. If we let go of the idea that there are wrong and right ways to exist and instead focus on creating the conditions for success, the world’s biggest problems might solve themselves. 👉 Or perhaps, the Queer, Global Majority, and Neurodivergent populations will. What other constructs did I miss? Please write in the comments 👇 and share if you agree ♻ #deib #pridemonth #neurodiversity #inclusion
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Is it difficult for transgendered individuals to afford or attend college? I think transgendered individuals have the same opportunities as any other person. There are different challenges that we all experience. Some challenges are more difficult than others. The challenges that transgender individuals encounter are the assumptions and concerns of conservatives. These are the challenges that a trans-individual may encounter. There are the prejudices and internal bias that make the typical challenges of "living outside the norm" more difficult than most. These internal bias can be eliminated by public awareness and professional interactions that dissipates those internalized biases.
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Cybersecurity Expert | Self Published | Best-Selling Author, Former Law Enforcement Officer
Do Beards Define Identity? Let's Talk Norms! Join us in this thought-provoking debate on identity and societal norms! SPEAKER_22 and SPEAKER_32 tackle the complexities of masculinity and personal expression, all sparked by a simple question: Can men have beards? Dive into this engaging discussion that challenges conventional beliefs. #IdentityDebate #SocietalNorms #BeardsAndMasculinity #ThoughtProvoking #SelfExpression #CulturalDiscussion #GenderRoles #MenAndBeards #PhilosophicalTalk #PublicDiscourse
