Trans awareness: In the classroom, boardroom and beyond

On November 7, the Ryerson community is invited to join us for an interactive public lecture to discuss practical ways that we can improve our campus’ inclusion of trans people.

The conversation will move beyond the discourse of where an individual goes to the washroom to a more holistic discussion of trans awareness and inclusion. Our goal is to increase the understanding of how to avoid pathologizing, discounting or stigmatizing the experiences of trans people.

Participants will engage in discussions on a number of important topics related to trans inclusion:

• the under-representation of trans people on our campus;
• the lack of trans representation and voices in the classroom and curriculum;
• the need for gender/queer studies programs in post-secondary institutions;
• the need for better services and appropriate accommodations

We will also explore how to make our environment safer for trans students by respecting and supporting their rights to:

• be comfortable in the classroom and university at large;
• dress as they wish;
• use pronouns of their choice; 
• not feel that they have to continually be the voice of the entire trans community, rather than individuals in their own right.

Event Schedule: 12:00 - 2:30 p.m.:

• noon - 12:30 p.m. Working Lunch
• 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Panel speakers
• 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Table discussions

Speakers

Dr. Carys Massarella

Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, McMaster University

Rupert Raj

Retired Psychotherapist/Gender Specialist and Trans Activist with a longstanding history of trans advocacy across Canada and the USA.

Marty Fink

Assistant Professor, School of Professional Communication, Ryerson University. Fink’s research and teaching focuses on trans access, decolonization, #BlackLivesMatter, and fat positivity.

This is the fifth event in the Dine and Discourse series, where Ryerson community members are invited to hear expert speakers and engage in an interactive working lunch to explore ideas. It also provides a space for community members to make recommendations about how Ryerson can become a more inclusive space for all students, staff and faculty.