As a queer Black femme in classrooms with primarily white cisgender-heterosexual peers, I do not always feel comfortable on campus and in class discussions as well. So, I choose not to talk about my identity and my experiences with microaggression, which allows this to continue campus. I have also had several conversations with other students who have similar experiences as well. My discussion will hopefully allow these thoughts and feelings to be explored in a more compassionate and comprehensive way for queer students to feel comfortable presenting themselves the way they want without fear of judgement or harassment from their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts. Using feminist critiques and social conditioning theory, the presenter will explore sexual orientation and its impact on gender identity and gender presentation. The presenter will also be using new media trends (Femininity courses, "Alpha Males" + Kevin Samuels, and social media aesthetics) along with sociological frameworks of 'presentation of self' and socialization to discuss how we are conditioned to believe what traditional femininity and masculinity presents and performs in modern society. Attendees will be able to apply these viewpoints to their daily media interactions and even in their daily lives intersecting with other identities as well. I will be utilizing an intersectional feminist practice into the discussion as well to show how assumptions of gender and sexuality impact how students interact in classrooms as well. This discussion is open for students to share their experiences, along with giving faculty and staff an opportunity to provide a safe space for gender non-conforming students to feel comfortable interacting on campus. Attendees will leave the conversation with a better understanding of the difference between gender identity and gender expression and how both are affected by sexual orientation.
