2022 Gender Justice Conference

Opening session of the Gender Justice Conference

What bodies fit into the gender binary? In this presentation, presenters Kimmy Herman (she/her) and Em Evans (she/they) explore the ways in which gender presentation in trans and queer communities have been shaped by fatphobia. From discrimination against trans, queer, and gender-nonconforming people in large bodies by a cisheteronormative society to intercommunity struggles with diet culture, fatphobia has taken root as an invasive presence within LGBTQ+ culture. In an effort to build upon the existing work of body-neutral activists within the trans, queer, and gender-nonconforming communities, Herman and Evans will propose strengths-based solutions on micro, mezzo, and macro levels to address this urgent issue. Queer and trans activism rarely focuses on body neutrality as a central issue–however, the invasive presence of fatphobia within the LGBTQ+ community has had lasting and harmful effects. For trans, queer, and gender-nonconforming people, the consequences of fatphobia include higher rates of disordered eating, discrimination in public spaces and online, denial of gender-affirming care, and the violence of body-policing from both within and without the community. Naming and understanding the ways in which fatphobia has impacted our perceptions of ourselves and of one another is the first step that we can take towards dismantling this system of body-based oppression.

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.

Gender Justice Power Brunch: An Intersectional Narrative of Gender and Disability in Online Dating at 11:00am - Chrissy Rockwell Gender Justice Power Brunch: The History and Weaponization of Black Women's Sexuality 11:30am - Ta'jah Norman & Leilani Adens

Jocelyn Brown & Nicole Salapong

Economists observe a new phenomenon in European and American markets: the eco-gender gap, where men are far less likely to engage with green-marketed products and sustainable alternatives. A multitude of factors baked into the fabric of society encourage—or, in this case, discourage—this behavior, from historical patriarchal structures to modern marketing. This project surveys West Chester University of Pennsylvania students to see if the eco-gender gap manifests on campus.

Participants will learn that climate change affects multiple intersections of identity. Climate change disproportionately impacts women and especially women of color. According to the United Nations (UN), the three pillars of sustainability are environmental, economic, and social. Of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 5 is Gender Equality. Therefore, participants will realize any sustainable solution to climate change must include the concerns of those people least represented around the world. Participants will also realize the current state of West Chester University's relationship with sustainability and gender through the survey results. Overall, participants will learn how to connect the dots around these concerns of identity and identify actions to take to address these issues at home and abroad.

Steven Feldman & Em Reynolds

For as long as we have been alive, the gender binary has permeated our society. From clothing to careers, toys to TV shows, birth to death, we are expected to conform to strict rules of masculinity and femininity. But what happens when we remove all of those expectations? In this session, we will explore together the enigmatic question: what does a world liberated from the gender binary look like?

A Look Into Women & College Debt - Chikayla Barriner

This session will focus on the student debt of women. Women hold an average of $31, 276 in student debt and this cost presents many challenges for women post college. Additionally, this session will discuss how we can advocate to address this issue.

Join us as we close out our conference and prepare for our Keynote at 6:00pm!