Unlearning the Binary

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Unlearning the Binary

Many people, even LGBTQIA+ allies and queer people, are coming up against the genderism present in lifelong lessons we’ve been taught that tightly define successful ‘men’ and ‘women’ (with little to no room for other options).

In relating with individuals who do not conform to these societal expectations of gender — including through personal style and the use of pronouns such as they/them, she/they, he/they, ze/zim or other neopronouns — some find themselves resisting or not quite ‘getting’ this expansion beyond the gender binary (of woman and man). This can create unwanted divisions between ourselves and others at work and home.

For queer individuals this can lead to further confusion about society’s difficulty accepting their honest expression, as well as continuing to experience direct harm from macro and micro-aggressions. This rejection of authentic expression is directly correlated with increased rates of suicide, especially in the younger generation.
Note: If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal ideation, resources are available at OpenCounseling.co., and you can talk to us any time at social@lthjglobal.com.

Given the consequences for rejecting people based on their own freedom of expression, why is this such a sticky matter for many people to untangle in personal & professional relationships? And even for those who are allied with the queer community, why are some of these new expansive social practices taking time to adapt to?

How can we respect the people we work and live with, nourishing a healthy culture at work and home?

Meet Your Panel:

Dr. Lulu (she/her), aka the “Momatrician” is a Nigerian-born, pediatrician and mom of a non-binary transgender young adult.  She is a 2-time TEDx Speaker, bestselling author, youth suicide prevention activist and award-winning LGBTQ* advocate featured by outlets like The Washington Post, Entrepreneur.com and CBS morning news with Gayle King. Dr. Lulu is the bestselling author of 5 books, including How to Teach Your Children About Racism. Her most recent book is an anthology about immigrant women: The Warrior Women Project. She is currently working on her 6th book, Invited In: How to Become the Parent Your LGBTQ* Child Needs.

She is also an indie film actress; host of 2 podcasts: The Pride Corner and Suicide Pages, and host of The Parent Hour with Dr. Lulu radio show on Tejano FM 98.9; and in her spare time she hosts, moderates and MCs events. A former Lt. Col, commander and medical director, this US Air Force disabled veteran is also a certified life coach who currently works with parents of LGBTQ+ kids, helping them create safe spaces through self-love, self-acceptance, affirmation and support of their children.

You can check out her website at dr-lulu.com, on socials @DrLuluTalkRadio, and sign up for her upcoming annual summit for parents on June 1-3 here on Eventbrite!

River Teslar (she/her) is GSBA’s Business Training Specialist. She is a spirited advocate for the LGBTQ+ community who brings her warmth and encouraging nature to business education and growth. As a trans woman with a background in advocacy and community work, she is moved to use those skills for the GSBA.

A consummate food enthusiast, she spends her free time finding new restaurants and cooking with her partner, as well as performing at open mics, hopping between her favorite local haunts, and enjoying walking around the beautiful East Capitol Hill neighborhood. River hopes to become a small business owner herself someday, and host community events and organizing.

You can learn more about River here, and register for the GSBA June 9th Pride Pop-up in Seattle.

Thokozani Mbwana (they/he) is a “nosey researcher” by day and an Ancestor-summoning poet/writer by night. Their research interests lie within the realm of queering and radically reimagining realities within human rights and transitional justice processes, as well as finding ways of incorporating African-centric healing practices in research and community work involving LGBTIQ+ folks.

Their creative work explores existing and becoming and the murky confusion that lies in between. Thokozani is the author of The Sunflower Faces East At Dawn, a chapbook collection of poems, and Agender Daydreams, a collection of personal essays on gender interrogation both due for release in 2022.

You can read this piece featuring Thokozani, or connect on Instagram and Twitter.

And your host… 🎙️ Lindsey T. H. Jackson!

Lindsey is a creative force in motion. Every year, organizations and outlets like MoPOP, the Washington State GSBA and King5 News call on her to guide thousands of individuals through their shared journeys of Unlearning our culturally patterned biases and traumas. And now, we’re fortunate enough to be one of them!

Through her ongoing research on the root causes of our Western culture of pressure and burnout, Lindsey has spent over 15 years clearing the path to wellness & liberation alongside leaders, teams, and organizations.

And today, she’s the CEO creating the future of work with her team at LTHJ Global — leading the organizational Diversity, Equity & Inclusion evolution from the inside out.

You can connect with her on LinkedIn or learn more about her work here at LTHJ Global.

Want to join the next Unlearning?