In collaboration with the University of Nottingham and Royal Institute of Philosophy, the Nottingham Contemporary Gallery invites you to this special talk.
Join Travis Alabanza, Katharine Jenkins, CN Lester and Omni Gust as the panellists for this talk on gender identity.
Travis Alabanza is a performer, writer and theatre maker. In 2016/17 they became an artist in residence at the Tate workshop programme. Their debut poetry book Before I step Outside (you love me) has been shipped to over 19 countries world-wide and listed as one of the top trans literary books of 2017. Their interests and work surrounds their identity as a trans, black, gender non conforming person.
Katharine Jenkins is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Nottingham. Her work focuses on the nature of social categories such as gender and race: what they are, how they are created, and how they can be changed. She has published articles on feminism, trans rights, and sexuality, and is especially interested in what gender identity is and how it fits into struggles to end all forms of gender-based oppression. She also works with organizations in Nottingham to improve public understanding of sexual consent and to reduce sexual violence.
CN Lester is a musician, writer and LGBTI/feminist activist. Author of Trans Like Me: A Journey for All of Us (Virago/Seal), Lester works on an international basis as a transgender educator. An alternative singer-songwriter as well as a classical performer, researcher, and composer, they have a particular interest in breaking down genre boundaries and promoting music makers outside of the canon. Curator of arts event Transpose.
Chairing this talk, Onni Gust is Assistant Professor of History and Associate Director of the Centre for Research in Race and Rights (C3R) at the University of Nottingham. Their research and teaching focuses on the British Empire in the 'long' eighteenth century. Bringing insights from feminist, queer and post-colonial theory, they think historically about identity formation in relationship to imperial space, and the role of new forms of racism, sexism and ableism in shaping identity. Onni is also a member of the trans community, and works with Notts Trans Hub and Trans Space Notts to build safer spaces for transgender people in Nottingham.
The talk is on Thursday 19 July in The Space in the Nottingham Contemporary Gallery at 6:30pm - all are welcome though you need to book, which you can do here.
Abstract:
Contemporary Questions: Gender Identity
Join philosophers, writers, artists and activists from accross the country for a collaborative discussion exploring issues that are at the forefront of contemporary social debates. This first talk in the Contemporary Questions series focusses on Gender Identity. The idea of gender identity is fast making its way into public awareness. But what exactly does having a gender identity involve? Does everyone have one? And what role should it play in society.
With all events at the Nottingham Contemporary, all are welcome as well as the diverse viewpoints people bring. Participation and debate is encouraged, however it is expected that audiences be respectful and sensitive to what other people say.