Description:

At the intersection of scholarly life and marginalized gender identity lies a unique set of challenges. In 2020, in answer to some of these challenges, Ky Merkley (PhD candidate at U Illinois Urbana-Champaign) founded Trans in Classics, a national organization for trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming scholars of the ancient world. Their mission is to support trans* lives by providing a network of mutual support for trans* Classicists and promoting scholarship in their field that is grounded in an ethics of care for trans* lives. In this presentation, Ky will recount some of the history and success of Trans in Classics, followed by a workshop/discussion on how it could be used as a paradigm for identity-based advocacy groups in other fields, as well as on the resources that they are making available to scholars, mentors, and allies who want to engage more confidently with trans* issues. All members of the NU community are welcome! Refreshments will be provided.