Join National Educators United and Black Lives Matter at School as we uplift the Black Lives Matter at School Year of Purpose Transgender and Queer affirming principles. In this town hall, we will come together to reflect on what it means to be Transgender and Queer affirming in our classrooms, curriculum, and communities.

We will be joined by USC Professor Channing Gerard Joseph, who will be discussing William Dorsey Swann, a man born into slavery who was America’s “first drag queen,” and Emory University doctoral student, Victor Ultra Omni, who will reflect on the legacy of Bayard Rustin as a “Queer Organizer Behind the Scenes.” In addition, BIPOC trans youth will speak about their experiences in public education.

After their presentations, we will have space for community share outs, questions, and a discussion with our speakers. Youth, come as you are! Educators, please come with questions about how you can best be Queer and Transgender affirming in school and in your community.

Speakers:

Channing Gerard Joseph teaches at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He is also an award-winning journalist and writer whose byline has appeared around the globe. See Channing’s article in The Nation on William Dorsey Swann. Later this year, Picador will publish his forthcoming book The House of Swann.

Victor Ultra Omni is a doctoral student in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department at Emory University. Before coming to Emory, they earned their B.A. with highest honors in Africana Studies from the Claremont Colleges in Southern California. Broadly, Victor studies Black trans cultural formations and social life; with a particular emphasis on Black trans world building through the house/ballroom scene. Outside of the classroom, they are a proud Father in the house of Ultra Omni, board member at Trans Studies Quarterly, and the Political Education chair for Black Youth Project-100 Mecca Chapter.

Trans youth speakers to be announced.

Sponsors:

Black Lives Matter at School

National Educators United