Category Archives: Trans Issues
On “Top 16 Talon-Approved Initiative on Campus”
In response to concerns expressed in regards to the inclusion of the Women’s Centre in the “Top 16 Talon-Approved Initiatives on Campus” article, The Talon would like to acknowledge that we are aware of and share concerns about the history of transmisogyny within the Women’s Centre. The Talon works to end all forms of oppression […]
Social Justice Synonyms #20: “You guys”
Welcome back to Social Justice Synonyms, a column at The Talon that discusses the power of language and why we should unlearn the words that maintain the status quo. For more insight, check out our past segments here. This week’s segment looks at needlessly gendered terms, specifically the phrase “guys/you guys.” Greeting a group of […]
Social Justice Synonyms #17: “Dyke” and “Fag”
The words “fag” and “dyke” are both words that carry a history of violence – emotional, verbal, and physical – against folks perceived as QUILTBAG. They’re words that have been, and continue to be used to remind people when they are enacting gender or sexuality in ways seen as ‘deviant’ according to social norms, which […]
Navigating Beyond the Gender Binary
When I was a young child, I thought my parents wanted me to be a girl so badly that they secretly surgically altered my body so I’d be a girl (i.e. have a vulva). I never brought it up with my parents, I just frustratingly accepted it. I was taught gender and sex were synonymous, […]
Pride Collective’s Outweek: Call for Submissions
This year, Outweek runs from February 6-14, and The Talon is encouraging submissions from the community that connect to the spirit of Outweek and to Outweek 2015’s theme “sowing seeds and setting roots.” If you have related thoughts, we want to hear from you! We welcome submissions about any of the Outweek events, ideas presented at the events, and/or any other opinions, comments, or thoughts you may have.
Social Justice Synonyms #14: “I raped that midterm”
Content note: This piece discusses rape, rape culture, child sexual abuse, colonialism, violence against sex workers, and transmisogyny. In honour of Sexual Assault Awareness Month here at UBC, this week’s Social Justice Synonyms will be dedicated to phrases which trivialize sexual violence, such as “I raped that midterm” or “that midterm raped me.” Casual use of […]
“Where there is a word, there’s a history”: Two-Spirited Community Organizer Harlan Pruden Comes to UBC
On Thursday, January 8, 2015, the Pride Collective at UBC hosted a fantastic presentation in Irving K. Barber, located on the traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. Harlan Pruden who is First Nations Cree, spoke to themes of sex, gender, sexuality, and the complexities of Two-Spirit identities within Indigenous contexts, both historical and contemporary. […]
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Launches at UBC
January is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) at UBC, an initiative spearheaded by the University and the AMS. Access & Diversity and the AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) are taking the lead in organizing and running events during SAAM, in partnership with many other campus organizations. All throughout January, members of the UBC community […]
The Net: Leelah Alcorn and the Virtual Traces of Identity
Content Warning: suicide, transphobia, transmisogyny I. At some point during the winter break I got an idea to write a column about the Internet. It may have been simply because, like most people, having more free time means I’m on the Internet more, but regardless, it felt like something that needed to be looked […]
Social Justice Synonyms #10: “Tranny”
Welcome to Social Justice Synonyms, your friendly column at The Talon that discusses specific words we hear and see being used, explains why they may be problematic, and provides some alternatives. This week’s term is tranny. Being our second instalment of SJS dealing with topical words in transgender communities, refer to last week’s article for […]
