Proud to learn: beyond binary thinking
Celebration, remembrance, awareness…there are many aspects to Pride. And today, in our fourth Pride blog we look at education. And we do so because open-minded curiosity and learning are vital if we are to create a world where there is space and acceptance for ALL marginalised groups. Over to DTV’s Grainne Creighton...
You may have noticed in the past years a growing number of letters being added to what used to be LGBT. That’s because Pride today encompasses people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, and intersex. LGBTQI+ reflects our growing understanding.
While a spotlight on non-binary groups is relatively new, people who do not fit neatly into two genders are most certainly not new. The Samoan Fa'afafine, the Fijian vaka sa lewa lewa, and the Indigenous American Two-Spirit are just some of the examples that long recede colonisation and Western notions of gender and identity. British attitudes towards gender have historically been heteronormative; those who do not identify as traditionally male or female were previously considered to be mentally or physically unwell. Attitudes were generally focused on ‘curing’ or containing them. Only within the past 100 years has the idea of gender fluidity started to reach the mainstream population.
Dance troupe Fine Fatale
Of course, it is an infinitely complex issue. For example, in countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal, you would have more freedoms as a trans person than as a gay person. Back in the West, hate crimes against trans people are sadly still a common occurrence. In Northern Ireland, for example, trans is still seen as a mental illness.
It has been nearly fifty years since the world’s first gender identity law – a law allowing people to change their legal gender marker on official documents – came into effect. That was in Sweden in 1972. In the UK we still lag behind. Trans people came under legal protection through the 2010 Equality Act. Since 2004, 4,910 have been issued a Gender Recognition Certificate under the Gender Recognition Act, but the Act is constantly under threat. Despite these threats, recognition is growing. This year, on 6 April we had our first International Asexuality Day.
Learning is for life. So we stay curious, we keep learning, and we remain committed to action. One simple thing you can do is to speak up if you witness threatening speech or behaviour towards anyone from the LGBTQI+ community. You can speak out if you are not in danger. You can help the victim to find a safe place. Or you can seek help such as calling the police. If we all commit to doing this, then together we can take another step towards Pride being something we can feel all year round.
Keep fighting the good fight! ✊
Bio
Grainne is Editor and works with in our creative team at DTV helping to produce inspiring and powerful films for our clients.
