19 Jul 2018
6:30pm-8:30pm
Join philosophers, writers, artists and activists from across the country for a collaborative discussion exploring issues that are at the forefront of contemporary social debates: gender identity, and race and racism. These two panels pose questions to how we live together; what counts as an answer; and who gets to decide?
The first panel on this Contemporary Questions series is 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?
Join Travis Alabanza, Katharine Jenkins, CN Lester and Onni Gust in conversation.
Please note that, as with all events at Nottingham Contemporary, we welcome everyone, and the diversity of the viewpoints people bring. We encourage participation and debate; however we expect our audiences to be respectful and sensitive to what other people say.
Free. Booking required
The Space
In collaboration with the University of Nottingham and Royal Institute of Philosophy
About the Panellists:
Travis Alabanza is a performer, writer and theatre maker. In 2016/17 they became an artist in residence at the Tate workshop programme, starred in Scottee’s theatre production ‘putting words in your mouth’ and the Royal Exchange show Jubilee, and performed in venues such as V&A, Tate, ICA, the Roundhouse and Barbican. 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.
Chair:
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.
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