Five trans experts are available for media
On Trans Day of Visibility, experts can discuss pressing policy issues facing the transgender and non-binary communities
EVANSTON, Ill. --- Trans Day of Visibility is Sunday, March 31, marking a day to celebrate the accomplishments of the transgender and non-binary community and raise awareness of the challenges faced by trans people worldwide.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is tracking 479 anti-LGBTQ bills in the U.S. that are in various phases of legislation, including broad-reaching, bundled bill packages proposed in Georgia just days ago that would — among other things — ban trans athlete participation and ban gender nonconforming students from bathrooms aligning with their gender identity.
Faculty from Northwestern University can discuss a variety of topics in the headlines and more. Connect with them directly using the contact information below or reach out to Win Reynolds for assistance.
Marquis Bey (they/them, or any pronoun)
Critical gender/race theory
Professor of Black Studies
Director of Graduate Studies for Gender and Sexuality Studies
Bey’s research focuses on Blackness and fugitivity, transness and Black feminist theory. Bey has published a monograph, “Black Trans Feminism,” which attempts to theorize the convergence of blackness, transness and Black feminism via the Black Radical Tradition, critical theory, and contemporary literature. They can speak on topics including Black feminism; transgender life; nonnormative genders; race and gender in popular culture; critical gender/race theory; and politics.
TJ Billard (they/them)
Media and transgender politics
Assistant Professor in Communication Studies and Sociology (by courtesy)
Billard’s research focuses on the relationship between media and transgender politics in the United States and United Kingdom. Their past research has focused on transgender media visibility, the relationship between mass media and the transgender rights movement, and the role of digital media in transgender activism. Their current research focuses on the weaponization of disinformation to oppose transgender rights, particularly the rights of trans youth. Billard is the author of “Voices for Transgender Equality: Making Change in the Networked Public Sphere,” forthcoming from Oxford University Press. They are also the executive director of the Center for Applied Transgender Studies and editor-in-chief of the Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies.
Ricky Hill (they/them)
Trans behavioral health
Research Assistant Professor, Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing
Hill’s research centers on behavioral health and wellness in transgender and gender diverse communities, with a current emphasis on transgender men and transmasculine people. Their past research focuses on communication interactions between transgender patients and healthcare providers and relationship education for HIV prevention. They are currently a qualitative methodologist on the Chicago Area Trans Survey, a collaboration between Northwestern and Chicago-based grassroots organization Brave Space Alliance, whose data will help inform programming, policies and laws to improve the lives of trans Chicagoans. They can speak on topics related to gender affirming care, transgender mental health and wellness, and non-binary gender identities.
Eli Kean (they/them)
Gender-affirming education
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Kean earned their Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction & Teacher Education from Michigan State University. Kean's interdisciplinary interests include anti-oppressive education, gender studies and curriculum theory. Their primary goal as an academic is to help shape gendered educational practices in expansive and affirming directions. Kean’s most recent publication, “Advancing a Critical Trans Framework for Education”, is informed by critical trans politics and critical race theory and provides educators with a theoretical framework that centers transgender oppression. They can speak on topics including trans-inclusive curriculum and pedagogy; supporting, mentoring and advising LGBTQ+ undergraduate students; critical trans theory; and other gender-affirming practices in higher education.
alithia zamantakis (she/her)
Gender-affirming care and legislation
Research Assistant Professor, Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing
Alithia.zamantakis@northwestern.edu
zamantakis is a writer, sociologist, trans health and implementation scientist, and organizer. She is associate chair for the division of sexual behavior, politics and communities of the Society for the Study for Social Problems and chair of the Sociologists for Trans Justice. zamantakis can cover topics including bans on gender-affirming care, anti-“drag” legislation, trans women and sports, and physical violence against trans women.