What I’m really the best at is being accessible to those who don’t speak theory. I can translate complicated topics such as intersectionality and queer theory to a non academic audience.

I’m also available to speak with my wife Rachel Crowl, who is an actor, and photographer and musician, about queer marriage, transitioning together, and our artistic partnership.

Here is a select list of places where I’ve spoken and the specific topics:

  • University of Wisconsin at Madison – October 2022 – Trans Backlash
  • Fox Cities Book Festival – March 2021 – Trans 101
  • Cornell University – April 2018 – Trans*forming Literature: a conversation with Ryka Aoki, Helen Boyd, and Ely Shipley
  • Saint Norbert’s College – February 2014 – Year of bell hooks
  • University of Wisconsin Oshkosh – March 2012 – Trans Action Week
  • Fair Wisconsin Leadership Conference – January 2012 – Building a Trans Inclusive Movement
  • University of Wisconsin Stevens Point – April 2011 – Transgender 101
  • University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee – April 2009 – SEXPO Conference
  • University of South Carolina at Spartanburg – April 2008 – Bodies of Knowledge Conference – Transing Same & Opposite
  • Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin – February and March 2008 – Queer Heterosexuals and Transgender Relationships
  • Merrimack College in N. Andover, MA – November 2007 – Not Jerry Springer: Transgender Issues
  • University of Colorado at Boulder – October 2007 – Transforming Gender Conference – Trans Partners, Trans Amorous
  • Metropolitan State College of Denver – October 2007 – Gender Identity and ENDA
  • New York State Museum in Albany, NY – November 2006 & June 2007 – Building Communities and Coalitions
  • Penn State Dickinson School of Law – April 2007 – Transgender Marriage, Identity, and the Law
  • Yale University – February 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 – Trans Issues Week – various panels & presentations
  • University of Vermont at Burlington – February 2005 & March 2006 – Translating Identity Conference – various workshops
  • Columbia University – November 2004 & October 2006 – Institute for Research on Women and Gender / Queer Awareness Month – Becoming Queer
  • Purdue University in Calumet, IN – October 2006 – Gender Variance and Transgender Perspective
  • Austin College in Sherman, Texas – November 2006 – Gender Variance and Heterosexual Marriage

Topics

Co Conspirator to Transland: How To Ally
My most requested lecture which combines some of all the others with guidance for those new to trans identities in professional and personal settings.

Trans Etiquette 101 : How to Navigate Trans Identities and Pronouns
A more specific talk that focuses more on the language and taxonomy of trans identity.

A Brief History of Transland: How Trans Identity Became Visible
A quick but thorough tour of how we came to be where we are now, starting with the first theories of trans identity, visibility movements, and trans activity in the larger LGBTQ community.

Trans Relationships: Love Is Not All, Actually
All relationships come with challenges, but being partnered to a trans person can cause disarray in one’s own private and public identities, sexuality, and marginalization.

Becoming Queer: Chosen Families and LGBTQ Life
As we transitioned from straight to being perceived as lesbians, we discovered a whole community of experience, pride, love, and anger.

Becoming Poly: It’s Not Pie
Keeping our relationship meant throwing out some of the myths and expectations but of being straight and of being monogamous.

Trans Inclusive Feminism: Or, Why Trans Women are Women
Trans women aren’t only women; they’re female. Fight me.

Writing in Private, Publishing in Public: On Writing Memoir
On the odd way that writing about your deepest self, your traumas, griefs, desires becomes a way to connect with more than your own cats.

Non Binary Identity: Emerging and Eternal Genders
Non binary identity seems “new” to a lot of people, but third genders, fluid genders, and neutral genders have been in existence throughout history and across cultures.

I’m available to speak on any of these topics or on some combination. I can work with you to meet your institution’s or group’s needs.