Home Blog Page 350

SFSS announces 2021 Woman of the Year Award recipients

By
News
-
0
Image courtesy of the Simon Fraser Student Society.

Written by: Alex Masse, Staff Writer

At the midpoint of Women’s History month, the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) announced the winners of its annual Women of the Year Awards. The award honours “self-identified women who have demonstrated leadership and advocated for positive change.” The nominations included trans, nonbinary, and cis women. 

“We encourage members of our community to continue to learn about and talk about gender inequality and the role that oppressive, misogynistic, and patriarchal systems continue to play in our lives.” The nominee page included several links to resources on intersectionality, feminism, and on-campus equality groups. 

Nominees were separated by SFU faculty. The voting period closed March 12, 2021, with the winners revealed on March 15. 

The winners are: 

Applied Sciences — Yasmin Dibai 

A student of SFU’s Sustainable Energy Engineering program, Dibai is working towards her Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design GA certification. 

“I’m honoured to receive this award from SFU and SFSS and to have been in the same category as the other diligent nominees!” Dibai said.

Alongside her studies, she is the president of Women in Clean Tech (WiCT) and vice-president at the Sustainable Energy Engineering Student Society (SEESS). At SEESS, she runs social media and merchandise, alongside planning and moderating events. 

“The [title] feels incredibly rewarding and motivates me to continue advocating for women and aim for bigger goals in my career.” 

Arts and Social Sciences —  Zeynep Ekin Buran 

Buran is a fifth-year student from Turkey studying criminology with a minor in psychology.

She’s led collaborative panels with UBC on accessing education as a newcomer to Canada, and currently runs career workshops for young refugees and newcomers.

“Now that I am in my very last semester, when I look back to my university life, I am proud to say that I came a long way,” Buran said. 

“I would like to thank everyone who believed in me and helped me to reach this [far]. I am grateful to be surrounded by so many positive, empowering, inspirational, and strong women from all around the world. I will always continue to work to make the world a better place [ . . . ] My goal is to not only seek for more opportunities but to create opportunities for others.” 

Business — Molly MacLeay 

MacLeay has worked as a TA and mentor to first year students. During her time at SFU JDC West, she helped raise $8,000 for charity partners facing hardships during the pandemic and brought the group the 2021 School of the Year award. 

“At the beginning of my degree four years ago, I never saw myself as a leader, but the incredible female role models in my life showed me that I could be. To have my efforts recognized is an honour and inspires me to continue giving back. Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way, and congratulations to all the other recipients!” said MacLeay.

Communication, Art & Technology — Sara Milosavic

“As a woman in STEM, this award means a lot to me, as it means that all my hard work is being recognized,” Milosavic said. 

She recently took part in a U of T case competition which focused on making studying abroad accessible to all students, including low-income, marginalized, Indigenous, and disabled students. This aimed to  “bring the study abroad experiences to the home university.” This would “[allow] students with disabilities and others in marginalized communities to filter and find experiences that better suit their personal needs.”

“With anything I do, I strive to create change and fill in the gaps for those who may not always have a voice. I am truly grateful to receive this award and have my name alongside many other strong and successful women. Congratulations to all the winners!”

Environment — Zoya Khan 

Alongside her degree in Global Environmental Systems and certificate in Geographic Information Science, Khan is the director-at-large at Embark Sustainability, where she works in director development, governance, and strategic planning. Through these roles, she helps plan Embark’s future learning, policies, and finance. 

“I am truly grateful to be recognized alongside such beautiful and strong women working towards making a change,” Khan said. “Through my work, I have learned the importance of standing together and I feel honoured that those around me view me as someone who stands with them.” 

Health Sciences — Qudrat Aujla 

Aujla is finishing her degree in health sciences and a minor in Gerontology. She is the co-chair at SFU’s Pre-Med Society, and has been a peer mentor to incoming students during remote learning. She also works at the BC Children’s Hospital as a research assistant, where she focuses on childhood cancers and solid organ transplants.

“It’s an honor to be nominated amongst such amazing women,” said Aujla. “During my time at SFU, I’m so grateful to be part of a community with such inspirational women that have empowered me to pursue my goals. I want to thank each person who took the time to vote, it’s truly an honor [accepting] this award!”

Sciences — Marie Haddad 

Haddad is a student activist and organizer; she co-organized the SFU team name change, has worked on the SFSS BIPOC committee, and is the upcoming SFSS vice-president equity and sustainability. 

“This is such a humbling experience and an incredible honor to even be considered [woman] of the year,” Haddad said. 

“I’ve had the privilege of seeing women like my mother and grandmother who had to fight with systems and societies and still come back home to hold community together.

“This award is not about me, but it’s about the non-complicit, non-silent, disrupting women who are continuously doing the work to dismantle violent systems of oppression and supremacy —  we represent the powerful forces of change that are challenging the imbedded systems of racism, and heteropatriarchy within our discourse, society and institutions. 

“We are the collective piece of history that refuses to be erased. We are the collective resistance in front or behind every movement. Know us, know Black women, know Indigenous women, know POC women — because, without us, radical change could not be possible.”

The COVID-19 vaccine isn’t our saviour

By
Opinions
-
0
Students can’t expect the vaccine to solve the pandemic. Photo courtesy of U.S. Secretary of Defence via Wikimedia Commons

by Kyla Dowling, Staff Writer

The COVID-19 vaccines have been touted as a Hail Mary after a long year of distancing, protocols, and anxiety — the end seems near. Despite the slow negotiations that led to a shortage of vaccines, the government intends for all Canadians to be vaccinated by September of this year. The vaccines seem like the light at the end of the tunnel; however, the pandemic won’t go away when people get vaccinated. Given that vaccinated people can still carry the virus and that transmissible variants are growing in number, the vaccines don’t mean we should abandon all other safety protocols. Because of this, if we have a full return to in-person learning in the fall, it will not necessarily be a safe scenario. 

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are said to be 95% effective, with AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson at 76% and 66% efficacy respectively. Though these numbers are strong, nothing is guaranteed. A number of people who have received the vaccine still got COVID-19. While the vaccines highly limit the chance of getting a severe case of the illness or having to be hospitalized, it is not an immunity badge, and shouldn’t be treated as such. 

Not only do the vaccines not guarantee a COVID-19-free life, but they also don’t prevent the virus from being transmitted to others. There is evidence that the vaccines hamper transmission, but it can still happen — whether fully or partially vaccinated. This is why the CDC recommends that only people who have been fully vaccinated (and have waited two weeks after the final dose) gather together without masks or distancing.

However, in BC, these types of gatherings won’t happen any time soon. As per BC’s vaccination plan, the majority of university students (who fall in the 18–24 age range) are not scheduled to get their first dose until June. Additionally, due to the number of vaccine shortages, a panel of vaccine experts recommended that doses for the Moderna, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca vaccines be administered four months apart to streamline partial vaccinations. They also advise that partially vaccinated people to still wear masks and social distance around those outside their household. As such, university students may not receive their second dose of the vaccine until October — meaning a full return to campus life without any precautions will not be possible. 

Students from other provinces are also an issue. In Ontario, university students will not be eligible for their first dose of the vaccine until July. Given that all adults aged 59 or younger will become eligible at the same time, it is not likely that all students will be able to get the vaccine within the month of July. 

Even when the majority of the population is fully vaccinated, this will not be the end of the pandemic. There are people who are unable to get vaccinated due to medical conditions, and they will only be able to safely stop wearing a mask when we reach herd immunity — or if we reach herd immunity. 

As if all of this isn’t enough, there are still multiple variants of the virus, the ones prevalent in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and South Africa being at the forefront of the news cycle. The vaccines notably do not provide as much protection against the variants than they do the original virus. This is a concern, especially because B.1.1.7 (the UK variant) is both more transmissible and more lethal than the original. Having partially or fully vaccinated people move around as if they are invincible is bad enough without the variant. But with it? It spells disaster. 

Being vaccinated doesn’t mean that concerts and clubs will come back full force. It doesn’t mean that when we return to campus in the fall, we can hug our friends and ditch our masks. It doesn’t mean that you’re safe, or that anyone else is. It is vital to continue wearing masks, physically distancing, and listening to governmental guidelines. When you get your first dose of the vaccine, your life may not be at risk anymore — but other peoples’ lives still are.

COVID Bingo

By
Humour
-
0
Layout: Siloam Yeung / The Peak

By: Kyla Dowling, Staff Writer

Your weekly SFU Horoscopes: March 29–April 4

By
Humour
-
0
An illustration of a girl with long flowing hair. Astrological signs and stars shine around her.
ILLUSTRATION: Marissa Ouyang / The Peak

By: Charlotte Gravert, Peak Associate

As spring arrives, the animals are waking up from hibernation! Who, you wonder, is your mammalian lookalike? The stars hold the answers . . .

ARIES: Imagine this: you are walking in the park minding your own business, when a rampaging Canadian goose starts chasing you. What the hell? you might think. But have you ever seen yourself typing that email to your TA complaining about a half-point missing? You’re soulmates.

TAURUS: You are the teddy bear of our childhood, always there to comfort us when times get rough. But on the odd day out, when life is pulling on your fluffy ear one too many times, you turn into the scariest of the creatures. Never, ever poke the bear. 

GEMINI: Somewhere between an adrenaline hunter and someone bad at self-preservation, you somehow manage to constantly put yourself in both emotional and physical danger, like a squirrel running over a bustling street. I don’t want to run you over, so it’s on you if I send my car off the road, jerk!

CANCER: You’ve heard it all before: you’re a hermit crab, the home bod, the crustacean who’s hiding in their shell. From here on out, pinch those comments in the butt! There’s nothing wrong with being an introvert. Let them come to you for advice on everything: love, life, how to prepare crab legs . . .

LEO: I haven’t seen a lion in real life, but I have seen fluffy dogs pulling their overwhelmed owners all through Stanley Park. They know they are worth the money. They know they are hypoallergenic. They know they are the first choice of the Baracks, a previous presidential family. You, friend, are a purebred doodle. 

VIRGO: You listen to ASMR videos when you are stressed. You probably get a similar sensation from watching oddly satisfying TikToks, too. Like a spider following an imaginary perfect pattern, symmetry just makes you feel good. Too bad your pretty webs catch all kinds of things, even the unsolicited dick pics. 

LIBRA: Dear God, send me a Libra. Like otters floating through the ocean, you can’t help but put a smile on others’ faces. You hold hands with your partner so you don’t drift apart at night, for goodness’ sake. Make sure your hands don’t get too clammy overnight, though.

SCORPIO: Based on looks, it’s hard not to fall in love with you. With your adorable stripes, we might mistake you for a cat, but unlike a cuddly kitty, you roam the streets at night. If someone crosses you, that would be a rotten situation for them. Got it yet? No? That stinks.

SAGITTARIUS: You love being the class clown, but somehow, you always take the joke too far. When you dropped your phone in the trash, did you really have to smack the whole thing over and spread its content across the sidewalk? At least you’re used to wearing a mask, though, raccoon.

CAPRICORN: Which animal do you think has a retirement plan set up while still in college? A beaver. No other critter is so meticulous about their homestead. I bet they even pay taxes the day they get their T4 slips. We bow to your work ethic. It’s a DAMning responsibility.

AQUARIUS: Have you ever seen a seagull steal a half swallowed starfish from another? They’re ruthless. You are ruthless. If you want it, you get it. If that means getting creative, you will reinvent the wheel. Or just steal from hoomans; it turns out their food is even tastier. 

PISCES: What is the number one Disney movie to make you cry? Correct, it’s Bambi. But do you know why it hurts so bad? Because his mother was selfless. We know you’d catch a grenade for us, throw your hand on a blade for us. Jump in the middle of the forest clearing for us . . .

Looser COVID-19 restrictions don’t override personal security

By
Opinions
-
1
Even if the government says you can go outside, you don’t have to. PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarson / The Peak

by Alex Masse, Staff Writer

BC recently loosened COVID-19 restrictions to allow outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, following a ban that began back in November. Many people I know are celebrating this change and making plans in their yards or nearby parks. They see it as another step towards this whole pandemic being a thing of the past, right alongside BC’s updated vaccination schedule claiming that everyone will have their first dose by the end of June. 

This lifting of restrictions makes me nervous, and I’m not the only one. Some health experts think it’s a bit too soon, even if outdoor settings are safer when it comes to virus spread. These lifts also come at a time where we’re still seeing an influx of new cases in BC — on March 22 it was reported that there were almost 2,000 over three days. Because of this, I highly doubt this minor change in restrictions will be properly followed, and people have every right to be uncomfortable.

Let’s be real here: when it comes to COVID-19 restrictions, some people love to push the envelope. Between the pandemic’s start and October of 2020, 77 fines were issued to those who broke quarantine rules. Just this month, two citizens were arrested for hosting a party in their Vancouver condo. These few examples happened before the restriction lift, and are proof people push boundaries. 

The COVID-19 virus has a tendency to squeeze through any crack it can. Even when everything is done right, there’s still a slight risk. My father got it from a coworker while outdoors, without ever removing his mask. He then gave it to me the day before his coworker told him he’d tested positive. Cases like these are definitely rare, but for a lot of people, it isn’t worth the risk —  especially more vulnerable groups such as the immunocompromised. One of my close friends has asthma, and he hasn’t seen any of his friends in over a year because he can’t afford to get sick.

I’m not saying this for the sake of scaring people. I’m saying that it’s okay to feel hesitant about seeing other people right now. You’re allowed to have your own comfort level and stand by it. Don’t let others, or the government’s loosening of restrictions, pressure you into something that feels unsafe. This’ll all be over someday, but in the meantime, your health and comfort should be the priority.

Monday Music: You’re the protagonist of a dark academia novel

By
Arts
-
0
"Monday Music" in giant yellow block letters with a red background
Monday Music: your weekly themed playlist. Image courtesy of The Peak.

By: Kyla Dowling, Staff Writer and Alliteration Aficionado

If you’re anything like me (and for your sake, I really hope you’re not), the only thing getting you through university is pretending that you’re the main character of a dark academia novel. Yes, I may have spent an extraordinary amount of money on blouses and houndstooth skirts to fit the aesthetic, and yes, my roommate does have to physically drag me away from old bookstores whenever we go for a walk downtown. However, all you truly need to get in the dark academia zone is music (and coffee, probably).

“Rival” by Ruelle

Image courtesy of Ruelle Music / Tone Tree Music

The only thing nearly as enchanting as Ruelle’s expressive voice is the amount of control she has over it. Her voice lingers at the top of her range before sultrily slinking down to a gorgeous alto. Both the lyrics and the production are sparse, yet haunting. Ruelle hums along to the piano melody between verses, her voice giving weight to the song. She sings, over and over: “My only rival is within.” These lyrics encourage you to stop comparing yourself against others, and to compete only with yourself. It speaks to both the solitary and intelligent aspects of the dark academia aesthetic, telling you that your goals are the ones you must aim to beat. 

“Achilles Come Down” by Gang of Youths 

Image courtesy of Mosy Recordings

 Look, the dark academia aesthetic is deeply Eurocentric and many novels in that genre rely heavily on Greek mythology as the “be all, end-all” of education, but I do maintain that this song, based on the myth of Achilles, is a brilliant piece of art. The song packs an emotional journey, an existential crisis, and a candid discussion of nihilism into a whopping seven minutes. The vocalist urges Achilles to find meaning in his life after the death of his beloved, pleading: “See how the most dangerous thing is to love / How you will heal and you’ll rise above.” With a symphony of strings, French musings on death, and battling voices pushing Achilles in different directions, this song is beautifully unique.

“Coffee Cups and Cigarettes” by Tomo 

Image courtesy of Tomo

Listening to this song feels like living in an apartment complex with incredibly thin walls. Everything sounds just a little far away, as if your neighbour is baring his soul, armed with a guitar. With lyrics referencing addiction, philosophy, and unrequited feelings, Tomo expresses vulnerability in a way that makes the listener feel like they’re intruding. The song is miserable and uncomfortable in all the best ways. The lyrics encapsulate the tragedy of being dependent, whether it be on a lover, like Tomo is, or on substances, like his lover is. Next time you’re having an existential crisis and mourning the fact that you ever allowed yourself to be attached to anything, just listen to this song. It might make your crisis worse, but it’ll help cement your brooding dark academia vibes that match perfectly with the themes of unrequited love and addiction. 

“The Secret History” by The Chamber Orchestra of London

Image courtesy of Kerry Muzzey

Do you really have a dark academia aesthetic if you don’t listen to orchestral music? Yes, absolutely, because I refuse to be elitist, but I do highly recommend this piece. With a title synonymous with one of the most popular dark academia novels of all time — Donna Tartt’s The Secret History — this song has made itself onto many studying and dark academia playlists. The piece, described as a blend between a film score and a contemporary classical work, has a mysterious yet thrilling energy to it. At the 2:40 mark, the score grows in passion, evoking a sense of careful urgency as the violin soars above the rest of the orchestra with a gripping harmony. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like the main character as you write an essay, exhausted yet energized by the sheer beauty of learning, this is the piece for you. 

Need to Know, Need to Go: March 29–April 4

By
Arts
-
0
Illustration of a blue calendar, with "Need to Know, Need to Go" written on top
Arts & Culture events to catch around the city. Image courtesy of Brianna Quan

By: Charlene Aviles, Peak Associate

North Shore Art Crawl | Online | March 12–April 12 | FREE

The North Shore Art Crawl showcases various art mediums including paint, photography, and ceramics from over 50 local artists. Attendees can learn more by watching the event trailer on YouTube and reading the art crawl’s brochure.

Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency with Seth Klein | Online | March 29 from 6–7:30 p.m. | FREE with registration

Seth Klein is a public policy researcher and urban studies professor at SFU. His speech will summarize his book A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency. Klein will discuss lessons from Canada’s response to WWII, how to adopt a similar approach to the climate crisis, and how the climate crisis and inequality are interconnected. Registration available via Eventbrite.  

Learn to Cook Lamb in New and Delicious Ways! | Online | March 30 from 6–7:30 p.m. | FREE with registration

Choices Markets will be hosting a cooking class taught by executive chef Mandy Finley-Chiarenza from Vancouver’s The Red Accordion. Attendees will learn about lamb’s nutritional value, how to choose high quality lamb, and how to prepare two lamb recipes. Registration available via Eventbrite.

MOVirtual: (Not-so) Distant Decades – Vancouver in the 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s | Zoom | March 31 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. | $2.18–$12.20

Bérangère Descamps and Charlotte Chang, the Museum of Vancouver (MOV)’s education team, will be hosting a tour of MOV’s 1950s gallery. The virtual exhibit features post-war nightlife, and the “You Say You Want a Revolution” gallery, which displays the Vancouver activist movements during the 1960s and 70s. After the tour, participants can submit their questions to Descamps and Chang. Tickets available through Eventbrite.

Let’s Hear It! Live – Celebrating Women’s History Month | YouTube and Facebook Live | March 31 at 7 p.m. | By donation

In honour of Women’s History Month, the Music BC Industry Association and Women in Music BC present Let’s Hear It! Live. Participants can enjoy performances by artists Lowkita, Neela, Nicky MacKenzie, and Old Soul Rebel. Registration available via Eventbrite.

SFU’s community isn’t just on social media

By
Opinions
-
0
Being angry on the Internet may be valid, but often unproductive. PHOTO: Jesse K. / Unsplash

by Victor Tran, SFU Student

The Internet allows for the SFU community to remain connected no matter the distance. However, comment sections on SFU social media groups are filled with hateful and argumentative comments that contribute nothing to the issue at hand. Instead of participating in social media comment sections this way, SFU students should direct that time and effort towards realistic actions in order to make changes.

But first, we have to understand why Internet rage is a real phenomenon. There are two main reasons for it: anonymity and deindividuation. Since the Internet allows for anonymity, web users are more prone to composing angry or hate-filled comments from a lack of perceived responsibility. This leads to the phenomenon called deindividuation, where “social norms are withdrawn because identities are concealed.” Additionally, we cannot ignore the fact that the pandemic contributes to this issue. The negativity accumulated from not being able to interact with others has a role in raging on the Internet. This is because people have limited options to express these negative feelings because some ways of interacting socially are no longer safe. What is even worse is that the Internet is one of the only ways to reach out to people during the pandemic. So how do we make use of all these energies? 

Students would be better off taking constructive action on controversial SFU issues by looking for alternative outlets. These actions would benefit students’ mental health and overall lifestyle. It has been shown that rage can hurt our health; more participation with Internet rage, doesn’t help this. The Internet filled with argumentative posts, negative comments, and provocative headlines tends to encourage people to also participate in these kinds of activities. This immensely affects Internet users’ productivity as most of their time is spent arguing on the web. Yet, constructive actions can solve both of these issues. 

For example, joining a student union can not only provide career benefits, but mental ones as well. Becoming a part of a student union means that students are no longer anonymous, eliminating the first cause of Internet rage. Acting on our words in a student union also means that we are dealing with real issues face-to-face with people, requiring greater responsibility. Taking on greater responsibility can lead a student to be more motivated to make relevant changes. This ultimately takes time away from participating on the Internet, increasing both our productivity and mental health state. Putting in effort to make changes means that we take real action instead of spewing pointless words; we solve the issues instead of pushing the issues deeper by endlessly continuing irrelevant online arguments. 

Yet, we also have to understand that Internet rage is a real emotion that comes from real people. These arguments can be filled with aggressive emotions because they stem from real experience. Comments with the sentiment “stop being angry” are common in rebuttals, which absolutely does nothing to cool down arguments and denies the validity of commenters’ feelings. However, social media is not the only way that we can make use of our negative emotions or interact with people. There are better alternatives for online interactions which offer benefits for productivity and mental health.

Internet rage is a real thing but it is not inevitable. In order to create a healthy and productive SFU community, students should attempt to take a step back and evaluate how they spend their time and effort, which can instead be invested in taking constructive action.

“Minari” is what we need right now in these trying times

By
Arts
-
1
Lee Isaac Chung’s latest work is quickly becoming an awards favourite. Image courtesy of A24

By: Lester Leong, SFU Student

Since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival back in early 2020, Minari has garnered much critical acclaim and an ever-growing list of accolades. Although its most recent win at the Golden Globes was arbitrarily and poorly relegated to the Foreign Language category, it has since been nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Lee Isaac Chung. Steven Yeun even made history by being the first Asian American to be nominated for Best Actor. Indeed, Minari is breaking new ground in Hollywood.

A semi-autobiographical account of director Lee Isaac Chung’s childhood, Minari tells the story of a Korean American family, the Yis, who relocate from California to rural Arkansas to pursue a better life. The father, played by Steven Yeun, wants a bright future for his children. So, he decides to start a farm, where he can sell the crops he grows, while also sexing baby chicks on the side to make ends meet.

Despite the Golden Globe placement, Minari is very much an American film. The story centers on a Korean American family and the pursuit of the American dream is one of the main themes. The allure of that concept prompts the father, Jacob, to start his own business; it also causes him to ignore the valid concerns of his wife, Monica, about the potential hardships of doing so. As Jacob’s hopeful optimism clashes with Monica’s more realistic point of view, a rift occurs in their marriage. Meanwhile, their two children learn to adjust to their new home while also spending time with their maternal grandmother, who has moved from South Korea to be with them. 

Another huge theme is the resiliency of immigrants in the face of hardships. Experiencing countless setbacks when creating and maintaining his farm, the odds are stacked against Jacob. However, he still comes up with ingenious solutions. In a very telling scene, he rejects the services of a water diviner because it is expensive. Using common sense about nature, Jacob finds a good spot to dig a well by himself instead. This do-it-yourself mindset eventually leads to a huge setback, but Jacob learns from this experience and adapts to the circumstances.

Minari, at its core, is about the Asian American experience. It’s about learning to reconcile two contrasting cultures within oneself: the individualistic culture of the West and the collectivistic culture of the East. This theme is most evident in the subplot of David, the youngest member of the family, learning to accept his grandmother, Soon-ja, for who she is. Having never met her, he is initially avoidant of Soon-ja because she doesn’t live up to his more Western expectations of what a grandmother should be (e.g. baking cookies, not swearing). David even complains that Soon-ja “smells like Korea.” However, as time goes on, David discovers that Soon-ja still very much loves her grandchildren, and finally begins to warm up to her.

With exquisite cinematography and a beautiful musical score, Minari is a compassionate exploration of the immigrant experience and the blind optimism that comes along with it. This is the kind of film that the world desperately needs right now. The hope it inspires for the future is very therapeutic and it’s one of the best films that 2020 had to offer.

Visibility isn’t an option for all trans people

By
Opinions
-
0
Trans people face many barriers related to intersectional marginalization and social status that can limit visibility. PHOTO: Mercedes Mehling / Unsplash

by Carter Hemion, Peak Associate

With International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, it is vital to recognize that trans visibility is a privilege and occurs on a broad spectrum. Celebrating trans people’s accomplishments and fighting oppression requires recognizing trans people in all of our experiences, not just those who are most represented. Trans visibility is never as simple as whether we are openly trans, in the closet, or living in stealth; it is a matter of privilege and deeply personal choices. 

Despite the pressure placed on trans people to be visible and involved in queer communities, there is no right way to be trans or come out. We do not have to come out to everybody we know, or all at once, nor do we have to choose a high level of visibility in order to be valid. Choosing our safety over our visibility is not shameful, and can be more practical. For many trans people, visibility can be dangerous. We are at a higher risk than our cisgender peers for being victims of hate crimes, partner violence, losing jobs, poverty, healthcare discrimination, and other forms of targeted discrimination. These kinds of barriers are why some trans people choose to delay coming out, come out only in certain spaces, and/or live in stealth after transitioning. 

However, for many people, embracing visibility as a trans person is validating. Being openly trans can be empowering; it is a way to hold space to redefine gender. Trans people can find joy in living openly and authentically, which is in itself is resistance to oppression. Coming out and remaining visible is a demonstration of trans resilience.

Despite this, coming out as anything is still a process, and not all spaces to do so are created equally. For people who experience multiple forms of marginalization, there can be extra layers of complexity and greater risks in coming out. Those who already experience oppression due to other factors like race or class, or who come from a background less accepting of queerness may face greater barriers. Even spaces meant for queer people can often be created solely by and for cisgender queer people and especially cater to thin, white, neurotypical, non-disabled queer people. Trans visibility has never been equally accessible to all trans people who want it.

In addition to the barriers of coming out, factors such as socio-economic status and specific gender identification can affect visibility. Gender non-conforming, Two-Spirit, and non-binary trans people especially may not have the option to live in stealth and may spend their lives coming out repeatedly in order to be recognized as themselves. Transfeminine people are also at greater risk of facing violent transmisogyny that can invalidate and endanger them. Despite these barriers, trans people find ways to support each other, through groups like the local Coalition Against Trans Antagonism.

Additionally, gender dysphoria and transitioning look different for different people, and not every trans person wants to, or has the privilege to access resources allowing them to “pass” as their gender. The concept of “passing” as either a binary man or woman is dangerous, unrealistic, and inaccessible; it incorrectly implies that we become trans because we transition, not that we may choose to transition because we are trans. It also adds pressure on non-binary people to present as gender non-conforming, setting rigid ideals for what a trans person is expected to look like. 

This type of normative thinking also places value on Western ideas of gender, excluding Two-Spirit identities and reinforcing colonial gender roles. For non-binary trans people —  especially those who use pronouns other than he/him or she/her or use un-gendered terms —  visibility and coming out may be a lifelong process because of the prevalence of the colonial gender binary forcefully placed on people living in Canada. This framework implies there are only two sexes, two genders, and one sexuality and has long been contradicted by countless cultures worldwide. However, white, Western gender roles are commonly considered standard, further limiting visible trans representation. 

Being trans is more than transition and level of visibility: we can be empowered in finding ourselves, connecting with our community, and learning from each other. Rather than only placing value on trans visibility, it is most important to recognize the reasons visibility looks the way it does, and represent the limitless range of trans experiences. We should instead celebrate trans people in our diversity this International Transgender Day of Visibility and raise awareness of the barriers in trans joy to accomplish that.

1...349350351...1,415Page 350 of 1,415

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us:
[email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024