Bodies of Dissent: Trans Access – a trans conference on the topic of access, barriers and accessibility - is focused on decolonization of the racial and gender norms present in our society, as well as from institutional practices of psychiatry and prison systems. It is a call for the rebuilding of “trans access.”
The term “trans” is an umbrella term for transgendered, transsexual and intersexed people, crossdressers, genderqueer people and people who are gender variant or non-conforming. While the term “trans” may incorporate these identities in the Western world, the term “trans” does not necessarily address the way people identify gender-related identities in other cultural communities.
The conference, being hosted in Peterborough from Friday November 7 to Sunday November 9, features workshops, presentations, talks, discussions, film screenings, performances and dancing. Topics include barriers to access, youth, mental health, psychiatry, prison system, disability and more in relation to trans identities.
The first of its kind in recent memory in Ontario and Canada, Bodies of Dissent is being organized by the Trans Events Committee, made up of Trent and community groups that are dedicated to serving Peterborough’s trans communities by raising awareness about trans issues as well as creating safe spaces for trans people.
Trans Events Committee started in 2007 as a loose coalition of representatives from Rainbow Service Organization (RSO), Trent Queer Collective (TQC), Transmission, Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN) and Trent Women’s Centre, as well as other members, in coordinating events for Trans Day of Remembrance in Peterborough.
Over the past year, these local groups have been working tirelessly to bring the issues of trans people to the forefront. At a time when the results of these efforts are becoming more visible to the everyday public, Bodies of Dissent is not only an opportunity for learning but also a celebration of the victories that have so far been achieved. Trans people have been fighting for decades to have their challenges and rights recognized.
One of the more apparent signs of Trans visibility in Peterborough and Trent communities is the ongoing success of the Gender Neutral Washroom campaign being run by Transmission (Peterborough’s only trans group affiliated with Trent Central Student Association). Working closely with Trent’s Presidential Advisory Committee on Human Rights, those involved with the Gender Neutral Washroom campaign have managed to make concrete advancements with the school’s administration towards safer washroom spaces. There is a pilot project being put in action to designate the washrooms in Bata Library as gender neutral, meaning there will be no Male or Female sign on the door, but simply an indication of what is behind the door.
Another place where trans identities and issues have become more visible is Trent Women’s Centre, a group originally started with the mandate of working towards women’s freedom from oppression. Last year the Centre conducted a needs assessment to evaluate the needs of trans people and the potential for the Centre to fill the service gap to meet those needs. This year, for the first time ever, the Centre has expanded to address the larger of gender issues and freedom that it has been working on the past few years. The Centre has also added a new position to their staff roster. The new position of Trans Outreach Coordinator has been created to develop new trans inclusive policy, create awareness and develop a visible trans presence in the community.
With the issues of trans inclusion and access on the forefront of the gender movement not only at Trent and in Peterborough but in the world at large, Bodies of Dissent conference is the crest of the trans movement in Peterborough. The vast, national interest in this conference is proof to us all that trans and gender-variant communities have been working and struggling for justice. This conference, a celebration of these victories, as well as recognition of challenges within trans communities, will not only offer attendees a glimpse into the world of barriers and accessibility and the intersecting of various identities, it will also allow for discussion on the potential for positive anti-oppression movement in the future, and a brainstorming of ideas of where to go next.
Following the conference, organizers hope to compile notes taken and release a written report about the discussions that have taken place, ideas and actions that were thought of, as well as challenges that were reflected on, so that it can be shared with trans and allies communities who have been unable to attend the conference
