#genderdefender

#genderdefender

Transphobia is an ongoing social epidemic. It is the fear, hatred, disbelief, or mistrust of people who are transgender or whose expression doesn’t conform to traditional gender roles. It takes on many forms, varying from something as simple as negative attitudes and beliefs to violence. Seen as a taboo topic, the issue of gender isn’t something that is taken very seriously and is easily brushed off in most cases. However, gender or lack thereof is an integral part of a person’s being and needs recognition.

 This attitude is in part caused by a lack of understanding and empathy in addition to an outdated definition of gender. This is where #genderdefender comes in. The goal of #genderdefender is to provide a tool that empowers advocates to reach out to people, at a personal level, to start a conversation. Gender identity calling cards work as an entry point into a movement that promotes a more progressive, accurate view of gender. The advocates maintain the true meaning of gender--one that doesn’t fit within any binary.   

In the 1980’s, contemporary artist Adrian Piper designed two series of calling cards. One focused on her identity as a woman and how she should be free to enjoy her solitude in public. The second focused on her identity as a black woman. Having a white parent, Piper was able to “pass” as white herself, and thus, people didn’t worry about making racist remarks in her presence. In order to inform them, without creating a scene. This concept was adapted to make “gender defender calling cards.”