make collection policy explicitly trans inclusive
Despite what I wrote in my last post here, since our new Barnard hosted blog doesn't allow comments, we will occasionally need to have discussions here on LiveJournal or elsewhere. (btw note that we're also on Facebook with no log in required and Twitter)
Today's query is similar to one I posted in 2008 about adding zines on femme identity by people of all genders to our collection development policy. The revised policy states:
Barnard's zines are written by New York City and other urban women with an emphasis on zines by women of color. We collect zines on feminism and femme identity by people of all genders. A woman's gender is self-defined. The zines are personal and political publications on activism, anarchism, body image, third wave feminism, gender, parenting, queer community, riot grrrl, sexual assault, and other topics.
I now propose that we add in language to make explicit that we include zines by transgender authors in any state of presentation, identity, or transition. Anyone who has ever identified or been identified as a woman's zines will be informed by that identification and is therefore in scope for our collection.
But of course I am not trans, am not a gender studies expert, and am prone as anyone to write something incorrect or even insulting even as I try to do the right thing. So...I'm looking for help in crafting a new version of our collection statement. Please share your comments and suggestions on Facebook, LiveJournal, Twitter, via email or by any other method you can think of.
I'm also considering removing the first part of the statement, as the NYC and urban emphases haven't proved to be as important as I'd anticipated. Here's a draft:
Barnard's zines are written by women and people of all transgender expression with an emphasis on zines by women and trans of color. We collect zines on feminism and femme identity by people of all genders. A woman's gender is self-defined. The zines are personal and political publications on activism, anarchism, body image, third wave feminism, gender, parenting, queer community, riot grrrl, sexual assault, and other topics.
Comment on it, or share a new one of your own!
Thanks, Jenna
Today's query is similar to one I posted in 2008 about adding zines on femme identity by people of all genders to our collection development policy. The revised policy states:
Barnard's zines are written by New York City and other urban women with an emphasis on zines by women of color. We collect zines on feminism and femme identity by people of all genders. A woman's gender is self-defined. The zines are personal and political publications on activism, anarchism, body image, third wave feminism, gender, parenting, queer community, riot grrrl, sexual assault, and other topics.
I now propose that we add in language to make explicit that we include zines by transgender authors in any state of presentation, identity, or transition. Anyone who has ever identified or been identified as a woman's zines will be informed by that identification and is therefore in scope for our collection.
But of course I am not trans, am not a gender studies expert, and am prone as anyone to write something incorrect or even insulting even as I try to do the right thing. So...I'm looking for help in crafting a new version of our collection statement. Please share your comments and suggestions on Facebook, LiveJournal, Twitter, via email or by any other method you can think of.
I'm also considering removing the first part of the statement, as the NYC and urban emphases haven't proved to be as important as I'd anticipated. Here's a draft:
Barnard's zines are written by women and people of all transgender expression with an emphasis on zines by women and trans of color. We collect zines on feminism and femme identity by people of all genders. A woman's gender is self-defined. The zines are personal and political publications on activism, anarchism, body image, third wave feminism, gender, parenting, queer community, riot grrrl, sexual assault, and other topics.
Comment on it, or share a new one of your own!
Thanks, Jenna