October 11, 2023
Genny Beemyn, Ph.D. will present the 2023 MCLA Lavender Lecture at 6 p.m. on Wednesday,
Nov. 8, in MCLA’s Murdock Hall, Room 218.
Beemyn is the director of the UMass Amherst Stonewall Center and the coordinator of
Campus Pride’s Trans Policy Clearinghouse. They have published and spoken extensively
on the experiences and needs of trans college students, including writing some of
the first articles on the topic in the 2000s.
In their talk, “The Changing Nature of Gender in the 21st Century,” Beemyn will discuss how the last decade has seen a generational shift in how gender is lived and viewed. Refuting the common assumption that gender can be reduced to female and male, many members of Gen Z identify as nonbinary and are challenging society to recognize more than two genders. This presentation will discuss the development of these changes, why they are important, and how people can be supportive of this movement, especially at a time when more conservative states are passing legislation designed to deny trans and nonbinary youth the ability to be themselves.
This event is free and open to the public. Call 413-662-5224 for more information or Zoom details.
More about Genny Beemyn, Ph.D.
Among the books Beemyn has written are “The Lives of Transgender People” (2011); “A
Queer Capital: A History of Gay Life in Washington, D.C.” (2014); and the anthology
“Trans People in Higher Education” (2019). With Abbie Goldberg, they edited “The SAGE
Encyclopedia of Trans Studies” (2021) and “The SAGE Encyclopedia of LGBTQ+ Studies.”
They are currently writing “Campus Queer: Addressing the Needs of LGBTQ+ College Students”
with Mickey Eliason for Johns Hopkins University Press.
Beemyn is also the assistant editor of the Journal of LGBT Youth and an editorial board member of the Journal of Bisexuality and the Journal of Homosexuality. They have a Ph.D. in African American Studies and master’s degrees in African American Studies, American Studies, and Higher Education Administration.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA
is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully
empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 129-year commitment
to public education, we have fortified our commitment to equitable academic excellence.
MCLA has appeared on U.S. News’ list of Top Ten Public Colleges for nine consecutive
years – ranking No. 7 for Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for a third year.
The College's continued commitment to affordable education and economic prosperity
is reflected in its list of National Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Mobility since
the organization adopted this ranking in 2019; No. 1 in the state, No. 2 in the country,
and No. 22 for National Liberal Arts Colleges. These rankings measure how well schools
graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu.
