Gender on a Continuum

by Caro Hernandez, Project Facilitator, YES Institute

Teachers, doctors, parents, therapists, youth and many others came together this past Saturday for Gender Continuum, the first part of our three-part Gender & Orientation Series™. For many participants this was a new conversation about gender that would prove life changing.

Brian, a high school speaker, and Joseph Zolobczuk, Director of Education.

My mom was in the course this weekend and had new insights about gender that effect her everyday; from negotiations at work to family dinners, gender plays a role in her relationships and interactions. For example, she often complains that I don’t wear bright enough colors, and she now sees that this was her gender expectation for me (thanks YES Institute!!). She can distinguish between my sense of style and her expectations of how a woman should dress. Now, if she asks me to go shopping, I can expect authentic communication rather than arguments and misunderstandings. Because gender is pervasive throughout all of our lives, my mom’s new understanding of gender has already helped our relationship.

It was inspiring for me to see so many teachers and students in the room. Jhan, a Miami-Dade County Public School student, shared that she was grateful to see so many teachers in the room who cared to learn more about gender, a topic that affected her in school. Arlene, a teacher with Miami-Dade County said, “the course made me aware that there is a great need for education on gender so young people can be safe and succeed.” Another teacher, Kay, said “I see myself as a part of the gender continuum and not just as ‘female.’ I realize that as individuals we are too complex to fit into two labels, male or female.”

Brittney McCabe, Program Manager leading the Gender Continuum.