Transgender women of color should be at the center of movements for social justice, says Kari Lerum, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at University of Washington Bothell. She’s a researcher and advocate with trans and sex worker communities who will share her scholarship Tuesday in a Research in Progress seminar.
Lerum says, while high profile cases of trans women celebrities have produced heightened fascination about transgender individuals, trans women of color in the U.S. continue to experience especially elevated rates of violence.
“My goal with this talk is to illuminate connections between gender, sexual, racial, and social justice, and to argue for the centering of the experiences and leadership of transwomen of color in efforts for progressive social change,” Lerum said.
Diversity is the theme for this winter’s Research in Progress, a course (BCUSP-2 credits) that introduces emerging scholars to research practices. It’s an opportunity for students to learn scholarship skills and faculty to learn about work of their colleagues. The course is taught by Charlotte Rasmussen, Ph.D., director of undergraduate research and curated by the director of diversity.
Lerum’s seminar is Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 4 to 5 p.m. at LB1-205. In addition to students and faculty, it’s open to staff, alumni and community partners.
