phoenix kai vaughan-ende, a 2024 alumnus of the University of Washington Bothell’s Master of Fine Arts program in Creative Writing and Poetics, has had to conquer a number of obstacles to get to where they are today.
As a queer person with anxiety, depression and ADHD, vaughan-ende said, “I understand that I am different. I am made to understand it daily when medications require more water, but there are few gender-neutral restrooms — and entering either binary restroom prompts wary looks or confrontation; or when it is common to be the only trans person in a room and an introduction is a ‘coming out,’ a ‘spotlighting,’ a chance my mere existence could be challenged.”
These are just two examples of many where vaughan-ende said they have had to alter their existence to be able to fit “in a world built for binary people.” “Our institutions,” they said, “are built normatively: constructed under the assumption that being cisgendered, binary-gendered, white, heterosexual, neurotypical, able-bodied — I could go on — that these are the baseline, the standard.”
vaughan-ende said this is far from the truth, which is why their life goal is “to change the world, no matter how cheesy it sounds. I plan to ignite new pathways within the long lineages of social justice movements, to create equitable futures for humanity, specifically those forced into the margins.”
In recognition of contributions they made to the campus and larger queer community, vaughan-ende has been named one of this year’s Husky 100 honorees.
Classroom to community
Every year, the University of Washington recognizes 100 undergraduate and graduate students from the Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses who have made the most of their time at the UW — inside and outside the classroom. These Husky 100 students actively connect the dots between what they learn in their studies with what they want to do to make a difference on campus, in their communities and for the world. vaughan-ende is one of six honorees from UW Bothell.
As a student, vaughan-ende was heavily involved on campus, working at the Writing & Communication Center as well as the Student Diversity Center. At the latter, they led a number of programs, including queer writing workshops and Queer and Trans Time, a bimonthly affinity group.
After graduation, vaughan-ende plans to use their degree to write trans futures into existence because, “through words, anything is possible.”
“phoenix stands out as an exemplary member of the MFA and UW Bothell communities. They have created development workshops for writers and students; they hold space for nonbinary and transgender students seeking support; and they contributed to student well-being and success in their roles at the Writing Center and the Diversity Center,” said Dr. Ted Heibert, professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences. “In addition to these roles, phoenix also engages with the community outside of the university, holding themed writing workshops at public library and community center locations.
“This is noteworthy because it’s exactly the kind of outreach that one might want from an ambassador — carrying the values of the UW out into the local community. I can think of no better representative of the future-facing, community-minded, inclusive and creative spirit toward which the UW aspires.”
“I plan to ignite new pathways within the long lineages of social justice movements — to create equitable futures for humanity, specifically those forced into the margins.”
phoenix kai vaughan-ende, MFA ’24
Conversation and collaboration
Working as the LGBTQIA+ student advocacy coordinator, vaughan-ende was responsible for creating long lasting relationships, supports and programs for LGBTQIA+ student communities on campus. One of their initiatives was the development of a queer writing workshop which they later expanded to the Kingsgate Library in summer 2023.
“I have a very radical idea of what poetry or writing can be,” vaughan-ende said. “I don’t see it as a solitary act. I actually see it as the exact opposite. It’s a very communal process, and it’s about conversation and collaboration.
“It is also a way to imagine futures for marginalized communities, so when I write, the idea is that it will create liberation for all because when you think of humanity, no one can be free, and no one can be liberated without the most oppressed being liberated and free. And so I think part of that is about writing and imagining freedom and a future.”
Expanding on this belief, vaughan-ende created a workshop that focused on queer collage-poetry. It introduced participants to the core concepts of collage as a queer practice. “Collage as a medium has been used often in queer communities as a practice of refashioning and reshaping the ‘normal’ — almost like creating your own representation,” vaughan-ende explained.
Participants in the workshop looked at examples from poets Jennifer Tamayo, Jordan Abel and Douglas Kearney; images from photographer Erica Baum; and snippets from the Cut Ups: Queer Collage Practices exhibit. Attendees then spent the majority of their time creating, sharing space and listening to music while they worked.
Safe, supportive spaces
vaughan-ende also engaged in community building by hosting Queer and Trans Time, a bimonthly meeting on campus centering queer conversations. “The idea is for queer and trans folks to just be in community together and to share space and stories,” they said. “We often do coloring and art; it’s just a very chill and rewarding time.”
Whether leading workshops or QT Time, vaughan-ende said their goal is to “facilitate space where people can feel safe and comfortable and feel like they belong. I think belonging is a really necessary feeling,” they said. “And as someone who’s experienced feelings of not belonging, I think it’s been really important and impactful to feel that I belong and to be able to create space for other people to feel that, too.”
Their involvement on campus extended to the Writing & Communication Center, working as a lead peer consultant to help students to become stronger, more confident writers and communicators.
“phoenix works to engage students in the mentoring and tutoring process,” said Erik Echols, assistant director of the WaCC. “Their world view and unique academic background that combines creative writing and historically marginalized populations makes them especially adept in the collaborative aspects of the WaCC.
“They have adeptly taken on the challenges of mentoring tutors, supporting students and bringing their passions and interests with them.”
Living their dream
As a writer, vaughan-ende’s MA thesis delves into issues of nonbinary gender identity and technology, exploring metaphors of binary code and querying the possibilities for nonbinary thinking that can creatively emerge when holding together questions of technology and identity.
Heibert, vaughan-ende’s thesis adviser, said, “their work as an artist and writer meets the highest standards of engagement and excellence; it is philosophically deep, socially meaningful and highly original in its creative vision.”
Looking beyond their thesis and to their goals post-graduation vaughan-ende said, “I’ve been given so much by my mentors and peers, and I plan to take that fire and pass it along.
“My time at the University has affirmed that anything is possible — and this is only the beginning.”
