Presentation Details
| Academics As Activists: Using Our Biological Knowledge to Advocate for LGBTQI Positive Legislation Zuleyma Tang-Martinez, . university of Missouri-St.Louis, St.Louis, Missouri, USA |
Abstract
I argue that, as academics, we all have a responsibility to use our knowledge of biology to positively influence public policy that promotes social justice, including legislation that is relevant to the LGBTQI community: Such activism can involve both educational efforts to reach out and recruit allies to support (or oppose) relevant legislation, and working directly with legislators by lobbying for (or against) particular bills. I discuss two case studies based on my own personal experience in Missouri: 1. An educational and lobbying campaign, in the late 1980s, that resulted in passage of an HIV/AIDS law that was lauded nationally as model legislation. 2. The use of biological information on intersexuality to emphasize that “sex” is socially constructed (from a historical perspective), as well as to highlight the diversity and complexity of human sexual development (from an endocrinological perspective). In the latter case, I also will discuss in greater detail the biological underpinnings of several intersexual conditions to demonstrate how this knowledge can be used for public education and in combating trans-phobic legislation.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.