At The Forks

Contributors

Centre for Research in Cultural Studies — 2024-12-08

Contributors and image credits

Introduction

Jason Hannan — 2024-12-08

The historical catalyst for this collection of essays is a tragic and disturbing one, consisting both of a particular event and a general global pattern. In March of 2023, Joanne Boucher, a faculty member in the Department of Political Science at the University of Winnipeg, delivered a public talk with the dodgy title, “The Commodification of the Human Body: The Case of Transgender Identities.” According to the event description, Boucher’s talk was to explore the “economic interests involved in transgenderism” and to investigate the intersection of “government, corporate-funded lobby groups, the medical industry and the biotechnology sector.” Although framed in neutral-sounding academic jargon, both the event title and the event description contained blaring red flags, readily identifiable even to casual readers. Far from being a unique and isolated event, Boucher’s talk was part of a much larger and more general global explosion of transphobic discourse, which has been expressed in recent years in the form of utterly cruel and inhuman legislation. In response to this frightening national and global drift, the University of Winnipeg’s Centre for Research in Cultural Studies (CRiCS) organized a public event aimed at understanding our current political moment and offering guidance for solidarity and praxis. This collection features essay versions of the informal talks delivered at the March 2023 event.

Organized Transphobia and the University

Jarvis Brownlie — 2024-12-08

In this brief commentary, I want to address two issues raised by Joanne Boucher’s talk at the University of Winnipeg, “The Commodification of the Human Body: The Case of Transgender Identities.” First, there is the problem of how universities should handle events on their campuses that appear to target, disparage, or objectify a marginalized group. Especially in the United States, this has become a familiar problem, often posed by actors aiming to spark controversy, gain attention for intolerant claims, and perhaps be “canceled.” Second, there is the fact that Boucher’s talk took place within the context of a large-scale, organized anti-trans campaign, which is global, but especially visible in the United States.

Where Does Our Power Come From?

Misha Pensato — 2024-12-08

We’ve had a couple of moments of major community rallying against anti-trans oppression recently. Back in Fall 2023, several hundred people showed up in Winnipeg to protect a drag queen story hour from bigoted protestors. Both this and the more recent response to Prof. Boucher’s talk have been incredible displays of community support which created space for activists to connect with one another and foster social ties which can be drawn on for the next time people need to respond. These major flashpoints were both organized responses to rightly perceived threats. It’s good that we’re able to mobilize support during these times. However, we cannot liberate trans people through defensive actions alone. These actions protect our communities and keep us safe, but they are not where our power is.

Anti-Fascist Solidarity Now

Noah Schulz — 2024-12-08

The roundtable this essay is built from was created partly in reaction to something harmful occurring on the University of Winnipeg campus, but it was, and is also an opportunity to imagine something better together and to begin to build that better right now.

Tempest in a Cupcake

Lara Rae — 2024-12-08

I originally planned to attend Dr. Boucher’s talk in person, but in a very 21st-century compromise, it ended up on Zoom. It was a bit of a scramble. When I say I “attended,” I had a piece in my ear, listening and engaging with the talk while eating cupcakes at the counter event, which I found quite interesting. At 60 years old, I come from an academic background where I don’t discuss talks or events without attending and understanding the content. Thus, I engaged with the talk, which has broader ramifications and specific terms that are important to consider.

Academic Freedom and Narratives of Transgender Identity

Peter Ives — 2024-12-08

Several of the other contributors to this round-table — Lara Rae, Jarvis Brownlie, Noah Schulz – have noted that Professor Joanne Boucher’s talk, “The Commodification of the Human Body: The Case of Transgender Identities,” raises issues of free speech and academic freedom. The media coverage of the event and the statement issued by the University of Winnipeg presented the question in a standard framework that pits the support of a “healthy and inclusive society” and respect and support of the members of our 2SLGBTQ+ community against free speech and academic freedom. In this case, the University of Winnipeg seems to have ‘balanced’ those competing ideals by siding with the latter, with many feeling the former was sacrificed.