Reflection 2: LGBTQ+ and Professionalism
I reached out to a friend in the LGBTQ+ community at MIIS for this reflection. We share some similar experiences in that we are both from the Midwest, we have traveled to some of the same places, and now we are both as MIIS. Though she’s only come out recently, she has still had many friends and been an ally to the LGBTQ+ community for most of her life, so I was interested to hear about her experiences and reflections on our shared contexts, particularly MIIS.
We discussed the climate towards the LGBTQ+ community in the Midwest, in France, in Morocco, and now here in California at MIIS. As she said, queer culture is always different depending on where you are and who you are with. For example, in Morocco it can be incredibly risky to be openly out. In more conservative areas such as the Midwest, it may not be openly hostile, but it is not generally accepting of LGBTQ+. In California, she’s found a much more open and tolerant space, though California still has room for growth. What stuck out to me, though, in our conversation was the tension in academic contexts of identifying as queer.
At MIIS she’s often felt that she cannot be openly herself in certain spaces. In some spaces, she’s felt the unspoken rule that if she is out, and openly herself it will jeopardize her professional identity.
It made me consider this idea of “professionalism.” It struck me that both in academia and the workforce, this idea of professionalism is largely based on the status quo; it is based on a heteronormative, white, middle-class way of behaving. The queer community (in addition to the BIPOC community) have to constantly fight between being “professional” and being themselves. They often have the extra work of fighting to bridge and navigate those two identities that should not have to be separate in the first place.
While MIIS is on a good path, in my friend’s opinion, there is still work that must be done to fight the status quo of professionalism being at odds with Queer identity. For one, having a club is good, but not enough. Queer voices need to be in every space. They are out there, but it is on the professors and faculty to do the work of finding and including those voices in the readings and resources they use in their syllabus. Furthermore, she said she would like to see more faculty engagement at QUAAM events. It isn’t enough that they have a presence at the Lavender Graduation, they need to be seen and heard at other events as well, not only to promote Queer voices in the academic sphere, but also to be models to the Queer students at MIIS.
Hi Miranda, thank you for sharing. The discussion about the different conditions of Queer acceptance and the risk of openly out reminds me of “intersectionality”, and even for people from the same region, differences in race, class, religion, etc. can all cause different sufferings for queer and other oppressed groups.
I am impressed by your last paragraph about “having one group is not enough”. Honestly, though I know its existence, I have hardly heard about events held by the queer club at MIIS. As many feminists are stretching out to persuade men that feminism is also related to them, do you know any endeavors or activities that can attract the cisgender group? How can we persuade the others that the LGBTQ+ issue is not only concerning the LGBTQ+ people but a pain-point for everyone? Do you know any ongoing or successful models that the MIIS club can follow to relate the LGBTQ+ inclusion to everyone? The unheard voices may need more effective ways to be heard to challenge the status quo.
Keyue, that is an interesting question! While the club is named Queers and Allies at MIIS, in my own experience, I found it intimidating at first to join their events. I don’t identify in the LGBTQ+ community, but I strive to be an ally. However, even though the club is named to include allies, I worried I would be intruding in their space. But I felt so welcome! I think this is probably the case for many people who want to be an ally, but feel that they would be intruding if they go to a QUAAM event. I think in part the way events are promoted can encourage people to come even if they don’t identify within the community; however, it is also seriously problematic to put that responsibility back on the LGBTQ+ community. I think allies have to encourage other allies. I think maybe it’s on us to do the work of explaining why LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces enrich everyone’s life.
Hi Miranda,
Thank you for sharing. I agree with Keyue, I thought about “intersectionality” when you talk about people’s acceptance of LGBTQ+ issues. I was surprised when I moved to the US by the segregation of different regions. Because usually, people may have a unified/simple impression of one country. I talked about people’s perception of LGBTQ+ issues in China, and in most Chinese people’s understanding, America is a safe place for LGBTQ+ groups.
Your discussion about the relation of professionalism and identity made me think about the video we watched the other day in class. The professor talked about his critical pedagogy and his experience that was discriminated against by people in academia. Do you have any thoughts on how we address this problem?
Hi Miranda,
Nice background!
I was intrigued by your friends’ thoughts actually. And I think I agree with her thoughts regarding MIIS. I am aware of the club – never attended the events. I think there’s a lot that MIIS is undertaking in regards to racism right now, but we seem to be ignoring another form of oppression that still exists in our community. Maybe we can think about what to do as the social justice class? If you hear an event, would you share it with all of us so maybe we can all attend and show support?
I agree with you on professionalism – it’s such a buzz word but noone really knows what it means…other than acting like a white male cisgender person.
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