Monika: The transgender cause is usually manifested together with the other LGBT communities. Being the last letter in this abbreviation, is the transgender community able to promote its own cause within the LGBT group?
Riah: This question takes form in every movement. Over the years I have flip-flopped between being proudly a part of the wider LGBT community and a full-on trans-separatist. This is because many LGB-identified people do not experience major oppression based on their gender. At least not *usually* to the extent that the trans* community does so regularly.
Reflecting on my college experience, there were many brilliant minds working to make the Concordia community more inclusive. However, there were often major disconnects between cisgender leaders both at the administrative and student level and gender-variant individuals. The only student organization that was focusing specifically on queer issues was the Straight and Gay Alliance (SAGA). Year after year, I and other gender minorities petitioned the gay/lesbian leaders of the organization to fight for a change of name to something more inclusive such as the Sexualities and Genders Alliance (SAGA).
However, gender variant individuals were told by leadership that keeping the name exclusionary was necessary to garner campus support. It was feared that students, administration, and alumni donors may not support the pressing gay and lesbian issues such as marriage if they were to make such a move for inclusivity. However, marriage wasn't really the most pressing issue for gender variant people at Concordia. They were too busy encountering restrictive policies, harassment, and even violence on campus. Unfortunately, this "under the bus" phenomenon is all too common in the wider LGB/T movement as well.
For me, it felt exclusive and I hope that future leadership seriously considers how it can be 100% inclusive in both name and function.
I do not have a concrete answer on what the movement for gender and sexuality liberation should be referred to as. However, I think it is important to remember that we all as individuals have radically different life experiences in relation to our gender identities, race, sexual and romantic orientations, socio-economic status, and ability levels. I truly believe that one should not only advocate for their own cause (e.g. only trans folks working on trans issues) but rather we should all work in solidarity with everyone who experiences oppression.
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| Martial arts, debate, and roller derby are just some of Roe's hobbies. |
Monika: Are you active in politics? Do you participate in any lobbying campaigns? Do you think transgender women can make a difference in politics?
Riah: I am active in politics! I think everyone should, to the best of their abilities, be involved at some level. Even though it can get messy and confusing, state and national policies affect every member of society. Currently, I divide my energy among a few specific movements. I mainly focus on gender, race, class, and ability.
Do I think transgender women can make a difference in politics? Absolutely. Everyone can and should.
So what are my political beliefs? Well, those are constantly evolving as I learn more about the world we live in and hear the stories of others unlike me.
First and foremost, I am really tired of all the negativity in the world. The only way we can create a better world is to learn how to forgive and support others. Attempting to create positive social change is hard work.
It requires a lot of emotional labor because our work is tied to our own identities and day-to-day experiences. Often it makes us feel like there is a real "Us Versus Them" war. I simply do not believe this is true. People's perceptions of the world are limited by their experiences. And many experiences lend credibility to warped or misguided assumptions about the world.
It requires a sort of vulnerability to have the messy conversations required to change the hearts and minds of others. There is no room for shaming, anger, or hatred in the movement towards a better world. These may be natural emotional reactions towards oppressive systems (and those sustaining them) but time after time we see that those people need our support the most to change. If we are serious about creating tangible change in these movements we need to be willing to put our fear that our efforts are in vain aside. We need to set aside the "left/right" identities and drop the flame wars. And most of all we need to get back to supporting our neighbors; because we only have so many trips around the sun together.
Monika: Could you tell me about the importance of love in your life?
Riah: Love is a tricky creature as it manifests in so many ways. Without the love, I experience from my allies I would have most likely been one of the many transwomen lost to suicide. In particular, a few people worth mentioning would be Dr. Susan O'Shaughnessy, Mr. Bruce Vieweg, Ms. Courtney White, and Ms. Jennifer Buchanan. Throughout the many trying times during my transition, I would say these were my closest friends who demonstrated routinely what good ally-ship looks like.
While I have an amazing network of allies, I often joke that I am chronically single. Unfortunately, when I put myself out in the dating pool I find myself regularly dehumanized by cisgender men who say they want to only "try a transgender." I think the worst part is that often these are genuinely good men who are wonderful people. However, the systems we have created to police/structure our relationships (dating norms, sex industry, marriage) have misguided otherwise kind cisgender people into harming trans* people.
But overall, love is important in my life because it fuels my determination. I hold love for all people, regardless of who they are, or even how terrible they may treat me. It is what drives me to social justice and political advocacy, because kindness breeds kindness, even in the face of adversity. Supporting people and advocating for issues that do not directly affect you is, in my opinion, the noblest form of love.
Monika: Do you like fashion? What kind of outfits do you usually wear? Any special fashion designs, colors, or trends?
Riah: A few years ago my best friend and I were on a bus in South Africa. She joked that she was going to nominate me for "What Not To Wear" so I could get a new wardrobe. The reality is that I often wear plain and non-flattering comfortable clothing. This is partly due to my rejection of the Beauty Myth (re: Naomi Wolf), but also a deep sense of gratitude that I can afford durable clothing at all.
My social justice chest tattoo is incomplete, much like my social justice work. That being said, fashion can be such an interesting outlet for creativity and self-expression. I personally love the dark, femme look. My dream outfit is black pants with a flair that begins at the knee, a two-inch heel with gladiator straps, and a dark red butterfly-cinched top that accentuates my tattoo.
I also have a social justice chest tattoo which is incomplete (not unlike my work). The premise of it is a woman's hands holding a dagger between two coin purses. The coin purses are split open at the bottom with coins falling out. It represents femininity as a tool for redistributing the power withheld by the brother institutions of racism and sexism.
Monika: Many transgender ladies write their memoirs. Have you ever thought about writing such a book yourself?
Riah: As much as I wish I had the ability to sit and write for the length of time necessary to publish a memoir I currently cannot. Hopefully, future Riah is a little bit more on the ball or can find a talented biographer!
Monika: Are you working on any new projects now?
Riah: Well I have recently relocated to the beautiful Minneapolis metro area. That being said, I am still trying to find the next opportunity suited to my particular strengths, weaknesses, and general worldview. As of right now, I provide advocacy and education to those in the social and professional circles I run in.
Monika: What would you recommend to all transgender girls, struggling with gender dysphoria?
Riah: Remind yourself every day that you are lucky. You are lucky to see a system (of gender) that very few are even aware exists. The challenges you will face, the hatred that will be thrown at you, the fear you will undoubtedly feel is a direct result of your brave choices. Even if those choices only exist in your mind and worldview.
Vladimir Nabokov wrote that "Curiosity is insubordination in its purest form." Every act of gender variance is a form of insubordination to the patriarchal systems that police gender norms and obstruct every human's bodily autonomy. I recommend remembering that.
Obviously, each person must evaluate their situation and make the best choices for their own life. When you question whether or not you are doing the right thing, I encourage you to reflect on the trans* individuals who have laid down their lives for us to continue this movement. Their strength is channeled through us as we work to make the world a better place for all people.
Monika: Riah, thank you for the interview!
Riah: Thank you so much, Monika. I find the work you do truly inspiring. Whether intentional or not you are documenting trans* history during a revolutionary time for humanity. It is quite a noble mission!
All the photos: courtesy of Riah Roe.
© 2014 - Monika Kowalska
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