Portland-based leader, educator and speaker Trystan Reese joins Linfield University in a virtual conversation at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 31. The free event will be livestreamed on the Linfield University YouTube channel and is open to the public.
The March 31 event is being held in conjunction with the International Transgender Day of Visibility, and Reese’s discussion will detail his experience as an activist in the fight for LGBTQ equality over the past two decades.
“While the transgender community is increasingly visible, many are often uneducated about the lived experiences of existing outside the ‘typical’ gender binary,” said Tanya Tompkins, professor of psychology and member of Queer Connect, a Linfield group engaging in a collaborative and comprehensive assessment of campus climate, resources and policies as it relates queer campus community members. “As a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ educator, Trystan will help our community build a shared language and demonstrates Linfield’s commitment to LGBTQ+ students, staff and community members.”
Reese launched onto the national stage in 2017, when he went viral and became known as “the pregnant man.” As a transgender man, his pregnancy was unique and quickly caught the world’s attention.
To help spread his story, he has collaborated with major news outlets, such as CNN, NBC and People. He has also given dozens of keynote speeches at conferences around the country and founded Collaborate Consulting, a company that provides training for those interested in finding social justice solutions. Over the years, he has trained hundreds of medical providers on LGTBQ inclusion.
“I’ve used Trystan’s Moth Radio Hour talk in my courses because it is an educational, humanizing, thought-provoking and relatable story of the challenges he faced in starting a family as a transgender man,” Tompkins said. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the resilience and visibility of the transgender community than sharing the evening with Trystan who demonstrates the courage it takes to live openly and authentically. Bring your questions and be prepared to laugh, cry and leave the talk with an expanded heart and mind.”
The event is sponsored by a Lacroute Visiting Artist Grant and is a collaboration between Linfield University’s Psych Club; Department of Psychology; Office of Inclusion, Access and Diversity; Dean of Students Office; Office of Constituent Engagement; Linfield University Pride, also known as LUP; and Queer Connect.