sj Miller
Why gender identity justice matters for everyone
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About sj Miller
sj Miller, a trans* + disciplinary award-winning teacher, writer, activist, and scholar, is a literacy specialist whose emphasis is on social justice and gender identity in pre-K through university level teaching. sj's research focuses on trans* + disciplinary perspectives on social justice, and marginalized student literacies and identities with an emphasis on gender identity. sj has written 9 books, including Teaching, Affirming, and Recognizing Trans and Gender Creative Youth: A Queer Literacy Framework, which was awarded the 2017 AERA Exemplary Research Award for Outstanding Book and the 2018 Outstanding Book by the Michigan Council of Teachers of English. sj is a contributor to CBS News, BBC, and PBS and appeared in the feature documentary, Gender: The Space Between on CBS. sj gives keynotes across the world and consults on professional development for teaching, affirming, and recognizing trans* + and gender creative/expansive students. This past April 2019, sj received the AERA Distinguished Contributions to Gender Equity in Education Research Award. sj’s latest book about Gender Identity Justice in Schools and Communities was just released; and Navigating trans*+ and complex gender identities is forthcoming.
Find out moreAbout This Talk
Have you ever been put in the position to defend or explain your gender identity? If not, you’re probably cisgender, meaning your gender identity matches the sex on your birth certificate. However, for people who don't relate to gender binary norms or don't feel they fall neatly into "female" or "male" identity boxes, finding validation and acceptance for their true selves is often very difficult.
Exploring nonconforming gender identities can be particularly hard for young people, who usually feel increased pressure to fit in. sj Miller (no pronoun used) explores social justice and gender identity for kids and young adults, and believes that we need to start building literacy and compassion around the complex topic of gender in schools and beyond. Watch sj's 2018 TEDMED Talk to learn more about gender identity and nonconformity, and the role we can all play in building a more inclusive and just world.
Exploring nonconforming gender identities can be particularly hard for young people, who usually feel increased pressure to fit in. sj Miller (no pronoun used) explores social justice and gender identity for kids and young adults, and believes that we need to start building literacy and compassion around the complex topic of gender in schools and beyond. Watch sj's 2018 TEDMED Talk to learn more about gender identity and nonconformity, and the role we can all play in building a more inclusive and just world.