Hello everyone! We welcome you to read about our happenings this month and interviews with some Silberman colleagues.
Below these two images is a transcription of the Newsletter for accessibility purposes.
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December 2021 Newsletter Transcription.
The Sex Gen Bulletin. Newsletter for the Silberman Center for Sexuality and Gender.
Page 1: Dec. 2021, Fall Semester. Interview with Jenna.
Previous intern chosen as LGBTQ fellow!
Jenna Frasier, MSW (they/she) has been chosen as the Edie Windsor, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera New York State LBGTQ Fellow for 2021-2023. Here’s what they have to say about the experience.
How did you feel when you found out you were chosen?
“I was very excited and proud. I think a lot of that does connect to the kind of legacy that’s in the name of it. Definitely for me as a Black person, as a queer person, genderqueer person, it’s just really special to have these two powerful queer trans women right in the name of my title.”
Can you describe your current occupational position now with the fellowship? What type of work are you engaging in with the Chief Diversity Officer?
“Last week, there were two bill signings and I got to attend in person, one of which was this bill that makes it so that folx can use their chosen name and pronouns in utility bills or phone bills. Also, the START (The Survivors of Trafficking Attaining Relief Together) Act was signed into law. This helps them get a bit more relief in terms of getting those charges dismissed or dropped. It was a little surreal, I was texting pictures to my friends like, “Look, I’m here with the Governor signing this bill into law!””
How would you describe the importance of this fellowship?
“To me, how I’m hoping to approach this role, is being a bridge between those two worlds. I was doing community work, I’m a yoga teacher, I was teaching yoga and after-school programs in the South Bronx and Harlem. Now, I look at myself in this role working within government, very much working within the system that impacts a lot of us. Going back to community organizing, there’s so many different ways to make change.”
Hear the full interview on SCSG’s Podcast. Coming soon!
Page 2: Dec. 2021, Fall Semester. Silberman Community.
Decompress Stress: A Coffee Talk with SCSG. Occurred on Tuesday, December 7th. Open to all MSW and BSW students. Follow our social media for future events.
What is one thing you want during the upcoming break? Here’s what Silberman students said.
restoration, family time, peace, enough sleep and self-care, party, movement and organizing my space / life, read for pleasure, relaxation, time to check-in on myself and take care of things I put off during the semester, time for things other than school and baby… because that’s all I have time for now.
Anna Ortega Williams. Assistant professor at the Silberman School of Social Work. CRECD Award Recipient in 2021.
Q: What does receiving the CRECD award mean to you?
A: Receiving the CRECD means that the different discourses I hope to have about trauma recovery and interrupting anti-Black racism are reaching different audiences. It was an honor especially because of the powerful work and focus of CRECD in CSWE.
Q: Can you share some information on projects you’re currently working on?
A: A couple of projects I’m currently working on: The newest is a study exploring colorism, historical trauma and clinical social work practice. It’s been so moving already and provocative of what I think will be powerful shifts in how we prepare social workers to support healing.
Page 3: Dec. 2021, Fall Semester. Holiday Questionnaire.
Sexuality, Gender, and the Holidays.
The holidays are a complicated time for many people. Sexuality and gender can show up in covert ways we don’t realize.
How does sexuality interact with the holiday season for you?
“Expectation of having a significant other due to my age of 31. As a heterosexual cis woman, conversations about when I’ll have kids/find someone to marry. Seeing mutual friends etc. it’s always one of the first things to be asked.” -Anonymous (she/her).
How does gender interact with the holiday season for you?
“As a woman, I feel a lot of responsibility to plan and schedule holiday gatherings, I am responsible for maintaining family and social connections. And all this goes as an unspoken expectation.” -Anonymous (she/her).
Interested in more content about sexuality and gender? Keep an eye out for upcoming events in the Spring 2022 semester!
Some topics include: QTBIPOC, BDSM & Kink, Autism & Gender Identity, Sexuality with Disability, Neurodivergence, Chronic Illness, Sexuality with Older Adults, and more!
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