Chair in Transgender Studies

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Stephen Davidson: Trans+ Community Voice Workshops

A practical introduction to transmasculine & transfeminine voice for members of the Trans+ community (including NB/GNC folks).

Stephen Davidson: Trans+ Community Voice Workshops

Job Opportunity: Office Assistant

We're hiring! Work with the Chair in Transgender Studies. APPLY TODAY.

Job Opportunity: Office Assistant

2025 Scholarships & Fellowships

The Chair in Transgender Studies' 2025 Scholarship & Fellowships Program is accepting applications from undergraduate students until May 31st. Apply today!

2025 Scholarships & Fellowships

Next Nachos Night: Thursday, May 22nd!

A casual drop-in gathering hosted by the Chair in Transgender Studies. Light refreshments are provided by the Chair in Transgender Studies. All Trans+ folks are invited!

Next Nachos Night: Thursday, May 22nd!

Chair in Transgender Studies

Territory acknowledgement


We acknowledge and respect the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on whose territory the University of Victoria stands, and the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Our Vision


A world where Trans+ and all gender-diverse people can thrive free from the limitations of gender and intersecting oppressions.

Our Mission


Provide inspiration and hope to Trans+ people and our allies everywhere. Contribute to the development and dissemination of accurate knowledge about Trans+ people. Help to build strong and resilient Trans+ social and cultural communities.

Our Commitment


We are committed to applying an intersectional lens in our work to advance reconciliation, racial justice, equity, and inclusion for all.

Our work is fostering research and scholarship in Transgender Studies

  • Encouraging both existing and new scholars to pursue careers in Transgender Studies and building local, national and international linkages with others working in Transgender Studies
  • Hosting visiting academic and community scholars
  • Proactive community outreach and knowledge mobilization
  • Teaching and mentoring related to the area of Transgender Studies
  • Assisting faculty to integrate Transgender Studies content into their courses
  • Subject matter expert of the Transgender Archives
  • Fundraising in support of the Chair in Transgender Studies and the Transgender Archives

 

Visiting scholars

Academic and community-based scholars visit with us throughout the year. Many of them have come to make use of the Transgender Archives.

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Moving Trans History Forward

Community activists, researchers, educators, artists, service providers, and allies come together to create a better future.

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Public events

The Chair in Transgender Studies holds a variety of public events, including guest speakers, social and arts events, and honorary degrees!

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Video message

A donation by the Tawani Foundation, founded and led by Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer N. Pritzker, US Army (Retired), supports the inaugural chair in UVic’s Faculty of Social Sciences for five years.

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Introduction Videos

See more videos from the Introduction videos playlist on YouTube.

Moving Trans History Forward 2023

See more videos from the Moving Trans History Forward 2023 playlist on YouTube.

Transgender Archives

"Word of Mouth" Panel
Website: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/what-we-do/events/speakers/index.php Word of Mouth exhibit: https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/trans-activists DONATE https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair "Word of Mouth" Launch LIVE panel discussing the question: “When did you first discover you were not alone?” Friday, October 7th, 2022 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Pacific Online on Zoom While some of us are lucky enough to take the existence of today’s Trans+ communities for granted, this is a relatively recent experience. It was not so long ago that sharing any kind of Trans+ related information was difficult, dangerous, and almost universally illegal. Join Aaron Devor, Chair in Transgender Studies, in conversation with six Trans+ activist elders and leaders. This live panel discussion is in recognition of the launch of a digital exhibit about Trans+ oral histories, Word of Mouth. Word of Mouth is an oral history digital exhibit that tells some of the story about how Trans+ communities and networks developed in North America in the latter half of the twentieth century. The interviews are a part of The Trans Activism Oral History Project, an initiative of the LGBTQ Oral History Digital Collaboratory. The full oral histories are housed at the Transgender Archives and are available through the Word of Mouth digital exhibit. The 17 Trans+ activist who were interviewed only represent a small slice of Trans+ history. This online panel conversation will bring together additional stories, so that future generations can learn from a more diverse group of Trans+ activists and experiences. Marsha Botzer has served the LGBTQIA+ and progressive communities for over 45 years. She has served on boards of Pride Foundation, Safe Schools, Lambert House, Seattle Counseling Service, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. She currently serves on the Martin Luther King County Labor Council Executive Board and is a founding member and current Commissioner of the Washington State LGBTQIA+ Commission. Jules Gill-Peterson is an associate professor of History at Johns Hopkins University. She is the author of Histories of the Transgender Child (2018) and a General Co-Editor of TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly. Her next book, A Short History of Trans Misogyny, will be published by Verso. David Harrison is an actor, playwright and musician. His eclectic career includes being a professional psychic, hypnotherapist and dominatrix. He has primarily created and toured original work - including "FTM" (1994) based on his first year of transition. The show toured internationally over 9 years. His ongoing project at the moment, is stage and web series alter-ego, 60s rock star Reggie Wingnutz. Recent work includes his recurring guest star appearance as Russian spymaster, Ivan Stepanov (opposite James Spader) in Season 8 of NBC's The Blacklist. Andrea Jenkins made history in 2017 as the first African American openly trans woman to be elected to office in the United States. Now serving as Council President, she is also a writer, performance artist, poet and transgender activist. Jenkins moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota in 1979. She worked as a Vocational Counselor for Hennepin County government for a decade. Jenkins worked as a staff member on the Minneapolis City Council for 12 years before beginning work as curator of the Transgender Oral History Project at the University of Minnesota's Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies. Nicki Ward's decades-long advocacy includes environmental issues and extends substantially into the areas of LGBTQ, Disability Human Rights and Community. In addition to private sector board experience, Nicki has also served on volunteer boards of public sector, charitable and institutional organisations. While raising a family here, she served as a consultant in science and technology sectors before accepting a long term assignment in senior management with a major financial services company. Chase Willier is a nehiyaw (Cree) Two Spirit transman who was adopted out as part of the 60’s Scoop and grew up in Syilx territory. He joined the RCMP as the second indigenous woman in BC in 1979. He was out as lesbian and later identified as Two Spirit/Trans before he retired in 2010 although he didn’t transition until retirement. After over 25 years of service, he finally took some time out to address his PTSD which is something he writes about in The Remedy. He is passionate about health and wellness and as such is involved in numerous projects in the Two Spirit/Trans community. His work in Vancouver also extended into areas of safety, justice and reconciliation specific to indigenous peoples whether urban or local First Nations.
43 Hours in 7 Minutes: Trans Activism Oral History Project
Highlights from the Trans Activism Oral History Project Digital Exhibit: https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/trans-activists Chair in Transgender Studies: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php Transgender Archives: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/index.php "Word of Mouth" tells some of the story about how these communities and networks developed in North America in the latter half of the twentieth century. It is a project of the Chair in Transgender Studies. The Trans Activism Oral History Project is a project of the LGBTQ Oral History Digital Collaboratory, founded in 2014 by historian Elspeth Brown and funded by the Social Science & Humanities Research Council of Canada. In order to establish and preserve Trans-specific and Trans-positive primary source historical narratives for future generations, the Trans Activism Oral History Project recorded elders’ oral histories of activism on behalf of Trans+ people and communities. The collection consists of 17 video and audio interviews, collected 2019-2020, with elders who were leading Trans+ activists and allies from across North America. In total, the recordings are 43 hours in length. In 2020, the oral histories were donated to the Transgender Archives at the University of Victoria Libraries and The ArQuives: Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives. Aaron Devor, the Chair in Transgender Studies at the University of Victoria, is the project lead for Word of Mouth.

See more videos from the Transgender Archive Videos playlist on YouTube.

Years in Review

See more videos from the Years in Review playlist on YouTube.

Moving Trans History Forward 2021

[MTHF21 HIGHLIGHTS] 4 Days in 11 Minutes
Conference Website: https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2021/ Chair in Transgender Studies: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php Transgender Archives: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/index.php Donate: https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair The Moving Trans History Forward conferences are not just for scholars, or just for community people. MTHF conferences are a unique blend that create opportunities for cross-fertilization among members of general public; students and faculty; artists; activists; Trans, Nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and other gender-diverse people; family members; allies; and service providers. Conferences consider both our history, and the crucial issues which impact us today, and into the future—locally, nationally, and globally.
[YOUTH PANEL] Moving Trans History Forward conference 2021
Conference Website: https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2021/ Chair in Transgender Studies: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php Transgender Archives: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/index.php Donate: https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair THE YOUTH PANEL PRESENTED BY RBC IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SKIPPING STONE (CALGARY, ALBERTA) Three youth (ages 11, 14, and 18) show a PechaKucha style art presentation about their experiences of being Trans+ youth. A panel of three additional Trans+ youth (14, 17, 19) provide LIVE responses and discussion.
[KEYNOTE] Miss Major w/ Kelendria Nation & Syrus Marcus Ware - Moving Trans History Forward 2021
Conference Website: https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2021/ Chair in Transgender Studies: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php Transgender Archives: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/index.php Donate: https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair THE MOVING TRANS HISTORY FORWARD CONFERENCE PRESENTS MISS MAJOR SATURDAY KEYNOTE MARCH 13 2021 11:15 AM PST Miss Major is a Black, transgender activist who has fought for over fifty years to create a better world. ABOUT MISS MAJOR Major is a veteran of the infamous Stonewall Riots, a former sex worker, and a survivor of Dannemora Prison and Bellevue Hospital’s “queen tank.” Her global legacy of activism is rooted in her own experiences, and she continues her work to uplift transgender women of color, particularly those who have survived incarceration and police brutality. Miss Major is featured in the 2015 documentary film, MAJOR!, which explores the life and campaigns of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. IN CONVERSATION WITH KELENDRIA NATION & SYRUS MARCUS WARE Kelendria Nation is a Black woman of Trans experience of Caribbean descent who uses her perspective and unique experience to bring awareness to the various issues surrounding trans people; especially trans women of colour. She has dedicated herself to using her voice to impact change and bridge understanding across all communities. She provides advocacy, resolutions and transitions for Trans identified peoples. Through her work in community space through advocacy, she strives to allow folks to see that Trans, Non binary, and 2spirit identified folks because of their multiple intersections are often times left out in conversations. With collaboration and standing in solidarity with other community members she has been given the tools of being able to communicate her experience which has allowed her to tell her own story in her own voice. It is her hope that in time there will be more opportunities to empower other BIMPOC identified folks in the same which she has been. Syrus Marcus Ware is a Vanier scholar, visual artist, activist, curator and educator. Syrus uses drawing, installation and performance to explore social justice frameworks and black activist culture, and he’s shown widely in galleries and festivals across Canada. He is part of the Performance Disability Art Collective and a core-team member of Black Lives Matter – Toronto. He has won several recognitions including the TD Diversity Award 2017, “Best Queer Activist” NOW Magazine 2005, and the Steinert and Ferreiro Award 2012. He is the co-editor or the best-selling Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter in Canada (URP, 2020). Photo Credit: Jalani Morgan

See more videos from the Moving Trans History Forward 2021 playlist on YouTube.

Martine Rothblatt - Hon. Degree Recipient

Dr. Martine Rothblatt - Convocation Ceremony
CHAIR IN TRANSGENDER STUDIES: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php TRANSGENDER ARCHIVES: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/ DONATE: https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair Martine Rothblatt, Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) November 13, 2019 | 10:00 a.m. Martine Rothblatt, PhD, MBA, JD, is a technologist, entrepreneur, lawyer and author, and a leader in communications, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and bioethics. As an entrepreneur, Rothblatt launched the navigation system GeoStar and the broadcasting company that became SiriusXM. After coming out as transgender she founded the biotech company United Therapeutics (UTHR), to develop a drug for lung disease that ended up saving her own daughter’s life—and those of thousands of others. Projects in development include creating transplantable organs using a 3D-printer and a person’s own cells. She was included in Forbes Magazine’s “100 Greatest Business Minds.” Rothblatt also supports transhumanism and experiments with robotic and artificial intelligence. Her Terasem Movement Foundation helps people upload records of their lives to computers to prepare for “mind clones” in the future. As part of this exciting work, her team created an intelligent, lifelike robot called Bina48.
Dr. Martine Rothblatt - Fireside Chat
CHAIR IN TRANSGENDER STUDIES: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php TRANSGENDER ARCHIVES: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/ DONATE: https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair DR. MARTINE ROTHBLATT UVic Honorary Degree Recipient Nominated by the Chair in Transgender Studies In 2017, Forbes Magazine named Dr. Martine Rothblatt as one of the “100 Greatest Living Business Minds of the past 100 years.” On Wed., Nov. 13th, 2019, Martine Rothblatt will be receiving an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree from the University of Victoria (watch the live webcast). On the following evening, Thurs., Nov. 14th, 7:30 PM, Martine Rothblatt will join Aaron Devor, Chair in Transgender Studies, for a "Fireside Chat" about her remarkable life and accomplishments. Martine Rothblatt, PhD, MBA, JD, is a technologist, entrepreneur, lawyer and author, and a leader in communications, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and bioethics. As an entrepreneur, Rothblatt launched the navigation system GeoStar and the broadcasting company that became SiriusXM. After coming out as transgender she founded the biotech company United Therapeutics (UTHR), to develop a drug for lung disease that ended up saving her own daughter’s life—and those of thousands of others. Projects in development include creating transplantable organs using a 3D-printer and a person’s own cells. She was included in Forbes Magazine’s “100 Greatest Business Minds.” Rothblatt also supports transhumanism and experiments with robotic and artificial intelligence. Her Terasem Movement Foundation helps people upload records of their lives to computers to prepare for “mind clones” in the future. As part of this exciting work, her team created an intelligent, lifelike robot called Bina48.

See more videos from the Martine Rothblatt - Honorary Degree Recipient playlist on YouTube.

Scholars & Fellows

Camryn Riccitelli: "Roll for Perception: Games as a Site of Decolonization and Social Change"
DONATE 🇨🇦 https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair 🇺🇸 https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donation-forms/united-states Moving Trans History Forward: https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2023/ Chair in Transgender Studies: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php Transgender Archives: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/index.php Camryn Riccitelli Roll for Perception: Games as a Site of Decolonization and Social Change Friday, November 8, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Pacific UVic Cornett A317 & Online Games, both tabletop and video, have immense potential as a tool for decolonization, education, and social change. They are a highly engaging form of learning that allow players to deeply understand and connect with the content being taught. Looking at the role games play in decolonization efforts will help unravel colonial structures within today’s games and make gaming a more inclusive and rich experience. Originally from San Diego, Camryn Riccitelli is a second year MA student in the Department of Geography working in the Geographic Indigenous Futures Lab. They received their BA in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria in 2023. Their research focuses on the relationship between player and game and how games can be used as a tool for decolonization, education, and social change.
Wyatt Maddox: "Climate Change on BC Shorelines"
Chair in Transgender Studies: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php Transgender Archives: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/index.php Moving Trans History Forward conference: https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2023/ DONATE 🇨🇦 https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair 🇺🇸 https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donation-forms/united-states WYATT MADDOX "Climate Change on BC Shorelines: Exploring coastal vegetation's ability to protect shoreline" PhD candidate, Geography, UVic Recipient of 2023 Chair in Transgender Studies Scholarship for Trans+ PhD Students researching any topic Friday, February 16th, 2024 12:00 PM-1:30 PM Pacific Time UVic David Turpin Building B215 & Zoom Wyatt Maddox is a third year PhD candidate in Geography. He holds a Bachelor of Science from UVic in Geography and a Master of Coastal and Marine Natural Resource Management from the University of Akureyri, Iceland. His PhD research examines the geomorphological relationship between coastal ecosystems in response to climate change impacts. Outside his studies, he volunteers as the Chair of the Graduate Student Society, moderates a self-founded online LGBTQ+ peer support group, and delivers meals for the nonprofit Red Cedar Café. Between his studies and community work, Wyatt finds time for backcountry hiking, crafting, and good books. This research explores the relationship between different coastal vegetation types in terms of their ability to protect the shoreline from climate change impacts such as erosion and sea level rise. Eelgrass meadows and salt marshes are made up of plants that impact the waves and currents of the coast, but it is unclear if they work collaboratively or in opposition when located in the same area. Some numerical simulation models have been developed but have not yet been validated by confirming their results with field data. Several remote sensing technologies were used and the data combined to create complete models of the saltmarsh, eelgrass beds, and tidal flats between, which are compared over time to determine change in sediment erosion and deposition. This information is compared to the output from numerical simulation models to determine if they are producing accurate predictions.

See more videos from the Scholars & Fellows playlist on YouTube.

Speakers

Luca Tainio: "I'm So Proud I Grew it Myself: Challenging Cisnormative Ideals of the Penis"
DONATE 🇨🇦 https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair 🇺🇸 https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donation-forms/united-states Chair in Transgender Studies: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php Transgender Archives: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/index.php Moving Trans History Forward: https://www.uvic.ca/mthf LUCA TAINIO I'm So Proud, I Grew it Myself: Challenging Cisnormative Ideals of the Penis Through Trans Male Embodiment Thursday, April 10, 2025 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM PDT UVic Cornett A317 & Online In my presentation, through a discussion of three YouTube vlogs by trans men, I will suggest that the seemingly simple division between men who have a penis (cis) and men who do not (trans) not only fails to reflect embodied realities of many trans men but is to a great extent discursively created and maintained. Instead of defining trans men's bodies through a lack of "genital status reserved for cisgender men alone" (Keegan 2016), I consider the non-surgically altered trans penis as a form of body-reflexive practice of masculinity and thus a significant part of building one's trans male self. My aim here is to critically bother the common cultural idea(l)s of what is, or what counts as, a penis, and in a wider sense to create a counternarrative to the cisnormative ways in which we see and understand male embodiment. Luca Tainio is a Doctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and an Adjunct Lecturer at Karlstad University, Sweden. His research focuses on questions of transmasculinity, embodiment and knowledge-production. Currently Luca is also a part of two research projects; "Affective Activism: Sites of Queer and Trans World-Making" and "Trans*Creative: Health, Violence and Environment in Trans Cultural Production."
Alex Abramovich: “The whole reason I became homeless was because I came out”
DONATE 🇨🇦 https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair 🇺🇸 https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donation-forms/united-states Moving Trans History Forward: https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2023/ Chair in Transgender Studies: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php Transgender Archives: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/index.php Dr. Alex Abramovich “The whole reason I became homeless was because I came out” - Housing and Health Outcomes Among Transgender Youth Experiencing Homelessness Thursday, November 21st, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Pacific UVic Cornett B112 & Online Thank you to UVic's Faculty of Social Sciences and Lansdowne for supporting this talk. Transgender and gender-diverse youth are disproportionately represented among youth experiencing homelessness across North America. Transgender youth face unique challenges accessing safe, inclusive, and stable housing options contributing to mental health issues and overall health disparities. Dr. Abramovich will explore the intersection of gender identity, homelessness, and health outcomes among transgender youth and young adults. This presentation will foster a deeper understanding of the barriers and challenges experienced by transgender youth navigating housing and healthcare systems. Dr. Abramovich will discuss the main pathways into homelessness among transgender youth, including family rejection, discrimination, and lack of supportive resources. He will also examine the health outcomes among transgender youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability, highlighting the high rates of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Based on his research as Canada Research Chair in 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness and Mental Health, Dr. Abramovich will share evidence-informed recommendations for targeted interventions and policies that create safe, inclusive, and affirming environments and address the needs of transgender youth experiencing homelessness. Dr. Alex Abramovich (he/him) is a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and an Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Dr. Abramovich holds a Canada Research Chair in 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness and Mental Health. He has been addressing the issue of 2SLGBTQ+ youth homelessness for over 15 years. Dr. Abramovich is an award winning and internationally recognized leader in 2SLGBTQ+ health and homelessness. The overarching aim of his program of research is to investigate the health and social inequities experienced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, with a focus on understanding and improving the health and service needs of 2SLGBTQ+ youth and young adults. Dr. Abramovich’s research has led to groundbreaking practice and policy reform, including the launch of Canada’s first dedicated transitional housing program for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. He has worked closely with all levels of government to develop policies and strategies that address the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and is committed to research that successfully and ethically engages marginalized populations.
Camryn Riccitelli: "Roll for Perception: Games as a Site of Decolonization and Social Change"
DONATE 🇨🇦 https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/transchair 🇺🇸 https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donation-forms/united-states Moving Trans History Forward: https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2023/ Chair in Transgender Studies: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/index.php Transgender Archives: https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/index.php Camryn Riccitelli Roll for Perception: Games as a Site of Decolonization and Social Change Friday, November 8, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Pacific UVic Cornett A317 & Online Games, both tabletop and video, have immense potential as a tool for decolonization, education, and social change. They are a highly engaging form of learning that allow players to deeply understand and connect with the content being taught. Looking at the role games play in decolonization efforts will help unravel colonial structures within today’s games and make gaming a more inclusive and rich experience. Originally from San Diego, Camryn Riccitelli is a second year MA student in the Department of Geography working in the Geographic Indigenous Futures Lab. They received their BA in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria in 2023. Their research focuses on the relationship between player and game and how games can be used as a tool for decolonization, education, and social change.

See more videos from the Speakers playlist on YouTube.

Chair in Transgender Studies

See more videos from the Chair in Transgender Studies playlist on YouTube.