DEI Book Club: Gender: Your Guide: A Gender-Friendly Primer on What to Know, What to Say, and What to Do in the New Gender Culture by Lee Airton, PhD

Jump into our Zoom room as we further develop our understanding of gender and how our organizations can create more gender inclusive communities.  

About the Book: 

The days of two genders—male, female; boy, girl; blue, pink—are over, if they ever existed at all. Gender is now a global conversation, and one that is constantly evolving. More people than ever before are openly living their lives as transgender men or women, and many transgender people are coming out as neither men nor women, instead living outside of the binary. Gender is changing, and this change is gaining momentum.

We all want to do and say the right things in relation to gender diversity—whether at a job interview, at parent/teacher night, or around the table at family dinners. But where do we begin?

From the differences among gender identity, gender expression, and sex, to the use of gender-neutral pronouns like singular they/them, to thinking about your own participation in gender, Gender: Your Guide serves as “a warm, inviting guide to a complicated area” (The Globe and Mail, Toronto). Professor and gender diversity advocate Lee Airton, PhD, explains how gender works in everyday life; how to use accurate terminology to refer to transgender, non-binary, and/or gender non-conforming individuals; and how to ask when you aren’t sure what to do or say. It provides the information you need to talk confidently and compassionately about gender diversity, whether simply having a conversation or going to bat as an advocate.

About the Author:

Lee Airton, PhD, is assistant professor of gender and sexuality studies in education at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. They are a frequent keynote speaker and media commentator and are regularly asked to consult on gender-neutral language and gender diversity issues in relation to media, policy, and education. They founded TheyIsMyPronoun.com, a blog on gender-neutral pronoun usage and user support in 2012 and the No Big Deal Campaign (NBDCampaign.ca) in 2016. Learn more at LeeAirton.com.

Flexible Book Club Scheduling:

We know you are busy and that schedules can change. This is why we offer Flexible Book Club Scheduling. Each week, participants can choose to attend one or both sessions held each week. Participants do not have to always attend the same day each week - come and go in a way that fits your needs and schedule. 

Why attend?  

Career Advancement: Being at the forefront of DEI work is critical for current and aspiring leaders of all types of organizations. The intentional networking that happens during a professional Book Club, offers opportunities for growth, development, and connection around the topic area that becomes translatable to resumes and career advancement. 

Camp Advancement: Book Clubs offer organizations an opportunity to develop new skills and understanding of the topic presented and consult with other professionals on how they navigate that topic in their own organization. As organizations continue to navigate creating gender inclusive spaces for their campers and staff, this book club will provide an opportunity to learn how other organizations are adapting their policies and programs to be more inclusive. Sure, you could read the book by yourself, but reading and discussing with others helps to reinforce the subject matter and create actionable plans, solutions, & policies that will benefit your camp!

Accreditation: The topic of this Book Club directly relates to many camps’ statements or philosophies specific to respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals. (CR-1.)

DFI Title XX: This event will help DFI Title XX camps meet the requirements for funding related to non-discrimination. 

Book Delivery:

If your registration comes with a book, your book will be mailed between September 15-30, 2022 to the address provided during registration. Shipping addresses cannot be changed after September 15, 2022. Books can only be shipped within the United States. Registered participants will be provided access to the private Book Club Services Portal page after October 1, 2022. Participants will be notified by email when they have been provided access to the page. 

Location/Style of Event:

This event is a live, virtual event and will utilize the Zoom Meeting platform. ACA Illinois will not record this event. 

The Fine Print: 

You must pay for this event at time of registration. If you would like to pay by invoice/check, please contact registration@acail.org prior to registering.

By registering and attending an ACA Illinois event or meeting, virtually or in-person you are agreeing to all the event policies listed here. These policies include the photo release, refund, link sharing, Code of Conduct, and other relative policies.

This event includes a special price for current ACA Illinois Members and DFI Title XX Partner Agencies. If membership or partnership status changes between time of registration and event, the registrant will be invoiced and responsible for the remaining balance due. If you have questions about if you qualify for these special rates, please reach out to registration@acail.org.