Individuals and Activism

1. Hope Giselle

• Information unavailable: There isn’t enough publicly available information online to determine Hope Giselle’s identity or activist work.

2. Devin Norelle

• Information unavailable: Similar to Hope Giselle, there’s a lack of accessible information to pinpoint Devin Norelle’s identity and activism.

3. Rain Dove

• Identity: Rain Dove is a non-binary model and activist.
• Activism: Dove is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and environmental issues. They challenge traditional gender norms in the fashion industry and raise awareness about climate change.
• Thoughts: Rain Dove’s work is impactful. Their ability to leverage the fashion platform for social commentary is commendable. Their activism brings LGBTQ+ and environmental issues to a wider audience.

4. Kai Cheng Thom (Replacing Individual not aligning with Giselle/Norelle/Dove)

• Identity: Kai Cheng Thom is a Canadian writer, performer, and non-binary trans woman.
• Activism: Her work tackles themes of transformative justice, radical love, mental health, and navigating life as a trans person. She writes an advice column, “Ask Kai: Advice for the Apocalypse,” that offers guidance on dealing with social and personal challenges.
• Thoughts: Kai Cheng Thom’s activism lies in creating a space for open conversation and fostering resilience within marginalized communities. Her writing empowers and provides tools for navigating complex issues.

Kai Cheng Thom – Video Analysis

A Woman Speaks:

• Ideas: Thom emphasizes the importance of self-care as a form of activism. Self-care allows individuals to maintain the energy and well-being needed for sustained activism.

Inspiration for Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars:

• Inspiration: The book draws inspiration from Thom’s experiences as a trans woman and the challenges faced by marginalized communities.

The Politics of Sexy, Race, Trans, Love:

• Beauty Standards: Thom critiques narrow beauty standards that exclude people of color, transgender individuals, and those who don’t conform to mainstream ideals.

Reaction:

Kai Cheng Thom’s perspective on self-care as activism aligns with the concept of self-preservation discussed in previous classes. Her work echoes the readings on intersectionality, highlighting the importance of considering race, gender identity, and other factors when discussing beauty standards. Thom’s approach to activism resonates with the idea of creating positive change through personal empowerment and community support.