Pride Series Day 15 we talk to Sam Sharpe non-binary PhD student from Kansas. Sam Sharpe is a PhD candidate studying biology, a drag king, and a trans activist. They are passionate about advocating for the importance of scientific literacy, science communication, and the capacity of biology to empower self-understanding of diverse identities. Sam has performed at Pride events throughout Kansas and given presentations all over the US on plant evolutionary ecology, increasing inclusion in STEM fields, and understanding biological variation in sex and gender.
Introduction
If you are Trans or Queer you should always believe you are special no matter what anyone says. There aren’t a lot of good things happening for the trans community right now. Due to that it can sometimes feel like there is nothing to be happy or feel special for. Even though we should celebrate Pride every month of the year take advantage of Pride month to feel extra special. No matter what you are always special and if you need someone to tell you that reach out so you never forget.
Meet Sam Sharpe (they/them)
Sam Sharpe is a PhD candidate studying biology, a drag king, and a trans activist. They are passionate about advocating for the importance of scientific literacy, science communication, and the capacity of biology to empower self-understanding of diverse identities. Sam has performed at Pride events throughout Kansas and given presentations all over the US on plant evolutionary ecology, increasing inclusion in STEM fields, and understanding biological variation in sex and gender.
Podcast Episode
In this episode, we talk about:
- Feeling special as a queer/trans person
- Virtual pride pros and cons
- Use of Pronouns
- Corporate Pride/Policies in Corporations
Quotables
“There are a lot of aspects that are very hard, but I think in general we don’t want pity we want people to be open to be educated.” – Sam Sharpe
“The really special aspects of being queer and being trans.” – Sam Sharpe
“For the first year or so after I publicly came out I just told people I was pronoun indifferent like you can use any pronoun for me as long as it is respectful, but when I did that people defaulted to she/her pronouns.” – Sam Sharpe
“At first it was something to see visibility which I didn’t get a lot of, as I got more of the community it was nice to see the full range of people.” – Sam Sharpe
Resources
Flint Hills Human Rights Project
Trevor Project
https://www.thetrevorproject.org
Trans Lifeline
Black Trans Advocacy Coalition
Trans Women of Color Collective
Find Sam
https://twitter.com/PlantRoleModels
https://www.instagram.com/drag_king_sir_manther/
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/transcasterradio)