About

Instructor: Joshua Jernigan

Email: GuideJoshuaJ@Gmail.com

 

Course description:

Trans people have played an important role in LGBTQ+ history in America.  

Have you ever wondered what role trans people have played in US history?  What about acceptance of trans people throughout history?  Then I encourage you to join us for 8 weeks as we discuss Trans History of the USA and Beyond. We will explore gender through the lens of US history.  We will also spend a week discussing gender as it applies to other cultures throughout the world.

 

Course Objectives: 

This course is designed to introduce students to American Trans History during modern times. This course is to start a conversation regarding trans people's roles in history and the lack of knowledge often surrounding the topic, and to create a good dialogue to impart knowledge moving forward about this topic with all learners. 

 

General Course Outline:
 

Week One:

What does Trans mean? 

Welcome to the class. This class will offer an overview on what being trans means, and doesn’t mean.  We will also discuss pronouns and commonly used terms. 

 

Week Two:

Indigenous communities and trans people

What do we know about Indigenous communities and their trans people? 

 

Week Three:

Trans Pioneers

Being trans has always been hard.  We will cover in this class some lesser known trans pioneers who showed us early on that living life authentically is possible.

 

Week Four:

1920 -1950s

A few big name stars came out as trans during the early 1900s.  What were their lives like and what was society’s response to them?

 

Week Five:

Stonewall

Stonewall plays an important part in LGBTQ US History.  Several trans women were leading players in the revolution that happened. Who were they?

 

Week Six:

3rd gender and trans people worldwide

We will jump outside of US history for one class to discuss trans people in other countries and how they are viewed. 

 

Week Seven:

Being trans in the 1980s and 1990s

The 80s and 90s brought a different viewpoint into many American homes.  We will explore how trans people fit into the last 2 decades of the 20th century.

Week Eight:

2000 and beyond

Trans people today face unique challenges.  They are also celebrated in many ways.  We will discuss what being trans looks like today.