EP 04: Beyond the Binary: Gabrielle Claiborne on Championing Transgender Rights and Inclusion

“If you looked at my life, you would say this person has life by the tail. But in reality, I was living a life of turmoil because of this internal gender dilemma,” explains Gabrielle Claiborne, co-founder and CEO of Transformation Journeys Worldwide, a transgender-focused inclusion training and consulting firm. 

 

Through her work, she helps organizations around the world create cultures of belonging for trans and gender expansive individuals and those who live beyond the binary. On today’s episode, of Women Igniting Change, she addresses some of the common misconceptions organizations have around working with transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary individuals and provides tips for creating a more inclusive and respectful work environment.

 

She shares the lessons she has learned about the power of authenticity, lessons that are included in her book “Embrace Your Truth: Our Journey of Authenticity” and her TED Talk “Building Your Courage Muscles.”  Living authentically, she says, is not easy but it’s directly and proportionately related to our life purpose. 

 

Educating people about the lived experiences of gender non-conforming individuals includes meeting your audience where they are, and helping them to recognize that we have more in common than not. It’s important not to just be an ally but a “heart ally.” 

 

Gabrielle offers advice to listeners as to what they can do to support trans and gender nonbinary people in their own communities, especially as legislation continues to pass that will eventually affect all of us. 

Quotes

• “I moved through life the way culture expected a straight cisgender man to move through life.” (2:06 | Gabrielle)
• “We invite our clients to understand that this is a journey, not a destination.” (7:19 | Gabrielle)
• “You not only have to be personally culturally competent, but you also have to be organizationally, culturally competent.” (7:45 | Gabrielle)
• “To folks who are listening, you don't understand the ripple effect that you are setting, that ripple effect of doing nothing, or that ripple effect of standing up and speaking up on someone's behalf. You don't know what kind of wake you're leaving behind you or permission you’re giving to other folks.” (24:09 | Gabrielle)

 

Links

Connect with Gabrielle Claiborne:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-claiborne/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GabrielleClaiborne/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaby.claiborne/

Website: https://transformationjourneysww.com/

TedX Talk: Building Your Courage Muscles

Book: Embrace Your Truth:  A Journey of Authenticity

Bio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AtHcOJQEnqDB7wYlVnbeDyl4sufYaZpQ/view

 

Resources: https://transformationjourneysww.com/resources/

Equality Act: https://act.americanprogress.org/page/27164/action/1

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