Panel questions are top-level bullets, followed by Derek’s answers.
- What is intersectionality? How does it show up for you?
- I think of intersectionality as a Venn Diagram, where all facets of a person’s identity come together in the middle and intersect. For me, that shows up in my nonbinary, queer, and disabled identities.
- How are oppressed people affected when one or more points of intersectionality prevents access, quality care, or support?
- There is definitely more oppression as more points of intersection arise. When access, quality care, and support are limited as a result of intersectionality, suffering happens as we are not seen as our whole selves.
- In what ways do you continually advocate for yourself or others using your intersectionality?
- I love this question specifically due to how my intersectionality shows up. My disabilities and gender expression go hand-in-hand, as I am nonbinary to pull myself away from the traditional “masculine” image, some of which I can’t do due to my disabilities. I’ve previously delivered countless presentations on recognizing the importance of intersectionality when developing youth systems and leveraging all facets of a person’s identity in the workplace.
- Thinking about the different parts of your intersectionality, do you ever wish that you had less or more intersectionality? Are there pros or cons?
- All of my intersectionality comes together to make me who I am; I wouldn’t change anything. There are barriers I definitely face, especially related to my queer and nonbinary identities and not being safe to come out in certain instances, but I feel that having that experience makes me more empathetic to others in the same situations. I dream of a world where all people can be recognized as their whole selves at all times, in all situations.
- What suggestions do you have for adding intersectionality to research and inclusive programs?
- I have a lot of suggestions here, but to respect time, I’ll just hit on the top few. Researchers can make their language more inclusive in surveys and include an option for nonbinary people in their demographics sections. When we look at program design, it’s important to consider that anyone who uses your program may be disabled and build in accessibility tools from the start, not as an afterthought. That’s the biggest part of universal design in my view and something I really focus on helping program designers accomplish as an accessibility consultant, where I work to ensure everything is as accessible as possible for all users.
Derek I. Schmitz 