The road to this year’s SXSW conference has been paved with some particularly potent discussion of various underrepresented identities. The voices of women in tech are being heard, as are those of POC. We have, in fact, discussed each of these issues here and here. Queer voices are being raised as well and, as we’ve mentioned, SXSW Interactive is hosting its first ever panel on queer style. Today’s top five is inspired by this event. If you are interested in LGBTQ issues, these are the top five panels for you.
Generation Z and Gender: Beyond Binaries?
Friday, March 11
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Hilton Austin Downtown – Salon J / 500 E. Fourth St.
Ever wonder how the branding landscape is evolving as Generation Z takes the spotlight? One important aspect of the evolution has to do with how Generation Z conceives of gender. No previous generation has grown up with as many cracks in the gender binary. LGBTQ rights and visibility are stronger than ever. This panel takes this backdrop as its starting point and asks what it means for branding when people stop viewing gender as deterministic of their identity.
Listen Up: The Future LGBTQ+ Tech Workforce
Friday, March 11
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
JW Marriott – Salon 7 / 110 E. Second St.
The straight, white, male domination of the tech world is starting to come under scrutiny. There are panels this year where women and POC are speaking out and carving their place in an industry that hasn’t made one for them. At this panel, the same is being done for people who identify as, well, something other than straight. Come check it out and hear industry leaders talk about how to make a more inclusive, and productive, workplace.
America’s LGBT Spies:
Secret Agents (of Change)
Monday, March 14
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
JW Marriott – Salon 3-4 / 110 E. Second St.
We all know that spies have to hide. LGBTQ spies, however, have often had to rely on their ability to hide more than just their profession. For many years, jobs and livelihoods were on the line for LGBT spies whose identities were discovered. At this panel, audience members will hear from people who work for the CIA, FBI and more talk about the progress that has been to create an inclusive intelligence community. This panel looks like it will teach a lesson that is particularly important in a country where not being straight can still lead to the loss of employment in many states.
Policing Protest from Stonewall to Ferguson
Monday, March 14
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
JW Marriott – Salon C / 110 E. Second S
Protests from oppressed communities push movements forward. This panel situates the famous Stonewall riots of 1969 in conversation with the #blacklivesmatter movement that has shaken the country. Several questions will be explored. How does the militarization of police impact pushes for social justice? What is the role of the media? How does privilege rooted in identity and systemic oppression operate in these movements? For a peer into the status of the LGBTQ movement relative to other movements toward emancipation, this panel is the place to be.
Standing for Equal Rights: In and Out of the Kitchen
Sunday, March 13
5 – 6 p.m.
The Driskill – The Driskill Ballroom / 604 Brazos St.
Fighting for justice can be exhausting work, and food has always been something that brings tired people together. As chefs acquire greater media visibility, the ability of celebrity chefs to send a message of equality soars. The people on this panel will explore this phenomenon and audiences will get to hear from chefs who have used their skills and status for good. Their push for the community building power of food will be a breath of fresh air and a welcome respite for those weary of the victories won by those who fight to refuse food, and other services, to those within the LGBTQ community.