Speaking, Education + Exhibitions

 

‘Are You Ok?’ is a relevant and engaging presentation for schools, conferences and corporate DEI/ERG groups committed to prioritizing the safety and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ community members. America is experiencing a coordinated attack on trans and gender expansive citizens, resulting in the loss of healthcare, legal protections and a dangerously loud message of hate. ‘Are You OK?’ offers inspiring first hand accounts of trans youth and their supportive families, but more importantly, uses storytelling and emotion to educate. Sharing this beautiful project makes a clear statement to the trans and non-binary members of your community that they are seen and heard, and teaches others how to become active allies with compassion and understanding. In addition, your organization’s investment allows more trans stories to continue being told, as well as helps fund a select number of pro bono presentations to rural GSA groups.

I offer in-person and virtual programming appropriate for student assemblies, staff education, corporate all-hands meetings and parent groups as well as interactive and educational pop-up exhibits that can easily fit any space beautifully.

I’m confident the narratives of these young people and their families will create positive change, teach with love and foster an inclusive workspace.

I’m putting this work to work in 2024, because this may be the last year this kind of education will be legal. Please keep that in mind. We have no time to waste.



Speaking + Exhibition Offerings:

  • Virtual or In-Person Talk, Length: 1.5hrs

    This is a well-rounded alternative to presenting your staff with the traditional lecture on pronouns and trans identity. Through on screen images, audio interviews and personal narratives I will spark a thoughtful dialogue about trans rights in America, and how your community can become more welcoming and effective allies. This presentation uses storytelling to uncover themes of strength, joy and survival and encourages the audience to reflect on their own commitment to social justice. Included will be a brief overview of current anti-trans legislation and guidance on how to be an active ally, as well as time for Q + A.

  • Young Trans Voices Across America On-Location Exhibit (see installation images below)

    This interactive and educational pop-up exhibit can easily be set up in any space - an atrium, a commercial lobby, a library meeting room - and does not require hanging hardware or putting nails in walls. Instead, I use a series of free-standing vertical banner prints which can be arranged in a variety of ways to fit your space, each banner featuring an individual portrait and story from ‘Are You Ok?’ Pop-Up banners are double sided, measuring roughly 3 feet wide x 7 feet tall. QR codes on each banner let viewers hear the voices of trans youth speak about their struggles and joys first hand, making it an exhibit that leaves a true impression on the visitor. Exhibit on loan for one week minimum.

    Optional Additional Programming for Opening/Closing of Exhibit:

    1: Gallery walk-through with Jesse and your community, discussing narrative threads from the exhibit.
    2: Community round table discussion with Jesse, focused on improving advocacy policies and Q + A.

  • Traditional framed gallery exhibition, suitable for commercial or educational gallery spaces.

    A collection of portraits from ‘Are You OK?’ at three different sizes, framed in natural wood and paired with QR codes linking to audio interviews. This exhibit requires gallery space with appropriate lighting, professional installation support, and gallery attendants. Get in touch for more info.

  • Virtual or In-Person Talk, Length: 1.5hrs

    There is no doubt that some parents in your professional community have children that identify as trans or non-binary. Whether their kids are in first grade or college, these parents need to feel supported. As a man of trans experience, I will offer my first-hand knowledge of the community and what it means to navigate the world as a trans/non-binary person as well as provide a safe space for parents to discuss their fears and concerns. This intimate meeting will highlight the most powerful, uplifting and educational parent narratives from ‘Are You Ok?’ as guideposts for teaching your parents how to support their gender expansive children.

  • Virtual or In-Person Talk, Length 3hrs

    For Corporate Spaces: Making a safe work environment goes beyond simply telling LGBTQIA+ staff that they matter. Give them the opportunity to tell their stories in a safe and affirming private workshop (open only to self-identifying LGBTQIA+ community members) where I’ll lead participants through a variety of creative exercises for self-empowerment. Participants will find encouragement to speak their truths and feel the relief that comes from using their authentic voices. Everyone will receive guidance in mapping out their story as well as feedback from the group.

    For Educational/Community Spaces: As a man of trans experience and archivist of trans narratives, Jesse will create a safe and engaging virtual space for participants to think about how and why our trans lives matter. How can we tell trans stories as a method of liberation? What forms of creative expression can we use to free up our joy and collective strength? Participants will be led through a variety of creative exercises for self-empowerment. Whatever their preferred medium (photos, writing, recipes, song, dance etc), participants will find encouragement to speak their truths and feel the relief that comes from using their authentic voices. Everyone will receive guidance in mapping out their personal story as well as feedback from the group and lively participation. Join us for community, and leave with a jumping off point for self expression.

    Optional Additional Programming:
    1: Presentation of participants’ stories to your larger community (led by me), plus Q + A.

  • Invite your community to create their own collection of LGBTQIA+ portraits and personal narratives. I’ll bring my studio to your location and book short sittings with individuals who are passionate about sharing their experiences publicly, as a way to create a more allied environment. As a trusted and proven queer photographer, not an outsider, I am very skilled at putting students and staff at ease and creating a safe, welcoming and creative experience. Licensing and usage rights included with all content created.

    Optional Additional Programming:
    1: Creation of a book of portraits and stories from your photoshoot.
    2: Creation of a small exhibit of portraits and stories from your community for your location.

  • This is a collaborative Diversity, Equity + Inclusion presentation done with Rebecca Minor MSW LICSW, gender specialist, therapist and parent coach. Together, Jesse and Rebecca offer a relevant and engaging presentation for groups committed to prioritizing the safety and inclusion of trans, non-binary and gender expansive community members. Through an engaging and animated conversation, they offer education and feedback on active allyship, encompassing the ‘Are You Ok?’ portraits and narratives with data-backed research and interpretation from Rebecca’s vast expertise. Creativity, storytelling, and true lived trans experience combine with a therapist’s insight to create a truly dynamic presentation.

    This can be combined with any of the offerings above.

    Learn more here: www.areyouokportraits.com/poweroftransyouth

    • Speak to photography students about the importance of personal projects, building an art business, book publishing and portraiture technique. Open to discussing other topics relevant to students’ interests.

    • Speak to Gender/Women’s Studies class about autoethnography and the importance of telling queer stories.

    • Open to additional collaborative ideas + multi-disciplinary discussions with you and your community partners.


Recent Speaking Engagements:
Trans+ Harvard Conference
Google
CDW
TCNE’s First Event: Keynote Speaker
Transparent Metro Atlanta
Ames Public Library, Iowa
UCare Minnesota Healthcare, Diversity + Equity ERG
Goodwill Easter Seals Minnesota, DEI ERG
The Ethel Walker School
Riverdale Country School
Free Mom Hugs + Real Mama Bears
Boston’s Amplify GSA Summit
Eno River Academy
Massachusetts Council on LGBTQ Youth
Greater Boston PFLAG
Gender Spectrum Conference
Wayne State University, Gender + Women’s Studies Dept
Rent The Runway, ERG Group
Los Angeles Center for Photography
Hi TOPS, Trans Youth Forum
Center for Urban Research and Learning, Loyola University
The Charlemont Forum
Youth Underground Festival, Central Square Theater




Testimonials

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Testimonials 〰️

“Jesse does an incredible job of presenting a potentially controversial topic, transgender children, in a visually beautiful manner by blending art and data. It was highly professional, backed by facts, data and science.  We get ‘death by powerpoint”, and struggle to find unobtrusive way’s to discuss topics which can potentially be politically divisive. Jesse simply and yet elegantly shared his art journey and backed it up with indisputable facts.. I’ve been involved in LGBTQ+ BRGs for years, and struggled to find unobtrusive ways to broach our communities topics. Jesse’s presentation is a bright beacon of art/culture/data and I have yet to have come across it’s like.”
- Kaneko Ceh, BRAVE Chair Outreach Committee, CDW


“We host an annual special speaker series in our interdisciplinary Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies program that is our most important opportunity to offer programming to our broadest community—current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. We invited Jesse Freidin because we wanted to address this urgent moment for trans youth in a compelling, accessible, and moving way. Freidin worked with us to create a digital installation that we staged in key campus and community public spaces leading up to the talk, and then gave a generous and generative presentation that modeled interdisciplinarity with a blend of visual art, interview, and analysis. The talk was perfect for college audiences, inspirational to students and faculty alike, and has sparked ongoing conversations in our community.”
- Simone Chess, Director of Gender, Sexuality + Women’s Studies, Wayne State University

“As the parent of a transgender child you can sometimes feel as though you're the only family struggling to support your child through their transition, but Jesse Freidin's "Are You Okay" project reminded me that there are people everywhere trying and succeeding in supporting their children’s journeys. Jesse's presentation reinforced that no matter where you go across the nation, there are families who are loving and supporting their children and fighting for them tooth and nail. It doesn't matter if we're talking about Texas, Massachusetts, Alabama or Connecticut, there are families everywhere who share in their struggles, joys, tears and laughter." 
- Ian Whalen, Engagement Manager, Greater Boston PFLAG

“Thank you so much for coming in to chat to our LGBTQ+ group last week. It was such a phenomenal presentation, and we received excellent feedback saying that it was one of the best events our staff have attended at the company.  I was particularly impacted by the sound of young trans kids. To hear what we as adults say, but then to hear it in a child’s voice hammers the point of just how important trans rights are.”
- Max,  Rent the Runway Employee Resource Group co-chair

"It was an honor to have Jesse join our virtual meetup of Rainbow Connections, a gathering for LGBTQIA+ children and allies in grades K-5. Jesse’s presentation was a mixture of photography and audio interviews with the participants, as well as anecdotal takeaways throughout. The kids were engaged and excited to learn about topics like advocacy, supportive communities, gender-expression, and gender identity. During our Q&A session, the children had questions around trans rights being threatened by harmful laws, which Jesse answered beautifully, while keeping age-appropriateness in mind. We're so grateful Jesse took the time to chat with us and connected with the kids as a possibility model, which is powerful to see at any age, but especially as a grade schooler."
- Shannon,  Rainbow Connections Gender Expansive Youth Group co-chair

“Thank you again for sharing your beautiful work with us. We heard so many comments from folks over the course of the festival about how striking and impactful they found the exhibit to be, and I'm so glad we got the opportunity to experience your guided tour, too. In the midst of a busy Pride weekend, we are so grateful that you all took time to come and share your talents with our youth and community. We very much hope that our paths will cross again in the future.”
- Kortney Adams, Dir. of Education + Community Initiatives, Central Square Theater

“It was amazing to see so many people engage with the display. I watched people of all ages stop to look at it. One parent stopped to tell me how important it was for her child to see trans youth of different ages. I am glad to have hosted Jesse and his work because of the impact it had on the community.”
- Ethan Atwell, Teen/Young Adult Librarian, Ames Public Library

“Freidin's work is uniquely touching in a time where the next generation of LGBT+ people see themselves facing increasing violence and vitriol. Reading the testimony of these youth and their loved ones evokes emotions, certainly. But hearing the youngness in their voices, the occasions where their parents and loved ones are fighting back tears as they attempt to answer Freidin's questions, reveals an entirely new layer of depth to an already emotional experience. Hearing Freidin talk about the care he takes in where the subjects are photographed, his reflection on their posture and clothing, and what they chose to bring to represent themselves are an integral part of understanding why this photography project is necessary. It's been months since I heard Freidin talk, and every so often snippets of what he shared still bring me to tears. I can't recommend attending one of his talks enough.”
- Lukis Bagdon, Wayne State University