Crafting Pledges for Social Change: Insights from a Workshop
As an advocate for healthy masculinity, I co-led a storytelling workshop on diverse gender expressions. Read about it below!
When I was a boy, family photo days were a big deal. I vividly recall my parents dressing me and my sister in traditional Indian clothing, ready for the camera. My sister had a wardrobe full of vibrant outfits, while mine was half as large. It wasn’t favoritism; it was a cultural tradition. In Indian culture, girls were adorned with more outfits to showcase, whereas boys like me had fewer choices. I remember standing there, arms crossed, frustration bubbling up. “What about me? Why does SHE get so many options?” I would protest as my sister twirled in yet another new outfit, while I stayed put in my “old” (yet still new) attire.
Looking back, it’s a funny memory. But it also highlights a broader issue: the different ways we treat genders, even in small, everyday situations. This seemingly trivial moment made me reflect on the more significant and heavier cases where people feel restricted by society’s gender norms.
Much of this originates from societal norms dictating how individuals should behave based on their gender. We all must question why we impose these expectations on gender and why deviating from them makes us uncomfortable? For instance, why does society cringe at the sight of a man crying? Or, why does it balk when a woman states she doesn’t want children? Our world is rich in diversity, and we should strive for a society where everyone feels free to express themselves authentically.
Just last month, I co-led a workshop with my friend,
, creator of the Substack titled “Are You There, Goddess? It’s Me, Maria”. Our workshop was titled “Exploring Diverse Gender Expressions: Crafting Your Pledge for Social Change.” Organizing this session felt like a small step towards creating a society that is empathetic towards others’ experiences around gender expression.In our workshop, Angie and I aimed to create a space where people could share their personal stories about gender and gender expression. These stories, whether they be about a boy expressing vulnerability, a girl playing a male-dominated sport, or someone exploring new ways to live their truth, shape our identities and understandings of the world.
As participants shared these stories, we mapped them out, revealing a web of interconnected experiences and understandings of gender expression. Many connected over shared experiences while others actively listened and learned.
Once the workshop ended, we invited each participant to make a pledge towards a more inclusive world and a deeper understanding of diverse gender expressions. Here are a few of the pledges that were shared:
I pledge to share more stories with my kids of people with diverse gender expressions.
I pledge to have more conversations about the ways in which gender identities are expanded and included in religious spaces.
I pledge to show myself grace, tenderness, and compassion as my gender identity fluctuates.
I pledge to reread Shakti Leadership and learn more contemplative practices.
These pledges are small steps toward creating a society where everyone can live freely and authentically.
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