Upcoming Events
Stonewall Panel Discussion
Jun 23, 2021, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
As we continue to celebrate Pride month, join the Women and Gender Studies Program and the Alumni Association for a panel discussion focused on the history of the Stonewall riots and PRIDE. Our panelists will share what they have learned through their studies and experience, and how we can use history to advocate for change and inclusivity.
Introducing the Panel's Moderator:
David Powers Corwin, MA '16; MAIS '16
Associate Director, Women and Gender Studies Program
David holds a B.A. in English and Humanities from Milligan College and an MAIS in Women and Gender Studies and an MA in English literature, both from Mason. They are also currently a doctoral candidate in the Writing and Rhetoric Program at Mason, where their dissertation research looks at the rhetoric of trauma and friendships in Post 2010 television.
They began their role in Women and Gender Studies in 2013 where they served as the graduate assistant for the program. In addition to this role, they served in LGBTQ Resources from 2014-2015 as a graduate assistant and in 2016 was hired as the full-time program coordinator for Women and Gender Studies. Beginning in 2019, David was hired as full-time faculty and has since become the associate director of Women and Gender Studies, now in a joint appointment with the School of Integrative Studies. In their current role, they teach 6 courses a year, supervise all of the staff in the program, coordinate the course schedule and catalog revisions, keep the space open, and advise our undergraduate students.
Introducing the Panelists:
Rikki Nathanson
Director of Housing Programs, Casa Ruby
Rikki Nathanson is a fierce activist for the rights of trans and gender diverse persons globally. Originally from Southern Africa, she formed the first trans specific and trans led organization in Zimbabwe in 2015, after being unlawfully arrested for using a female restroom at a local hotel. She then was instrumental in the formation of the Southern Africa Trans Forum, the strongest trans movement in Africa.
Upon acquittal for her arrest in 2014, she took on the State of Zimbabwe with a civil suit. This act of bravery has proven to be risky to her life, and has seen her fleeing her home country of Zimbabwe and resettling in the United States. In November 2019, judgement was finally handed down in her civil suit against Zimbabwe, and she made history with a ground-breaking judgement that has positively changed the legal landscape for trans and gender diverse persons not only in Zimbabwe, but further afield.
She is currently employed in the Executive Management of Casa Ruby as the Director of Housing Programs. Casa Ruby is an organization run and led by transgender women of color, and is the only LGBTQ bilingual and multicultural organization in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, providing social services and programs catering to the most vulnerable in the city and surrounding areas.
Professionally, she holds a qualification with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Zimbabwe.
Mahogani Harper, BA '20
Mahogani Harper graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a minor in LGBTQ Studies in 2020.
During her time as a student, she had been a part of the LGBT+ Living Learning Community (LLC) as well as the Gender and Social Justice LLC. In March 2020, she began a year-long fellowship with LGBTQ non-profit, SMYAL. After her fellowship, she began her current position as Communications Assistant at the American Association of University Women. Mahogani hopes to continue to do work that advocates for the empowerment and advancement of Black queer and trans people.
Casey Klemmer, Current Student
Casey Klemmer is a fourth-year student at GMU where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Women and Gender Studies and a minor in LGBTQ Studies. He is also working towards a master's degree in Social Justice and Human Rights. At Mason, Casey is a member of the Queer Student Leadership Council and a Center Mentor at the Women and Gender Studies Center. After graduation, Casey plans on traveling to Europe and exploring. He also hopes to work for better treatment of transgender asylum seekers and refugees both internationally and in the United States.
Kira Jackson, Current Student
Kira Jackson is pursuing a minor in LGBTQ Studies.
Supported by the Lambda Alumni Chapter
The Lambda alumni chapter serves as a network for members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies through various events, educational programming, and community service opportunities.
Questions about this event?
Please contact Alexandra Kiernan at 202-993-8347 or via email at akierna2@gmu.edu.