Gender Dynamix (GDX)’s Tebogo Nkoana and Liesl Theron delivered presentations at the Gender Odyssey Conference in August 2008. The proposals were accepted and Liesl, who was already in previous contact with the University of Washington Associate Professor, Amanda Lock Swarr, reached out to explore the possibility of presenting at the University while they were in Washington, so that they could benefit from more presentations, dialogues, interactions, and connections.

Amanda’s academic work focuses on queer, trans, and intersex people and communities in South Africa since 1997 and was therefore keen to set up meetings between GDX and the various departments from the University of Washington. Liesl and Tebogo were able to make presentations at both the Gender Odyssey Conference and the University of Washington and held meetings with faculty members and LGBTIQ+ students at the University’s Q-Center.

Tebogo, in making his presentations, focused on the intersections of culture and gender identity. Tebogo shared with the audience that contrary to the usual belief or rhetoric that homosexuality and being transgender are viewed as “un-African”, he felt that he had received acceptance from his African family, community, and loved ones, due to being called by a male ancestor.