About a year ago I was looking up the title of this website (Transgender Woodworker) on Google. I'm always curious to see how the magical Google machine has ranked my websites - and how search results show up (also, Google Search Console is a wonderful tool for anyone with a website).
Besides the expected results (ie. this page, my patreon page, etc.) a search result from Popular Woodworking Magazine (of all places) caught my eye. The title of the result and associated article was, "Welcome, Gentiles All - Popular Woodworking Magazine". It turned out to be an Editor's Note written by a Megan Fitzpatrick - who works for the magazine.
It was an interesting article discussing the stereotype of the 'white male' woodworker and calling for submissions to Popular Woodworking Magazine from a more diverse group of people - be they "women and men (cisgender, transgender, gay, straight, bi-sexual, asexual) of all ages, races, nationalities, religions and political persuasions." As a transgender individual, I appreciated the effort by Fitzpatrick to be more inclusive. I know firsthand the field of woodworking (as a hobby or profession) is dominated by white males.
Keep in mind I'm only discussing perception - not actual treatment - of transgender and gender nonconformist individuals as woodworkers and crafts-persons.
I realize there are many exceptions to the aforementioned 'white male woodworker' rule - but flip through the pages of any random woodworking magazine while waiting in the checkout line at Lowes to see what I'm (and Fitzpatrick is) talking about. I'm an exception now (transgender female woodworker) - but I wasn't always. I was once one of those 'white male' woodworkers. :-P
I won't discuss the rather ugly comment section after Fitzpatrick's article, except to say some people can be nasty and counterproductive, but others can be kind and supportive. I usually don't read the comments section after an article, but I was curious about responses to this one. In fact, I was compelled to share my own positive ideas and reactions to the article. However, the comment section was sadly closed to new remarks. Thus I was forced to email the author directly:
Ms. Fitzpatrick,
I wanted to express my appreciation for the sentiments behind your 'Welcome, Gentiles All' article.
I was a teacher and workshop foreman for the last ten years, and am now trying my hand at custom work for local galleries and such. Not long ago I began hormone replacement therapy in order to transition from male to female. While my skills and interests in woodworking haven't diminished in any way, I am finding that as a transgender female it is challenging to be taken seriously by the 'white male' masses that stereotypically make up woodworkers.
All that to say I appreciate your bringing forward this issue of under-representation. I think this is an uphill battle - but your words do make me, at least, feel a little better about the potential for a more-diverse future. I hope you get lots of submissions from peoples of all kinds! :)
Thanks for your time.
I was initially compelled to write that letter because of the strong feelings the article stirred up in me. I wanted to show support for the ideas the article presented - as well as support the author who penned them.
Once I sent the letter, I realized it wasn't enough. I wanted to do more to support others like me (transgender & gender nonconformist). I wanted to expose cisgender people to the idea we can be woodworkers & crafts-persons (or anything, really).
Consequently, this blog/website was created with the idea of discussing the topics of woodworking and gender - sometimes together and sometimes apart. It's a pretty specific merging of topics (and I don't get very many hits), but if a post of mine can help a transgender hobbyist feel better about themselves, or help a cisgender individual consider something from a different angle - then it's doing what I want it to do.
Eventually, I came up with the formal goals I would try and uphold:
— Promote transgender (and other gender identities) understanding and visibility.
— Share my personal experience with gender transition.
— Promote safe and efficient workshop practices.
— Share past and current workshop project experiences and ideas.
— Promote transgender (and other gender identities) understanding and visibility.
— Share my personal experience with gender transition.
— Promote safe and efficient workshop practices.
— Share past and current workshop project experiences and ideas.
UPDATE: 6/2023 - My goals have changed slightly, with more of a focus on mental health. Check out the About Me page to see the current goals.
Woodworking projects and workshop ideas don't have a gender. Those who are interested in, or active in, such things shouldn't need to be concerned with gender.
So, regardless of who you are, and how you identify, read my musings and/or practical advice and, most importantly, think about what you can do to break down stereotypes or support your fellow crafts-people.
Oh - and don't forget your safety gear! (Because table saw blades and hammers don't care how you identify) ;)
-Lia
Contact Me
My Writings (Transgender Woodworker content)
Artfully Functional (my studio)
LiaZero.com (all my online content)
My Writings (Transgender Woodworker content)
Artfully Functional (my studio)
LiaZero.com (all my online content)