Big Freedia

About Episode 1:

Gender is complex. But for a long time the categories “boy” and “girl” were firm and immutable.  But the reality is far more varied.  So, learning how to navigate that fact is incredibly important.  And that’s the point of our conversation this week. To ask the question: what’s in a label?

Joining us to discuss is rapper and activist Big Freedia.  Freedia is a legend in the New Orleans Bounce scene. And she has worked tirelessly to educate her community and the world about issues around gender and race.

Our co-host for this episode is Pearl Ricks. Pearl is the Executive Director and a founding member of what is now the Reproductive Justice Action Collective or ReJAC. Being a black non-binary trans person, they have experienced the joys, triumphs, beauties, and complexities of their identities; as well as the discrimination, harassment, and violence that stemmed from being black, fat, queer, trans, nonbinary, etc. Seeking empowerment in those experiences, Pearl works at the intersections Reproductive Justice, strategic communications, and community collaborations to create, support, or maintain meaningful action and change.

About Our Hosts:

Nia Weeks (she, her, hers)
Lawyer, Humanitarian, Founder – Citizen She
Citizen She
A Warrior Of A Woman: Nia Weeks – Howard University News Service
Hairstyle discrimination now banned in New Orleans workplaces – Times Picayune / New Orleans Advocate

Pearl Ricks (they, them, theirs)
Executive Director, Founding Member – Reproductive Justice Action Collective (REJAC)
Reproductive Justice Action Collective (REJAC)
Gender Identity & Gender Expression – Some Basics

About Our Guest:

Freddie Ross, Jr. better known by her stage name Big Freedia, is a Hip-Hop artist and worldwide ambassador of Bounce music. Freedia identifies as a gay man, is ambivalent about pronouns, but, goes primarily by she / her / hers.
Big Freedia
Big Freedia – Big Freedia Rules

Timestamps:

3:29:  Pearl discusses their journey and the language around gender

5:03:  Big Freedia discusses her life and identity

8:02:  How to create the space to discuss issues like gender identity and sexual health

11:16: Freedia on how to talk to children about these issues

14:47:  Why it’s so important not to make assumptions

17:36: Why gender isn’t necessarily binary in all cases

19:07: Freedia on why gay and trans teens are so at risk