Author Bio
Hayley D’Souza (she/her) (study lead, interviewer) is a public policy researcher interested in human rights, gender equality and global inequalities. She has worked as a senior consultant for the European Commission and the UK government, on research and evaluation studies across 28 countries, and currently supports monitoring and evaluation activities within an intergovernmental organisation. She holds an MSc Human Rights (Distinction) from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a B.A. (Hons) Geography (First Class) from the University of Birmingham. She is a co-leader of the Society of Gender Professionals Feminist Communications Circle, and served on SGP’s Secretariat for two years.
Brindaalakshmi K. (they/them) (analysis lead) is a queer feminist research and advocacy professional working at the intersection of gender, sexuality, human rights and technology. In 2023, they authored the study, Gendering of Development in India: Post Trans Act 2019 as part of the Our Voices, Our Futures project supported by Association for Progressive Communications (APC). Brindaa’s advocacy work is informed by their work as a peer supporter and activist working with LGBTIQA+ community. They also facilitate digital literacy and digital security trainings for all gender and sexual minorities. Brindaa is also on the Advisory Council of the Society of Gender Professionals.
Bren Kutch (they/them) (interviewer, study support) is a human resources and organizational inclusion champion, reflecting their passion for creating excellent workplaces for employees to do their best work towards a better world. They are currently the Director of Talent, Equity, and Culture at the Center for International Environmental Law, and previously worked with USAID, Mercy Corps, and Portland State University. As a trans/queer activist, organizer, and researcher, they have been involved in various co-leadership roles at the Society of Gender Professionals since 2020, advocating for gender and LGBTQI+ justice within feminist movements and beyond. They hold a Masters in Public Administration in HR Management from Portland State University and a Certified Professional certification from the Society for Human Resource Management.
Aparna Arora (she/her) (interviewer, study support) is a development practitioner from India working toward gender justice and fighting inequalities through civil society organizing and policy advocacy. She has worked across private, nonprofit and multilateral sector organizations in India, South-East Asia, USA including those with global operations. Aparna currently co-leads the Society of Gender Professionals (SGP), a global nonprofit network of gender academics, activists, and practitioners. At SGP, she collaborates with a team of passionate volunteers from around the world to drive programs and co-convenes a community of practice focused on trans and intersex inclusion.
Vani Bhardwaj (She/Her) (interviewer, study support) is a co-lead with the Women and Gender Working Group at YOUNGO, a global network of young activists and youth organizations that work to influence climate change policy. She was previously an Assistant Professor at the School of Internal Security, Defence and Strategic Studies, Rashtriya Raksha University, India. Vani has volunteered in multiple feminist organizations, gender-diverse organizations, and organizations headed by women and led by women all across the board. She has completed her M.A. in International Relations and Area Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi and B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi. Her research interests include the intersection of climate, gender and ethnicities regarding conflict transformation.
Abstract
Traditional human rights education (HRE), and education writ-large, often depends on and reinforces binary hierarchies. The Society of Gender Professionals (SGP) reflects on how its trans-national, digital communities of practice (“Gender Circles”) are actively “queering” traditional HRE. This article shares reflections and learnings from 14 one-on-one interviews with Gender Circle participants, most notably from the Breaking Gender/Sex Binaries Circles. By facilitating spaces that co-create knowledge, build community, and center lived experiences of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC,) SGP disrupts and queers binaries and hierarchies in education and other constructs, such as with Global South/North dynamics and in gender work (traditionally focused on cisgender women and girls). Key findings include: SGP’s impact on participant learning; participants’ assessment of the Circles’ learning environment; participants’ assessment of to what extent SGP centers marginalized voices (e.g. queer/trans, Global South); and challenges in participating in the Circle.
Recommended Citation
D’Souza, H.,
Kumbakonam, B.,
Kutch, B.,
Arora, A.,
&
Bhardwaj, V.
(2025).
Queer Rights Learning through Transnational, Digital Communities of Practice.
International Journal of Human Rights Education, 9(1).
Retrieved from https://repository.usfca.edu/ijhre/vol9/iss1/10
