North Dakota Program Manager, they/theirs
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to Gender Justice?
I’m an extroverted theatre kid, turned teacher, turned event planner, but community organizing has always been my happy place. When I chose to make my home in Fargo-Moorhead after college, I dove into the vibrant LGBTQ+ organizing scene. Discovering Gender Justice soon after was an “aha” moment: I love how we work on intersecting gender equity issues like reproductive rights and trans rights. And I love that we’re fighting in North Dakota — a place progressive movements sometimes dismiss as impossible, even though North Dakotans know better.
What makes this moment in North Dakota important? And what role do you see Gender Justice playing?
The state legislature has pushed through a near-total abortion ban and stripped trans youth of access to gender-affirming health care — betraying North Dakotan values of privacy and freedom while ignoring our actual priorities, like strong schools and economic opportunity. We’re fed up and ready to push back.
But without robust organizing infrastructure and resources — which our opponents have in spades — it can be hard to build lasting momentum. That’s where Gender Justice comes in. There are so many energized organizations and advocates here, and I’m excited to see us bringing legal, policy, and narrative tools to support the movement.
What are you most looking forward to in the work ahead?
One thing we face across North Dakota is rampant misinformation. Challenging it is incredibly rewarding. I’m creating custom curricula for our Trans Equity Trainings — supporting churches wanting to stand up for trans equity, LGBTQ+ organizations examining their own bias, and health care workers who want to support their patients. I’ll go anywhere and talk to anyone, because a lack of information fuels fear that can transform into hate threatening trans people’s dignity and safety.
What are your hopes for this work in the short and long term?
In the next year, I want Gender Justice to be a trusted resource — an organization folks know they can turn to for collaboration, information, and hands-on training. In five years, I want to see the work we’re investing in today, from the People’s Session to legal advocacy to Trans Equity Trainings, translate into durable policy wins that improve everyday North Dakotans’ lives. And in ten years, I want to live in a North Dakota where celebration of trans and LGBQ+ people is built into our culture and laws, bodily autonomy is unquestioned, and everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.
Milestones of Progress
Our organization has celebrated some big wins over the years and we continue to grow in the ways we harness strategic impact litigation, legislative advocacy, and education to push the law forward when it comes to gender equality. Check out what we’ve accomplished, together.