Scholar Perspectives on Societal Change: Sexuality, Gender, and Identity
Profound changes in acceptance of diversity related to sexuality, gender, and identity have taken place in the 56 years of the Presidential Scholars Program. The Presidential Scholars Foundation is interested in learning more about Scholar experiences of, and perspectives on, this societal shift. Funded through an endowment from Indiana University, a new project is collecting essays to better understand this shift through direct accounts of Scholars’ experiences and the views of their parents, siblings, or children.
How have Scholars been impacted by generational changes in societal or social attitudes, in the context of their professional engagements, the law, religious views, medical practice, and in scientific understanding? Interested Presidential Scholars are invited to share their personal perspectives and experiences related to the human diversity of sexual identities and concepts of gender by submitting a 3,000-word essay.
There is a lack of information regarding the characteristics, range, and frequency of gender and sexuality differences in a contemporary population of the gifted community. A compilation of qualitative essays can inform the Scholar community and others, especially those who study giftedness. Essays can also add to the small body of literature broadly concerning the history and impacts of the Presidential Scholars Program over six decades.
It is never easy to be different. We hope this collection of essays will impart a multifaceted perspective on a salient cultural change, its impact on both a once-marginalized community and our broader society. We further envision that this collection inspires current and future Scholars of whatever gender or orientation in the expression and development of their true selves.
Topics can be as wide-ranging as stories about:
Gifted LGBTQ+ creative contributions in the arts, technology, sciences, the humanities, etc.
Influence of gender/sexual differences on career choices and opportunities
Intersectional dynamics: gifted and LGBTQ+ and also….
Medical (clinical and/or research) aspects of LGBTQ+ human experience
Parenting a gay child or being a gay parent
Conversion therapy/religious abuse and the impacts of guilt and/or shame
Handling gender dysphoria as a gifted youth or young adult
Engaging LGBTQ+ relationships in the context of ongoing societal changes
Cultural impact of the ongoing revolution in human genetics and genomics related to differences in sexual differentiation
A small honorarium will be provided to the authors of the essays selected for publication.
The 2021 project is chaired by Dr. Michael Weiss (1975, OH) who is a Distinguished Professor at Indiana University and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at its School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Marion R. Kee (1975, WV) serves as the Editor in Chief of the project’s essays. Marion teaches courses in gifted self-development via the InterGifted network of coaches and therapists, and coaches gifted persons ages 16 and up. A retired computer scientist and A.I. pioneer, she is/they are a former university instructor in philosophy and an active musician, poet, and writer.
Publication of the assembled essays as a thematic collection with a preface written by the editorial board will be a future effort. Members of the Scholar community interested in pro bono service on the editorial board should contact Susan Gorin, Presidential Scholars Foundation interim executive director, at susan@presidentialscholars.org.
Your submission is encouraged! See the process and timeline below.
By August 15, 2021, complete this form with the following questions:
1. In what ways has diversity of expression of gender and/or sexuality affected your life or that of a family member?
2. Why are you interested in contributing to this project?
3. How might others benefit from your story?
4. Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
By September 1, 2021, you will be informed regarding acceptance of your proposal.
By October 15, 2021, full essays of no more than 3,000 words, are due to Marion Kee.
Questions? Contact Editor in Chief Marion Kee at wvgirlwrites@gmail.com.
