Joelle Ruby Ryan
Hopes and Dreams:
Joelle considers herself an activist on behalf of various gender causes and would like to eradicate gender oppression in our society.
Would like to use her life to eradicate gender oppression; call for unity and solidarity between various factions which are all fighting for a more just world; ie, feminists, transgender and intersexes, gay, lesbian and bi-sexual people as many share the same visions and causes.
"I would like to use my life to further gender freedom, gender justice, gender liberation and to be remembered as somebody who was a transgender warrior who fought very hard in order to make the world a safer and more just world for future generations."
Greatest Obstacles:
Depression is the hardest thing that Joelle has had to deal with.
People who stray from gender roles are still pioneers; finding a critical mass of individuals to organize around these issues is a challenge.
Day to day struggle of people who do not understand me or my identity; I keep fighting for the goal.
Lack of solidarity is an obstacle that I would like to work on; various minority groups battling against each other which prevents us from joining together and creating change is counterproductive.
"Gender is an issue for everyone -- it is a human rights issue."
What Makes You Passionate About Your Life And Work:
"Being able to be a witness to social and cultural transformations; to see radical social change; it pushes me forward to continue my work
I 'came out' in the early '90s so I have seen changes occur; seen people's attitudes change; seen many forms of discrimination lessen; seen how more and more people are working together to win freedom for all.
I think that it is so important to stand shoulder to shoulder with different oppressed people in the fight for social change.
I stand on the shoulders of so many brave warriors from the past who wore their identities proudly and used their courage to fight for a different world."
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