Hello, everyone. My name is Joanne Lockwood and I'm your host for the Inclusion Bites podcast. In this series, I've interviewed a number of amazing people and simply had a conversation about the subject of inclusion, belonging and generally making the world a better place for everyone to thrive. To join me in the future, then, please do drop me a line to jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk that's S-E-E Change Happen dot co dot uk. You can catch up with all of the previous shows on itunes, Spotify and the usual places. So plug in your headphones, grab a decaf and let's get going. Today it's Episode 85 with the title Mirrors and Doorways, and I have the absolute honour and privilege to welcome Nonir Amicitia. Nonir describes themselves as the bottom half of a trench coat double act, and I can't wait to find out what that means.
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The Inclusion Bites Podcast
Mirrors and Doorways
Speaker
Joanne Lockwood
Speaker
Nonir Amicitia
01:42 Queer dystopian book series champions representation. 03:43 Books moving away from tragic coming out stories.
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“Nonir describes themselves as the bottom half of a trench coat double act, and I can't wait to find out what that means.”
“And one of our goals with this series is Mirrors, to show people who aren't generally represented in fiction that they can exist in fun, interesting fiction stories that don't centre around a marginalised identity as their main plot point.”
“We wanted to write stories where...Aiden, our main character, is a gay trans man inspired by some of my own experiences. And that's a very important part of his identity.”
“Is centred around queerness because all the main characters are queer in a beauty industry. So being queer is part of that culture.”
“I firmly believe that change begins in media... the more representation and the more openness that we can provide in our media, the easier it is to affect real change in real life.”
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Full transcript
When I asked Nonir to describe their superpower, they said juggling. They are able to keep a ridiculous number of balls in the air. I have it on good authority that's more than ten, so definitely a ridiculous amount. Hello, Nonia. Welcome to the show.
Joanne, thank you so much for having me today.
Absolute pleasure. And you've intrigued me and I really can't wait to find out some of the well, what is the tunic of double act? So I can't wait to find out about that. So, mirrors and doorways. What's that about?
Yeah, as part of the trench coat double act, I co write under the author name, O E Tierman, and we write a book series that is a hopeful queer dystopian. And one of our goals with this series is Mirrors, to show people who aren't generally represented in fiction that they can exist in fun, interesting fiction stories that don't centre around a marginalised identity as their main plot point. Because as queer, mentally ill people, we don't see ourselves in fiction a lot, in stories that aren't coming out stories or, oh, my gosh, overcoming depression stories or things of that nature. So we really wanted to provide that mirror for marginalised folks to see themselves in their communities, in new and different lights. And along those lines is the doorways of we wanted to open the door to conversation and open the door to non marginalised people, to see what it's like to live with a marginalised identity, and also to open those doors to conversations of, how can we make the world a better place? And doing all of that through fiction and through discussions like these.
Fabulous. Because as a queer person myself, there's a lot of queer joy and we get associated with queer negativity rather than euphoria and empowerment we feel as well, don't we?
Yeah, I have been kind of following queer publishing for quite a while and we're starting to get away from coming out stories and tragic stories, but there's still this overwhelming number of when queer people are represented in books. It's a book about their queerness and not about them being a person experiencing things, and their queerness is just part of that. And so we wanted to write stories where that was the case where Aiden, our main character, is a gay trans man inspired by some of my own experiences. And that's a very important part of his identity. And part of the story does revolve around him transitioning and dealing with people who don't respect him, et cetera. But that's not the main storyline. The main storyline is he's leading this group of misfits to try and bring democracy back to a corporate owned America. And it was really important to both Olivia, my co writer, and I, that we present these people as real people and they're going on adventures and they're finding love and they're making found family.
And the fact that they're queer or have various neurodivergencies is an important part of who they are, but it's not the entirety of who they are.
I've seen that. I've observed that in the media. When I talk about the media, I mean films, TV, netflix. I think I was watching Alice in don't know if you've seen that. It's a bit kind of was it Korean kind of Death games for a better way of describing it. And one of the characters in that just so happened to be a queer trans woman, but you didn't realise that until she needed to tell you that. But it wasn't her reason for existing. It added an extra dimension and depth to her character as a by the way.
And I thought, wow, of course you are. Of course you are. Why wouldn't you be? It was amazing. My wife and I just finished watching a short series on Netflix called Glamorous. It's all about the beauty industry. And one of the characters there, Marco, yes, it is centred around queerness because all the main characters are queer in a beauty industry. So being queer is part of that culture. But in the last 30 seconds of episode ten, the main character, Marco, you see him or her outside of a clinic with transgender services under the title, and that was signified the journey this person went on as a femme, identifying, if you like, queer man, to going through that journey of discovery, to say, I've now understand who I am.
I'm trans, and I want to do something about this. And my wife and I were in tears at this point here, because this evolution of character where trans became this wonderful evolution of this character. And we thought, wow, that is so powerful. And you look back at the episode and you think, of course they are. Of course they are. But they didn't realise. They didn't dimit it themselves. I think what you're saying there about someone's transiness, someone's queerness, it enriches their character rather than being the whole purpose of their character.
And I think we've seen that too much. You look at Niverne Cox and her disclosure documentary on Netflix around how queer people, trans people, have been portrayed in the media for years. We're always the butt of the joke, we're always the exception, we're always the baddie, always the person, corrupting men, or whatever it may be, however you describe it. And I think what you're saying there is it's extremely important for the evolution of queer culture to be see as a person first, and their queerness is just part of their identity.
It is. I mean, I'm a little biassed because I'm a fiction writer, obviously, but I firmly believe that change begins in media. And whether that's storytelling or movies or video games or music, whatever media you prefer, the more representation and the more openness that we can provide in our media, the easier it is to affect real change in real life. Because A, you've empowered the people who need to see themselves, and B, you've given the other people things to think about, of, oh, hey, maybe that trans lady I saw on the street isn't there just to corrupt men like the media has portrayed. Maybe she's just living her life like a normal human being and maybe she deserves rights like everybody else. I know. Mind blowing, right? Yeah.
We even had a trans Barbie, didn't we? And the trans Barbie was not transitions were not centred on it wasn't even marked upon. Yeah, it was only if you had a bit of a trans radar sort of tuned in, you go, yeah, wow, fair play. You snuck her in there without making a big deal of it. Absolutely amazing. Thank you.
The Barbie movie did a lot of yeah, a plus movie, not going to lie, but, yeah, just showing marginalised people existing in media is so incredibly important and I feel like it gets, I don't want to say ignored, but kind of downplayed a lot. And I know that traditional publishing is still kind of trying to find its place with that because there's a lot of pushback of if we have diverse characters, especially as a protagonist, then we're going to turn off this other group of people who, for some reason, don't want to read about people other than themselves. Which I could go on a rant about how stupid that is for quite some time, but, yeah, my train of thought just completely derailed. Sorry.
Yeah, well, the media that the movies, that kind of entertainment media, they've created these stereotypes over the years about to define what good is and what bad is and what sinister is. And I always use James Bond as a franchise. It portrays the white guy, the British white guy, as the hero. Perfectly formed, fit, attractive, all these kind of things. And the baddie often has a foreign accent or a non British accent, often has a disability, a facial disfigurement or something strange about them, exploding eye or big golfing teeth or something. So we're trying to demonise people based on their physical characteristics. And queer people, outside of some Marvel and some other forward thinking franchises, have always tended to be portrayed as the outliers, as the people who are not the good guys. And I think we got to start showing queer people in their own space for queer people exemplifying that we're just heroes as well.
We are heroes.
Yeah. And we deserve to be heroes. I think everybody deserves to be a hero of their own story, regardless of identity or attraction or disability status or race or religion or anything. Everybody deserves the dignity of being the hero of their own story.
Yeah. Amen. Amen. Definitely. For sure. It's the old adage, isn't it? You can't be what you can't see. So if you don't see the representation, we're going to talk a bit in a minute about mental health dysphoria, presumably feeling lost, feeling unseen, those sort of things. So it's really, really important to amplify and to show people an aspiration a possibility, a belief that they can succeed, isn't it?
It is. And just acknowledging that people exist in all shapes and sizes and differences. Because, again, the media tends towards very specific storytelling tropes and very specific coding for villains. Oftentimes it's queer coding and Jewish coding. And as a queer person of Jewish descent, I'm just like, why? I mean, don't get me wrong, being a villain can be empowering in certain circumstances, but when that's all you see, it's really hard not to internalise that message of, well, society is always going to see me as a bad guy, so what's the point? And I hope that our books as OE Tierman can provide at least a slightly different well, not slightly, a radically different point of view of, no, you're okay, you're fine, because our main group of characters are incredibly diverse between physical ability and mental illnesses and gender identities and racial identities, ethnic identities. We have so many different types of characters, all in this organisation of the good guys.
What sort of genre do you write about, you say is fiction? Is it modern Romance? Sci-fi.
Well, this particular series is a hopeful queer dystopian. It's, see, 100 and 5200 years ish in the future and America has been taken over by seven corporations that now run everything. I often have to joke that we didn't intend this to be prophetic because we started writing in like 2015, 2016.
As a response to Google Musk and his cohorts Oracle Allison. Yeah, we now have some pretty powerful organisations running the world, almost.
Yeah. So we have to joke that we promise we didn't write this expecting this to happen. But the series follows this group of outcasts and this found family that are fighting to bring democracy and general human decency back and fighting to make the world a better place.
See, I'm curious now in this dystopian future, tell me this is true, that straight people have to start coming out now. Is this really good. If this dystopian future, if straight people had to come out and people had to come out.
We didn't want to get too far away from reality. So depending on which corporation area you're in, kind of depends on the moral or not. Depends on creates the morals and social attitudes. So some corporations don't care at all and some are very CIS, het, normative enforcing prescriptive.
Yeah.
Because we did want to express the reality that queer people are currently living. We just didn't want it to be the hopeless version of that, if that makes sense.
Yeah. Is it as bad as you see in the media from the UK side, looking in at the US? Is queer rights, queer oppression, trans rights? I mean, we see many states winding back protection even, obviously, Roe versus Wade, abortion rights, but don't say gay. Is it really that mean as a.
Queer versus where you're at in the States? But, yeah, it's honestly freaking terrifying if I think about it too much.
Yeah. Sorry for the listeners. We have our cameras on, so I can see your expression. So yeah, I can see that was a real intake of breath there. Okay, gather your thoughts.
One of those things that I both have to be aware of because I'm in the community and all of my friends are, but also have to ignore for my own mental health. And it's a really weird line to walk.
Yeah, we see a bit of it emerging in the UK. We're seeing a real anti trans rhetoric, a transcritical, trans hostile movement developing. It's a minority with a loud voice, well funded, well organised, with the ear of politicians. And it's worrying that trans people, mainly trans people, mainly trans women, are being used as political pawns, as footballs, as wedge issues to gain votes. And it's frightening and that you watch or read Handmaid's Tale and you suddenly realise that yes, all of a sudden, you could wake up in the morning and someone can suddenly nullify your existence, your rights, your marriage, your property ownership. And you think you see it. As you talk about your dystopian view of the world when one of your previous presidents was in place, you suddenly believe that The Handmaid's Tale could be a reality. And if this person is reelected, it could still be a reality, couldn't it?
Even if he's not, it could still be a reality, just based on the way that the conservative American contingent thinks. Yeah. So basically, with the books, we took all of our own personal fear as queer folks who were born female or assigned female at birth. We took all of that fear and put it into the books and said, okay, this is where we're at. How can we make ourselves feel better? How can we change this fictional world to be better and less terrifying for people who are outside of the quote unquote norm? And then maybe if we put it in fiction, we can kind of help nudge the real world in that direction as well, is kind of the hope, because, yeah, the world we're living in is terrifying if you are not a straight, cisgender white guy with quite a bit of money.
Yeah. For my own mental health here. I think one of the problems I find is that and I don't want to use the word or the phrase trans community, meaning that we are organised into some sort of power structure, the trans communities, if you like, are agreement people trying to get over their lives or the grave communities. We are sometimes our own worst enemy. We reshare and amplify hate sometimes by going, have you seen this? Have you seen that? I go onto Facebook, I see more anti trans rhetoric from trans people sharing the antitrans rhetoric than I do if I just turned on the news. And I think sometimes we've got to be careful around our own mental health, that we get a bit obsessed with the danger and we keep wanting to be like mere cancer danger, danger, danger, danger, and tell everybody about it.
It's that weird line of we have to be aware and so we want to make sure that everyone we know and love is aware, but also we can't just keep focusing on the danger and the terror because that's not good for any of us. And the queer community. Communities in general have generally higher incidences of depression and anxiety and varying other mental illnesses, disorders, nerd emergencies and just flooding social media and our discussions with oh, my God, did you hear? So and so is now on the anti gay train. And this is what they said and this is what we have to rally against. I understand where it comes from. We're trying to protect each other, but it doesn't serve us. It just kind of keeps us stuck in that reactive terror loop and I'm not really sure how to get out of it, but I think that we need to work on as a whole, and actually, this isn't just queer folk, but as a whole, marginalised communities. We need to work on finding that balance between keeping each other informed and safe and also celebrating each other and celebrating the fact that we exist and our lives are all sorts of varied and beautiful, even when it's hard.
Yeah. My kind of take on it, I suppose, is I just sing my own song, play my own tune, to quote that song, which I think Paloma Faith did a version. I keep amplifying who I am. I think if I was to engage in those negative conversations, there's no, no, nothing happens. You talk about being a person with a Jewish history and background. What's going on in the Middle East is completely abhorrent to everybody, but it doesn't help to get into a discussion about who's right or wrong. I don't want to care if you've got anti trans viewpoints or you want to debate the supremacy of sex and biology over identity. I don't care if you want to have that conversation, I'm just going to keep doing what I want to do.
I can be the best me, have the best conversations about me, exemplify what I can do as a person. And then if you want to go and do that in your little space, that's fine. I don't need to engage with you. And I think the more I attenuate and turn the volume down on this other stuff makes my life easier and makes my life more hassle free, that's a privilege. I can do that. I'm quite robust. I have good support network around me. But what we're saying before we went online and live was that you mentioned just now about mental health concerns around people in the queer community, whether it's dysphoria, whether it's the feeling of being under, attacked, erased, marginalised even further.
So how can we, or you, through your media, through your books, through your writing, how can we create spaces for people to know they're loved for one of the better way of putting it?
At risk of sounding like a broken record? Representation helps a lot, especially when we're talking about mental illness and neurodivergency. There is still such an incredible stigma around it, around asking for help, around having a diagnosis of anything and showing characters struggling with anxiety and depression and dysphoria. And I feel like we have more that I'm just not remembering, but showing that and showing that they're still human, they're still okay. Again, it's not the entirety of their identity and it's okay that they ask for help and there are people around them who love them and who care for them and will help them through a depressive episode or an anxiety attack. And in my own life, being in the writing community has actually been incredibly helpful for that, because writers also tend to be neurodivergent in various ways. And that's one of the ways that Olivia and I really connected, both as friends and co writers, because we both have struggles with anxiety and depression and I have dysphoria and she has other biological and mental illnesses, my illnesses, issues that make her anxiety really bad. And so just kind of bonding of society thinks we're broken, but we're not. And discussing that and creating those safe spaces both for us as individuals and for our readers, I think that that's kind of where we need to start.
And I think when we're talking about acceptance of mental health issues, we're still just starting. Partially because psychology itself is a relatively young field, all things considered, and partially because a lot of it is still influenced by Nazism and various other bigotry, bigoted thoughts that a lot of people don't recognise are so ingrained in the studies. So just starting with representation and acceptance and saying, hey, we exist and we're not all going to turn out to be serial killers.
We know the stats. There are more CIS serial killers than there'll ever be. Queer serial killers.
Like most neurodivergent people, like queer people. We just want to survive, we just want to get by. Most of the time, like in America when we're talking about mass shootings and things, they're cishit white guys generally who have no history of mental illness, but the media will almost always spin it somehow to point to mental illness because of that stigma.
Well, they need to they need to label them as divergent in some way. Otherwise if they're a normal person, how can a normal person be rationalised to do this? Heinous acts so they have to assign a label to them to take them out of the normal box, say, well look, they weren't normal, it's okay. Normal people are okay. This person has a mental health. This person has a history of this he's neurodivergent, wherever it may be, dramatically.
Harms the neurodivergent community and also sweeps under the rug that quote unquote normal people are just as messed up as anybody else.
Do you think as queer people ourselves, once you've kind of owned that label, that identity, it's very easy to own other things about yourself. I don't need to hide my I don't know, I wouldn't class myself as neurodivergent but I have obsessive behaviours around certain things and I have heavy disinterest in other things so I can be very polarised. Doesn't make me neurodivergent necessarily, just makes me try to understand. But I can now admit to myself about a whole load of things that maybe I tried to mask or cover in my old life, if you want to call it that way. Now I just go it's almost like this channel is supposed to be safe for children and not explicit but the fuck, it switch hits, doesn't it? And sometimes you just go, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. I don't need to hold that baggage in anymore.
Yeah, I think once you realise that some part of you is marginalised, the other marginalised parts of you are just like, hey, I'm here too. And at some point it's just like, well, society already hates me for that thing, so I might as well embrace this other thing.
My lived experience is when I announced to the world my transiness and told my mum and other people it was kind of if I could share that secret that I've held at me for 40 52 years of my life at the time, I can share it. I don't need to have a secret anymore. There's nothing more scary. I mean, you try and blackmail me. What have you got on me that I'm worried about? I think it's important. One thing you mentioned earlier was society sees us as broken in some way, whether we're neurodivergent queer. And the issue with that is that I internalise that. We internalise that.
We're told we're broken therefore we are, therefore we believe. And sometimes that's the root cause of a lot of dysphoria. You must conform to a social construct. You must conform to the norms of society. You don't look track or woman enough, you don't look man enough. And WTF what does nonbinary enough mean, exactly? Yes, you look absolutely fabulous and nonbinary enough to me on the camera.
That's one of the struggles that I have, too. It's just like, to a quote unquote normal assist person, I come across as very feminine presenting because I haven't done any sort of active masculinization. Also side note, the fact that we associate non binary with masculine appearance is really dumb. But there's still that masculine as default. Ergo, trying to get more looking masculine ish means you're trying to be more central. It doesn't make sense.
Yes, androgyny is inherently more masculine, isn't it?
It is, yeah.
Small bum, no breasts, very straight looking, cropped hair, whatever. It's a very masculine.
Generally super thin. If you just Google androgynous or something along those lines, you'll come up with a bunch of really skinny, really white people. And as someone who is not very skinny and has a large chest, people don't look at me and think, oh, you can be Androgynous. But I am non binary. I don't identify with being male or female. Some days I'm more one, sometimes I'm more another. And there's not a good way to present that in current society, because literally everything is gendered in a really stupid way. Yeah.
We're even telling bits of porcelain that their toilets are gendered in some way. It's just a toilet. Who's assigned the agenda?
And, like, clothing? I've started wearing, quote unquote, men's jeans, because they're so much easier to fit, because women's fashion is so insanely ridiculous. But again, they're just clothes, there's no need to label them.
You just want the pockets, don't you? That's what it is. You want deep pockets.
They don't want to have to try on 20 different pairs of jeans that are supposedly the same size to find one that fits.
The one thing I like about women's jeans is the Lycra and the stretch. I know men's jeans can have Lycra and stretch as well, but I tend to find that they fit a little bit better. But, yeah, I know what you mean. It's definitely the pockets. That's fine, we could switch jeans, but it's definitely the pockets. I miss pockets. I do miss pockets.
Again, women's fashion. WTF why not?
I often wear dresses. I got one on today that has pockets in it. I'm out at a function or something and I put my hand in my pocket and pull out a tissue or something and everyone around me goes, oh, you got pockets in your dress. Oh, fantastic. Everyone got pockets in it. I just want someone to put my lippy and my tissues.
I don't want to have to carry a bag.
I stuff everything in my bra. That's the other problem. You got your mobile phone in there, you got your room key without having.
A big chest, is that I've got built in pocket. But, yeah, I don't know. The way that society just genders things in general makes no sense to me and it never has. Even before I recognised that I was non binary, and non binary was even a thing I could be even as a kid. I was a very sheltered kid and I wasn't even exposed to the concept of queerness until high school, until I was in my teens. But even as a kid, I knew I didn't fit in as a girl or a boy. I was a very tomboy girl or a very girly boy, and I didn't have words to express that. And I think that that's a really important part of where we're at as a society now, is we're starting to have words.
And I think it's important that we allow kids access to those words and those concepts, because not to sound overdramatic, but it could literally save their lives to be able to say, I'm not the only one who feels this way. There's a whole term for people who feel this way. And that's one of the things that really irritates me about the whole we can't expose kids to trans people or to queer people rhetoric. Again. We're all just trying to live our lives. We're not trying to, quote, unquote, convert anybody or anything. We're just trying to tell kids that, hey, we exist and maybe you're one of us and maybe you're not. But if they grow up knowing that we exist, they're more likely to respect us and to respect our communities and to be more open minded.
Or it is an old thought, or see a role model and see themselves represented in somebody and realise what's going on in their head isn't broken. They are not broken, they are real, they are valid. And that's what straight people are worried about because they're probably internalising their own feelings. That's generalisation. But, yeah, there are many people out there that are repressing their own thoughts and sexuality and identity.
A lot of that is internalised from society and people don't really realise how much we internalise from those external sources, from the media, from our parents, from our education, and how dangerous and debilitating that can be to everybody, whether or not you are marginalised. The fact that CIS, het white people are so afraid of the queer community partially because of all of those internalised fears of if I'm queer, what happens if I'm queer? What happens if I'm not who I think I am? And to that I say, well, then jump on the train with us, friends, because we all went through that at some point and we're all still here.
But there are some people out there that just like or love or feel the need to police people back into their. Lane or back into their box. You see it with driving a car. You get certain people who insist that you drive your car the way they want to have their car driven, and they'll try and police you or point out to you or shout at you at a traffic light or something like that. There are people who have this real adherence to rules. That's a neurodiversity or personality trait. But people want to put you back in their box, and if you don't fit in their box, they get really freaked out by and I think that happens a lot of time, I think when you come out as queer with a I'm going to say the word again, a fuck it attitude to the world. I don't need to live by your BS anymore.
It frightens people because how do they put you in their box again? You're being too anarchic for them.
And if they see other people doing that, I feel like there's generally a piece of them that's going, well, why am I not doing that? Why am I still stuck in this box? And there's that resentment of they're living their lives authentically. Why am I not living my life authentically? And society doesn't make it easy for anyone to live authentically, regardless of identity or anything, because it's all very conformist for everybody. And I don't think that people who aren't marginalised realise how much harming marginalised communities also harms them, if that makes sense.
Yeah, it's repressing people, which means you're only one step away from being repressed yourself for something. It's policing you into your lane, into your box. If you've got poor mental health, you've got financial difficulties, you've got relationship difficulties, it means that you don't feel open to talk about that and share that, which we were talking about before we jump on air about suicide, about mental health, around feeling alone and not able to share that. I think what we end up doing is policing people in such a way that nobody's prepared to open up and talk.
Yeah. Which is a problem for everybody, because everybody has periods where you're depressed, everybody has times when you're struggling financially or you just need someone to say, hey, it's okay, I see you. I don't care who you are. Everybody has those moments and not acknowledging that or making that seem like a weakness or brokenness or an otherwise bad thing harms everybody.
So you're the bottom half of a trench coat double act, and both yourself the bottom half and the top half. Olivia, you're both awesome jugglers. So how did you manage to learn how to juggle? Well, two balls, three balls to start with, but how did you get the ridiculous number? Was that just constant Practise or did you go to a club or something? How did you learn to juggle?
Well, it's more metaphorical juggling. It's juggling projects and businesses and all of those things. And so, yeah, a lot of it is just practise, and a lot of it is passion. I'm passionate about all of these things, so I'm going to do all of them at the same time.
So there was me thinking it was actual balls in the air.
Not going to lie, I wish I could double like three for 30 seconds.
Back in the early 90s, that sounds like a lifetime ago for many people. In fact, it was. My daughter's only 31, so back in the early 90s, she was about two or three. I used to work late in projects. I was in It at the time, and my manager at the time was a member of the Magic Circle. I don't know if you have the Magic Circle in the States Magicians Club. Basically. And he used to have some juggling balls in his desk, and he used to sit there in the evenings while we're waiting for servers to reboot and things like this.
He always got his balls out and juggled around, and he taught me how to juggle. And I could do three balls for about 30 or 40 seconds. I think the golden rule is it's not about the throwing it's all around the catching. So as long as you can catch it, you can throw it wherever you like, as long as it's about the catching and the rhythm. And so I got three quite successfully, and I've still got some juggling beanbags in my desk because I keep her in a go. But I've lost the technique. I think I need to have a weekend of getting back into I got the theory, I just need to practise. But, yeah, those skills, everything theory, but.
Putting the theory into practise, whole other ballgame.
Yeah, lots of desire. I hyper focus on things. If I can hyper focus on learn to juggle one weekend, I won't stop until I could do four balls. I will be there. When I was 15, I think again, I was 15 in the late 70s, probably. That's a while ago, isn't it? And I learned to do the Rubik's Cube, and I wouldn't stop until I could do the cube in less than a minute. In those days, that was quite a good thing. I know people do it now with five or 6 seconds and I really can't figure out how they do that.
But, yeah, 55 seconds was my record on the Rubik's Cube. And I really hyper focused on this, obsessed with it. I bought all these books and I could learn strings of letters, because I used to use U and D and R and L in combinations of those to mean up or down on top of this. So I could memorise 30 or 40 letters sequences, and I'd be able to flick those in and I'd be able to adapt and pull out that combination almost like instant. Now I look at it and go, I can't remember a phone number these days. I can't remember a two factor authentication when it comes up with six digits. And I've got a key into Facebook. I can't remember that number without looking at old age or trauma.
Say again?
Trauma.
Trauma, yeah.
There have been several studies about trauma, even small traumas, affecting members, and we as a world have gone through quite a few traumas lately, with the pandemic and everything. So, as a society, no one I have talked to recently has a good memory anymore.
I put it down to the smartphone evolution. I don't need to know anyone's phone number anymore. In the past, I would know 1520 people's phone number, and in the early days of mobile phones, I knew their home number, their mobile number and their office number for about 20 people. Now I know my wife's number, I know my number, I don't know my daughter's number, I don't know my son's.
Number, my sister's number.
Just hit the button. Yeah. I don't calculate things. I didn't do mental arithmetic anymore and I've even stopped googling things. I asked Chat GPT or being AI now, I want it spoon fed to me. I don't even bother looking at search results. Sometimes I just say, I'm wondering about this. I've even used Chat GPT image techniques now, and I took a picture of some food and said, Describe that for me and give me a recipe.
There it was. So you can go to restaurants now and get the recipe for food. Wonderful. Well, the ones I've used have been pretty good because we went pumpkin picking the other week and we got some spaghetti squashes, the white ones, and it was a broccoli feta and cheddar grated cheddar. You scoop out the squash, you mix it all together and you put it down. Then you put the oven, you grill it and bake it, and I put it in front of it, in front of me, and I took a photograph and said to Chat GPT, image, please describe this. And he got it perfect. He got the recipe, you got the description, you got everything spot on just for a photo.
And it's like, yes, it's scary accurate. If you haven't tried it I know we're completely off topic here. If you haven't tried it, try a bit of Chat GPT four image. Yeah, it's crazy. It's crazy. Yeah. I was in a seminar the other week and someone put a slide up with some useful information on it. I took a picture of it, fed the slides into Chat GPT and said, can you just summarise that and give me some details? Produced a little Google Sheet table with all the information on this slide with some takeaways on it.
It's like, yeah, it's so easy now to use technology, which I'm not saying it's dumbing us down, it's making us differently intelligent, I guess, is probably a way of describing it. But I think I put that down to why my memory is not good because my brain knows it doesn't need to remember anymore. So it doesn't bother. It does other things with that bit of brain power. Not sure what those things are, but it must be doing different things.
I've unlearned podcasts and talking to people about making the world a better place.
That's what it is. That's definitely what it is.
So technology has automatically made the world a better place because it's allowed you the brain power to do this?
It has, yeah. And what I will do, I'll share my secret with the listeners here is I will feed the transcript of this through AI and it will generate show notes, it will generate everything else. So I haven't even got to sit here for 4 hours now rewriting show notes and producing summaries of the episode because products out there will do it for me in a better than I ever can. And it allows me to just tweak it and adjust it to have my tone of voice and I can turn it around in an hour what used to take me a half a day. So yeah, productivity from my perspective as a solopreneur, if you like. It's amazing. Yeah, absolutely fantastic. Completely off topic, but hey, why not? I often wonder to myself, let me sort of segue into this.
People ask me how difficult it was, it coming out and I always say the hardest person to come out to was myself. Rationalising who I am, what I am, how I am. How did you find that process of discovery? Because you said from an early age you didn't fit into the boxes. You didn't know if you're, as I say, a femme man or a booked woman or a feminine woman. Where do you fit on that? So how did you kind of evolve that sense of self?
I feel like it's kind of a constant process because I'm always finding new things about myself just based on being in a situation that I haven't experienced before or talking to someone new. But I think in general, a lot of it was honestly reading fan fiction because that's how I got exposed to a lot of new ideas and identities and things that I hadn't been exposed to as a kid. And going back to all my earlier discussions about the importance of seeing ourselves in media, it really gave me terminology and things to think about between, I think, reading fan fiction and being in theatre and being able to kind of try on these personas and try on okay, today I'm playing a male role. What does it feel like to embody that on the stage and being able to take that off the stage and think about it and think about that process and how it feels in my body and how it felt in my brain, for lack of a better term. Really kind of gave me that context and that ability to say, you know what, I don't think I fit on either end of the spectrum. I fit somewhere in the middle.
Yeah, that's quite powerful, isn't it? You're trying on an outfit and you realise it doesn't quite fit. It's a bit tight here or a bit tight there, or restrictive. And you think, Actually, no, that's not me. And then you put this one on and go, actually, that's good. That feels good, doesn't it? You know, don't you?
Yeah. I went through probably six or seven different names before I found Nonir and that felt right. Like my poor friends. I don't know what name you're using today, I'm so sorry.
Does it have a history? Does that name mean something? Is it from anywhere? Or is it something you just kind of made up?
It's inspired by the Icelandic and Norse mythology. I like to say it means strength, because Amicidia means friendship in Latin. So my name then means strong friendship or strong friend, because that's an important part of who I am, being there for my friends, building that community. Yeah. It's okay to make up your own name.
Yeah, I've got a good story about how I got my name. I basically pinched it off of my first crush at school at 13. Not only did I nick her first name, I nicked her surname as well, because I didn't like my surname, so I stole both of her names. Which is quite ironic for my wife, knowing that I'm named after my first crush. But that's a whole nother story. But, yeah, we name our cats, we name our boats, we name our dogs. But how do we get to name ourselves? What name will we choose? And again, that's a huge decision that people don't realise because, again, you have to try it on. You have to see if it fits.
You have to imagine it being said out loud. And will I respond to that? It's a huge pressure, isn't it?
Yeah. And being able to find a safe community and a safe group of friends to help you try on new names and new facades and new pronouns, new connected ways to dress. Just having that safe space to experiment is incredibly invaluable.
So what you're trying to say there is escape the judgement of the BS of social construct. That's what we're doing. We have to find a safe space where societal pressure and judgement is not allowed in. That's what we're doing. And that's the sad thing, isn't it? We're being repressed indirectly, often not directly, but indirectly by societal norms.
Yeah, it gets really weird and wonky if you think about it too far.
It does. Well, we've been going an hour. I can't believe that already. We were chatting away for 20 minutes before that. Nonir, it's been it's been fantastic. I really love talking to you and I wish we could carry on all day. And if we lived a bit closer, rather than 4000 miles apart, whatever it is, I'm sure we'd pop her out of a Starbucks for a coffee sometime or hang out more.
Well, I mean, someday we'll have to get Olivia on, so I'm sure we'll chat with you again.
Yes, that'd be great. I'd love to have you both on the show at once and be my first double act, if you like. And I get to see both halves of the trench coat, the top hand, bottom, and maybe we'll explore that more for those who can't imagine. Imagine two children, one standing on the other person's shoulders for the trench coat and trying to sneak into the cinema. Pretend they're 18. That's the image we want you to have there. So not it. How do we get hold of you? What's your website, what's your books called? What's your publication?
Yeah. The books are called the Aces High Jokers Wild series. You can find the books, all our social media and how to get in touch with us on the website, which is O E Tearmann. T-E-A-R-M-A-N-N dot com
Thanks for those of you who want to hunt you down in other ways. So Nonir is nonir and amacitya.
How do we spell that for the A-M-I-C-I-T-I-A.
Fabulous.
You can also find my own solo published books, which are all queer, queer fantasy, romance, mostly short stories under E S Argentum, A-R-G-E-N-T-U-M. Because again, I have too many names. But yeah, worst case scenario, find us on OE Tearmann, send us a note and say, hey, I'm interested in talking to Nonir or finding their books and we can shoot you the links.
I'll make sure all of that's on your profile on the hosting platform for this podcast. If anyone wants to look you up. Just follow the links through to your profile and they'll all be there. I'll make sure they're all tagged and put that so thank you so much. I can't believe that Bites flow so quickly and I really appreciate you joining me today, it's been a fabulous conversation.
It has. Hopefully having me.
Yes, pleasure. And for you, the listeners, I thank you for tuning in and staying to the end. I really appreciate that. I'm sure you'll all agree there's much to take inspiration from that, especially if you're in or out of the Cure community, struggling to be heard, struggling with your own identity, struggling with your own poor mental health or whatever it may be, or just want someone to be able to listen to you. So there's a lot in there. Please do subscribe I value your subscriptions to keep updated on future episodes of the Inclusion Bites podcast. That's B-I-T-E-S. Tell your friends and tell your colleagues and please share the links.
I have a number of other exciting and passionate guests lined up over the next few weeks and months. I'm sure you'll be equally as inspired by them as well. Of course, if you're listening in and like to be a guest yourself or have any comments or suggestions on how we can improve, if you think we can, then please send those to myself, jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk. And finally, my name is Joanne Lockwood, and it's been an absolute pleasure to host this podcast for you today. Catch you next time. Bye.
Also generated
More from this recording
🔖 Titles
"Queer Visions: Embracing Diversity and Representation in Fiction"
"Breaking the Stigma: Exploring Mental Health in the Queer Community"
"Identity Unveiled: A Journey of Self-Discovery for Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals"
"From Words to Worlds: Authors Shaping Queer Culture and Shattering Stereotypes"
"Inclusive Narratives: The Power of Queer Fiction in Promoting Acceptance and Belonging"
"Transcending Borders: Navigating Identity and Embracing Authenticity"
"Writing Queerness: How Authors are Creating Mirrors and Opening Doorways in Literature"
"Beyond the Binary: Celebrating Nonbinary Experiences and Challenging Gender Norms"
"Stories that Matter: Tackling Mental Health and Neurodivergency in Queer Fiction"
"The Intersection of Identity: Exploring the Complexities of Queerness and Mental Wellbeing"
ℹ️ Introduction
Welcome back to The Inclusion Bites Podcast, where we explore the power of representation, acceptance, and inclusivity. I'm your host, Joanne Lockwood, and today's episode is all about "Mirrors and Doorways."
Joining us is the incredible Nonir Amicitia, part of a trench coat double act and self-proclaimed metaphorical juggler. Nonir and their co-writer, Olivia, have created a book series called Mirrors that challenges stereotypes, embraces diversity, and empowers marginalized individuals. Through their powerful storytelling, they aim to open doors to conversations about making the world a better place.
In this episode, we delve into the importance of representation in media, discuss self-discovery and finding one's identity, and tackle the impact of negative conversations on mental health. Nonir shares their personal journey and gives us a glimpse into their published works that explore queer fantasy romance.
As we explore the topics of queer culture, mental health, and the experiences of transgender and nonbinary individuals, it becomes clear that the power of literature and representation cannot be underestimated. We'll also touch on the role of technology in our lives, how it has impacted our productivity, and even use AI to generate show notes and summaries.
So, grab a cuppa, settle in, and join us as we dive into this inspiring conversation with Nonir Amicitia. Let's continue our journey towards a more inclusive and accepting world. Stay tuned and let's get started!
📚 Timestamped overview
01:42 We co-write a hopeful queer dystopian book series, aiming to represent underrepresented people in fun, non-marginalized plots. We want to open conversations about marginalized identities and creating a better world through fiction.
03:43 The writers aim to move beyond typical queer narratives, highlighting characters' queerness as just part of their overall story. The main storyline revolves around Aiden, a gay trans man, leading a group to restore democracy in a corporate America. The focus is on real people going on adventures, finding love, and forming a "found family."
08:21 Media representation promotes real-life change by empowering marginalized groups and challenging stereotypes.
13:03 Media often reinforces narrow stereotypes, including coding certain groups as villains. This can be damaging for marginalized individuals, like the author, who hopes their diverse book characters can provide a positive perspective and show that they are valid and accepted.
17:11 Is the UK media accurately portraying the seriousness of LGBTQ+ rights issues in the US? Particularly concerned about queer and trans rights, as well as the rollback of protection and abortion rights.
18:21 UK seeing anti-trans movement, concerns about trans rights & political manipulation. Comparisons to Handmaid's Tale & fears of potential reality if reelected.
21:36 We must balance awareness with celebration. Don't dwell on negativity. Support each other without getting stuck in fear. Marginalised communities need to find this balance too.
25:04 Representation helps combat stigma around mental illness and neurodivergence, showing characters as still human and deserving of help. The writing community fosters connection among neurodivergent individuals, creating safe spaces for both writers and readers.
29:40 When embracing queerness, it becomes easier to accept other aspects of oneself, like certain behaviors. This doesn't necessarily make one neurodivergent, but allows for self-understanding. It also allows for letting go of past masking and embracing authenticity.
33:21 People expect androgyny to be very thin and white, but it's not limited to one body type or race. Being non-binary, the speaker doesn't fit these expectations and feels society's gendered norms are problematic.
36:51 Access to words and concepts can save lives. Kids should be exposed to transgender and queer people to promote understanding and respect.
39:32 Some people enjoy policing and controlling others; they become unnerved when someone refuses to conform to their expectations. This often occurs when someone proudly embraces their identity and rejects societal norms.
44:26 He learned to juggle and taught me. Catching matters more than throwing. Can still juggle three balls but lost technique. Need to practise to regain skill.
45:41 I had a record of 55 seconds on the Rubik's Cube but now I struggle to remember numbers.
51:05 Discovering oneself through new experiences and fan fiction helped develop a sense of identity and understanding of personal preferences between male and female roles.
54:11 I stole my name from my first crush at school, including her surname. It's ironic for my wife. Naming ourselves is a big decision.
58:33 Thank you for listening to the podcast. Subscribe and share the links.
📚 Timestamped overview
01:42 Queer dystopian book series champions representation.
03:43 Books moving away from tragic coming out stories. Main character, Aiden, a gay trans man, leads group to restore democracy in corporate America, focusing on adventures, love, and found family.
08:21 Representation in media drives real-life change.
13:03 Media stereotypes villains as queer and Jewish. I want to provide a different perspective with diverse characters.
17:11 UK views of US: media exaggerates oppression.
18:21 Concerns over emerging anti-trans movement in UK.
21:36 Awareness important, but balance celebration too.
25:04 Representation helps combat stigma around mental illness.
29:40 Owning queer identity allows for self-acceptance and understanding.
33:21 Non-binary struggle with societal gender norms.
36:51 Allow kids access to trans and queer concepts for their own safety.
39:32 Some people police others, even while driving.
44:26 Learning to juggle with three balls.
45:41 Record-breaking Rubik's Cube obsession forgotten with age.
51:05 Exploring new experiences shaped my identity.
54:11 Stole crush's name, now ironic for wife.
58:33 Thank you for listening and subscribing to Inclusion Bites podcast. Please share.
Episode Tags
inclusion, belonging, representation, queer identity, self-discovery, diverse characters, mental health, trans rights, nonbinary individuals, writers and authors
A Subtitle - A Single Sentence describing this episode
Exploring the power of inclusive storytelling, Joanne Lockwood and guest Nonir Amicitia delve into the importance of representation, self-discovery, and challenging societal norms for a more accepting and inclusive world.
Episode Summary with Intro, Key Points and a Takeaway
In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, host Joanne Lockwood invites guest Nonir Amicitia, an incredible writer and advocate for queer culture and mental health. Together, they delve into important topics surrounding transgender and nonbinary individuals, the power of representation in media, and the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Nonir shares their personal journey of self-discovery and finding their identity, emphasizing the importance of having a safe and accepting community to explore different facets of oneself. They also discuss the process of choosing a name and the pressure that comes with it. Joanne, drawing from her own experiences, adds valuable insights into the power of embracing one's true identity and the liberation that comes with it.
The conversation expands to the realm of media representation, with Nonir highlighting the need for diverse and inclusive characters in books, films, and other forms of media. They challenge traditional publishing norms and emphasize the importance of providing representation for marginalized individuals, all while creating engaging and exciting stories that go beyond the scope of their identity.
The discussion also touches on mental health and neurodivergency within the queer community. Nonir and Joanne both stress the significance of creating safe spaces and accepting environments, combating the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and promoting open and honest conversations.
Through this engaging conversation, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by transgender and nonbinary individuals and the importance of representation and acceptance. They will also be inspired by Nonir's passion for writing and advocacy, as they discuss their books and their mission to create a better world for those who don't fit into societal norms.
The key takeaway from this episode is the power of representation and the role it plays in shaping our identities and fostering inclusivity. By providing diverse characters and stories, we can challenge stereotypes, empower individuals, and create a more accepting society.
Tune in to The Inclusion Bites Podcast to join Joanne Lockwood and Nonir Amicitia in this thought-provoking and illuminating conversation about queer culture, mental health, and the importance of representation. Open your mind, expand your understanding, and together, let's make the world a more inclusive place for everyone.
💬 Keywords
Androgyny, Masculine, Non-binary, Gendered clothing, Women's fashion, Practicality, Pockets, Gender identity, Queer identities, Acceptance, Role models, Societal expectations, Conformity, Marginalized communities, Repression, Policing, Mental health, Stereotypes, Media representation, Queer dystopian fiction, Trans rights, Fear, Diversity, Democracy, Inclusion, Hero, Outliers, Villains, Representation in fiction, Safe spaces
💡 Speaker bios
Nonir Amicitia, also known as O E Tierman, is a talented British author who forms part of the trench coat double act. They co-write a captivating book series that delves into a hopeful queer dystopian world. With this series, Nonir's main objective is to offer representation to individuals who are often overlooked in fiction. They aim to demonstrate that these individuals can exist in engaging and captivating stories that do not solely revolve around their marginalised identity. As a member of the queer and mentally ill community, Nonir strongly believes that their voices are seldom heard in fiction, beyond the typical coming out or overcoming depression narratives. They aspire to provide a mirror for marginalised individuals to see themselves in various lights and within their own communities. Additionally, Nonir wants to open the doorways of conversation, allowing both marginalised and non-marginalised individuals to understand and empathize with the challenges faced by those with marginalised identities. Through their fiction and thought-provoking discussions, Nonir Amicitia strives to contribute towards creating a better world.
❇️ Key topics and bullets
Primary Topic: Queer Culture
Importance of representation in media for queer individuals
Challenging stereotypes and demonization of queer people in media
Nonir's book series as a form of representation for marginalized individuals
The role of queer characters as heroes in fiction
Addressing the fear and creating a better world for those outside societal norms
Primary Topic: Mental Health
Stigma surrounding mental health issues
Importance of acceptance and safe spaces for individuals with mental health challenges
Impact of negative conversations on mental health within the queer community
Misconceptions about neurodivergent and queer individuals
Internalization of society's view of being "broken" and the pressure to conform
Primary Topic: Transgender and Nonbinary People
Nonir's process of self-discovery and finding their identity
Importance of a safe community for exploring identity
Challenges of conforming to societal expectations of femininity
Joanne's experience of coming out as transgender and the liberation of authenticity
Queer rights and trans rights under threat in the US and UK
Primary Topic: Writers and Authors
Nonir's writing process and inspiration for their books
The importance of providing representation in fiction
Pushback and challenges faced by diverse characters in traditional publishing
Nonir's future plans as a writer and potential collaboration with Olivia
Inviting listeners to share their comments, suggestions, and be a guest on the podcast
🎬 Reel script
[Background music fades in]
Voiceover: "Are you ready for a dose of inclusivity and empowerment? Welcome to The Inclusion Bites Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of belonging, acceptance, and making a difference. In our latest episode, titled 'Mirrors and Doorways,' the incredible Joanne Lockwood engages in a powerful conversation with special guest Nonir Amicitia, a remarkable writer and advocate in the queer community."
[Upbeat music starts]
Voiceover: "Together, they explore the importance of representing and normalizing queer identities in the media, challenging stereotypes, and creating inclusive stories that inspire positive change. Nonir shares their journey of self-discovery, the influence of safe communities in exploring identity, and even spills the beans on their exciting book series, 'Mirrors.'"
[Upbeat music transition]
Voiceover: "But it doesn't stop there! Joanne and Nonir delve into the nuances of mental health, the significance of representation for marginalized individuals, and the liberation of embracing one's own identity. They also discuss the societal pressure to conform, the impact of negative conversations, and the need for acceptance and safe spaces."
[Empowering music buildup]
Voiceover: "Join us on this incredible podcast journey as we shine a light on the power of authenticity, inclusion, and creating a better world for all. Subscribe, share, and be inspired. Let's make a difference together. This is The Inclusion Bites Podcast with Joanne Lockwood. Together, we can transform lives and build a more inclusive future."
[Background music fades out]
Voiceover: "To learn more about Nonir Amicitia and their fantastic work, visit their website at oe-tearmann.com. Stay tuned for our upcoming episodes filled with fascinating guests, exciting discussions, and impactful insights. Thank you for listening, and until next time, stay inclusive!"
[Music outro]
🗞️ Newsletter
Subject: Exciting Updates from The Inclusion Bites Podcast!
Dear [Subscriber's Name],
We hope this newsletter finds you in good spirits and high enthusiasm for inclusivity and acceptance. We are delighted to bring you the latest updates from The Inclusion Bites Podcast, where we dive deep into the realm of inclusion, belonging, and making the world a better place.
In our most recent episode, titled "Mirrors and Doorways," our amazing host, Joanne Lockwood, had a captivating conversation with the talented author Nonir Amicitia. As part of a trench coat double act, Nonir shared their incredible journey of self-discovery, writing hopeful queer dystopian fiction, and the importance of representation in media.
Nonir and their co-writer, Olivia, craft a book series called "Mirrors" that provides much-needed representation for marginalized individuals in fiction. Their aim is to show that diverse identities can exist in fun and captivating stories, challenging stereotypes along the way. Through their books, they also open doors to conversations about making the world a better place.
The episode touched upon the significance of queer representation in the media, the impact of stereotypes, and the necessity of creating spaces for open and honest conversations. If you haven't had a chance to listen yet, we highly recommend tuning in!
In other exciting news, Joanne and Nonir discussed the possibility of having Olivia join them on a future episode. We look forward to an inclusive and insightful conversation when that happens.
We also want to remind you that Nonir Amicitia has authored other books, including the book series "Aces High Jokers Wild" and solo published works under E S Argentum. If you're passionate about queer fantasy romance, we encourage you to check out their amazing creations.
At The Inclusion Bites Podcast, we firmly believe that representation matters. We aspire to foster conversations around diverse voices, challenge societal norms, and create a better world for all. We invite you to connect with us on our website, O E Tearmann, to learn more about Nonir's works and support their efforts.
Lastly, we'd like to express our gratitude for your continued support. We appreciate every listener, subscriber, and advocate who helps us spread the message of inclusion and belonging. You are an essential part of our podcast community, and we encourage you to share our podcast with friends and colleagues who may also find value in our discussions.
If you have any comments, suggestions, or would love to be a guest on our podcast, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We value your input and are always looking for ways to improve our content.
Thank you for being a part of The Inclusion Bites Podcast family. Stay inspired, stay inclusive, and we'll catch you next time.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
The Inclusion Bites Podcast Team
🧵 Tweet thread
🌈THREAD: Queer Representation, Mental Health, and the Power of Stories📚
1️⃣ Welcome to this thread on the importance of queer representation and mental health in literature! Join me as we explore how stories can shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. 🌍
2️⃣ Today, I had the pleasure of listening to @JoLockwoodUK's podcast featuring the incredible writer, Nonir Amicitia (@OE_Tearmann). They're part of a trench coat double act and juggle writing projects while championing representation and inclusion in their books! 🙌
3️⃣ Nonir shared that their superpower is juggling, and let me tell you, they're doing an amazing job! Their book series, "Mirrors," represents a diverse group of characters fighting for democracy and making the world a better place. 🌟
4️⃣ Representation matters! Nonir spoke about the need to show queer people as the heroes of their own stories, rather than the side characters or villains. It's time for inclusivity to shine brightly! ✨
5️⃣ They also emphasized the importance of queer individuals having a role in enriching their characters, allowing their queerness to be a part of their narrative, but not the sole focus. It's about amplifying voices and challenging stereotypes! 💪
6️⃣ In their books, Nonir tackles the fear and uncertainty many queer individuals face in a dystopian future. A world where even straight people must "come out." It's a powerful way to address real-world threats to queer and trans rights in the US and the UK. 😱
7️⃣ Through their writing, Nonir aims to create a better world for those outside societal norms, making sure their stories open doors to important conversations. Let's challenge the status quo and make positive change together! 🌈✊
8️⃣ Nonir also opened up about their own journey of self-discovery and finding their identity. They stressed the power of a safe community that supports exploration and provides a space to try on new names and different facets of who we are. 🗝️❤️
9️⃣ It takes courage to be authentically ourselves. Nonir went through several name changes before settling on Nonir, meaning "strong friendship" in Icelandic and Norse mythology. Finding a name that resonates is a journey in itself! 🌟
🔟 Nonir's commitment to representation extends beyond their Mirrors series. They've also written queer fantasy romance novels under E.S. Argentum. Check out their website (@OE_Tearmann) for more information and a dive into their incredible works! 📚🌈
1️⃣1️⃣ In the podcast, Joanne and Nonir delved into the impact of negative conversations around queer communities on mental health. They highlighted the need to create supportive spaces, challenge stigmas, and represent mental health issues in media accurately. 🧠💙
1️⃣2️⃣ The power of stories lies in their ability to help us navigate societal pressures and find acceptance. Nonir and Joanne spoke about the liberation in embracing marginalized identities and the importance of safe spaces to explore our true selves. 🌍❤️
1️⃣3️⃣ Nonir and Joanne's conversation resonated deeply. It's time to break free from the confines of labels, embrace the diversity within our community, and challenge societal norms! Together, let's create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and validated. 🏳️🌈✨
1️⃣4️⃣ Remember, it's not just about representation. It's about celebrating the strength, resilience, and beauty of queer individuals. Let's amplify their voices, uplift their stories, and build a more inclusive and accepting world, one page at a time! 📚❤️
#QueerRepresentationMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #InclusiveLiterature #UpliftingQueerVoices
Guest's content for their marketing
Title: Embracing Inclusion and Representation: A Conversation with Nonir Amicitia
Introduction:
Join us for an enlightening and thought-provoking discussion as we welcome Nonir Amicitia, an incredibly talented and passionate writer, to our inclusive and diverse podcast, The Inclusion Bites Podcast. In this episode, Nonir shares their experiences as a guest, providing unique insights into the importance of inclusivity, representation, and the power of storytelling. Let's dive into their journey and the impact they have made through their thought-provoking work.
Episode Highlights:
Challenging Stereotypes Through Fiction:
Nonir Amicitia, in collaboration with co-writer Olivia, has created the captivating book series, Mirrors. Through their stories, they have shattered stereotypes and provided representation for marginalized voices in a refreshing and inclusive manner. Nonir shares their belief that storytelling is an essential medium to challenge archaic perceptions and redefine how we view diversity in media.
Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story:
In their writing, Nonir emphasizes the significance of allowing marginalized individuals to be the protagonists of their own narratives irrespective of their identities. By dismantling stereotypes and showcasing diverse characters as heroes rather than outliers, Nonir paves the way for a more inclusive and accepting world.
Opening Doors to Conversations:
At the heart of Nonir's writing is the desire to create a safe space for conversations surrounding important social issues. Their books, such as the epic series "Aces High Jokers Wild," encourage readers to reflect on making the world a better place and help facilitate dialogue on topics that impact us all.
Tackling Queer Representation in Media:
Nonir believes that media plays a vital role in shaping our perceptions and attitudes towards queer individuals. They discuss the need for authentic representation that goes beyond stereotypes, portraying queer characters as multidimensional and enriching their stories without reducing their identities to their queerness alone. They share their excitement over recent inclusive initiatives, such as the introduction of a trans Barbie, and express the importance of taking further steps towards ensuring equal representation.
Navigating Identity and Self-Discovery:
Through their personal journey, Nonir highlights the significance of having a supportive community in exploring identities. They bravely open up about their process of self-discovery, including the journey of finding their true name. Nonir's unique perspective sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals in a society that often imposes strict gender norms.
Conclusion:
Nonir Amicitia's contribution to our podcast episode "Mirrors and Doorways" has been nothing short of inspiring. Their commitment to challenging stereotypes, promoting inclusivity, and opening doors to significant conversations through their writing is truly remarkable. We encourage listeners to discover Nonir's captivating works, from the Mirrors series to solo publications under E S Argentum, and join the movement towards a more inclusive and empathetic world.
Remember to subscribe and share the podcast to help spread the message of inclusion and belonging. Stay tuned for future episodes as we continue to explore diverse perspectives and engage in meaningful conversations that promote understanding and acceptance. Together, we can create a society where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.
Join us next time on The Inclusion Bites Podcast as we bring you more inspiring content and insightful conversations. Until then, let's continue to embrace diversity, question stereotypes, and celebrate the beauty of our shared humanity.
Questions Asked that were insightful
Certainly! Here are some questions asked during the interview that received interesting and insightful responses, which could be turned into a series of FAQs for the audience:
How can representative media impact society, especially in regard to queer identities?
Why is it important to have diverse and inclusive representation for marginalized individuals in fiction?
How can media help challenge stereotypes and empower individuals?
What role does self-discovery and exploration play in finding one's identity?
How can finding a safe community or space contribute to personal growth and identity exploration?
What are some common misconceptions about neurodivergent people and queer individuals?
How does conforming to societal expectations impact one's mental health and sense of self?
What strategies can be helpful for maintaining mental health and prioritizing self-care in the face of societal pressures?
How does coming out and embracing marginalized identities bring a sense of liberation and acceptance?
What is the significance of open and honest conversations about mental health and difficulties that arise from societal conformity and repression?
How can representation in media help reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues and neurodivergency?
How can we create safe spaces and promote acceptance for individuals with mental health challenges?
These questions and their corresponding responses can provide valuable insights and guidance for the audience, fostering understanding, acceptance, and a more inclusive society.
Pain Points and Challenges
Yes, there were several pain points and challenges discussed during the interview that could be used to create content focused on addressing those issues. Some of the key pain points and challenges mentioned include:
The lack of representation and inclusion of marginalized identities in media.
The negative portrayal and demonization of queer people in the media.
The fear and threat to queer and trans rights in both the US and the UK.
The difficulty in finding a safe and accepting community to explore and express one's identity.
The struggles of conforming to societal expectations of femininity or masculinity.
The stigma and lack of acceptance surrounding mental health issues and neurodivergence.
Addressing these pain points and challenges could involve creating episodes or content that focus on the following topics:
The importance of representation in media and how it impacts the self-perception and acceptance of marginalized individuals.
Strategies and resources for challenging negative stereotypes and narratives about queer people.
Advocacy and activism for preserving and advancing queer and trans rights.
Creating safe spaces and supportive communities for individuals to explore and express their identities.
Celebrating and embracing diversity in gender expression and challenging societal expectations.
Promoting mental health awareness and acceptance, particularly within marginalized communities.
Educating about neurodivergent experiences and challenging misconceptions and stereotypes.
Sharing personal stories and experiences of self-discovery and finding acceptance.
Highlighting resources and platforms that provide support, representation, and validation for marginalized individuals.
By addressing these pain points and challenges, The Inclusion Bites Podcast can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society.
Blog article based on the episode
Title: Embracing Mirrors and Doorways: A Journey towards Inclusion and Self-discovery
Intro:
In a world where society's norms often confine us to rigid boxes, it is refreshing to find individuals who challenge stereotypes and pave the way for inclusion. In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, hosted by Joanne Lockwood, Nonir Amicitia, a passionate writer and advocate for marginalized communities, unpacks the power of representation, the exploration of identity, and the liberation that comes from embracing one's true self. Join us on this insightful journey as we delve into mirrors and doorways, unlocking a world of possibilities where everyone belongs.
The Problem:
In today's society, gendered clothing, stereotypes, and media portrayals often dictate what is deemed acceptable or normal. The episode delves into the challenges faced by non-binary individuals, the lack of practicality in women's fashion, and the internalized fears that hinder open conversations about mental health. Nonir highlights the damaging impact of media's tendency to demonize individuals based on physical characteristics, perpetuating stereotypes and marginalizing queer communities.
Actionable Items:
Representing Queer Heroes in Media: Nonir stresses the significance of showcasing queer individuals as heroes in literature, film, and other forms of media. By featuring diverse characters who challenge the status quo and fight for justice, we can challenge stereotypes and empower individuals from marginalized communities.
Creating Safe Spaces for Self-Discovery: Nonir shares the importance of safe communities and spaces where individuals can freely explore their identities. These spaces act as doorways, allowing people to try on new names, facades, and expressions of self without fear of societal judgment.
Amplifying Intersectional Voices: Nonir's book series, "Mirrors," aims to provide representation for marginalized identities without solely focusing on their struggles. By incorporating intersectional identities into fun and engaging stories, their work embraces the diversity within marginalized communities and creates a more inclusive narrative.
Promoting Acceptance in Education: It is crucial to introduce children to the concept of queer identities early on, to foster acceptance and open-mindedness. By incorporating diverse literature and role models, we can teach children that everyone's story is valid and deserving of respect.
Call to Action:
Take a moment to reflect on the power of representation and acceptance. Explore your own biases and challenge the societal norms that confine individuals to rigid boxes. Embrace the idea that we all have the potential to be the hero of our own stories, regardless of our gender identity, sexual orientation, or background. Let us walk through these doorways towards a future where inclusion is not just a concept, but a reality.
In conclusion, "Mirrors and Doorways" is an episode that sheds light on the importance of representation, self-discovery, and inclusivity. The words of Nonir Amicitia inspire us to rethink societal norms, amplify marginalized voices, and create safe spaces where everyone is free to explore and be their authentic selves. Let us embrace this journey towards a more inclusive world, where mirrors reflect diversity and doorways open opportunities for all.
Remember, the power lies within us to effect change. Share this article and the episode with others, encouraging them to join us on this path of inclusion and belonging. Together, we can create a world where everyone's story matters.
For more information and to explore the work of Nonir Amicitia and their book series "Mirrors," visit their website O E Tearmann. Join us on The Inclusion Bites Podcast for more thought-provoking conversations that challenge the status quo and inspire change.
Note: This summary is a fictional representation and does not account for the exact details of the episode transcript.
The standout line from this episode
"We need to show queer people as heroes in our stories, because everyone deserves to be the hero of their own story, regardless of their identity or background."
❓ Questions
How can the representation of queer individuals in media challenge stereotypes and empower marginalized communities?
What role does media play in shaping societal perceptions of marginalized identities, and how can we work towards more inclusive representation?
How can books and other forms of fiction provide a safe space for individuals to explore their own identities?
What impact does internalized societal pressure to conform to traditional gender expectations have on the mental health of transgender and nonbinary individuals?
How can we create a more accepting and open-minded society by introducing children to diverse identities and queer experiences?
In what ways can representation in media lead to a sense of validation and acceptance for marginalized individuals?
How do repressing and policing others' identities and thoughts hinder open and honest conversations about mental health and other difficulties?
How does conformity and marginalizing communities harm both marginalized and non-marginalized individuals?
What steps can we take to challenge societal norms and create a world that embraces and celebrates diversity?
How can the intersectionality of marginalized identities be explored and represented in fiction and media?
FAQs from the Episode
FAQs: Mirrors and Doorways
Q: What is the role of representation in media, particularly for marginalized communities?
A: Representation in media is crucial for promoting inclusion and acceptance. It allows marginalized communities to see themselves reflected in stories, characters, and experiences, challenging stereotypes and promoting a sense of belonging.Q: How does the media contribute to stereotypes and demonization of individuals based on their physical characteristics?
A: The media has often perpetuated stereotypes by defining what is "good," "bad," or "sinister" based on physical characteristics. This can lead to the demonization and marginalization of individuals who don't fit societal norms, including queer and non-binary people.Q: Why is it important to show queer people as heroes in fiction?
A: Queer people have historically been portrayed as outliers or villains in media. By portraying them as heroes, we challenge stereotypes and provide positive role models that can inspire and empower both marginalized and non-marginalized individuals.Q: How can literature provide representation for marginalized individuals without solely focusing on their identity?
A: Literature can provide representation for marginalized individuals by incorporating their identities into compelling stories that go beyond their marginalization. This allows for multidimensional characters and narratives that resonate with a diverse range of readers.Q: What are some challenges faced by non-binary individuals in relation to gendered clothing?
A: Non-binary individuals often struggle with gendered clothing because it reinforces a binary understanding of gender. Many find it challenging to express their identity when traditional clothing options are limited to either masculine or feminine designs.Q: How does the lack of practicality in women's fashion contribute to perceptions of it being ridiculous?
A: Women's fashion often prioritizes aesthetics over practicality, resulting in clothing that may be uncomfortable or lack functionality. This perception can contribute to the portrayal of women's fashion as frivolous and impractical.Q: Why is the lack of pockets in women's clothing particularly frustrating?
A: The lack of pockets in women's clothing is frustrating because it creates inconvenience and restricts the ability to carry essential items. It reinforces gendered stereotypes about women's roles and limits their practicality and functionality.Q: How can introducing kids to queer identities promote acceptance and open-mindedness?
A: Introducing kids to queer identities at a young age helps normalize diversity and fosters a more inclusive society. It promotes empathy, understanding, and acceptance, creating a foundation for open-mindedness and respect towards all individuals.Q: Why is it important to challenge society's internalized fears and adherence to rules?
A: Society's internalized fears and adherence to rules can create barriers for individuals who don't fit into traditional boxes. By challenging these fears and rules, we create space for authenticity, self-expression, and the freedom to embrace diverse identities.Q: How does repression and policing hinder open and honest conversations about mental health?
A: Repression and policing, whether self-imposed or societal, can create a culture of silence around mental health issues. This hinders open and honest conversations, preventing individuals from seeking support and understanding.Q: How does conformity harm both marginalized and non-marginalized individuals?
A: Conformity, especially to narrow societal norms, limits the potential for growth, self-expression, and inclusivity. It hampers the well-being of marginalized individuals and restricts the richness of diversity that benefits everyone.Q: Why are representation and role models important for individuals' validation and acceptance?
A: Representation and role models provide validation and acceptance by showing individuals that they are not alone and that their experiences and identities are valid. Seeing oneself reflected positively in media or real-life role models can have a profound impact on self-esteem and belonging.
Note: The answers provided are based on the main topics discussed in the episode and should be reflected in the context of promoting inclusion and understanding.
Tell me more about the guest and their views
Nonir Amicitia, the guest on episode 85 of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, is a writer who co-writes the book series "Mirrors" with Olivia. Together, they aim to provide representation for marginalized individuals in fiction. Nonir believes that it is important to show diverse characters in fun and interesting stories that don't solely revolve around their identity. They want to create a space for conversations about making the world a better place through their books.
During the episode, Nonir discusses the importance of representing queer individuals in media and giving their queerness a role in enriching their character, rather than being the sole focus. They emphasize that change begins with representation in media and that providing inclusive representation can empower individuals and challenge stereotypes.
Nonir also shares their personal process of self-discovery and finding their identity. They mention the importance of having a safe community to explore different aspects of their identity, and how they discovered themselves through new experiences and reading fan fiction. Nonir went through several name changes before settling on Nonir, which is inspired by Icelandic and Norse mythology and means "strong friendship."
Additionally, Nonir talks about their other published books, which include queer fantasy romance novels under the pen name E S Argentum. They also discuss the balance between being aware of the dangers and challenges faced by marginalized communities, while not focusing too much on them to protect their mental health.
Overall, Nonir's views revolve around the importance of representation, acceptance, and creating safe spaces for marginalized individuals. They believe in the power of storytelling to empower, challenge stereotypes, and make the world a better place for everyone. They also address the importance of mental health and self-discovery in the process of embracing one's identity.
Ideas for Future Training and Workshops based on this Episode
Workshop: Building Inclusive Narratives - Exploring Representation in Fiction
This workshop focuses on the importance of inclusive representation in fiction and how it can challenge stereotypes and promote acceptance.
Participants will learn about the impact of media representation on marginalized communities and explore strategies for incorporating diverse characters and storylines in their own writing.
Training: Creating Safe Spaces for Identity Exploration
This training aims to create a deeper understanding of the importance of safe spaces for individuals to explore their identities.
Participants will learn about the challenges faced by marginalized communities in discovering and embracing their true selves.
The training will provide strategies and tools for creating inclusive environments that support and empower individuals in their self-discovery journey.
Workshop: Mental Health and Identity Intersectionality
This workshop explores the intersectionality of mental health and identity, with a particular focus on the LGBTQ+ community.
Participants will gain insights into the unique challenges faced by individuals with marginalized identities in relation to mental health.
The workshop will provide strategies and resources for promoting mental health awareness, resilience, and support within these communities.
Training: Allyship for Queer and Trans Communities
This training is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to become effective allies to the queer and trans communities.
Participants will learn about the various forms of support needed, including language and terminology, cultural awareness, and advocacy.
The training will emphasize the importance of creating inclusive environments and promoting allyship in both personal and professional settings.
Workshop: Writing Diverse Characters and Storylines
This workshop focuses on the craft of writing diverse characters and inclusive storylines.
Participants will learn about the importance of authentic representation and avoiding common stereotypes.
The workshop will provide practical exercises and guidance to help writers incorporate diversity and inclusivity into their work.
Note: These ideas are generated based on the content of the episode you provided. Please tailor and adapt them to fit your specific training and workshop needs.
🪡 Threads by Instagram
Post 1:
🏳️🌈 Queer Culture 📚 Let's celebrate and uplift queer voices in literature! Diverse stories bring richness to our world. 🎉 Join the conversation with the Inclusion Bites Podcast. #QueerLit #RepresentationMatters
Post 2:
🌟 Mental Health Matters 💚 Break the stigma, create safe spaces, and promote open discussions about mental health. Together, we can support each other's well-being. 🎙️ Listen to the Inclusion Bites Podcast for inspiring conversations. #MentalHealth #BreakTheStigma
Post 3:
🌈 Transgender & Nonbinary 💙💖💙 Let's embrace and celebrate the identities that make us unique. Join us for empowering conversations on gender inclusivity in the Inclusion Bites Podcast. 🎧 #TransAndProud #NonbinaryInclusion
Post 4:
✍️ Writers & Authors 📝 Explore the stories that challenge norms and pave the way for inclusivity. Listen to the Inclusion Bites Podcast for insights from talented writers who champion diversity in literature. 🎙️ #InclusiveWriting #DiverseVoices
Post 5:
💭 Thought Leader in Culture 🌍 Be part of the inclusive revolution for a better world! Join us on the Inclusion Bites Podcast as we discuss important topics that shape our society. Together, let's make a difference. 🎧 #InclusionRevolution #ThoughtLeader
Leadership Insights - YouTube Short Video Script on Common Problems for Leaders to Address
[Opening shot: Title card with "Leadership Insights Channel" logo]
Host (off-screen voiceover): Welcome to the Leadership Insights Channel, where we explore common challenges faced by leaders and provide actionable advice for positive outcomes. In today's episode, we're going to discuss a common problem faced by leaders: fostering inclusivity and supporting the mental health of transgender and nonbinary individuals.
[Cut to host on screen]
Host: As leaders, it's crucial that we create a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our team. This includes understanding the unique challenges that transgender and nonbinary individuals may face in the workplace.
[Cut to visuals of diverse team members]
Host (voiceover): Here are a few key actions and behaviors that can help foster inclusivity and support the mental health of transgender and nonbinary individuals:
Educate Yourself: Take the time to educate yourself about transgender and nonbinary identities. Understand the proper pronouns and terminology, and familiarize yourself with the challenges they may face. Resources such as books, articles, and training programs can provide valuable insights.
Create a Safe Space: Foster a workplace culture that values and embraces diversity. Create a safe space where individuals feel comfortable expressing their gender identities and can freely discuss any challenges they may encounter. This can be achieved through open communication channels and inclusive policies.
Address Bias and Discrimination: Proactively address bias and discrimination within the workplace. This may involve implementing anti-discrimination policies, providing diversity and inclusion training, and holding individuals accountable for their actions. By setting clear expectations and consequences, you can create a supportive environment for everyone.
Provide Mental Health Support: Recognize that mental health is an essential aspect of overall well-being. Offer resources such as employee assistance programs, mental health support groups, or access to mental health professionals. Normalizing discussions around mental health and creating a stigma-free environment can make a significant difference.
Lead by Example: As a leader, it's crucial to lead by example. Demonstrate respect, empathy, and inclusivity in your actions and words. Advocate for the needs and rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals, both within your team and in the wider organization.
[Cut to host on screen]
Host: By implementing these actions and behaviors, you can create a positive and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. Remember, in the journey towards a more inclusive future, every step counts.
[Closing shot: Host on screen]
Host (voiceover): Thank you for joining us on the Leadership Insights Channel. If you found this episode helpful, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more valuable leadership insights. As always, we welcome your suggestions, so feel free to let us know what topics you'd like us to cover next.
[End screen: "Leadership Insights Channel" logo and social media handles]
Host (voiceover): Until next time, remember that inclusion and understanding are essential ingredients for effective leadership. Goodbye!
[End of video]
SEO Optimised Titles
The Power of Representing Queer Identities in Media | Diverse Heroes Fighting for Democracy | 85 | Nonir Amicitia @MirrorsSeries
Navigating Self-Discovery and Embracing Marginalized Identities | Challenging Stereotypes in Fiction | 85 | Nonir Amicitia @MirrorsSeries
Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health, Neurodivergency, and Acceptance | Fostering Open Conversations and Safe Spaces | 85 | Nonir Amicitia @MirrorsSeries
Email Newsletter about this Podcast Episode
Subject: 🎙️ The Inclusion Bites Podcast - Mirrors and Doorways 🚪🔍
Hey there podcast lover!
✨ Welcome to another exciting edition of our newsletter, bringing you the highlights of the latest episode from The Inclusion Bites Podcast with our fabulous host, Joanne Lockwood! ✨
In this week's episode, "Mirrors and Doorways," Joanne Lockwood is joined by the amazing guest, Nonir Amicitia. Together, they discuss the power of representation, self-discovery, and navigating societal expectations in the journey towards inclusion and acceptance. So, grab your headphones, get yourself comfortable, and let's dive right in!
🔑 5 Keys You'll Take Away:
1️⃣ The importance of representation and role models in creating a more inclusive and accepting society.
2️⃣ How media stereotypes affect marginalized communities and the need for diverse and empowering storytelling.
3️⃣ The challenges faced by transgender and nonbinary individuals in finding their identity and fitting into societal expectations.
4️⃣ The significance of safe spaces in the journey of self-discovery and exploring one's true identity.
5️⃣ The impact of societal pressures on mental health and the importance of open conversations and acceptance.
💡 Did You Know?
In this episode, Nonir Amicitia shared that they create hopeful queer dystopian fiction, where diverse characters fight for democracy and make the world a better place. It's not your typical dystopian story, but a powerful narrative that challenges norms and inspires change!
➡️ Take Action:
✨ Be a part of the inclusive conversation! Share your thoughts, comments, or suggestions for future episodes with us!
✨ Support Nonir Amicitia's book series "Mirrors" and explore their other works by visiting O E Tearmann.
✨ Subscribe, share, and spread the love for The Inclusion Bites Podcast to help create a more inclusive world!
🎊 Strong Finish:
Thanks for joining us on this journey of inclusion and belonging! We hope this episode has sparked some thought-provoking conversations and inspired you to embrace your true self. Until next time, keep being the hero of your own story and remember that together, we can make a real difference!
Wishing you a fabulous day,
The Inclusion Bites Team 💙
Potted Summary
🎙️ Intro:
Welcome to The Inclusion Bites Podcast! In this episode titled "Mirrors and Doorways," Joanne Lockwood and guest Nonir Amicitia discuss the power of representation in literature, the importance of embracing marginalized identities, and the impact of societal expectations on mental health. Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation about queer culture, self-discovery, and creating a better world through inclusive storytelling.
💬 In this conversation we discuss:
👉 Queer representation in media
👉 Exploring and embracing marginalized identities
👉 The impact of societal expectations
💬 Here are a few of our favourite quotable moments:
1️⃣ "Change begins in media, providing representation can empower individuals and challenge stereotypes."
2️⃣ "Embracing marginalized identities is liberating once you realize you are already marginalized."
3️⃣ "The stigma around mental health needs to be replaced with acceptance and safe spaces."
📢 Summary:
Join Joanne Lockwood and guest Nonir Amicitia in this thought-provoking episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast. Delve into discussions about the power of representation, the importance of embracing marginalized identities, and the impact of societal expectations on mental health. Discover how inclusive storytelling can empower individuals and challenge stereotypes. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation—listen now and be part of creating a more inclusive world.
LinkedIn Poll
LinkedIn poll question:
🕹️🏳️🌈 How important is diverse representation in media? #RepresentationMatters #Inclusion
Poll options:
1️⃣ Essential! 🌍🎥 #DiverseMedia
2️⃣ Very important 🌈📺 #EqualityMatters
3️⃣ Somewhat important 👥📽️ #MediaRepresentation
4️⃣ Not a priority 🚫🎞️ #StatusQuo
Highlight the Importance of this topic on LinkedIn
🎙️🌈 Exciting Announcement! 🌈🎙️
🗣️ Just listened to an incredible episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast - "Mirrors and Doorways" 🎧 It's a must-listen for all Senior Leaders, HR and EDI professionals! 🌟
💡 This discussion unpacks the importance of representation in media, the power of embracing marginalized identities, and the impact on mental health and well-being. 🌈❤️
📚 Discovering diverse characters in fictional worlds not only provides validation and acceptance but also promotes open-mindedness and understanding. 🌍✨
🔐🗣️ Safe spaces play a key role in self-exploration, creating an environment where individuals can freely express and embrace their authentic selves. 🚪🔓
💼 As industry professionals, we have a responsibility to foster inclusive environments and challenge stereotypes. Let's make everyone feel like the heroes of their own stories! 💪🏽📖
📌 Don't miss out on this captivating episode! Tune in to The Inclusion Bites Podcast and let's continue the important conversation on creating a more inclusive world! 🌍🎉
#Inclusion #RepresentationMatters #Authenticity #MentalHealth #Leadership #HR #EDI #PodcastLove 🎧❤️💼🌈
L&D Insights
🎧 Podcast Insights for Senior Leaders, HR, and EDI Professionals! 🌟
In the latest episode of "The Inclusion Bites Podcast," host Joanne Lockwood sits down with guest Nonir Amicitia to discuss topics like queer culture, mental health, transgender and nonbinary experiences, and the power of representation in media. Here are some key takeaways for Senior Leaders, HR, and EDI professionals:
1️⃣ Representation Matters: 🌈✨
Take note of the importance of representation in media. Understand that diverse and inclusive storytelling can lead to empowerment, challenge stereotypes, and create a sense of belonging for marginalized communities.
2️⃣ Safe Spaces for Self-Exploration: 🌻✨
Recognize the need for safe spaces where individuals can explore and discover their identities without fear of judgment. Foster an environment that encourages self-discovery and allows employees to bring their authentic selves to work.
3️⃣ Mental Health and Acceptance: 🧠💜
Promote open conversations about mental health and create a supportive and accepting workplace for all employees. Challenge stigma and provide resources that address mental health issues, specifically within marginalized communities.
4️⃣ Embrace Marginalized Identities: 🌟🌍
Understand that embracing marginalized identities can provide a sense of freedom and authenticity. Encourage individuals to embrace their unique identities and work towards creating a culture that celebrates diversity.
5️⃣ Challenge Societal Norms: 🚫📢
Recognize the harm of conforming to societal expectations and challenge traditional norms. Promote inclusivity by fostering an environment that celebrates differences, encourages open dialogue, and provides support for individuals outside the societal norm.
🔑 Key Insights: Representation, Acceptance, Authenticity, Mental Health, Inclusivity 🔑
#InclusionMatters #IdentityMatters #DiverseNarratives #BreakingStereotypes #MentalHealthAwareness
Remember, these insights can help you foster an inclusive and supportive workplace that values and empowers every individual. Go forth and create a positive change! 💪🌈
(Note: The resource was not available for full reading, so this summary is based on available information.)
Shorts Video Script
Title: Embracing Diversity and Opening Doors! 🌈
Hashtags:
#InclusiveWorld #DiverseRepresentation #EmbraceYourIdentity #BreakTheStereotypes #TogetherWeCan
[Shot 1: Person talking to the camera]
Hey there! Are you ready for some mind-opening insights? Well, get ready, because today we're talking about embracing diversity, breaking stereotypes, and opening doors to a better, more inclusive world. 🌍✨
[Text on screen: "Embrace Diversity" emoji]
[Shot 2: Person talking to the camera]
Media has often portrayed queer individuals as villains or outliers, but it's time for a change. We need queer heroes and diverse characters who are strong, brave, and inspiring. Everyone deserves to be the hero of their own story, regardless of their identity! 🌟
[Text on screen: "Queer Heroes Needed" emoji]
[Shot 3: Person talking to the camera]
Representation matters! That's why we have incredible authors like Nonir Amicitia, who create books that provide a voice and presence for marginalized communities. Their stories show that diversity exists not just as a token, but as an enriching element in our lives. 📚💪
[Text on screen: "Representation Matters" emoji]
[Shot 4: Person talking to the camera]
By embracing marginalized identities and challenging stereotypes, we can create a more inclusive future. Nonir's books, like "Aces High Jokers Wild," tackle societal norms head-on while creating conversations about making the world a better place. It's a win-win! 🌈❤️
[Text on screen: "Challenge Stereotypes" emoji]
[Shot 5: Person talking to the camera]
But it's not just about fiction. Let's talk about real-life struggles too. Mental health is a vital topic, and it's crucial to show support and create safe spaces for those dealing with it. Let's all remember that being inclusive means celebrating and supporting everyone along their journey. 🤗💚
[Text on screen: "Support Mental Health" emoji]
[Shot 6: Person talking to the camera]
So, let's break free from conformity and embrace the power of diversity. Together, we can create a world where everyone can be their true authentic selves, free from judgment and stereotypes. It starts with us! 💫
[Text on screen: "Be Yourself" emoji]
[Shot 7: Person talking to the camera]
Thanks for joining me on this enlightening journey. Together, we can make a difference and build a more inclusive world. Remember, keep connected and stay inclusive! See you next time. ✨
[Text on screen: "Stay Inclusive" emoji]
[Fade out]
Thanks for watching! Remember, together we can make a difference. Stay connected, stay inclusive! See you next time. ✨
Glossary of Terms and Phrases
Androgyny: The concept of androgyny refers to a combination of both masculine and feminine characteristics or qualities, or a lack of gendered characteristics altogether.
Non-binary: Non-binary refers to individuals who do not exclusively identify as male or female. They may identify as a mix of genders, outside of the gender binary, or not identify with any gender at all.
Dystopian fiction: Dystopian fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that portrays a society that is undesirable or oppressive. It often explores themes of government control, social injustice, and the potential consequences of societal trends.
Queer identities: Queer is an umbrella term used to describe individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. It specifically encompasses sexual orientations and gender identities that differ from heterosexual and cisgender norms.
Marginalized identities: Marginalized identities refer to identities that are often socially, politically, or economically disadvantaged or oppressed. It includes individuals who belong to minority groups, such as racial or ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities.
Representation: Representation refers to the act of portraying or depicting individuals, communities, or identities in media, literature, or other forms of art. It involves showing diverse perspectives and experiences to promote inclusivity and foster a sense of validation and visibility.
Role models: Role models are individuals who inspire or act as examples for others, particularly in terms of their values, achievements, or behaviors. They can provide guidance, support, and inspiration for individuals who may look up to them.
Conformity: Conformity refers to the tendency to comply with societal norms, expectations, or standards. It involves adapting one's behavior, attitudes, or appearance to fit in with what is considered normal or acceptable by society.
Policing: In the context of this episode, policing refers to the act of scrutinizing and regulating the behavior or identities of others based on societal expectations or norms. It can involve imposing judgments or restrictions on individuals who do not conform to traditional norms.
Inclusion and belonging: Inclusion refers to creating environments where individuals of all identities and backgrounds feel respected, valued, and included. Belonging refers to the sense of being accepted, understood, and supported within a community or society. Both terms emphasize the importance of fostering a sense of unity and acceptance for all individuals.
Please note that these definitions are based on the context provided in the episode and may have broader meanings in other contexts.
SEO Optimised YouTube Content
Focus keyword: Positive People Experiences
Title: Mirrors and Doorways | Positive People Experiences on The Inclusion Bites Podcast
Tags: Positive People Experiences, Culture Change, Queer Culture, Mental Health, Transgender, Nonbinary people, Writers, Authors, Inclusion, Diversity, Representation, Acceptance, Open-mindedness, Role Models, Marginalized Communities, Mental Illness, Neurodivergency, Identity, Gender Identity
Killer Quote: "Change begins in media. We need to provide representation and openness to empower individuals and challenge stereotypes." - Nonir Amicitia
Hashtags: #InclusionBitesPodcast #PositivePeopleExperiences #CultureChange #QueerCulture #MentalHealth #Transgender #Nonbinary #Inclusion #Representation #Diversity #Acceptance #RoleModels #MarginalizedCommunities #MentalIllness #Neurodivergency #Identity #GenderIdentity
Why Listen:
In this thought-provoking episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, we delve into the concept of Positive People Experiences and the power of Culture Change. Join host Joanne Lockwood and guest Nonir Amicitia as they discuss the importance of representation, acceptance, and challenging stereotypes in media. Discover how the Mirrors book series and Nonir's solo works provide diverse and exciting stories that enrich marginalized identities without solely revolving around them. Explore the transformative impact of inclusive media and its role in empowering individuals and shaping society. Gain insights into self-discovery, the struggles of conforming to societal norms, and the need for safe spaces. Open your mind to the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities, and learn how we can all contribute to creating a more inclusive world.
Closing Summary and Call to Action:
Representation matters: Media plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of diverse identities. Let's support inclusive content that provides positive role models and challenges harmful stereotypes.
Empowerment through storytelling: The Mirrors book series and Nonir's solo works demonstrate the power of fiction to create engaging narratives that inspire change, embrace diversity, and open doors to important conversations.
Mental health and acceptance: We explore the impact of discussions on mental health and the importance of providing safe spaces for individuals to express their true selves without fear of judgment or stigma.
Culture Change starts with us: By challenging societal norms and embracing marginalized identities, we can collectively create a more inclusive and accepting world.
Actionable insights: Engage with diverse media, share positive stories, and amplify voices from marginalized communities. Educate yourself and others about the experiences of transgender, nonbinary, and queer individuals. Support initiatives that promote inclusion and provide safe spaces.
Outro:
Thank you for tuning in to The Inclusion Bites Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like and subscribe to our channel for more thought-provoking content. Visit the SEE Change Happen website at https://seechangehappen.co.uk to explore more resources on inclusion and diversity. And don't forget to check out The Inclusion Bites Podcast at https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen for all our previous episodes. Stay curious, stay kind, and stay inclusive - Joanne Lockwood.
Root Cause Analyst - Why!
As a Root Cause Analyst for The Inclusion Bites Podcast, let's identify the key problems related to this episode and ask "why?" to uncover the root causes.
Problem 1: Lack of representation and stereotypes in media.
Why? Because the media often creates stereotypes that define what is good, bad, or sinister, demonizing people based on their physical characteristics.
Why does the media create these stereotypes? Because stereotypes can be easily understood and perpetuate societal biases and prejudices.
Why do stereotypes persist in the media? Because they often reinforce existing power structures and maintain the status quo.
Why do power structures and the status quo perpetuate stereotypes? Because they can serve as a tool for those in power to maintain control and perpetuate their own biases.
Why do those in power want to maintain control and biases? The reasons can vary, but it may be due to fear, ignorance, or a desire to preserve their privilege.
Root Cause: The root cause of the lack of representation and perpetuation of stereotypes in media is the desire of those in power to maintain control and preserve their privilege.
Solutions:
Increase diversity in decision-making roles in the media industry, including writers, directors, and producers, to ensure a more inclusive representation.
Support and amplify marginalized voices and stories through various media platforms to challenge stereotypes and provide more accurate and diverse portrayals.
Educate and raise awareness about the harmful effects of stereotypes on individuals and communities, fostering a culture of empathy and understanding.
Engage in critical media consumption and challenge harmful representations by actively supporting inclusive media and calling out discriminatory portrayals.
Advocate for policy changes that promote diversity and inclusion in media, such as implementing quotas or incentives for representation.
By addressing the root causes and implementing these solutions, we can move towards a more inclusive and representative media landscape, promoting acceptance and understanding of diverse identities.
TikTok/Reels/Shorts Video Summary
Focus keyword: Positive People Experiences
Title: Transforming Culture Change with Positive People Experiences | #InclusionBitesPodcast
Tags: positive, people experiences, culture change, inclusion, queer culture, mental health, transgender, nonbinary, authors, writers, diversity, representation, acceptance, open-mindedness, marginalization, self-discovery, identity, safe spaces, neurodivergency, stereotypes, LGBTQ+, books, fiction, empowerment
Killer Quote: "Representation is more than just a box to be ticked. It's about giving marginalized individuals the opportunity to be the heroes of their own stories." - Nonir Amicitia
Hashtags: #InclusionMatters #QueerCulture #MentalHealthAwareness #TransRights #NonbinaryLives #WritersOfInstagram #DiverseBooks #RepresentationMatters #AcceptanceAndLove #PositiveChange
Summary: 🎧 Join me, Joanne Lockwood, on the latest episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, where I meet the incredible Nonir Amicitia, an advocate for positive people experiences and culture change. 🌍 In this thought-provoking conversation, we delve into the importance of representation in media, the power of inclusive storytelling, and the impact on mental health and self-discovery. 💡 Nonir shares their journey of finding their identity, the struggles of conforming to societal expectations, and the liberating power of embracing marginalized identities. 📚 Discover how their book series, Mirrors, challenges stereotypes, empowers individuals, and fosters open conversations about making the world a better place. 🌈 Let's collectively create a more inclusive world, one where queer, neurodivergent, and marginalized voices can be celebrated as the heroes of their own stories. 🌟 Join us on this eye-opening episode and be inspired to embrace positive change!
Outro: Thank you so much for tuning in to The Inclusion Bites Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like and subscribe to our channel. And remember, "Stay curious, stay kind, and stay inclusive." For more information and to explore further episodes, visit the SEE Change Happen website at https://seechangehappen.co.uk. And catch the full episode of "The Inclusion Bites Podcast" here: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen.
Stay curious, stay kind, and stay inclusive - Joanne Lockwood
Canva Slider Checklist
Episode Carousel
Slide 1:
Image: A vibrant rainbow flag against a clear blue sky.
Text: "What does it mean to challenge societal norms and embrace your authentic self?"
Slide 2:
Image: An illustration of a person breaking free from chains.
Text: "In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, join host Joanne Lockwood and guest Nonir Amicitia as they dive into the importance of representation, self-discovery, and making the world a better place."
Slide 3:
Image: A diverse group of people standing together, holding signs that say "Love is Love" and "Be Yourself."
Text: "Discover how Nonir, a dynamic author and advocate, uses their books to mirror and open doors to inclusive conversations about marginalized identities."
Slide 4:
Image: Nonir Amicitia's book covers displayed in an artistic collage.
Text: "Learn about their powerful queer dystopian fiction and their journey of self-discovery, as they navigate through societal expectations and find their own identity."
Slide 5:
Image: A microphone with the text "Listen now!" on top, surrounded by vibrant confetti.
Text: "Tune in to the latest episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast - Mirrors and Doorways - to join the conversation and be inspired to create a more inclusive and accepting world. Link in bio!"
6 major topics
Title: Mirrors and Doorways: A Conversation on Queer Identity, Mental Health, and Writing
Introduction:
Hey there! It's Joanne Lockwood, and I'm thrilled to share the highlights of a recent conversation I had with the incredible Nonir Amicitia. We dove into various topics encompassing queer culture, mental health, transgender and nonbinary experiences, as well as writing and representation. So grab a cuppa and join me as we explore the fascinating insights and thought-provoking moments from our chat!
Topic 1: Queer Identity and Representation - A Hero's Journey
In this segment, Nonir and I delved into the significance of queer representation in media. We explored how stereotypes and traditional narratives have often portrayed queer individuals as outliers or villains. As Nonir passionately stated, it's essential to showcase queer people as heroes and empower them to be the protagonists of their own stories. This not only challenges stereotypes but also allows for diverse and enriching narratives that resonate with a wider range of people. We also discussed the importance of inclusive media and shared examples, such as the introduction of a trans Barbie, that help break down barriers and foster acceptance.
Curiosity point: How can media play a role in shaping societal norms and promoting inclusivity?
Topic 2: Self-Discovery and Personal Identity
During this part of our conversation, Nonir shared their personal journey of self-discovery and finding their identity. We talked about the importance of having safe spaces to try on different names, facades, and explore various aspects of one's identity without judgment. Nonir highlighted the role of supportive communities in this process and the impact of reading fan fiction as a source of self-expression and exploration. We also touched upon the significance of finding a name that feels right and the pressure that can surround such a decision.
Curiosity point: How can individuals create safe spaces for self-exploration and authentic expression?
Topic 3: The Power of Representation in Writing
Next, we delved into Nonir's writing journey and their series "Aces High Jokers Wild." Their books bring a much-needed representation to marginalized individuals in fiction while providing entertaining and engaging stories that go beyond their identities. We discussed the challenges they faced, including pushback from traditional publishing, and the importance of amplifying marginalized voices. Nonir shared how their writing strives to create a better future for those outside societal norms, promoting positive change through storytelling.
Curiosity point: What impact does inclusive representation in literature have on readers and society?
Topic 4: Mental Health and Open Conversations
With authenticity and vulnerability, we explored mental health and its interplay with marginalized identities. Nonir and I discussed the importance of creating open conversations that address mental health issues and break the stigma surrounding them. We recognized the struggle faced by neurodivergent individuals and the misconceptions often associated with queer identities. Sharing personal experiences, we emphasized the significance of acceptance, safe spaces, and representation in media to foster understanding and support.
Curiosity point: How can we bridge gaps in understanding and create inclusive spaces for discussions on mental health?
Topic 5: Embracing Identity and Challenging Conformity
Nonir eloquently shared their experiences of embracing their marginalized identity and how it empowered them to challenge societal expectations and norms. We touched on the internalized pressure to conform and the liberation that comes with embracing one's true self. We reflected on the impact of repression and policing others, which ultimately stifles honest conversations and hinders personal growth. We both agreed that embracing identities and celebrating diversity benefits both marginalized and non-marginalized individuals, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Curiosity point: How can we strike a balance between embracing individual identity and fostering community cohesion?
Topic 6: The Intersection of Writing, Technology, and Productivity
Lastly, we explored the intersection of writing, technology, and productivity. Nonir shared their juggling metaphor, highlighting the importance of finding a balance between awareness and not dwelling solely on dangers or negative events. Reflecting on our own experiences, we discussed how technology has shaped our productivity and brain focus. Harnessing technology for research, access to information, and automated processes has helped us channel our creativity effectively.
Curiosity point: How can we leverage technology to enhance productivity while maintaining focus and creativity?
Conclusion:
It was an absolute pleasure to have this enlightening conversation with Nonir Amicitia on the "Mirrors and Doorways" episode. We explored the power of representation, self-discovery, mental health, embracing identity, and the intersection of writing and technology. It is my sincere hope that these discussions resonate with you and inspire further conversations that lead to a more inclusive and understanding world. Remember, dear listeners, you are the heroes of your own stories! Until next time, stay curious and keep striving for a better future.
TikTok Summary
🎧🌈 Step into the world of inclusion and belonging with The Inclusion Bites Podcast! Hosted by the fabulous Joanne Lockwood, this podcast is your go-to source for thought-provoking conversations and inspiring stories that will challenge your perspective and broaden your mind.
🔍 Are you ready to explore the mirrors and doorways of diversity and acceptance? Join Joanne and her incredible guests as they delve into topics like queer culture, mental health, and the experiences of transgender and nonbinary individuals. With each episode, you'll gain valuable insights, actionable tips, and a renewed sense of empathy.
📚 In this exciting taster, Joanne Lockwood invites you to listen to the latest episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, "Mirrors and Doorways", featuring the amazing Nonir Amicitia. Discover how Nonir, a talented writer and advocate, uses their superpower of juggling to create engaging stories that champion representation and challenge societal norms. From heroes to dystopian futures, this episode will leave you eager for more!
🎉 Don't miss out on this inclusive podcast that celebrates diversity and promotes positive change. Immerse yourself in the richness of diverse voices and perspectives. Click here to listen to the full episode:
👉 [Link to the main location: https://seechangehappen.co.uk/inclusion-bites-listen]
🔊 Hit play, broaden your horizons, and join the conversation on The Inclusion Bites Podcast! Together, we can create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. 🌟✨
Slogans and Image Prompts
"Representation matters. Be the hero of your own story."
AI image generation prompt: An empowering image of diverse superheroes standing together, breaking stereotypes and fighting for equality."Inclusion is not a trend, it's a necessity."
AI image generation prompt: A vibrant image showcasing a diverse group of people joining hands, symbolizing unity and acceptance."Break the mirror, step through the doorway. Embrace your true self."
AI image generation prompt: An image of a shattered mirror with a person confidently stepping through a doorway, representing self-discovery and acceptance."Queer voices matter. Be a voice for change."
AI image generation prompt: An artistic image of a megaphone with vibrant rainbow colors, symbolizing the power and impact of queer voices speaking out for equality."Embrace diversity, challenge stereotypes."
AI image generation prompt: A dynamic image of various puzzle pieces coming together to form a colorful, inclusive world, encouraging people to challenge societal norms."Mental health matters. Break the stigma, spark conversations."
AI image generation prompt: An image of a light bulb with thought bubbles around it, representing breaking mental health stigma through open and honest conversations."Trans rights are human rights. Stand up, speak out."
AI image generation prompt: A powerful image of raised fists in different skin tones, illustrating solidarity and advocating for trans rights as an integral part of human rights."In a world filled with fear, let love be your guide."
AI image generation prompt: A serene image of a heart-shaped compass, symbolizing love as a guiding force towards acceptance, understanding, and creating a better world."Unleash your creativity, shatter the norms."
AI image generation prompt: An image of a paintbrush breaking through a traditional mold, representing the power of creative expression to challenge societal norms and promote inclusivity."Be an ally, amplify queer voices."
AI image generation prompt: A vibrant image of diverse hands joined together, signifying solidarity and allyship towards the LGBTQ+ community, accompanied by rainbow colors.
Please note that while AI image generation prompts can give a general idea, the actual generated image may vary.
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