In 2006 we ran a performing and visual arts project with a group of young trans people from across the UK, which explored their understandings of the relationships between sex, gender and science. This culminated in a multi-media exhibition at Central School of Speech and Drama, London in June and a short documentary film of the project was made. The 35-minute film further explores the central question: What's the Science of Sex & Gender? And it was taken along with other resources and stimuli into non-trans settings to further our investigations into sex and gender.
The Sci:dentity Project's aims were to increase engagement with medical and biomedical knowledge of what female/ male sex is, to develop and extend creativity and expression and to establish a forum for discussion. The project was funded by the Pulse Awards Scheme as part of the Wellcome Trust's 'Engaging Science' Grants Programme. Access to this project was provided free of charge to each young person who participated.
For a copy of the evaluation reports click below
Sci:dentity Evaluation Report Evaluating Phase 1 and 2
The Sci:dentity Project Evaluation Report Phase 3 and 4
Here are some testimonies:
"I am more interested in gender politics. I read about it more and I am more interested and I actually make contributions. Like I talk to friends about it at school, I tell people, I kind of educate people about it 'cos people at my school are a bit ignorant about it and I explain a lot and they understand things a lot better. So my friends are interested in stuff, issues... about the Gender Recognition Bill." (Participant)
"I would like to pass on my most sincere thanks and appreciation for all the time and effort you and all of your team went to facilitate the Sci:dentity project. It has made such an effort to [X] in terms of increased confidence and self esteem, a degree of self-awareness and a feeling of fitting in somewhere at last. It has also brought me some peace of mind regarding his future. (Parent of Participant)
"I've done more performance stuff, I have written other songs, and I recorded the song I did for Sci:dentity and it is now my GCSE music course work. I have made music for myspace and I am going to put it on there". (Participant)
"It's made a huge difference because before I came to the project I was really quiet ...I would sit at the back of the class and never said a thing, even asked I wouldn't dare say a thing in front of people. Now... if I have an opinion about something I don't really care whether anyone thinks it's right anymore, I just think well, it's my opinion..." (Participant)