S4E9: IPS On Diversity Podcast S4E9 The Pronoun Movement and Identity Politics among Singapore’s Youth

Mar 5, 2024 · 1h 3m 34s

Description

In 2019, the word “they” was announced as the world of the year, a pronoun referring to a single person whose gender identity is non-binary. As the political movements driven...

In 2019, the word “they” was announced as the world of the year, a pronoun referring to a single person whose gender identity is non-binary. As the political movements driven by identity politics continue to clash against traditional values in the West, the conversations surrounding neo-pronouns and the fluidity of gender identity has grown louder in Singapore as well. In the ninth and final episode of Season 4, the episode delves into the evolving landscape of gender identity and pronouns. Our host, Liang Kaixin, is joined by Dr Michelle Ho, Assistant Professor of Feminist and Queer Cultural Studies of the National University of Singapore, Chloe Ang, a Master’s student, and Muddarius Husayn, an advocate and artist. They explore the complexities of the pronoun movement and the challenges for acceptance and inclusivity in Singapore's diverse society. Chloe and Muddarius shared on their individual exploration of non-binary and queer identities. Chloe shares their journey navigating life as a non-binary individual in a cisgender relationship, highlighting the fluidity and personal nature of gender identity. Muddarius, assigned male at birth and identifying as queer and gender-fluid, discusses the struggle of fitting into societal norms and the importance of self-identification. Dr Ho gave her academic perspective; she noted a generational gap in understanding gender identity and the significance of pronouns. She emphasises the need for respect and understanding in addressing non-binary individuals, suggesting practices like introducing oneself with preferred pronouns to foster inclusivity. Find out more about pronoun movement and identity politics in Singapore:

RICE Media (21 October 2021): Pronouns & Neopronouns Decoded — Beyond Labels and Performativity
Asia One (29 June 2022): They/them? Here's how gender-neutral pronouns work
Time (1 May 2023): How Gen Z Changed Its Views On Gender

About our guests: Dr Michelle Ho, Assistant Professor, Department of Communications and News Media, National University of Singapore Michelle H. S. Ho (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Feminist and Queer Cultural Studies in the Department of Communications and New Media at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Her research interests lie at the intersections of gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity, affect and emotion, and media and popular cultures in contemporary (East) Asia. Her latest monograph, which explores trans/gender issues in late capitalist Tokyo, Japan through an ethnographic study of josō (male-to-female crossdressing) and dansō (female-to-male crossdressing) cafe-and-bars, is forthcoming with Duke University Press. More information can be found at: michellehsho.com. Chloe Ang, Master’s Student, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Yale-NUS College Chloe Ang (they/them) is a student at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Yale-NUS College, pursuing their love for public policy and philosophy. In their spare time, they love creative writing, collecting Hello Kitty merchandise and watching drag queens talk for hours. Muddarius Husayn, Advocate / Artist Someone who believes in a world that can be better if we communicate effectively. More from On Diversity

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