Pronouns Panel Discussion

Monday, June 22nd – Pronouns panel discussion at Flying Pig Improv

This event is open to the public. The registration fee is $10 at the door or in advance.

We are meeting at Flying Pig Improv at 3203 E. Douglas Ave. from 6 to 8 PM

Program:  

Remember when we thought we were revolutionary in using “Ms.” to avoid being categorized by our marital status? Today, individuals are upending the patriarchy by identifying as their authentic non-binary, transgender, and genderfluid selves, refusing to assimilate to outdated and inaccurate descriptions of “gender.”

She/Her, He/Him, They/Them? Breaking through the stereotypes and living authentically is about more than which pronouns to use. In this informative panel discussion, we’ll talk about what it all means, how families adjust to these changes, and gain an understanding of how to be a loving, respectful ally.

Panelists:

Cat Poland

Cat Poland (she/her) is a copywriter who lives in Hutchinson, Kansas, with her wee little dog, Scraps. Also residing in her home are her husband and three children. She’s a Wichita State graduate and has worked in a wide variety of industries over the past 20 years. You name it, she’s written it.

Her passion for storytelling fuels her advocacy, and when it comes to speaking truth to power, she just can’t help herself. She’s the board chair for Beyond Barriers, a Hutchinson-based non-profit that provides disability resources for independence, free of charge.

She’s also the Community Advisor for the GSA (gay-straight alliance) at Prairie Hills Middle School and tries to not embarrass her two oldest children, who are members of the group. Cat is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights and has embraced the role of “Mama Bear” with an open mind, heart, and mouth. (She won’t shut up about it.)

Jay Swan

Jay (they/their) has been fighting to help others their entire adult life. First as a Corpsman in the Navy, they completed two tours in Iraq ensuring the health and safety of both Marines and Iraqi civilians.

After receiving a medical discharge, they continued to work for the betterment of marginalized people by collaborating with a number of organizations, including Trust Women, Planned Parenthood, the Kansas Birth Justice Society, local Democratic party groups, and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). They are most proud of their work with the August Vote No campaign.

Holly Terrill

Holly [she/they] is the former Director of Member Support Services at Meritrust. During their 15-year tenure at the credit union, Holly oversaw the contact center and interactive services teams. They have over 25 years of combined customer service, financial institution, and contact center experience.

Holly is enthusiastic about sharing their experiences, both successes and lessons learned, through writing. Twenty of her leadership articles have been published online through the International Contact Management Institute (ICMI) since 2020. They are currently working on a creative non-fiction book about intentional positivity.

Holly is a human rights advocate (and comic book enthusiast) with a passion for people. Their contagious positive energy creates an environment where people are empowered to grow and thrive while bringing to life their passions, both personal and professional. Holly, along with their spouse and kiddo, strives to advocate for others, using their cumulative voices to stand up against the injustices faced by individuals in our community whose voices are often diminished or ignored.

Holly volunteers with GLSEN, an organization working to ensure that LGBTQ students can learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. She serves on the Kansas GLSEN Chapter board of directors as Policy Coordinator. In this capacity, they support inclusive, comprehensive school and community policies and fight against discriminatory state legislation.

Jenny Findling

Jenny Findling is a mental health therapist who specializes in working with children and adolescents.

Jenny has a PhD in Counseling from the University of North Texas. She has advanced training in play therapy with children. Having worked in a variety of agency settings, she has extensive experience working with children who have a history of trauma.

Jenny has worked with transgender children as young as five years old. Through her practice she has supported transgender adolescents as they sought gender affirming health care services.

An ally and advocate for transgender youth and adults as well as a part of the LGBTQ community; she is pansexual. She lives in Wichita, together with her wife, Jessi, and their two sons.

Sponsored by Optometric Billings Solutions, optometricbilling.com, (316) 722-2021 and Flying Pig Improv, flyingpigimprov.com, (316) 833-1889

Our Sponsor

Thank you to our sponsor, Optometric Billing Solutions! Located at 10501 W. Hampton Lakes in Maize, OBS is a woman-owned nationally recognized insurance billing company for optometrist clinics in 43 states. It was named by Wichita Business Journal as one of the best places to work in Wichita, based on confidential employee job satisfaction surveys.

If you’re ready for a career in an employee-centered company with flexible hours and options to work at home after training, OBS wants to talk to you! Go to https://bit.ly/OBSBadass for more information.

Sending a resume to BWWA@obsteam.com and letting OBS know the applicant is referred by the Badass network automatically guarantees them an interview. Make sure they drop your name when they apply! OBS is rewarding your referral with $150 cash each time the person you sent gets hired!