Gender Is Our Playground

Resources associated with the Loft Literary Center class
January–February 2026

content warnings

Because of the topic of our class, course materials and linked resources refer to and sometimes give examples of or describe sexism, misogyny, transphobia, related lines of marginalization (such as racism, anti-fat bias, and homophobia), and their effects—including references to gendered violence of various kinds. As a general approach, I seek out resources that are honest and clear but not explicit; you’ll find references to difficult topics as opposed to detailed accounts of individual experiences, and nothing that seems to luxuriate in describing violence or others’ suffering.
 
I have not included CW labels on individual lessons or resources for the topics listed above. Please do note each resource’s title before clicking through. Some linked resources also include their own content warnings, which I sure appreciate!

resources and homework

1/20 week 1

Optional resources for further exploration: [These are resources I refer to or draw on in class, and that you can choose to dive into if you're curious or passionate about a particular topic!]

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1/27 week 2

Homework (complete before session 2 if possible):
 
Can you think of any pieces of fiction that seem interested in gender diversity and inclusion? Or stories you wish had done better, that strike you as harmful or too limited around gender? Look through your bookshelf, reading spreadsheet, or whatever record(s) you have of your reading—or jot down a list of reads you really enjoyed in the past year and one of books you hate-read or didn’t finish—and set a 5-minute timer to have a think about their treatment of gender.
 
During class, I’ll invite folks to share thoughts on what’s working or what isn’t in fiction you’ve read.

Optional resources: -----------------------
2/3 week 3

Homework (complete before session 3 if possible):

Choose one—or more!—of these four Gender Reveal podcast episodes, and give it/them a listen.

Notes: The details below are copied from episode descriptions. Because Gender Reveal starts with a “This Week in Gender” segment and some other bits and bobs like ads, you’ll have to skip some at the beginning of each episode if you just want to hear the interview itself. Transcripts are available for those who need or prefer to access the material in that way. Finally, these episodes (including the ads) tend to be ‘not safe for work’ and do include references to racist and transphobic violence.

Episode 77 Imara Jones
In the Season 6 premiere, we speak with Imara Jones (she/her), founder of TransLash Media and host of the TransLash Podcast.
Topics include:
  • Why trans rights are the secret to defeating patriarchy
  • How to be a better ally to Black trans people
  • Why trans folks are essential leaders for building better futures
  • The saga of Imara’s open letter to BET 
  • Plus: we're angry about needing to be angry
 
Episode 146 Ryan Ken
Tuck chats with actor and writer Ryan Ken (they/them). Topics include: 
  • Why a TikTok can be more useful than a DEI training
  • Using fashion strategically as a fat, Black, queer, nonbinary person
  • When astrology can be reminiscent of Evangelical Christianity
  • Why masculinity, not femininity, felt fragile and delicate as a child
  • Plus: classical violin, Last Week Tonight, and moving beyond allyship
 
Episode 108 Da’Shaun Harrison
Tuck speaks with theorist, author, and abolitionist Da’Shaun Harrison (they/them). Topics include:
  • The way fatness functions as its own gender
  • Working towards a better world without hope that we’ll achieve it
  • Why the concept of health is unsalvageable 
  • Why we’re tired of talking about pronouns with cis people 
  • Plus: destroying gender!
 
Episode 53 Kai Minosh Pyle
In this week’s episode, Tuck speaks with Gender Reveal grant winner Kai Minosh Pyle (they/them), whose work includes Two-Spirit education and Indigenous language revitalization. Topics include:
  • Busting two-spirit myths and misconceptions
  • Searching for words to describe yourself—in six languages
  • The origin of the word “two-spirit”
  • Trans*temporal kinship
  • Being an ACTUAL gender detective!

In class, I'll ask: What's something you learned, or an idea or question the episode brought up for you? Report back to the group, and we can discuss your findings!

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Optional resources:
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2/10 week 4

Homework (complete before session 4 if possible):

Let’s reflect on our personal histories of gendered language! Consider any or all of these questions:
  • What were you taught in school (at any level) about the nuts and bolts of language and (anything related to) gender? If you were taught to use “gender-inclusive” language, what do you think that was supposed to mean?
  • Have any of your habits around gendered language changed over time, whether gradually or because you learned something and made a deliberate change?
  • Are there any shifts you’re working on now, or that you think you might want to make?
  • Regarding any of the above: Is that more in fiction-writing, talking to people, some other arena, or across these lines?
Take time to jot down some thoughts, notes, reflections—and we’ll chat about our various experiences in class.
 
Bonus! Try asking some friends or family who are quite different ages from you that first question set.

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Optional resources:
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2/17 week 5

Homework (complete before session 5 if possible):

This week, pay extra attention to gender stereotypes in whatever storytelling (novels, other written fiction, TV shows, movies, narrative video games, RPGs, etc.) you happen to encounter. What’s working well, in your opinion? What feels harmful, unskillful, or otherwise bad?
 
Try to make a little game of noticing this, and take some notes. We’ll talk about what everybody found in class.
 
[p.s.: It may seem weird that I just asked about gender stereotypes that are working well. As context, here’s a preview of some remarks I’ll make in class: My advice is that it’s important to avoid gender stereotypes (including sexist and transphobic stereotypes), unless you are employing them on purpose and you know what you’re doing. Sometimes writers employ harmful stereotypes, tropes, and clichés in order to explore, undermine, and complicate them. Many an effective character aligns with some stereotypes of their gender, particularly when those characteristics exist in a larger context and are rooted in the individual character. But it’s pretty rough when a writer relies on stereotypes without even seeming to realize that’s what they’re doing.]

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Optional resources:
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2/24 week 6

Homework (complete before session 6 if possible):

Read these two resources: Now try to think of a couple examples of stories that work within the Hero’s Journey—in any medium—that you enjoy. And then do the same for the Heroine’s Journey. (This is not a quiz, and they don't have to line up perfectly, beat by beat. Just try to think about storytelling you know in relationship with these two model's vibes, sensibilities, values, and shapes.) Are you more drawn to one or the other? Does thinking about things this way give you any new ideas, insights, or questions? Let's talk about any of that in class!


[Bonus heads-up for people who like to ponder or gather links/titles ahead: During class, I'll invite your insights about gender in genres you write and/or love. Links or other resources are very welcome, as are questions (rhetorical or for the group). What’s cool and full of promise, and what’s fraught, when it comes to various aspects of gender in your genres?]
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Optional resources: