Hemlock #17: Trans Technologies with Oliver Haimson - Chelsea Manning, Trans Rights in the US, Technologies of Identity Formation and Community Resilience, Videogames, and the Future for Trans Youth

Oliver's Book Trans Technologies:

https://a.co/d/01Lhkk9

Oliver's Bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/haimson.bsky.social

Guest: Oliver Haimson, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, and Director of the Community Research on Identity and Technology Lab.

Episode Overview:

In this episode, host William Engels sits down with Professor Oliver Haimson to discuss his new book, Trans Technologies. They explore how technology, broadly defined, plays a crucial role in the lives of trans people, often serving as a tool for empowerment, resistance, and community building in the face of increasing political hostility and systemic barriers. The conversation touches on recent events, philosophical definitions of technology, and the practical challenges and ethical considerations involved in creating and maintaining technology for marginalized communities.

The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including the impact of leaked government documents threatening essential services for LGBTQ youth, the vital work of organizations like Trans Lifeline, and the sustainability issues faced by independent tech creators. Professor Haimson shares examples of technologies built by and for trans people, such as state risk maps and databases tracking anti-trans legislation, highlighting how technology can be a powerful tool for survival and advocacy when traditional political systems fail. They also delve into the definition of technology itself, considering it not just as digital tools but as anything that extends human agency.

Beyond the immediate political climate, the interview touches on the importance of privacy and data security in sensitive technologies, especially given the realities of government surveillance. They reflect on the journey of writing the book, the surprising breadth of trans technological creativity from gaming to art, and the possibility of a more optimistic future where technology can be focused less on survival and more on fostering joy and connection. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the resilience and ingenuity of the trans community in leveraging technology to navigate a challenging world.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Introduction to Oliver Haimson and the book "Trans Technologies"

• Recent political attacks on LGBTQ+ services and suicide hotlines (988)

• Trans Lifeline as an example of a critical trans-led technology/service

• Challenges in sustainability and resources for small-scale trans technologies

• Technology as a form of resistance and empowerment

• The relationship and tension between political action (voting, policy) and technological solutions for trans issues

• Examples of trans technologies: state risk maps, databases tracking anti-trans laws (Transformations)

• Defining "technology" – extending human agency (drawing on Sandy Stone's definition)

Tags/Keywords:
Oliver Haimson, William Engels, Trans Technologies, Transgender, LGBTQ+, Technology, Trans Studies, Queer Studies, Mental Health, Crisis Hotline, Suicide Prevention, Trans Lifeline, Privacy, Data Security, Ethics, Government Surveillance, Foia, Academics, University, Whistleblowing, Chelsea Manning, WikiLeaks, DNA Phenotyping, Political Backlash, Anti-Trans Legislation, Fearmongering, Activism, Resistance, Mutual Aid, Philosophy of Technology, Media Studies, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Humanities, Policy, Discrimination, Marginalization, Oakland Institute for Urban Studies, University of Michigan, National Science Foundation, Grant Funding, Culture Wars, Freedom of Information Act, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity (DEI), Academia, Opt