Biography

shawndeez (they/them) is a Ph.D. Candidate in UCLA’s Department of Gender Studies, teaching courses such as “Muslim Feminisms: Queer & Trans Perspectives” and “Power: U.S. Empire and Queer/Trans/PoC Resistances.” Their dissertation research explores how queer and trans Iranian Americans engage with the spiritual and mystical dimensions of Islam as a form of resilience and overcoming. They are also active in transforming the terrain of transgender healthcare at UCLA, working with the Trans Wellness Team to provide gender-affirming healthcare to transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming students.