Join the November Circus Smart Speaker Series lecture for a panel discussion with trans masculine circus artists Izzi Kessner and Jack Stocklynn to talk top surgery and circus bodies! Emily, The Circus Doc will host and provider Julia Becke, MD, FACP will support the conversation with a medical/clinical perspective on return to circus after surgery and gender affirming hormone therapies.
As circus arts continue to grow, the need for appropriate care and support for trans bodies is more apparent than ever. We need to help our community of care, from instructors to clinicians, feel more equipped and therefore more trusted by artists to assist, advise, and support them.
When artists take steps to align their physical body and gender identity, whether through receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy or surgeries that help them align their physical body and gender identity, there is always more we can learn by understanding the process and the journey from physical preparation, to surgical recovery through returning to training and performance.
In this talk we will focus on top surgery and take the opportunity to learn from thriving trans masculine artists who have completed their surgeries and are back to doing what they love!
Can’t make it live?
** RECORDING AVAILABLE ** for one week afterwards
In this talk our panel will speak to the following topics:
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top surgery preparation and recovery
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getting back to training and specifically safe return to upper body strengthening post-op
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aid from sports therapists
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anticipated changes to hormone therapy peri-operatively and warning signs you or your artist might need to check in with a surgeon post-op
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gender affirming coaching
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mental health and unique considerations for transgender performers/students/athletes
More about Izzi Kessner:
Izzi Kessner (they/them) is a circus artist originally from Los Angeles, and is currently a third year aerial rope student at Ecole de Cirque de Québec. They are a student researcher with CRITAC, a circus-specific research institution associated with Ecole Nationale de Cirque in Montreal, focusing on the intersection between circus studies and transgender identity. Their most recent project with CRITAC focuses on the safety of chest binding during circus practice. Izzi is interested in questioning traditional form and practice in their circus storytelling, and exploring how aspects of their transgender identity inform their creation. Through their work, Izzi has performed and coached circus across the United States, Canada, and beyond; and partnered with major brands such as Nike.
Izzi will graduate from circus school this year and is looking for work! They have recently been researching chest binding in circus, creating a public resource for chest binding, and will host an upcoming ACE discussion on chest binding in December!
Artist Statement: I am a circus artist who has had top surgery. The transgender circus community is rather small, and before I had top surgery, I had trouble finding individuals who had gotten the surgery and continued training/performing professionally. I think it is incredibly important to share my experiences so that other artists feel less isolated, and empowered to continue training — that you do not have to choose between being transgender and training circus.
More about jack Stocklynn:
Specializing in Aerial Dance Trapeze, Jack StockLynn (Aka Sir Cupcake) bends gender and defies expectation. Embodying the history of queer identity in performance, he exemplifies the beauty of unshakable perseverance in the face of our collective sorrow. With his tender strength he unveils deep vulnerability while his irrepressible sass makes room for some serious play.
Jack has performed nationally and on Broadway with DoJump Extremely Physical Theater, and along the west coast with Imago (PDX), Topsy Turvey Queer Circus (SF), Night Flight(PDX), and Bearded Lady Productions (SEA). He holds a BFA in theater and original works from Cornish College of the Arts, and has trained in aerial arts, dance, and clown. He is currently based in Portland, Oregon.
Sir Cupcake also has a whole circus! Sir Cupcakes Queer Circus lifts hearts and opens minds by telling stories using circus arts. Queer, Transgender, and Nonbinary performers are center stage sharing campy humor, gentle soul, and the undeniable truth of their being. The Queer Circus journey leaves you more empowered to be you: unafraid and unashamed.
Artist Statement: I’m a deep nerd about the body and passionate about creating space for my own and other people’s authentic expression of self. I have lived today’s discussion topic. As a transgender human and circus performer, as a coach helping folks navigate their gender journey in regards to circus, and as a producer/creator making shows that highlight trans performers and stories.
More about Julia Becke, MD, FACP:
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Practicing internal medicine at UW
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Providing gender affirming care for nearly a decade
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Teaching internal medicine residents (doctors in training): gender affirming care, including hormone therapy
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Dancer and dance teacher for people living with dementia
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Lover of circus!!!
Provider Statement: I’ll provide a medical/clinician perspective on recovery from gender affirming surgery, returning to gender affirming hormone therapy after surgery and return to circus after surgery.
Access them online:
IG: @cirquessner | @thesircupcake
WEB: www.izzikessner.com | bit.ly/chestbinding | www.sircupcake.com