Gender, as it is often understood in a binary, is a myth, but it is a myth that we are trained to believe from an early age and influences the way we interact with each other and the world. If not the gender binary, then what? So many stories of these cultures we live in center people who are male or female, nothing else, but we can expand our understandings of gender at work in our lives. In this practice, we will explore notions of gender, particularly identities beyond the binary, through the lens of storytelling. Included will be myths read aloud and photographs from Cai Quirk’s upcoming book Transcendence, and time to reflect and play with our understandings of gender together. Come as you are, whether you are a gender nerd like Cai or new to these topics. 

Cai Quirk (they/them or ey/em) is a lifelong Quaker with passions for Witness, personal discernment, and diverse methods of spiritual deepening. With a gender that transcends binaries, Cai is practiced at deeply questioning societal expectations and norms and in shifting towards roots of individual and group integrity. Spiritual deepening, Witness, and integrity are expanded in Cai’s music and photography practices. Eir photography series Transcendence connects themes of spirituality, mythology, and gender diversity as related to global and timeless patterns. See more at caiquirk.com.