Gender Diversity Amplified was created to explore the lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities from the perspective of 2SLGBTQIA+ community members themselves. In conversation with activists, students, staff, and faculty, this series will offer unique perspectives on topics such as gender mainstreaming, gender transitioning, and queer employment.
It's not just a podcast, it's also an educational resource, a networking tool, and a space for community building.
Meet your host
Alex Pershai (they/them), Ph.D. is the Associate Director, Equity, with the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism at the University of Waterloo.
Bringing on 2SLGBTQIA+ guests from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, they're creating a safe space where guests feel comfortable sharing authentic stories on acceptance, well-being, and intersectionality in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Episode 1: Inclusion at Pride
In a perfect world, Pride month is inclusive for all, but does it actually look like that right now?
This introductory episode explores the sense of belonging and 2SLGBTQIA+ identities visibility during Pride Month, and prompts reflections on how to make Pride more welcoming for everyone.
Featured guests:
Riley (they/them) is currently a biology undergraduate student at UWaterloo. Riley spent their first years at UW working with The Glow Centre and helped launch the Glow Together Initiative in Spring 2025 through the Queer Life Fair. Though they are no longer involved at Glow, Riley is planning to continue their advocacy and activism for 2SLGBTQIA+ students in other ways.
Tyler (they/them) is a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo. They cofacilitate a support group once a month at Spectrum for Asexual and Aromantic folks, and have a monthly podcast, called the Aspec Podcast, which explores Asexuality and Aromanticism through a lens of intersectionality.
Washington Silk (he/they) previously held the role of the 2SLGBTQ+ Student Support Counsellor at the Counselling Services in the University of Waterloo.
