This week, I began my role as a Summer Intern with the Society of Gender Professionals (SGP), and it has been a whirlwind of introductions, insights, and adjustments. From the moment I joined the team, I was struck by the incredible diversity of people involved in this organization. It’s inspiring to think that despite their demanding full-time jobs, everyone is so committed to coming together to push forward the mission of SGP.

One of the standout moments of this week was attending the Gender Café event focused on "Inclusion in Sport: Challenges for Transgender Athletes and Athletes with Intersex Variations." To say it was eye-opening would be an understatement. The event brought together participants from all over the world, with people tuning in from places like Ghana, the USA (Denver, Washington DC, Atlanta, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee), Canada (Montreal, Winnipeg), Spain, India, Scotland, Colombia, Oxfordshire in the UK, and Nigeria. It’s a truly global effort, and seeing such a diverse group come together to discuss these critical issues was incredibly inspiring.

The guest speakers, Madeleine Payoshni and Chris Mosier, are leading voices in sports inclusion, and listening to them speak was both enlightening and deeply moving. They talked about the real, lived challenges that transgender and intersex athletes face—challenges that are often overlooked or misunderstood. What really struck me was how these issues play out differently across various cultural and legal landscapes, yet there’s a shared commitment to making sports more inclusive everywhere.

The Q&A session was where things got really engaging. I was taking notes like my life depended on it, trying to capture every bit of wisdom and insight that was being shared. The questions from participants were diverse and thoughtful, reflecting a deep concern for the athletes' well-being and a desire to push for better, more inclusive policies. It was fascinating to see how people from different parts of the world approached the same issues, bringing their own perspectives and experiences to the table. The discussion around post-puberty bans for trans athletes, for example, was particularly powerful—highlighting the need for individualized approaches rather than blanket policies that can do more harm than good.

After the event, I started drafting content to post on SGP socials to share some of the key takeaways. This was a bit of a challenge—how do you condense such a rich, nuanced discussion into a few hundred words that will resonate with a broader audience? It was a learning experience for sure, but one that I’m glad to have. I want to make sure that what we’re doing at SGP doesn’t just stay within our circle but reaches out to spark conversations and maybe even inspire action in others.

Looking back on the week, I can’t help but feel grateful for how welcoming everyone has been. But I also noticed some challenges, particularly with communication and scheduling. Our team is spread across so many time zones, and coordinating meetings that work for everyone is no small feat. We relied heavily on WhatsApp to stay connected, which helped, but finding a meeting time that didn’t disrupt someone’s day or night was tough. We tried offering different time slots, but it wasn’t always smooth. This really drove home the importance of flexibility and the need to be proactive in how we manage our time and communication in such a global setup.

I also learned a bit about myself this week. I’m meticulous—I like to make sure that everything is captured and organized, which is helpful in a role that involves a lot of documentation and knowledge-sharing. But I also realized that I need to balance that with being more present in the moment, listening actively, and contributing to discussions in real-time, rather than just focusing on taking notes.

As for leadership, this week has shown me how crucial it is to create spaces where everyone feels heard and valued. The Gender Café was a perfect example of this—how leadership isn’t just about guiding the conversation but about ensuring that every voice can contribute. I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration and shared leadership, and seeing it in action at SGP has only strengthened that belief.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to dive deeper into the content of our events. I want to be better prepared, maybe by researching the speakers more thoroughly and coming up with questions in advance. I’m also eager to keep honing my skills in writing up summaries, ensuring that what we put out is not just informative but also engaging and accessible. And, of course, I’m curious to explore more about how feminist principles can be woven into the fabric of an organization like SGP—something that really intrigued me in my reading this week about the organization’s founding.

All in all, it’s been a week of learning, adapting, and connecting—and I can’t wait to see what comes next.