Ari Copeland's Seen Water "From Both Sides Now" As A Trans Man Working With Operators Who Began His Career Presenting As A Woman

0:00-1:23 - Introduction and Welcome Remarks

The host welcomes the guest speaker, Ari Copeland, AWWA Executive Committee Member, to the Women Of Water Virtual Summit and provides an overview of the event's objectives and agenda.

1:23 - 8:07 - Background of Ari Copeland

The speaker is a transgender pansexual individual who has been working in the water industry since 2005. He began his career at the EPA while still presenting as female, and completed his transition while at the EPA. They discuss their experience as a gender minority in a male-dominated industry and the challenges they faced. They emphasize the importance of creating an inclusive workplace environment for LGBTQ+ individuals and acknowledge the diversity within the community. They also discuss the regional differences in attitudes towards gender identity and sexual orientation.

8:07 - 15:27 Gender Identity at Workplace

Ari talks about how their gender identity affects their experience at work. They discuss instances of inappropriate behavior and questions, and the fear of disclosing their identity in certain situations. The speaker also compares their experience to that of women facing sexism in the workplace.

15:27-21:47 - Keynotes of Ari - Challenges faced by Transgender people

Dr. Cat and Ari discuss the challenges faced by trans people in healthcare and the workplace, and the need to change societal narratives and eliminate gender-based characteristics. They also talk about the difficulties faced by women in male-dominated industries and the importance of understanding the impact of one's actions on others.

21:47-27:33 Issues faces by Trans in different areas

The conversation covers various topics, including microaggressions, homophobia, and transgender people in sports. The speaker expresses their views on these issues and emphasizes the need for change in behavior to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment.

27:33-32:50 Personal safety as a politicized identity

The speaker expresses hesitation and apprehension due to concerns about personal safety as a politicized identity. They note that people who are violent towards them are often men, as men are often taught to be aggressive towards people, especially women. The speaker also discusses their experience as a trans person and how a medical transition helped alleviate their gender dysphoria. They note that taking hormones has made them a little bit stronger but it is not significant enough to lift heavy weights. The speaker also emphasizes the need for narratives around trans people to focus on preventing harassment and violence against them rather than separating the sexes.

32:55 - 39:12 From rejection to a supportive workplace

Ari experienced some job loss and rejection, but ultimately feels lucky to have a supportive workplace. They emphasize the importance of day-to-day interactions with colleagues and feeling safe in the workplace. They also mention the need for access to medical care and the difficulties that trans people face in finding employment. The speaker encourages companies to address these issues and promote inclusivity.

39:12-43:43 Need for grace and owning mistakes while striving to improve

The speaker emphasizes that group association doesn't automatically make someone a good ally; actions and words matter more. Pronouns are important, but some people may struggle to use them correctly. The younger generation prioritizes correcting pronoun usage, while the older generation fights for acceptance and safe spaces. The speaker stresses the need for grace and owning mistakes while striving to improve. Pronouns were crucial for personal safety during their transition but are less significant now, and they want to live without fear.

43:43-49:05 Respect and Understanding

They note that how people perceive you affects how they treat you and share their personal experiences of being treated differently depending on their perceived gender identity. They also mention their involvement with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) as a Member of the Executive Committee, and how alcohol at events can lead to inappropriate behavior.

49:05-53:49 Accountability for personal behavior

The speaker is discussing the issue of accountability for personal behavior in the workplace, particularly regarding gender and how it is policed. They suggest that the problem is not being male in itself, but rather the roles and expectations that are placed on individuals based on their gender. The speaker mentions an ombudsman program at a conference, which was well-received by male attendees who had stepped in to help women in potentially dangerous situations.

53:49-1:04 Closing Remarks and Next Steps

As the conversation ends, the speaker discusses their approach to handling uncomfortable situations where someone may be threatened or in need of help. They also touch on the importance of speaking up about inappropriate behavior and promoting inclusivity in the workplace. The speaker also introduces their industry mascots, two stuffed animals (Water Bears) that represent the resilience and resourcefulness of water and environmental professionals.