About Yvonne Runstedler
(she/her)
Often teachers influence the futures of their students. It is also true that students contribute to the life trajectory of their teachers.
James Alec Dixon, former student and now transgender activist, brought me into his orbit of what it was like for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in a Catholic school setting. I didn’t know it then, but this broadening awareness was soon to change everything.
As a Catholic secondary English, Theology & Social Science teacher, at the time, I witnessed the ways in which we showed up for some students and the ways we struggled to show up for others. I felt a vocational call to be part of a solution.
With my support, James shared a 75-minute long presentation to his peers in my grade 12 Equity & Social Justice class on his experiences coming out as a transgender man.
A new career path had been ignited for me.
Some time later, my own Call to Love led me away from the secondary classroom toward leadership roles as a Union Vice-President, an OECTA provincial office secondment, a Program Coordinator with responsibilities in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Religious Education, the New Teacher Induction Program and Indigenous Education, and as an instructor in the Faculty of Education at Wilfrid Laurier University in Equity & Diversity.
My understanding of the systemic educational issues and concerns related to a variety of equity-related concepts has grown exponentially since James took that leap of faith in my classroom under my guidance.
I completed my doctoral journey studying the inclusion of transgender students in Catholic schools, defending my dissertation, From the Invisible Man to Cozy Closets: Gender Diverse Student Narratives in Ontario Catholic Schools on May 14th, 2024, passing with no revisions and nominated for the Governor General’s Gold Medal for Academic Excellence. Alongside James’ lived experience, I draw on my interdisciplinary PhD study including psychology, theology and education when in consultations and during presentations. My sincerest desire is to light the way for diverse communities to foster greater inclusivity.
When I am not blazing a trail, I am teaching or practicing yoga, leading retreats, and spending time with one, two, three or all 14 of my nieces and nephews, preferably with an ice-cream in hand.
About James Dixon (he/him)
Challenging transphobia one conversation at a time
James Dixon (he/him) is a queer advocate, public speaker, and Catholic school graduate with the class of 2016, who came out as a transgender man halfway through high school. He started his activism during this time, founding the first iteration of the schools’ GSA, and working with former teacher Yvonne Runstedler to develop a TedX talk regarding his experiences as a transgender student. He presented this 75 minute talk twice, after a request for an encore performance.
Alongside Yvonne, now good friend and co-conspirator, the two continue the conversation and outreach, educating Catholic school board staff and other Catholic faith leaders around Ontario on the inclusion of queer and trans students. Through informative research, thoughtful conversation, radical openness for dialogue, and sharing their personal stories, James and Yvonne hope to facilitate competency, compassion, and courage in Catholic communities.
James currently lives in Etobicoke with his partner, while attending Wilfrid Laurier University, studying Christian Studies and Global Citizenship through Martin Luther University College.