Throughout the month of June, the College of Social Science celebrates Pride Month and highlights the contributions of current and former Spartans doing work that supports the LGBTQ+ community. Our June Access Torch is Arden Henderson (they/them), a senior majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in LGBTQ+ Studies. Arden’s research and student advocacy focuses on transgender rights and supporting the health and wellbeing of those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Born in Bloomfield Hills, Arden describes themself as a naturally curious person who fell in love with science at an early age. They vividly remember at the age of three telling their mother they wanted to be a paleontologist when they grew up; she was floored that Arden even knew what a paleontologist was.
It was not until later, during their time at Michigan State, that Arden learned about the social sciences and the field of sociology in particular. Originally starting out as a neuroscience major in the Lyman Briggs College, Arden took a class on the history of health and medicine with sociology professor stef shuster that examined the medical field through a historical and sociological lens. They were instantly hooked.
“Social Science had all the things I loved about science and research, but what was most compelling was the research content,” they explained. “I have always found people fascinating, and to learn that there was a whole field where I could study people and the reasoning behind how we interact with one another, was beyond eye-opening.”
Arden made the switch to Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) after their advisor explained the benefits of conducting scientific research using a multidisciplinary approach. One research project Arden is particularly proud of is the topic they explored last fall as part of their Center for Integrative Studies capstone class. They had the opportunity to design an Interdisciplinary Research Plan (IRP), and Arden chose to study the recent phenomenon of Trans Joy. This movement has been gaining traction among the transgender community and draws inspiration from similar movements such as Black Joy and Queer Joy. They also looked into the different presentations of this concept in both Western and non-Western societies, and presented their research at the IS Symposium in December.
“The idea of trans joy is about finding joy in your trans identity and the many things that come with it, which is more important than ever in the current environment we are living in,” said Arden. “I am immensely passionate about research on the trans community as it is such an underrepresented field.”
Arden is extremely grateful for the community that they have found and built at Michigan State. Whether they are studying hard for an upcoming exam, spending long hours doing lab work, or cheering on the football team with their fellow students, Arden feels entirely at home. “I have made the most amazing connections here, and I truly think I couldn’t have found my true passion anywhere else. It has been an immense privilege to be able to not only learn and get my degree, but to truly thrive here.”
Part of this community consists of Arden’s faculty mentors throughout their journey as well as the student organizations they have been a part of. They credit Dr. shuster as a major figure in their academic career and feel honored to have learned from and conducted research with them. They also worked on a research project with Dr. Caitlin Cavanaugh at the Juvenile Risk Assessment Team, a partnership program with the Ingham County Court’s Juvenile Division, for their internship.
As an undergraduate, Arden was a member of two Registered Student Organizations geared towards transgender students. One such group, Transaction, functioned more as a social group for students members of this community, while Transcend focused on student advocacy. Arden credits both groups as being ‘immensely influential’ for them as a young student.
“I had never been in a place with so many members of my community at once … I still remember how surreal it felt at my first meeting,” they said. “Having spaces for marginalized students is so important, as it can feel very isolating to not have a community that reflects who you are and accepts you.”
Arden’s passion for improving community health and wellbeing for LGBTQ+ individuals stems largely from their own experiences with finding a community and thriving within it. “Having community can make or break your experience in life, and can drastically affect your wellbeing,” they explained. Being able to be a part of the creation of these communities for others and emphasizing the importance of their existence is part of Arden’s life mission. Especially with new technological discoveries and the advancements of the digital world, communities can be created online that are accessible to individuals all across the globe.
“It is not uncommon for LGBTQ+ people to lose community when they decide to ‘come out’ or start exploring their identity,” Arden said. “This can be really hard to go through, especially if you feel like you’re going through it alone. Having a community that you can not only rely on, but relate to, is so helpful in this process of navigating your identity.”
During Pride Month in particular, Arden sees the value of having open conversations about the very real incidents of harassment and discrimination their community is facing. “When this is the only reality you see being reported on, it becomes very easy to accept this as your fate,” Arden said. “Especially for trans youth who are not only navigating their gender, but the ups and downs of growing up and finding yourself.”
While it is important to acknowledge the violence and targeted discrimination, it is even more important to show people an alternative reality, Arden explains. Trans joy is one of the concepts that Arden uses to help face these challenges while also finding joy and thriving in their identity. Celebrating and amplifying the voices of transgender individuals can also draw attention away from the negative incidents and encourage support of this diverse community.
“We don’t stop existing when June is over, nor do the struggles we face,” Arden added. “Talk to your friends and family, and don’t be afraid to be curious. Educate yourself with the thousands of online resources geared towards allies. Use your privilege as a cisgender person to help advocate for our community and show them that they are loved. Something as simple as unconditional kindness can change someone’s life.”
Honorees’ views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the College of Social Science.