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Draft:Rhea Debussy

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Rhea Debussy
Ph.D.
Rhea Debussy, who is a transgender woman wearing burgundy pants and a white shirt, speaking into a bullhorn and standing in front of a transgender pride flag.
Rhea Debussy at a transgender rights protest at the Ohio Board of Education in fall 2022.
Born1991/1992[citation needed]
Columbus, GA[2]
NationalityAmerican
Other namesDorian Rhea Debussy
OccupationDirector of External Affairs at Equitas Health
Known forTransgender rights activism
Academic background
EducationColumbus State University (BA), University of Oxford (Certificate), University of Connecticut (MA), and University of Connecticut (PhD)[1]
ThesisLavender Security Threats: Understanding the Histories of Discrimination Against LGBT Persons in the American Military and Intelligence Communities (2018)
Doctoral advisorChristine Sylvester, Ph.D.
Academic work
DisciplinePolitical Science, Women's Studies
Sub-disciplineAmerican politics, international relations, American foreign policy, security studies, transgender studies
InstitutionsOhio State University (current), formerly Kenyon College and University of Connecticut[1]
Main interestsAmerican foreign policy, LGBTQ public policy, and transgender rights[1]

Rhea Debussy, usually cited as Dorian Rhea Debussy, is an American academic and transgender rights activist.[1][note 1] She is best known for activism related to transgender people in sports.[3][4] In January 2022, she gained national attention for resigning as a diversity facilitator in protest against the NCAA's updated transgender participation policy.[5][note 2] Later that year, Debussy became director of external affairs for Equitas Health, an organization in Ohio that works on issues related to LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare advocacy.[6] She is also a part-time lecturer in women's studies at the Ohio State University.[7]

Early life and education edit

Debussy grew up in a military family in Columbus, Georgia, near Fort Moore.[8][2] As an undergraduate, she attended Columbus State University and studied abroad at the University of Oxford.[9] She earned her master's degree and PhD in political science at the University of Connecticut, working with Professor Christine Sylvester as her dissertation advisor.[8][9]

After completing her doctorate in 2018,[1] Debussy accepted a position leading LGBTQ work at Kenyon College.[10] She came out as transgender during this time.[2][9]

Career edit

Kenyon College edit

In 2018, Debussy began working for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Kenyon College, leading LGBTQ programs and initiatives.[10] She also taught an introductory queer studies course, which became a permanent part of the college's curriculum in 2019.[10]

Debussy organized the college's inaugural queer and transgender studies conference in spring 2019.[11][12] With more than 130 students from 15 academic institutions participating, it was the largest LGBTQ+ student conference in the state of Ohio.[12] The conference took place again in 2021, and it was held virtually.[12][13]

Debussy left Kenyon College for a position with Equitas Health in summer 2022.[14][6]

NCAA edit

While at Kenyon College, Debussy — in summer 2019 and along with Kayla Hayes of Denison University — became one of the first two people in Ohio to be trained as a facilitator for the NCAA LGBTQ OneTeam Program.[15][16] The program was developed to help athletic department employees better understand and support the needs of LGBTQ athletes.[15][16] By fall 2019, Debussy and Hayes had held five training sessions for more than 130 people,[15] including coaches and athletics department employees at Denison University and Kenyon College.[17]

In spring 2021, a group of NCAA Division III coaches — led by Debussy and in coordination with the Human Rights Campaign[18] — published an open letter advocating for the rights of transgender people in sports.[19][20] Debussy critiqued changes to the NCAA's transgender policy in 2022.[5][21] Through a statement with Athlete Ally,[22] she, in protest, publicly resigned from her role with NCAA Division III athletics,[23][24] making national[25][26] and international headlines.[5][27]

Debussy's departure from the NCAA[5] and her transgender rights activism led to transmisogynistic threats.[28][29] In early 2022, students at Kenyon College asked the college to issue a statement to condemn these threats against Debussy.[29] The college did not initially release a statement,[30] and students delivered a list of demands to President Sean M. Decatur.[28][29] Later that spring, the college released a statement.[30][31] Debussy then announced that she was leaving Kenyon College for a position with Equitas Health.[6][32]

Equitas Health edit

Currently, Debussy leads public policy work for Equitas Health.[6] While there, Debussy has spoken publicly about access to HIV/AIDS prevention medication like PrEP,[33][34] the Food and Drug Administration's blood donation policy for gay and bisexual men,[35] the federal government's distribution of monkeypox vaccines,[36][37] reproductive rights,[38] and rates of violence against transgender people.[39]

In January 2024, Debussy criticized the Ohio General Assembly, after the passage of a gender affirming care ban for youth.[40][41][42] Following Governor Mike DeWine's proposed restrictions on gender affirming care for adults in Ohio, Debussy publicly criticized both the proposal and the governor.[43][44][45]

Other LGBTQ activism edit

Debussy has been involved in various LGBTQ organizations both in Licking County, Ohio[46][47] and Knox County, Ohio.[48][49]

In 2020, Debussy founded the Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio,[50][51] which is Ohio's first asexual and aromantic organization.[50] The group held their first event in fall 2020,[50] and they have continued to grow in recent years.[52][53] Debussy left her role in summer 2022,[54] but she has continued to speak about asexuality.[55][56]

Debussy's transgender rights activism has also continued both in Ohio and nationally. In recent years, the Ohio General Assembly has considered bills to ban transgender athletes,[57] and Debussy has opposed these bills.[58][59] Nationally, Debussy joined GLAAD and other LGBTQ activists in signing a letter that criticized transgender coverage at The New York Times in 2022.[60] She has also publicly spoken about the national rise in anti-trans legislation,[61] including attempts to restrict gender affirming care for adults.[62][63]

Honors and recognition edit

While at Kenyon College, Debussy was recognized for her work with LGBTQ students and programs.[64] During this time, the college also received national recognition for LGBTQ inclusion from Campus Pride.[65]

When affiliated with the North Coast Athletic Conference of the NCAA, Debussy was a finalist for the NCAA Division III's inaugural LGBTQ Staff/Administrator/Coach of the Year Award in 2021.[66] In 2022, Debussy was again announced as a finalist for that same NCAA award.[67]

Debussy was featured in the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio's Trans Spotlight Series in 2022.[68] That same year, she was also the recipient of the Trans Activist Award at Cleveland’s International Transgender Day of Visibility event.[69]

Selected publications edit

Specialty Guidebooks edit

Articles edit

Personal life edit

Originally from the Deep South, Debussy now lives in the Midwest.[2][9] Debussy is a transgender woman, who uses she/her pronouns.[71] Debussy previously underwent transgender voice therapy at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.[71]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Debussy is a transgender woman. Debussy's deadname also consists of a former surname that she no longer uses; however, this name may appear in some source material for this article.
  2. ^ Debussy is a transgender woman. Debussy has previously used "they/them" pronouns; however, she now only uses "she/her" pronouns, according to her LinkedIn and academic profiles.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Dorian Rhea Debussy". The Conversation. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Hoyt, David (June 1, 2021). "Supporting Kenyon's LGBTQ+ Community". Kenyon Alumni Magazine. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  3. ^ Sutherland, James (January 25, 2022). "NCAA Facilitator Resigns Due to Organization's New Transgender Policy". SwimSwam Magazine. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  4. ^ "ICYMI: NCAA Facilitator quits in protest of NCAA's failure to protect trans athletes". Windy City Times. January 26, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2023 – via EBSCOHost.
  5. ^ a b c d Kliegman, Julie (January 24, 2022). "Diversity Facilitator Withdraws From NCAA Program in Wake of Association's Trans Eligibility Change". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d "Ohio SAFE act would block access to gender-affirming care". The Kenyon Collegian. Kenyon College. April 20, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ "Dorian Rhea Debussy". Dept. of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Ohio State University. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Bartucca, Julie (June 22, 2021). "Professor's Pride". UConn Magazine. University of Connecticut. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d Bartucca, Julie (March 17, 2021). "Brave Space: Dorian R. Debussy and Christine Sylvester". UConn Today, University of Connecticut. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Snow, Mia (November 18, 2021). "Get to know Associate Director of ODEI Dorian R. Debussy". The Kenyon Collegian. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  11. ^ McCoy, Kayleigh (April 11, 2019). "Conference Centers on LGBTQ+ Scholarship". The Kenyon Collegian. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Hageman, Megan (January 22, 2021). "Students All Over Ohio (and the World!) Can Now Attend the Queer and Trans Studies Conference at Kenyon College". The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  13. ^ Pozo, Joseph (April 22, 2021). "ODEI Hosts Biennial Queer and Trans Studies Conference". The Kenyon Collegian. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  14. ^ "Goodbye & Thank You Rhea". Unity House at Kenyon. May 10, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c Smola, Jennifer (November 11, 2019). "Denison, Kenyon training Other Colleges to Better Support LGBTQ Athletes as Part of NCAA Program". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Kisch, Lucien (June 1, 2020). "A Field for All". The Collegian Magazine. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  17. ^ Schultz, Ken (October 25, 2019). "NCAA OneTeam Program Helps Division III Schools Become Effective Allies". Outsports. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  18. ^ Hoffman, Joanna (April 8, 2021). "D3 LGBTQ OneTeam on Supporting Transgender Student-Athletes". Athlete Ally. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  19. ^ Brantley-Jones, Kiara (April 6, 2021). "NCAA Group Condemns Anti-Transgender Sports Bills in Open Letter". ABC News. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  20. ^ "NCAA LGBTQ Facilitators-Including 2 Ohioans-Pen Open Letter Condemning Anti-Trans Legislation". The Buckeye Flame. April 6, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  21. ^ Stewart, Mariah (February 11, 2022). "NCAA Sparks Controversy with New Transgender Participation Policy". INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine. Retrieved June 28, 2023. {{cite magazine}}: External link in |website= (help)
  22. ^ "Burn It All Down". burnitalldownpod.com (Podcast). Blue Wire Podcasts. February 17, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  23. ^ Johnson, Chris (January 26, 2022). "LGBTQ Advocates Fight on for Trans Athletes, but They may be Losing the Battle". The Georgia Voice. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  24. ^ Garrett, Rene (March 30, 2022). "The NCAA's New Transgender Athlete Policies Prompts Resignation at Kenyon". The Denisonian (Denison University). Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  25. ^ Factora, James (January 26, 2022). "LGBTQ+ Facilitator Resigns Over the NCAA's Trans Rights Rollback". them. Conde Nast. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  26. ^ Holmes, Juwan (January 26, 2022). "One of the NCAA's Few Out Trans People Working to Support LGBTQ+ Athletes Just Resigned". Into by Q.Digital. Grindr. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  27. ^ Baska, Maggie (January 25, 2022). "NCAA Diversity Trainer Quits Over 'Deeply Disappointing' Trans Athlete Rule Change". Pink News. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  28. ^ a b "In Response to Kenyon's President: What Trans Folks Need on TDOV and All Year Round". The Buckeye Flame. April 6, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  29. ^ a b c "Kenyon College Students Deliver a List of Demands to College President to Address Transphobia and Transmisogyny". The Buckeye Flame. March 8, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  30. ^ a b Carnell, Amelia; Macchione, Salvatore; Stautberg, Reid (December 8, 2022). "Staff Editorial: Thank You, President Decatur". The Kenyon Collegian. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  31. ^ "Recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility". News Archive. Kenyon College. March 30, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  32. ^ "Goodbye & Thank You Rhea". Unity House at Kenyon. May 10, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  33. ^ Ress, David (April 18, 2023). "How access to HIV medication, preventative healthcare could change in Ohio". WTDN News 2 (Dayton, OH). NBC News. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  34. ^ Schneck, Ken (April 7, 2023). "Texas PrEP ruling could be catastrophic for LGBTQ+ Ohioans and efforts to end the HIV epidemic". The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  35. ^ Herchik, Matthew (January 31, 2023). "FDA Considers New Blood Donation Guidelines for Gay, Bisexual Men". WTRF News 7 (Wheeling, OH). CBS News. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  36. ^ "Equitas Health: The Feds are Denying us Direct Access to the Monkeypox Vaccine". The Buckeye Flame. August 26, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  37. ^ Keilholz, Jonathan (September 9, 2022). "How to Battle Monkeypox Spread and Stigma". WBNS News 10 (Columbus, OH). CBS News. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  38. ^ Walker, Micah (July 28, 2022). "LGBTQ community worried their health care will be targeted by Ohio's GOP lawmakers". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  39. ^ Levine, Steve (November 2, 2022). "Columbus Seeing a Spike in Hate, Bias Crimes Being Reported to Police". ABC News 6 (Columbus, OH). ABC News. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  40. ^ Dorsey, Collin (January 9, 2024). "Ohio House to vote on overriding DeWine's veto on transgender medical care ban". 10WBNS (Columbus, OH). CBS News. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  41. ^ Kington, Dani (January 11, 2024). "Ohio moves to restrict transgender healthcare, sports participation". Athens County Independent (Athens, OH). Alliance of Nonprofit News Outlets (ANON). Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  42. ^ "How the move to restrict transgender healthcare, sports participation could affect one Ohio county". The Buckeye Flame. January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  43. ^ Roliff, Riley (January 17, 2024). "Ohio healthcare providers fear DeWine's 'draconian' rules will block gender-affirming care". The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  44. ^ Mulvihill, Geoff (January 20, 2024). "Ohio is on the verge of becoming the 2nd state to restrict gender-affirming care for adults". Associated Press. The AP. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  45. ^ Jarvis, Lisa (January 24, 2024). "The New Transgender Health Care Fight is Over Adults". Bloomberg News. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  46. ^ Givens, Orie. "Newark Pride Presses on After Teen Event Cancelled". Spectrum News 1 (Ohio). Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  47. ^ Tobias, Sara (July 31, 2020). "Newark Ohio Pride Coalition cancels annual Pride festival". The Advocate (Newark). Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  48. ^ Davis, Emma (July 23, 2021). "First LGBTQ+ non-profit organization coming to Knox County". Knox Pages. Richland Source in affiliation with AmeriCorps. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  49. ^ Paolella, Alissa (July 28, 2021). "First LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Launches in Knox County, Ohio". The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  50. ^ a b c Galek, Lisa (December 16, 2020). "Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio Creates Awareness and Offers Support & Advocacy". The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  51. ^ "The Pride Guide Podcast". Pandora (Podcast). LGBTQ+ Student Services of Cleveland State University. October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  52. ^ Galek, Lisa (November 11, 2021). "Ace Week 2021: Recap: How One Ohio Org Served (and Continues to Serve!) the Plus in LGBTQ+". The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  53. ^ "Recognizing Asexual Relationships and Pride Month". Spotify (Podcast). New Directions Shelter of Knox County. June 30, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  54. ^ "Thank You & Congrats, Rhea!". Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio. May 31, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  55. ^ Baugess, Seth (October 19, 2023). "LGBTQA Center to Celebrate Asexual Awareness Week, Host Acclaimed Transgender Rights Advocate". Wright State University Newsroom. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  56. ^ Cline, Aaron (November 8, 2023). "Dr. Rhea DeBussy Presents to Rainbow Alliance During Ace Week 2023". Wright State University Guardian. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  57. ^ Schneck, Ken (December 13, 2022). "'Unnecessary and Discriminatory' – Ohio Senate Holds 3rd Hearing to Ban Trans Youth Athletes". The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  58. ^ Fahmy, Natalie (February 22, 2023). "Transgender athlete ban reintroduced by Ohio legislators". WTDN News 2 (Dayton). NBC News. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  59. ^ Murdock, Chloe (April 27, 2021). "Two Ohio Bills Propose Banning Transgender Student Athletes from Play". 91.3 WYSO (Dayton). NPR News. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  60. ^ "New York Times Sign On Letter". GLAAD. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  61. ^ Tandanpolie, Tatyana (January 6, 2024). "'Flood' of Anti-LGBTQ Bills Shows GOP Wants to 'Eradicate Trans People From Public Life': Advocate". Salon.com. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  62. ^ Mulvihill, Geoff (January 20, 2024). "Ohio is Poised to Become the 2nd State to Restrict Gender-Affirming Care for Adults". PBS NewsHour. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  63. ^ Blose, Abreanna (February 12, 2024). "Advocates, stakeholders oppose Ohio's gender-affirming care restrictions". The Post (Ohio student newspaper). Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  64. ^ Carnell, Amelia (May 6, 2021). "College hosts fifth annual Lavender Graduation". www.kenyoncollegian.com. The Kenyon Collegian.
  65. ^ "Kenyon College // Campus Pride LGBTQ-Friendly Spotlight Series: 20th Anniversary Special" (Interview). Interviewed by Ayla Azim. YouTube: Campus Pride. May 1, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  66. ^ "Bussey & Costanzo Finalists For DIII LGBTQ Admin/Coach/Staff of the Year Award". www.northcoast.org. North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) of the NCAA Division III. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  67. ^ "Gallaudet's Stephanie Stevens nominated for NCAA Division III LGBTQ Athletics Administrator/Coach/Staff of the Year Awardweb". www.gounitedeast.com. United East Conference of the NCAA Division III. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  68. ^ "Transgender Spotlight Video Series". ACLU of Ohio. August 1, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  69. ^ "Cleveland Trans Day of Visibility Names Award Recipients". www.thebuckeyeflame.com. The Buckeye Flame. March 23, 2022.
  70. ^ "The definitive guide to LGBTQ military service has now been updated and expanded". Queer Forty. October 20, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  71. ^ a b Skubby, Aaron (July 4, 2022). "'I love my new voice.' Vocal therapy helps trans, non-binary people find their voice". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

External links edit


Category:1991 births Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:People from Columbus, Georgia Category:University of Connecticut alumni Category:Kenyon College people Category:21st-century American LGBT people Category:American LGBT rights activists Category:Transgender rights activists Category:Activists from Georgia (U.S. state) Category:American transgender people Category:Asexual women Category:Lesbians Category:Transgender women Category:21st-century American women writers Category:American transgender writers Category:American lesbian writers Category:Transgender women writers Category:LGBT educators Category:Lesbian academics Category:Transgender academics

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