Educator Kay Martinez is Disrupting Gender Policing Through Fashion

Educator Kay Martinez leads an inspiring career with confidence. With features in Business Insider, The Huffington Post, Diverse Issues in Higher Education and Monster.com, the Director of EDIJ Learning & Development at Lesley University is changing the world in many arenas.

Kay teaches Critical Race Theory at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. They are also an instructor at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions and run their own consulting business, all while dressed to the nines.

I was proud to snap these shots of Kay in their Indochino suit to inspire more gender-nonconforming queers to be themselves in professional spaces. Indochino is one of Qwear’s favorite custom suit shops that proudly serves the queer and trans population.

Read more to learn about Kay’s decade of professional experience directing JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) initiatives.

What interests you about fashion?

Fashion is another form of expression. I always had an affinity for what was considered “menswear” growing up so I was always going into my dad’s closet as a kid. I think many kids like to play dress up and go play in the closets of their caretakers. Unfortunately, my love of menswear was discouraged often as I was told that clothes were gendered as a child. Fortunately now as an adult, I wear what I want to and still play with “menswear” although I believe clothes shouldn’t have a gender. We still live in a society that regulates what people can wear and ascribes a gender to clothing but we’re disrupting that form of gender policing. 

“We still live in a society that regulates what people can wear and ascribes a gender to clothing but we’re disrupting that form of gender policing.” 

What is your job title and what got you interested in pursuing this field?

I have a few jobs at the moment: Director of EDIJ Learning & Development at Lesley University. Teaching Fellow on Critical Race Theory, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Instructor, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. Founder, K. Martinez Consulting.

I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, which is why I have focused most of my career on higher education. My work as a consultant enables me to continue educating outside of higher education.

How do you approach gender education?

I highlight examples of societies around the world that acknowledge multiple genders and the impact of colonization on enforcing a gender binary. Trans people will always exist and I try to show examples of our resilience and erasure throughout history. 

“So often, clothes off the rack don’t fit me. I’ve been able to take items to the tailor or get my first custom suits which have really helped me.”

How do you figure out what to wear to work as a nonbinary person?

I’m privileged to be able to wear what I want to work. So far, I have worked in institutions that supported my gender expression via clothing and my hair. I personally like wearing “menswear” like button-down shirts, dress pants, suits and sneakers. So often, clothes off the rack don’t fit me. I’ve been able to take items to the tailor or get my first custom suits which have really helped me.

What makes you comfortable with yourself and gender, did you experience anything that made you want to share its importance?

Becoming comfortable with myself and my gender is an ongoing process. Going to barbers has helped me explore short hairstyles that affirm me. Christian Eddings (@culturedmembersofsociety on IG) and Chell El Barberita (@michelledabarber on IG) were the first barbers to help me. 

Being a part of queer fashion shows has also helped me affirm my gender so I’m grateful for (@androfashionshow, @stuzoclothing) for having me in their shows.

How is gender changing the way we show up in the workplace?

Gender Diverse people are pushing workplaces to update their dress codes, create gender-inclusive restrooms, learn and use pronouns and include gender-affirming healthcare in their insurance. Workplaces are competing for our talent and we’re not taking it anymore! 

“You have to understand what you’re good at and affirm yourself because your employer or others might not”

How does a young evolving person make an impression on their employer?

I hope young people understand their talents and strengths. You have to understand what you’re good at and affirm yourself because your employer or others might not–so, keep track of your own accomplishments and achievements. 

Only by understanding what you’re good at, can you identify what you bring to your employer and understand how you can also pivot your talents outside of your employer as an independent entity.

Photography by Jaypix Belmer.