Ideas worth spreading

The duality of labels – and how to use them for good

36,485 views | Alexandria Holder • TEDxFoggyBottom

From racial identity to political affiliation, labels shape our lived experiences. Alexandria Holder delves into her life as a queer activist and US Air Force Sergeant to illustrate this duality, explaining that while labels can be used to divide, their greater power lies in helping people connect, find common ground and build healthy, supportive communities.

From racial identity to political affiliation, labels shape our lived experiences. Alexandria Holder delves into her life as a queer activist and US Air Force Sergeant to illustrate this duality, explaining that while labels can be used to divide, their greater power lies in helping people connect, find common ground and build healthy, supportive communities.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxFoggyBottom, an independent event.

Read more about TEDx.

About the speaker

Alexandria Holder

Alexandria Holder is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, with a specific focus on the military transgender population. She utilizes her own experiences as an active duty service member to mentor and educate various groups regarding difficulties facing LGBTQ+ members of the United States military and to advocate for their equal treatment to senior leaders, elected officials, and to the public. She has been featured as one of the 150 most powerful women in Washington, D.C., in Washingtonian magazine, praised by Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois during Department of Defense Pride 2019, and was chosen as the inaugural winner of SPART*A’s Albert Cashier Award for service to the military transgender community.

About TEDx

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community.

Find a TEDx event near you

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxFoggyBottom, an independent event.

Read more about TEDx.