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Publication

This section lists external publications I have written for or worked on in various capacities as well as media I have appeared in via interviews or presentations. My name appeared in the press as Aria Ehren or Aria Burrell as I was going by each of these at different times.

Consultation and Sensitivity Reading

As a fan of the feminist comic, Bitch Planet, I volunteered myself in 2015 for the opportunity to consult to acclaimed writer and actress, Kelly-Sue DeConnick. She accepted and I was one of multiple trans voices who offered thoughts, options, and pre-publication reviews of her material.

In both issues #8 and #9, my name (as Aria Ehren) appears as a Special Thanks To credit.

Credits spread from within Bitch Planet #8, including "Special Thanks To" Aria Ehren, Emma Houxbois, Mey Valdivia Rude, and Nick Shadow. Art features the stylized 3d text BITCH PLANET (with the C as a crescent moon with a ring around it). A character's head (with what appears to be a chin tattoo) appears in the upper left and right with text below it. Left: "We are the children of Eleanor Doane..." Right: "...and we will NOT live in FEAR." Below the Bitch Planet text are credits for Kelly Sue DeConnick (Script) and Valentine De Landro (Art/Covers). Other credits include: Kelly Fitzpatrick (Colors), Clayton Cowles (Letters), Rian Hughes (Cover Design & Logo Design), Laurenn McCubbin (Backmatter Design), and Lauren Sankovitch (Editor).
Credits spread pages from Bitch Planet #8, including "Special Thanks To" Aria Ehren, Emma Houxbois, Mey Valdivia Rude, and Nick Shadow.

In 2022 I was again approached by Kelly-Sue, now working with DC Comics (Warner Bros.), to offer freelance consultation and sensitivity reading on Book 3 of Eisner-nominated series, Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons.

Cover art for the standard issues of Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons Book Three

Though well-received, feedback I offered in discussion did not necessarily make it in to the final work. However, I like to think my contributions inspired further discussion that brought the excellent trans representations in the final work to fruition.

LGBTQIA2S+ Advocacy

For a span from 2014-2019, under the name Aria Ehren I participated in advocacy for trans rights and implementation of related public policy.

Claims to "fame":

  • Mine was the first Transgender Pride Flag to be raised over Calgary City Hall. I arranged this with the City of Calgary in recognition of 2015's Dyke and Trans March.
  • I was invited as a member of the board of the Trans Equality Society of Alberta (TESA) and served as Secretary from mid-2015 to early 2016.
    • In this role I attended and provided both representation and a voice at awareness panels, Various pride events in Southern Alberta, Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) advocacy and awareness events, and formal consultations with both the Canadian Federal Government and the Government of Alberta regarding trans-supportive policy.
    • I was an advocate for addition of Gender Identity and Expression to the Alberta Human Rights Act including participation as one of many community voices in consultation sessions with the Alberta Ministries of Health and Justice. I was invited at the tabling of late 2015's Bill 7, the [Alberta Human Rights
      Amendment Act, 2015](https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/astat/sa-2015-c-18/latest/sa-2015-c-18.html) and was welcomed to speak at the official press conference.

As an independent constituent of MLA Kathleen Ganley who at the time was Provincial Minister of Justice for Alberta) and board member of the Trans Equality Society of Alberta (TESA), I spoke on the social and policy implications for Alberta's trans population.

Through this time I also appeared in the media on repeat occasions, often as a voice for transgender Canadians. Below is an itemization of my relevant media appearances.

Student Advocacy

As a student from 2016 through 2019 and student politician, Vice-President External of the Students' Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU), from 2017 to 2018, I served as external advocate on behalf of students and Student Association liaison to the press. Here are a handful of articles I appear in from that time.

Editorials, Essays, and Rants