“How do we perform gender? Ali explores this question though their lens as a queer comedy performer”.

How do we perform gender and in what ways does this limit our potential? Through the lens of my experience as a queer comedy performer and teacher, I seek to show how we perform gender in everyday life and on stage, often to our own and societies' detriment. I will explore the idea that by opening ourselves up to the possibility of fluid and non-binary gender expression we can become more open, generous performers and members of society. Ali Hannon is a comedy performer based in Brighton. They are part of the multi-award-winning improvisation group 'The Short & Girlie Show'. Ali also teaches improvisation courses in their home town and has been a speaker at a number of LGBT events and conferences across the UK. Ali was named in The Financial Times & OUTstanding Top 30 LGBT Future Leaders in 2016.

Ali identifies as non-binary or queer and their preferred pronouns are 'they/them'. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx