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• “I believe that before spaces and policies can change, individuals and perceptions must change first. But in a very profound way, not superficially. So for us, the effort to be inclusive is a given.”

As part of the Égal’Asso project, we conducted an interview with Parvy Palmou, founder of Aθenian Gestalt in December. 

Aθenian Gestalt embodies a core belief: equality is generated through our daily practices. Parvy Palmou, a psychotherapist, has combined therapy, education and activism to help overcome existing gender stereotypes, assumptions and biases to create an inclusive, safe space for everyone, especially Intersex, trans and non-binary people.

In our interview, Parvy discussed how exclusion starts long before we see discrimination. They illustrate this point by connecting how the language used in job postings, restroom design and workplace policy regarding menstruation can all create an exclusionary environment.Aθenian Gestalt helps individuals to rethink what inclusion can look like in real life by questioning binary norms and centering real life experiences of individuals.

Parvy also highlights that real change needs courage and commitment and overall collective energy and effort. Through ongoing training, consistent communication and sharing responsibility for one's daily units of interaction with others, Aθenian Gestalt makes it clear that gender equality is not the ultimate goal, but should rather be the by-product of building strong, inclusive communities in our places of work, education, and ultimately caring for one another.