We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Robyn Mallery. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Robyn below.
Robyn , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project I have undertaken is founding a start-up museum dedicated to Transgender, Genderqueer, Intersex, and Nonbinary (TGIN+) individuals. This initiative represents the first museum in North America to focus exclusively on issues of gender and sex, rather than positioning them under the broader umbrella of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The project originated as an idea for a one-time art exhibition centered on the question: “How would our perceptions of Transgender and Intersex individuals change if artwork had historically presented their bodies as the ideal?”Inspired by iconic works such as Michelangelo’s David, artists were invited to imagine how such masterpieces might look if the figures throughout art history were Transgender or Intersex.
As we collaborated with artists, the project gained momentum. Interest in a traveling exhibition emerged, leading to the idea of an annual art exhibition. This evolution sparked a transformative realization: what if we established a permanent exhibition space to house this work—and expanded it further?
Within a year, we formed a board of directors, secured 501(c)(3) status, and officially launched the California Aggregation for Gender Diversity (CAGD). To support this ambitious vision, I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Museum Studies, equipping myself with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and grow this museum space.
As a Transmasculine Nonbinary individual, this project holds deep personal significance and serves as a source of healing, inspiration, and comfort. Our inaugural event, a 24-hour livestream featuring TGIN+ creatives, businesspeople, nonprofits, and activists, was a profound reminder of the need for this space. It revealed the deep hunger within our community for connection, representation, and storytelling—affirming the importance of this museum as a platform for amplifying marginalized voices.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My academic and professional trajectory—spanning Art History studies at the Academy of Art University, Museum Studies at the University of San Francisco, and my work at the Chinatown Media and Arts Collaborative (CMAC) in San Francisco—has cultivated a multidisciplinary approach to addressing systemic inequities through art and education. This foundation has informed my work in creating CAGD as a resource hub, an advocate for justice, and a platform to amplify historically marginalized narratives.
The genesis of CAGD arose from a recognition of the pervasive systemic discrimination impacting TGIN+ communities worldwide. These challenges manifest in restricted access to healthcare, housing, education, and safe spaces for self-expression. Recognizing these barriers as both urgent and multifaceted, CAGD seeks to address them by fostering inclusive dialogue, community building, and the documentation of TGIN+ histories. Our ambition is to establish a museum in the San Francisco Bay Area dedicated to TGIN+ art and history, creating a pioneering institution for education, research, and community engagement.
CAGD’s mission is uniquely informed by a deep commitment to intersectionality and global inclusion. By highlighting the diversity of TGIN+ identities—including Hijra, Two-Spirit, Fa’afafine, Māhū, and countless others—the organization emphasizes the profound cultural and historical contributions of gender-diverse communities across the globe. This broad cultural focus is supplemented by a dedication to universal accessibility, aiming to create an inclusive space for education and celebration that prioritizes equity for individuals of all abilities and backgrounds.
One of our signature initiatives, the annual TGIN+ art exhibition, exemplifies our belief in art as a catalyst for healing, empowerment, and education. Art enables us to challenge dominant narratives, explore collective histories, and foster solidarity across intersecting identities. Beyond our programming, CAGD strives to create a physical space that symbolizes a transformative shift in how society conceptualizes and engages with gender diversity.
As we continue our work, I take immense pride in CAGD’s potential to rewrite narratives surrounding TGIN+ identities and provide a foundation for a future where these communities are celebrated, rather than marginalized. Our commitment to education, representation, and intersectionality sets us apart as an organization, and we hope to inspire long-lasting societal change through our work.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I was born into a deeply religious evangelical family and was homeschooled in an environment that strictly controlled my access to alternative perspectives, which were often demonized. As a minor, I faced significant surveillance of my actions, was denied privacy, and lacked access to friends and mental health resources, as such needs were dismissed in favor of prayer. These experiences contributed to a diagnosis of PTSD due to religious abuse.
At the age of 19, while working full-time at a church as part of my college coursework, I began to question the beliefs I had been raised with. The church’s decisions made me increasingly uncomfortable and disillusioned. However, leaving was not a straightforward option. Exiting that environment would mean losing virtually all my social and familial connections. Over the course of eight months, I meticulously planned my departure. I packed my belongings, discarded what I no longer needed, discreetly collected food and necessities, and transferred items to a safe location.
On the day of my escape, I deleted my email accounts, social media, and left my phone behind. With only a few hundred dollars and several plastic bins of books, clothes, and keepsakes, I flew to another state to rebuild my life from scratch. This departure marked a definitive break with my past, and I have not spoken to most of my family since.
Despite the challenges, I have forged a new path. I am now a master’s student pursuing a career in museums, with a full-time job, an internship, and a supportive partner. This journey reflects my resilience and determination to create a fulfilling life despite the obstacles I faced.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
There are numerous resources I wish I had known about earlier in my creative and professional journey. Over time, I have curated and organized hundreds of these resources into documents, which I update weekly and make available on my website for public access. I also share these regularly with friends, colleagues, and anyone who might benefit from them.
Among the most impactful resources I’ve encountered are those addressing essential needs, such as healthcare access, tools for improving credit scores, and free browser extensions to enhance digital safety by blocking malicious content. While these may not directly relate to creativity or entrepreneurial ventures, they form a critical foundation for many individuals, including artists, activists, and creatives, who often face significant personal and financial challenges.
As a grassroots activist, I view resource-sharing as a vital component of fostering mutual care and community resilience. By addressing fundamental barriers, these tools enable individuals to focus more on their passions and creative pursuits. Many creatives face struggles similar to those I encountered, and I firmly believe that access to these resources can help them regain stability and contribute to the world through their art—something society deeply needs. I remain committed to expanding and sharing these tools to support both individual growth and collective flourishing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Robynmalleryart.com
- Instagram: @robynmalleryart
- Other: Forgenderdiversity.org
