About
About
Hi. I'm Ley (she/they). It's pronounced "Lee."
I'm an educator and consultant specializing in gender, sexuality, and relationship diversity in a neuroinclusive framework. I've collaborated with Plume, Growth Thru Change, Sexual Health Alliance, Charlie Health, MŌN, Plura, and more.
Beyond all that, I'm a scholar working in ontology, aesthetics, comics studies, and gender studies. I currently teach at New Mexico State University and Doña Ana Community College, and have previously taught at Texas Christian University, Grand Valley State University, and an Ohio State University.
My Erdös-Bacon-Sabbath Number is 18.
CV here.
Scholarship
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•Book•
Philosophy of Comics: An Introduction (with Sam Cowling). 2022. Bloomsbury Press
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•Scholarly Articles•
Picture-Reading the Complexities of Transgender Experience. 2024. Canadian Journal of Philosophy. doi:10.1017/can.2024.29
LGBTQIA+ Adapted Telehealth Intensive Outpatient Program for Youth and Young Adults: Subgroup Analysis of Acuity and Improvement Following Treatment (with Kate Gliske, Katie Berry, Claire Schmidt, Michael Killian, and Caroline Fenkel). 2023. JMIR Formative Research. doi: 10.2196/45796
Batman: A Case Study in Ontology and Appreciation. 2022. Bloomsbury Contemporary Aesthetics
Some Considerations Regarding Adornment, the Gender "Binary," and Gender Expression. 2021. Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 79(4): 488-492
Aesthetics from the Closet. 2021. American Society for Aesthetics Newsletter 41(1): 1-3
Some Ideas About the Metaphysics of Stories. 2019. British Journal of Aesthetics 59(2): 147-160
Transparent and Opaque Performance Personas. 2019. Journal of Aesthetics of Art Criticism 77(2): 181-191
Psychologism about Artistic Plans: A Response to Rohrbaugh. 2018. Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 76(1): 101-104
How to Be Omnipresent (with Sam Cowling). 2017. American Philosophical Quarterly 54(3): 223-234
Abstract Generationism: A Response to Friedell. 2017. Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 75(3): 289-292
A Return to Musical Idealism (with Carl Matheson). 2017. Australasian Journal of Philosophy 95(3): 702-715
Unperformable Works and the Ontology of Music. 2016. British Journal of Aesthetics 56(1): 67-81
An Ontology of Ideas (with Timothy Schroeder). 2015. Journal of the American Philosophical Association 1(4): 757-775
Yellowism and Ontology: A Skeptical Analysis. 2015. Contemporary Aesthetics 13
Conceptual Art, Ideas, and Ontology. 2014. Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 72(3): 235-245
Team-Teaching the Atheism-Theism Debate (with Steven Brown). 2014. Teaching Philosophy 37(4): 465-480
Inconstancy and Content. 2014. Dialectica 68(3): 337-353
Omniscience and Worthiness of Worship. 2011. International Journal for Philosophy of Religion 70(2): 147-153
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•Scholarly Book Chapters•
The Role of Performance Personae in Black Metal Aesthetics. Forthcoming. In The Heaviest Ideas in the Universe: A Philosophy of Heavy Metal. McCraw and Simmons, eds. Wiley-Blackwell.
Omnipresence and Mathematical Reality (with Sam Cowling). 2025. In The Oxford Handbook of Omnipresence. Marmodoro and Migliorini, eds.. Oxford University Press
Taylor's Versions and Versions of Taylor. 2025. In Taylor Swift and the Philosophy of Re-Recording: The Art of Taylor's Versions. Polite, ed. Bloomsbury Press
Bands, Personas, and the Evaluative Import of (Some) Social Ontology. 2024. In The Ontology of Music Groups: Identity, Persistence, and Agency of Creative Groups. Peterson and Janson, eds. Routledge
The Karmic Tragedy of Bruce Wayne: Batman as Anti-Buddha. 2022. In Theology and Batman: Examining the Religious World of the Dark Knight. Brake and Robertson, eds. Lexington Press
Sabbath Doesn't Need the Ozzman. 2012. In Black Sabbath and Philosophy: Mastering Reality. Irwin, ed. Wiley-Blackwell
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•Scholarly Blog Posts•
Minimizing Misgendering: A Plea for Better Pronoun Practices. 2021. Aesthetics for Birds
Why Genderfucking is Awesome. 2021. Aesthetics for Birds
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•Scholarly Book Reviews•
Review of Why It's OK to Not Be Monogamous. 2023. Teaching Philosophy 46(4): 576-570
Review of Uncommon Sense: Jeremy Bentham, Queer Aesthetics, and the Politics of Taste. 2023. British Journal of Aesthetics 63(4): 608-611.
Review of Sonic Flux: Sound, Art, and Metaphysics. 2020. Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 78(1): 126-129
Review of The Aesthetics of Videogames. 2018. Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
Review of The Aesthetics and Ethics of Copying. 2017. Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
Other Writings
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•queerview•
"We've Never Felt Whole" — Non-Binary Binaries in Season 2 of Chucky. 2022.
"Enough is a Myth" — Kink, Consent, and Trans Representation in Hellraiser. 2022.
"Don't Let Anyone Make You Disappear"— Heartstopper and the (Re)Discovery of Queer Youth. 2022.
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•Nymphomedia•
Some Reflections on Queerplatonic Anarchy. 2024.
Committing to Action on International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. 2023.
What is Mononormativity? 2023.
In Honor and Observation of Trans Day of Remembrance. 2023.
Eroding Allonormativity During Ace Week and Beyond. 2023.
A Pronoun Primer for International Pronouns Day. 2023.
Considering the Complexities of National Coming Out Day. 2023.
National Kink Day: Centering the Erotic Non-Normative. 2023.
A Few Tips for Dating Neurodivergent Persons. 2023.
Drag: A Celebration of the Art of Gender Expression. 2023.
Queering the Binary/Non-Binary Divide. 2023.
Rights, Not Rescue: Acknowledging and Honoring International Sex Workers' Day. 2023.
How Can Allies Show Up for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia? 2023.
Is Capitalism a Threat to Sexual Health? 2023.
International Asexuality Day. 2023.
Trans Day of Visibility and Advocacy — Today and Every Day. 2023.
Why Sex-Positivity Requires Aromantic Inclusion. 2023.
International Fetish Day. 2023.
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•Others•
An Open Letter to New Parents of Transgender Children. 2022. Clarity Child Guidance Center Blog
Bald and Genderless. 2021. Just Femme & Dandy 1
Media
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•Videos & Podcasts•
Sex and Autism: What You Should Know. 2024. Sex Positivity: Unfiltered
Dispelling Trans Myths. 2024. Story Time with the Intimacy Ally
Welcome Back Ley! 2024. Cum with KC
Exploring Aexualities. 2023. Sexual Health Alliance / LinkedIn Live
BDSM & The Aesthetics of Gameplay. 2023. Philosophers Discussing Art
Walmart Kink Shopping. 2023. Alyssa Explains It All
A Fleeting Exhibition. 2023. Cum with KC
Transentience Rising. 2023. The Flaming Yoni
Sexplorations with Sexologists. 2022. Sacred Sexual Science
Gender Euphoria, Queer Magic. 2022. Wild & Sublime
Personas, Bowie, and Taylor's Versions. 2022. Philosophers Discussing Art
Autosadomasochism and Self-Consent. 2022. Consent Dojo with Midori
Raising LGBTQIA+ Kids & Fostering Resilience. 2022. Be a Part of the Conversation
The Search for Identity (and Freedom from Expectations). 2022. Be a Part of the Conversation
The Metaphysics of Bands (Part 1 & Part 2). 2021. Philosophers Discussing Art
The Metaphysics of Fictional Characters (Part 1 & Part 2). 2021. Philosophers Discussing Art
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•Print•
Sexual Well-Being in Partnerships: How to Nurture Connection, Intimacy, and Mutual Joy. 2023. Respark
Why LGBT+ Kids Need Out LGBT+ Teachers and Mentors. 2022. Healthline
Interview: Meet Ley David Elliette Cray, PhD. 2022. Canvas Rebel
Yoga & Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth. 2022. Yoga Digest
Gender Creative Parenting: What is it and is it Right for You? 2022. Care.com
Reflecting on Pride Month, Industry Leaders See Progress—and Persistent Challenges—for Better LGBTQIA+ Healthcare. 2022. Fierce Healthcare
What Does It Mean to Be Panromantic? Sexuality Experts Explain. 2022. Mindbodygreen
6 Science-Backed Reasons Why Trans Youth Need Gender-Affirming Care. 2022. Verywell Health
A Guide to Neopronouns, From Experts & People Who Use Them. 2022. Mindbodygreen
Coaching
Are you struggling with questions of identity? Of meaning and relation, of purpose and place? Do you want to cultivate a more radical and aligned sense of self and of community?
Let's talk.
Through queer-affirming, sex-positive, trauma-informed coaching and consulting sessions, we can explore:
Gender Identity & Expression
Sexuality & Sexual Identity (including kink & BDSM)
Relationship Dynamics (including non-monogamy)
Neurodiversity
General existential malaise stemming from late-stage capitalism and dominant cultures of shame.
As a coach, I neither diagnose nor pathologize. Instead, you can expect our sessions to integrate neuroinclusive mindfulness, contemplative embodiment, and philosophical exploration in an individualized combination that best suits your particular needs.
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When you're ready to start our work together—or just want to chat to see if we're a good fit—you can schedule a free initial consultation through my Calendly.
All sessions are held on Zoom.
Session pricing is available in three tiers:
Community (C): for clients who would benefit from a little financial assistance.
Regular (R): default price.
Benefactor (B): for clients who would like to chip in and aid in others receiving affordable care.
Per Session — $50 (C) | $70 (R) | $90 (B)
4 Sessions — $175 (C) | $245 (R) | $315 (B)
8 Sessions — $325 (C) | $455 (R) | $585 (B)