Splash Biography



ANNA MCCLAIN-SIMS, Yale senior studying Chemistry & East Asian Lit.




Major: Chemistry/EALL

College/Employer: Yale

Year of Graduation: 2022

Picture of Anna McClain-Sims

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Ever since I started giving presentations to local churches on LGBT+ identities and issues in high school, I've loved teaching and how it allows me to share and connect with so many people. Since those early days, I've taught numerous classes on queer identity, history, and art, and have also tutored students in math and chemistry. Now I'm training to teach English as well, and I don't plan on stopping any time soon!



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

E4441: Understanding Marginalized Sexual & Romantic Orientations in Sprout Fall 2021 (Oct. 02 - 16, 2021)
Come learn about diverse sexual and romantic orientations in an interactive format! We will talk about about a range of sexualities/romantic orientations, discuss stereotypes, misconceptions and heteronormativity, and learn about how to be a better ally. Individuals of all identities/orientations are welcome to attend!


A4470: Introduction to Gender Identity in Splash Fall 2021 (Nov. 13, 2021)
This workshop introduces students to the concept of gender as an identity and to several genderqueer identities. It introduces students to how cisgender people are oftentimes incorrectly viewed as "the only 'normal' way to be" and the reasons why this assumption is harmful. It also teaches cisgender students ways to be good allies to their trans/genderqueer peers.


A4301: Introduction to Gender Identity in Splash Fall 2020 (Nov. 14, 2020)
This workshop introduces students to the concept of gender as an identity and to several genderqueer identities. It introduces students to how cisgender people are oftentimes incorrectly viewed as "the only 'normal' way to be" and the reasons why this assumption is harmful. It also teaches cisgender students ways to be good allies to their trans/genderqueer peers.


A4302: Queer History Around the World in Splash Fall 2020 (Nov. 14, 2020)
This workshop introduces students to key moments in queer history around the world. It teaches students about how gender and sexual orientation was thought about in various cultures. The goal is to show students that queer identities have a long and diverse history that spans every time and every continent.


E4084: Queer History Around the World in Sprout Spring 2020 (Feb. 15 - 29, 2020)
This workshop introduces students to key moments in queer history around the world. It teaches students about how gender and sexual orientation was thought about in various cultures. The goal is to show students that queer identities have a long and diverse history that spans every time and every continent.


E4085: Understanding Marginalized Sexual & Romantic Orientations in Sprout Spring 2020 (Feb. 15 - 29, 2020)
Come learn about diverse sexual and romantic orientations in an interactive format! We will talk about about a range of sexualities/romantic orientations, discuss stereotypes, misconceptions and heteronormativity, and learn about how to be a better ally. Individuals of all identities/orientations are welcome to attend!


E4086: Introduction to Gender Identity in Sprout Spring 2020 (Feb. 15 - 29, 2020)
This workshop introduces students to the concept of gender as an identity and to several genderqueer identities. It introduces students to how cisgender people are oftentimes incorrectly viewed as "the only 'normal' way to be" and the reasons why this assumption is harmful. It also teaches cisgender students ways to be good allies to their trans/genderqueer peers.


A4043: Queer Visual Arts: Painting & Comics in Splash Fall 2019 (Nov. 16, 2019)
Queer Visual Arts When someone says “art history” or “comics”, certain classic images and artists come to mind. However, there’s a lot more to the visual arts than muscle-bound superheroes and portraits of rich ladies from hundreds of years ago! In this workshop, we will look at art history through a different lens, focusing specifically on the works of queer artists and cartoonists. As we strive to understand the works in relation to their historical and modern contexts and their references to queerness, we’ll consider several questions: What even makes something “queer art”, and how do these works so powerfully depict queer experience? Artists we will discuss in detail include painters Andy Warhol, Claude Cahun, Gluck, and Mickalene Thomas along with comic creators Alison Bechdel (Fun Home, Are You My Mother?, Dykes to Watch Out For), Maia Kobabe (Gender Queer: A Memoir), Yamaji Ebine (Love My Life, Indigo Blue, Free Soul), and Kamatani Yuuki (Shimanami Tasogare). (And we have other works to recommend as well!)


E3822: Queer History Around the World in Sprout Fall 2019 (Sep. 28 - Oct. 12, 2019)
This workshop introduces students to key moments in queer history around the world. It teaches students about how gender and sexual orientation was thought about in various cultures. The goal is to show students that queer identities have a long and diverse history that spans every time and every continent.


E3823: Queer U.S. History in Sprout Fall 2019 (Sep. 28 - Oct. 12, 2019)
This workshop introduces students to key subcultures, moments, and movements in queer U.S. history from cowboys to Stonewall to the AIDS epidemic to the present. It teaches students about the contributions LGBT+ folks have made to America's story, which were often forced behind the scenes. The goal is to show students the long, diverse history of queer identities in the U.S., along with the struggles for self-truth that have brought all of us, queer and ally, into the present together.


E3824: Introduction to Romantic & Sexual Orientations! in Sprout Fall 2019 (Sep. 28 - Oct. 12, 2019)
Come learn about diverse sexual and romantic orientations in an interactive format! We will talk about a range of sexualities/romantic orientations, discuss stereotypes and misconceptions, and learn about how to be a better ally. Individuals of all identities/orientations are welcome to attend!


H3782: Queer History Around the World in Splash Spring 19 (Apr. 06, 2019)
This workshop introduces students to key moments in queer history around the world. It teaches students about how gender and sexual orientation was thought about in various cultures. The goal is to show students that queer identities have a long and diverse history that spans every time and every continent.


E3562: Gender and Transgender Workshop in Sprout Spring 19 (Feb. 16 - Mar. 02, 2019)
This workshop introduces students to the concept of gender as an identity and to several genderqueer identities. It introduces students to how cisgender people are oftentimes incorrectly viewed as the norm and teaches them how to be a good ally to their genderqueer peers. **NOTE--This class requires a permission form signed by a parent or guardian in order to enroll. Extra permission forms will be available at the help desk during sign in for students wanting to class change into the class**


H3469: Gender and Transgender Workshop in Splash Fall 2018 (Oct. 27, 2018)
This workshop introduces students to the concept of gender as an identity and to several genderqueer identities. It introduces students to the concept of cisnormativity and teaches them how to be a good ally to their genderqueer peers.


E3359: Gender and Transgender Workshop in Sprout Fall 18 (Sep. 29 - Oct. 13, 2018)
This workshop introduces students to the concept of gender as an identity and to several genderqueer identities. It introduces students to the concept of cisnormativity and teaches them how to be a good ally to their genderqueer peers.