Transgender School

Misinformation spread by politicians and other influential public figures, the growing polarization among young people, and widespread political cynicism are key elements contributing to our increasingly divisive political landscape.

In today's episode, our dear friend Sophia Alexander shares her perspective on the US political landscape just a few months before the 2024 elections. Sophia is a former US Navy Electronic Warfare Specialist and is politically active in her local community. Despite her impressive achievements as a Navy veteran and student leader, she struggled with her gender identity for years. Embracing her true self was a pivotal moment in her life, leading to self-acceptance and empowering her to advocate for others. 

You'll hear Sophia's thoughts on Republicans' strategies to derail the transgender movement by unearthing old and divisive issues like bathroom bills and trans athletes, and the influence of media and talking heads from dark corners of the internet in promoting these kinds of discussions. Sophia also addresses fear-mongering tactics used to scare the common folk about trans issues, the manosphere's selective appetite when it comes to addressing mental health issues, the myths about "mutilating children" often overused by the far right to confuse people, and much more.

Make sure to tune in for next month’s episode with Sophia to learn more about her life, including beginning and stopping her transition multiple times because of external pressures and expectations.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine keeping who you really are hidden for 62 years, knowing deep inside that you are not the person that others see.  Can you feel the pain of what it would be like to be unable to live as your true self because you could lose everything?

On today’s episode, we welcome back our dear friend, Alicia Arballo, who was kind enough to be our guest on episodes 18 and 19 two years ago.  Having transitioned at 62 years old, Alicia has taught us and many others so much about what it was like to have the courage to finally let the world know that she’s a woman.

We’re thrilled to share with you that Alicia has published a moving, beautiful book of poetry called Transition. Her poignant poems about the heartbreaking realities of coming out as transgender and the euphoria of living authentically moved us deeply and we couldn’t wait to talk with Alicia about them.

We’re also incredibly grateful to Alicia for being willing to read us a few of her poems, which we know can be very emotional, and we invite you to share that emotional journey with us, as there is so much to learn from it.

Alicia is a natural storyteller who has been writing poetry since she was a little girl, yet it wasn't until her transition that she felt the urge to share the feelings, sensations, challenges, and joys of her journey with us all.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What caused Vice President Kamala Harris's sudden surge in popularity after Joe Biden stepped down and endorsed her as the Democratic candidate for president? And how can her unexpected candidacy shift the dynamics of the 2024 presidential race?

The political landscape has changed dramatically. Harris’s candidacy brings renewed energy and hope to many, thanks to her firm stance on LGBTQ+ rights and progressive policies, and the record-breaking funds she raised so quickly are a testament to it.

In today's episode, we discuss the positive impact of Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race and Kamala Harris's subsequent nomination. We also delve into Harris's impressive career achievements, which justify her rapid popularity on social media and her robust record on LGBTQ+ rights. You'll also hear why it is crucial to support a candidate who understands diverse experiences, who can advocate effectively for LGBTQ+ rights, and who is willing to lead the fight for equality and justice in the current political climate.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How could the Trump-Vance ticket impact the transgender community, their rights, and their access to care?

The political climate is fraught with tension as Trump emerges as a significant threat to transgender rights. Considering Trump's anti-LGBTQ+ actions during his presidency and several anti-trans remarks he has made during the current campaign, most of us are living in days of uncertainty and fear.

In this episode, we analyze the political landscape as we approach the 2024 United States presidential elections. You'll hear our thoughts on Trump's intention to pass a bill establishing that the US Government will recognize only two genders, the lack of affirming care for trans people if he wins, and Elon Musk's decision to remove X's operations from San Francisco.

You'll also hear about the myths around the "trans epidemic among children," why it is crucial to fight for the continuity of gender-affirming care, and more.

Important announcements:

We will release a special bonus episode tomorrow about Kamala Harris’s campaign, with our thoughts on her qualifications and her history of LGBTQ+ support.

Here’s the link to sign up for our live Zoom Transgender Awareness course to learn how to be an even better ally to transgender people on September 28.

Resources Mentioned:

Fact check: Pamela Paul's Latest Anti-Trans New York Times Article Filled With Disinformation by Erin Reed

Book: Caster Semenya -The Race to Be Myself: A Memoir

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

About the terrifying assassination attempt against Trump and its effects on the political landscape (2:20)

Any option is better than Trump (8:40)

Debunking myths about the "epidemic of kids getting gender-affirming surgeries" (11:40)

About how trans rights and policies will look under Trump's mandate (13:20)

About Trump's intentions of establishing by law that there are only two genders (15:40)

Jackie and Bridget on why it is crucial to fight for gender-affirming care (20:50)

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Join us on Zoom on September 28 for our Transgender Awareness course

Transgender Support: Becoming a True Ally Video Course on Vimeo

Transgender School Patreon Membership with all exclusive content

Transgender School on Medium

Instagram

Website 

Facebook

Community Facebook Group

YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The housing crisis in blue states like California, with homes averaging over $700K, disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ individuals. Elevated housing costs limit their access to safe and inclusive communities, forcing them to either remain in less accepting areas or face homelessness. Addressing this issue is crucial for ensuring equitable living conditions for LGBTQ+ folks and other marginalized groups.

In today's episode, we analyze the housing crisis in blue states and its impact on LGBTQ+ communities. You'll also hear our thoughts on the institutionalized segregation in the United States after World War II, the limitations of the Fair Housing Act, and the consequences of downzoning.

We also unravel myths and truths about the massive number of vacant homes across the United States and discuss several approaches to address this crisis, like vacancy taxes, market-rate housing development, and inclusive zoning policies.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by author Lilah Sturges. She is happily married to her wife and has two lovely grown daughters. Lilah wrote the first two graphic novels in the award-winning and critically acclaimed Lumberjanes world and several other titles for Vertigo (DC Comics) and Marvel.

Her latest work, The Science of Ghosts, which will be published on June 18th by Legendary Comics, tells the story of a transgender forensic parapsychologist who studies ghost behavior to solve crimes and showcases a creative new spin on stories with trans characters. We were lucky enough to be given an advanced reader copy and we so enjoyed discussing how much we loved the book and what parts of it fascinated us most.

Throughout our conversation, Lilah tells us about how she got into graphic novels, her evolution as a writer, and her unique approach to transgender identities in her latest work. She also shares her coming out story, the challenges she and her family went through, and the story behind #transpizza.

In addition, Lilah shares her thoughts on grief in the trans community, her process of creating the main character’s traits in The Science of Ghosts, transphobia in media, and much more.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the potential consequences of restricting access to puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy for trans youth?

Last June, the UK's National Health System (NHS) decided to suspend the provision of puberty blockers to transgender youth in gender identity clinics. This decision moves in the opposite direction of US policies in blue states, where trans individuals are gaining more rights and access to healthcare.

In today's episode, we discuss the implications of the UK's NHS healthcare policies for transgender youth and compare them with the more progressive approaches adopted in many states in the US. We explore the role of medical professionals in shaping these policies and the challenges trans youth face in accessing essential healthcare services.

Additionally, we delve into the statements made by the Vatican condemning gender fluidity as we shed light on the intersection of religious beliefs and LGBTQ+ rights.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do shifting attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights reflect broader trends in the American political landscape?

As the 2024 elections approach, the intricate dance between political agendas and voter inclinations, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights, intensifies. As citizens, can we do anything to contribute to the greater good? Yes, we can start conversations.

In today's episode, we analyze the results of a poll and survey conducted by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), illuminating the upcoming election's complex landscape. From voters' motivation regarding candidates' stances on transgender issues to the complexities of LGBTQ+ support for Biden and Democratic candidates, we ponder the deeper undercurrents in what we believe is a presidential election that can change it all. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can gender-affirming therapy change people's minds?

Transgender kids and their parents often have very different expectations about what gender-affirming therapy will provide. For some parents, the hope is that when their child starts therapy, they’ll realize they aren’t really trans, but instead are gay, confused, or just in a phase. But studies have shown that among transgender kids, less than 3% give up on their transition.

In today's episode, Jackie and Bridget unveil a part of Jackie's coming-out story that they haven’t previously discussed publicly. They share details of Jackie's first appointments with the gender affirming therapist who helped and supported her in her transition. In this honest and open conversation, Bridget confesses a secret wish she had in the beginning, which she now realizes was based on delusional thinking. There are valuable lessons to take away from this part of Jackie and Bridget’s story - about unconditional love, acceptance, support, trust, and how allies are made. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we update you on the concerning trend of states banning trans-affirming care for transgender youth and enacting laws and policies that discriminate against them.

As if it weren't an already daunting experience being trans in America, these actions represent a massive blow for trans rights and, unfortunately, force thousands of people to either let go of their hormone treatment or flee their states. 

Throughout this episode, you'll hear our thoughts on the damage these administrative decisions will cause to the trans community, the housing problem in blue states, the myths about detransitioners, the division these kinds of decisions promote in our country, and much more. 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Though right-wing talking heads try to manipulate suicide rate statistics, the data proves that the number one cause of self-harm and destructive behavior in the LGBTQ+ community is a lack of family acceptance. Kids who come out as transgender are not confused, are not in a phase, are not following a fad, and are not trying to rebel against their parents. From conversion efforts to more subtle forms of non-affirming communication, there is no question that the damage done can be significant and can often be avoided with a little education and effort. LGBTQ+ kids need and deserve our respect, support, and love.

In this episode, we talk about what to do and say, as well as what not to do and say when your child (or any child) trusts you enough to come out as transgender, at any age. You'll hear about the critical importance of family and community acceptance, statistics that show how destructive the lack of support can be for transgender youth, and how some of the most well-intended questions can cause deep wounds for trans kids. 

We also discuss the mistakes Bridget made when Jackie came out and the challenges they faced. We learn ways to support transgender kids, support and respect their privacy, the ways to ensure affirming care for them, and much more.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content warning: In this episode, we discuss suicide, online harassment, and death threats.

Today we share two unsettling stories with the common themes of living secret lives and doing things that others would be shocked to discover.

You'll hear about the tragic story of Alabama Pastor and Mayor, Fred 'Bubba' Copeland, who, forced to live his life in the closet, used private social media accounts to present himself as a transgender woman and encourage transgender people to come out and go on hormone replacement therapy. After his secret life was exposed by a conservative news website and he was subsequently subjected to relentless online bullying, he took his life. We discuss the complex issues involved in cases like this and the ways that pressure to suppress one’s identity can lead to dire outcomes.

You'll also hear about a story published in the San Francisco Chronicle, in which a financially successful and apparently mentally stable man made several death threats to an operator from a Mental Health Hotline for LGBTQ+ youth in California. The name and address of this man, who lives in San Francisco, have been identified, but he will not likely face any consequences due to his power and wealth.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Joy is not just an emotion; it's a deep alignment with the self. And those of us who are in the LGBTQ+ community know better than most communities about what it really feels like to wake up with joy at your core because who you are is aligned." - Dr. Erin Baker.

In today's episode, we are joined by the amazing Dr. Erin Baker, Executive Coach, Elite Certified Neurotransformational Coach, Internal Family Systems L2 Practitioner, and Self-Leadership Expert. Erin earned a PhD in Social Psychology and is the Bestselling Author of "Joy-Full AF: The Essential Business Strategy We're Afraid to Put First." They led a UX Research team at Facebook, were part of bringing Facebook Stories to 2 billion people, and were the Director of UX Research and Design at Microsoft Yammer. 

Throughout this episode, a true testament to the uniqueness of everyone's gender experience, Erin discusses the process of coming to terms with their nonbinary gender identity throughout adolescence and early adulthood. They also share some of the challenges they faced, especially at the beginning. And we learned a lot thanks to Erin's openness about their top surgery, which led to a greater feeling of alignment with their gender. It was also interesting to hear about Erin’s experiences as a nonbinary person working for tech giants. 

Additionally, Erin talks about their book, the multiple benefits of pursuing joy, Self-Leadership Coaching, Internal Family Systems, and much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

About Dr. Erin's coming out story (6:40)

Erin shares a bit about their experience with they/them pronouns and being misgendered (11:00)

The retreat in Mexico that changed everything for Erin (18:10)

Erin shares their thoughts on top surgery (24:00)

What is Self-Leadership? Erin shares their perspectives on it (39:00)

Pursue joy and success will follow (45:50)

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Dr. Erin Baker - Joy-Full AF: The Essential Business Strategy We're Afraid To Put First

Book: Richard Schwartz, Alanis Morissette -No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model

Connect with Dr. Erin:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Transgender Support: Becoming a True Ally Video Course on Vimeo

Transgender School Patreon Membership with all exclusive content

Transgender School on Medium

Instagram

Website

Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

College students should be able to focus on their education without having to spend time and energy battling for fundamental rights like being addressed by their correct pronouns or having their gender expression acknowledged. This is one of the many reasons that Pride Centers at universities are essential. 

In this episode, we were so happy to be joined by Whitney Workman (fae/they), Manager of the California State University, Northridge Pride Center. We talk about faer work with LGBTQ+ students, the holistic view of the Pride Center at CSUN, their thoughts on the best ways of spreading awareness of LGBTQ+ issues on college campuses and more.

A trailblazer in faer teen years, as the second person in their high school to come out, Whitney immediately recognized the needs in the Queer community and hasn't stopped working to improve lives and create safe spaces for students in their early stages of transition or exploring their own sexuality and gender.

Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Whitney's journey from being an organizer at feminist organizations and working with reproductive justice to making it to the CSUN Pride Center. Fae then provides a detailed list of the Center's services, how it supports LGBTQ+ college students, and how to learn about their services and programs. We also discuss the best ways of spreading LGBTQ+ awareness, free speech, hate speech, censorship, and much more.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"When I told my lesbian love that I was transitioning, she sat with me for four hours, and I said, I don't know what this means for us. Because I didn't know any families who looked like us, any couples who were a trans man with a lesbian. I found out later that there's a lot of us."

In today's episode, you’ll get to hear the second half of our very special conversation with Peggy Gillespie, author of "Authentic Selves," and with Lana, Ted, Joseph, Tamira, and Christian, who shared their stories in Peggy's book. 

In this second part of our conversation, you'll learn about Christian, a suburban trans man, who was always told that it’s not okay to be out. He now embraces infinite, unconditional love, which he uses to teach his kids not to be ashamed of who they are or who their family is. You'll also hear about Joseph, a trans man, and his wife Tamira and their experiences parenting a trans kid. 

Additionally, we talk about couples that stay together after one of them transitions, Peggy talks about the importance of sharing her book and promoting these discussions, and much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I want other parents to know that it could be a life-or-death decision if you don't handle it right. Love your child. Carry the same love you had when they first came out of the womb, and you first saw them."

In today's special episode, we’re joined by Peggy Gillespie, author of "Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families." Peggy's book, with a foreword by Jazz and Jeanette Jennings, depicts life stories and portraits of transgender and nonbinary people and their families. We get to know some of the stories in "Authentic Selves" first-hand since we are joined by Lana, Ted, Joseph and Tamira, and Christian, who are featured in the book and also in the award-winning traveling exhibits that Peggy organizes through Family Diversity Projects. 

In this first part of our two-part series panel discussion, you'll learn more about Peggy's background and motivation for developing her beautiful works of art, not only for the trans and nonbinary community but for society as a whole. You'll hear a little of Lana’s story and her struggles coming out as a transgender woman within her Caribbean-American culture, and you'll enjoy meeting Ted and hearing about his wonderful rainbow family.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re sure you’re aware of the wave of anti-trans legislation being proposed and passed across the United States, but much of the information out there is confusing and misleading. In today’s episode, we want to clear things up for you and identify the truth about what’s happening and why by analyzing the political discourse on LGBTQ+ issues. We also debunk some myths about the idea of San Francisco being a Queer haven. 

The increasing number of states that have outright banned gender-affirming care for anyone under 18 is forcing trans youth to flee red states and small towns to big blue cities. Unfortunately, they do not always find the support, safety, and opportunities they seek and may end up entangled in addictions, mental illness, and homelessness. Jackie describes how she has seen this firsthand in her career in local government in San Francisco.

It’s not only trans youth who are affected. Many adults in some states, such as Florida, have been suddenly and shockingly prevented from renewing their necessary transition-related medications, due to new discriminatory laws making it incredibly difficult or even impossible. 

We discuss the effects of anti-trans legislation on the trans community, especially on trans youth, how we can all fight back, San Francisco's affordable housing issues, protests at schools that are teaching LGBTQ+ inclusion, and much more.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I believe that when something bothers you, either do something about it or get over it. And I couldn't manage to get myself over it. So that only left me one choice." - Dr. Kryss Shane on why she became an LGBTQ+ ally and advocate.

In today's episode, we are joined by LGBTQ+ expert and cast member of TLC's "I Am Jazz,"Dr. Kryss Shane. Dr. Kryss is an Educator and Consultant and the Author of "Creating an LGBT+ Inclusive Workplace," "The Educator's Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion," "Creating an LGBT+ Inclusive University," and "The Medical Professional's Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion." 

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Kryss talks about becoming an LGBTQ+ leading expert, the exhausting yet gratifying job of writing four books in four years, what people are saying about her recommendations for inclusion, and what it has been like to have her books banned. She shared some behind-the-scenes moments from "I Am Jazz" that showcase Jazz and her family's admirable human qualities.

In addition, Dr. Kryss talks about her relationship with the Jennings family before the show aired, provides helpful advice for parents of LGBTQ+ kids, explains how she deals with online hate, and so much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Dr. Kryss:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we are so excited to be joined by the wonderful Sander Jennings. He is a creator, a digital marketing strategy expert, the Head of Marketing at Checkin, a love, positivity, and motivation spreader, an amazing LGBTQ+ ally, and the older brother of Jazz Jennings from TLC’s docuseries, I am Jazz. 

Throughout our conversation, Sander was very open about how it was for him growing up as Jazz's brother and how he dealt with being in the public eye. He masterfully cleared up some of the most common misconceptions about transgender people. For example, Sander had this to say about choice: "People don't choose to be transgender, people choose to come out. Yet support and becoming an LGBTQ+ ally is a choice." 

In addition, we discuss the need for allies to speak out and/or do what they can behind the scenes, the rewarding side of being an LGBTQ+ ally and advocate, how Sander deals with hate and bigotry online, and so much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Sander:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we are joined by the wonderful London Price. She is a queer, cisgender author who writes joyful trans romance. London has two beautiful kids and has been married to her transgender wife for 17 years.

As an avid reader, London felt frustrated whenever she wanted to read queer romance and stumbled upon gigantic trigger warnings and stories that didn't resonate with her and her reality. She felt there was enough trauma and misunderstanding within the queer community, so she decided to write transgender romance stories focusing more on the joy of being queer and being part of a harmonious queer family.

Throughout our conversation, London talks about her reasons for writing this kind of transgender romance, how she reacted when her wife, who used to present as male, came out to her as trans 3 years ago, and how her wife’s transition helped her learn new things about herself. We also discuss boundaries, consent, how transgender people are usually represented in the media, and much more.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Jeanette Jennings, mother of the amazing spokesperson, YouTube and TV personality, and LGBTQ+ rights activist, Jazz Jennings. You may know Jazz and Jeanette from their popular award-winning docuseries, now in its 8th season on TLC, I am Jazz.

Jazz was diagnosed with gender dysphoria at age three and socially transitioned at 5. She is one of the youngest publicly documented people who have identified as transgender. In 2007, when Jazz was only six years old, her story caught mainstream media's attention when Barbara Walters interviewed her and her family for 20/20. 

Throughout our conversation with Jeannette, we learn about the blessings and the most challenging parts of Jazz's journey as a transgender child, how Jeanette has fought for Jazz’s rights, and the support they received from friends and relatives. Jeanette also talks about how important it is for transgender kids' parents to set their egos aside and make informed decisions seeking the best for their children. 

We also discuss gender-affirming care, the story behind the interview with Barbara Walters, an interview with Oprah, and tons of behind-the-scenes golden nuggets from Jazz's family reality show, I am Jazz.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

A bit about Jazz's journey as a transgender kid (6:15)

A family in transition (10:47)

Jazz's experiences in kindergarten as a girl. How Jeanette learned to pick her battles (19:01)

The most challenging parts of Jazz's transition (28:27)

About the American states that don't provide gender-affirming care as a political decoy (42:43)

What we can learn from transgender people's life experiences (58:29)

Some behind-the-scenes stories from the show I am Jazz (1:09:13)

Resources:

I am Jazz on TLC

Trans Kids Purple Rainbow Foundation

The Family Acceptance Project

Interview with Barbara Walters

Follow Jazz on Instagram

The Jennings Family on Instagram

Connect with Jeanette:

Instagram

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Transgender Support: Becoming a True Ally Video Course on Vimeo

Transgender School Patreon Membership with all exclusive content

Transgender School on Medium

Instagram

Website 

Facebook

Community Facebook Group

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A national Trevor Project survey of trans and nonbinary people found that being affirmed and having pronouns respected by most people in their lives dramatically reduced rates of depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. 

One of the most significant ways we can support LGBTQ+ community members is through effective, affirming communication. Words are incredibly powerful. Choosing our language carefully when speaking with trans and nonbinary people isn’t as difficult as many people seem to think; in fact, in many cases, it literally takes fewer words. 

So, in today's episode, we go through some everyday words that when used in reference to trans experiences could be quite hurtful and disaffirming for trans people. We also cover terms that have recently been replaced, words that may once have been accepted, but are now completely outdated. 

In addition, we address generational issues for certain terms, such as "sex change operation," which many trans people today would not feel comfortable with using or hearing. We’re sure you can understand why the term “gender confirmation surgery,” which is now widely used, would likely feel more accurate and affirming. 

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Resources:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: Today's episode touches on extremely sensitive and upsetting topics. 

We’re addressing the harrowing hate crime at Colorado Springs’ Club Q on November 26th, where a shooter took the lives of Daniel Aston, Raymond Green Vance, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, and Derrick Rump and injured another 25 people. 

The killing was stopped by Richard Fierro, a US Army veteran who, unarmed, managed to stop the 22-year-old gunman. Mr. Fierro's heroic actions not only saved many lives, but also sent a powerful message: the LGBTQ+ community is fighting this war with love, not violence, and they are going to win it. 

We discuss the underlying reasons behind the shooting, the rise of hate (as well as increasing support) for the LGBTQ+ community across the country, and the lack of humanity displayed by right-wing spokespersons when addressing grueling hate crimes. 

Jackie also shares her thoughts on the tweaks to legislation that could prevent these and other attacks and the cracks in gun control that consistently fail to stop the wrong people from accessing firearms. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we are joined by Kathleen Latlip and C.K. Malone, two amazing authors who recently each published a book designed to help and educate kids in their gender identity journey.

Kathleen is a lifelong writer and editor who has worked as an Editor and/or Assistant Editor at Shondaland and ABC, Lionsgate, Marvel, Fox, Sony, Universal Pictures, and Grey's Anatomy, to name a few. She and her wife encourage their kids to fully express and be proud of their identities, whatever they might be, and however they may evolve. Kathleen recently published "Blink, Plue & Colorful You," a story of three monsters who realize their outside doesn't accurately communicate who they are on the inside. 

C.K. is a bigender award-winning educator and coach. They are a secondary-level teacher who loves educating people, promoting awareness about LGBTQIA2+ acceptance, and supporting and advocating for the cause. They wrote and recently published "A Costume for Charlie," a book about a child seeking the perfect costume that would help them express their bigender identity. 

Throughout this episode, our talented guests shared details of their books, what inspired them to create and share these unique stories, and what kind of feedback they’re receiving. They also described their experiences with editors and publishers, their passion for educating people on gender and sexuality, and how they see their work touching kids' and their parents' lives. 

In addition, C.K. explains the difference between bigender and non-binary, they talk about their journey as a bigender person, and we discuss code-switching and the choice to present our identity in specific ways in certain places for safety. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

A bit about C.K and their life as an educator and coach (4:24)

Kathleen shares her backstory and what inspired her to write this book (7:12)

How these kinds of books can help children's gender identity journey (16:50)

C.K. shares details of their process of writing "A Costume for Charlie" (28:55)

C.K. explains the difference between bigender and non-binary (39:13)

Kathleen and C.K talk about what happens when sexuality and gender identity put our safety on the line (46:50)

Resources:

Kathleen Latlip - Blink, Plue & Colorful You: A Story about Gender Expression and Acceptance

C.K. Malone - A Costume for Charly

Connect with Kathleen:

website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Twitter

Connect with C.K.:

Twitter

website

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Transgender Support: Becoming a True Ally Video Course on Vimeo

Transgender School Patreon Membership with all exclusive content

Website 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy & Parenting

What does it actually mean to be an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist or parent? It may not be what you think. Today we’re honored to welcome Dr. Rebeks Clark Mane and Aba Horthy, highly trained therapists who specialize in this field as well as having their own lived experience as members of the community. The four of us explore this critically important topic with more depth and detail than we’ve ever gotten into before. 

What if we lived in a world where the model of responding to coming out (from parents, therapists, and others) was not about how hard life would be as an LGBTQIA+ person, but rather normalized and celebrated the experience and the uniqueness of the individual? This is what Rebeks and Aba teach us about in new, eye-opening ways. 

We know that outcomes are significantly more positive when LGBTQIA+ youth and adults are affirmed, encouraged, heard, seen, and believed. But what specifically does that look like? And, what might we be doing unknowingly that’s causing harm, even if we think we’re trying to be supportive? 

Rebeks is a transmasculine nonbinary therapist who loves working with folx in the "gray spaces" of identity. Aba is a queer mixed nonbinary therapist passionate about helping clients find and express their authentic selves. Both are Associate Marriage and Family Therapists and LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapists.

Throughout our conversation, Rebeks, Aba, and Jackie share parts of their story, their relationship with their families before and after coming out, and the role affirmative therapy (and non-affirmative therapy) played in their journey. They also provide tips and advice for therapists and parents dealing with their kids' transition, how to support queer, nonbinary, and trans kids, and how to avoid disconfirming words and actions that can cause deep trauma.

We also discuss the BIPOC queer, trans, and nonbinary experience, the white supremacist roots of the binary approach to queer representation, the informed consent model for gender affirming surgery, letters needed for surgery and their purpose, the need for cisgender folks to listen and learn with an open mind, gender policing, gender gatekeeping, media representation, the recent episode of The Problem with Jon Stewart called The War Over Gender, and much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

What LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy is (3:54)

The current consent model for hormone therapy and surgery and the problems with it (7:07)

What parents can do when they’re struggling with their kids' transition (18:44)

Change in sexual orientation is entirely normal at any age and for any gender (21:12)

How to avoid the trauma of being disconfirmed for trans and nonbinary kids (30:40)

The damage gender reveal parties cause (43:32)

What trans, queer, and nonbinary people's mental health and suicide rates look like when they are surrounded by love and support (56:43)

Resources:

Horthy & Mane Therapy website

The Problem With John Stuart - The War Over Gender

Connect with Rebeks:

LinkedIn

Connect with Aba:

LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While it’s popular in some circles to suggest that LGBTQ+ activists are “canceling” people for transphobic or homophobic comments and that being canceled can ruin someone's career, we have plenty of evidence to the contrary. 

Jackie's grandfather, Bill, hosts today's show with us and brings a very interesting view on cancel culture. He invites us to reflect on what is hidden behind the idea of being canceled and its real-world consequences.

We go through several examples of blatantly transphobic public figures who faced criticism and seem to expect sympathy for supposedly being canceled as a result of their harmful, cruel remarks about the transgender community. Exploring the controversies surrounding people such as Brittany Aldean, J.K. Rowling, Dave Chapelle, or Ricky Gervais, raises the question: were they really canceled?  

We also analyze social media's role in spreading misinformation and exacerbating hate speech, and we take an honest look at ourselves to think about the content we decide to consume or support. We’d like to debunk myths about what actually prevents people from being considered allies, and bring a deeper awareness to the true consequences of our words and actions.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we analyze the political landscape around LGBTQ rights, the latest rollback from the Supreme Court on abortion rights, and the clear intention of the Republican party to have control over people's bodies and turn the clock back on civil rights. 

Far from falling into the blue or red dichotomy's rabbit hole, today's episode intends to invite you to pay attention to where democracy is heading and to look at the incipient growth of authoritarian tendencies, with groups in power making decisions about the lives of transgender folks, cis women, people of color, immigrants, and virtually every minority. 

Jackie shares alarming statistics about people's beliefs, from people who firmly believe the country is run by a satanic cult to others who are convinced that patriots might have to resort to violence to "restore the country's order."

We also analyze how politicians use economic anxiety and the bitterness of those who feel they're missing a slice of the American dream to inflame xenophobic acts, violence, and hate against queer communities.

In addition, Jackie makes a call to action and explains the many ways you can get involved with, assist, and do something to support human rights, even if you live in a blue state or city. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources Mentioned: 

Relevant Past Episodes:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re so excited to have Toniii join us on today's episode. We discuss labels, gender-bending self-expression, drag, media representation, the need for role models in the LGBTQ+ community (especially black and brown queer folks), overcoming difficult circumstances, and improving outcomes for foster youth by providing access to diverse experiences. 

Toniii is the host of the Tea Time with Toniii podcast, where he discusses a lively variety of popular and current topics, including reviews of RuPaul's Drag Race. Toniii recently earned his bachelor's degree in Recreation and Tourism Management from California State University, Northridge, which is where he met Bridget when he was a student in her speech class. As you’ll hear, Toniii has dedicated a great deal of time and energy to volunteer work and being of service helping others who also grew up in underserved communities and are members of marginalized groups. 

Throughout our conversation, Toniii openly shares his background with us, which includes being born into the foster care system. He also conveys his strong desire to support and be a role model for fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community and foster youth. We talk about how Toniii doesn’t fit neatly into the labels for gender expression and how cisgender people sometimes struggle with understanding the individuality of gender expression. 

Toniii tells us about his unique podcast, we establish a clear distinction between being and striving to be an ally, and we highlight the importance of increasing the visibility of role models in the LGBTQ+ community to inspire and guide younger generations.

Some Questions We Ask:

Tell us about you. Who are you, and what do we need to know about you? (4:02)

Could you talk about your experiences as a camp counselor for foster kids? (9:45)

What would you say to people who ask: "What are you? How do you define yourself"? (20:42)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of solidarity and empathy for other people's needs (7:02)

The importance of role models and inspiring stories for kids in the foster care system (14:15)

Toniii shares his thoughts on labels and talks about his gender-bending dressing style (18:39)

Toniii describes his feelings about the behavioral boxes cisgender people put LGBTQ+ community members into (23:38)

What it means to be an ally (33:27)

Connect with Toniii

Tea Time with Toniii podcast

Instagram

Twitter

Tik Tok

Beacons page

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Transgender Support: Becoming a True Ally Video Course on Vimeo

Transgender School Patreon Membership with all exclusive content

Transgender School on Medium

Instagram

Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are thrilled to welcome Alicia Arballo to our show again, this time to talk about inclusiveness and affirming practices and policies at school. We also discuss legislation the LGBTQ+ community should be aware of.  

Alicia is a transgender woman, a school counselor, and a former teacher, with over 36 years of experience in education. She advocates for the LGBTQ+ community's rights and is an inspiration for her students and colleagues. 

In this episode, we discuss the importance and the urgency of making our schools a safe and affirming space for our kids. Alicia teaches us about Bulletin 6224, which obliges LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) schools to provide equal educational opportunity to all students and to accommodate all needs for the safety and affirmation of LGBTQ+ students. These policies were created to address and provide support to transgender and gender nonconforming students enrolled in the district.

In addition, Alicia highlights the benefits of incorporating LGBTQ+ affirming curriculum in schools and shares an example of how students' grades and attitudes improved with its inclusion. We also explore the idea that our legislation is outdated compared to society's current makeup. In the end, Alicia shares a beautiful, heartfelt message through a special letter that she received from a student.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources:

Connect with Alicia:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are so honored to have Alicia Araballo join us today to share her transition story and much more. Alicia has been an educator for 36 years; she is a counselor and former teacher, an LGBTQ+ advocate, and she recently came out as a trans woman at the age of 62. 

As the oldest of five siblings in a traditional Latino family, coming to terms with her gender identity and sexuality was extremely challenging. The predominant machismo,and the absence of information and role models from the LGBTQ+ community, added to Alicia's confusion about who she really was throughout a big part of her life. 

When she first attempted to transition over 25 years ago, the lack of family and social support as well as difficulty finding quality gender-affirming medical and mental health care caused Alicia to put that dream on hold, but not forever.

In this episode, the first of this two-part interview, Alicia shares her journey of discovering herself through the many "twists," as she calls them, in her life that led to getting in touch with amazing, supportive people who finally helped her rediscover and become her true self.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Connect with Alicia:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning… This episode touches on upsetting topics for trans people and allies. 

Today, we address some of America's most comprehensive anti-trans laws ever approved. The entire package of anti-LGBTQ+ laws was signed on April 8th, 2022, by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and it directly attacks transgender youth, their families, and their medical providers.

Amidst the pain and fear these laws are causing, we take a moment to analyze the real reasons politicians are proposing criminalizing parents and professionals for providing necessary gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

We debunk the myths and lies that are being spread to promote these anti-trans bills. For example, puberty blockers are a completely safe, proven method to buy some extra time for kids to figure out their gender, with no irreversible effects. And no one is performing surgeries on trans kids or grooming them to be LGBTQ+. These things simply aren’t happening.

Anti-trans legislation, which goes against all medical advice and peer-reviewed, evidence-based best practices for transgender care, causes great harm. It protects absolutely no one, though its proponents falsely claim that it’s “protecting children” because they hope to win over ultra-conservative, right wing voters.

These politicians know nothing about trans people’s experiences, they’re just playing a political game that will cost innocent lives and tear families apart. As the number of anti-trans bills has been rapidly increasing, calls to The Trevor Project suicide hotline have increased by 150%, which is no coincidence.

We urge advocates and allies of trans people to speak up, get involved, send emails, and make phone calls. Ultimately, the transgender community only asks for one thing: to be left alone and given the same rights that cisgender people have. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today, Leah, has a potentially life-saving message for two groups of people. She wants LGBTQ+ Christians to know that they don’t have to choose between their faith and fully being themselves. She also humbly asks religious people who are non-LGBTQ+ affirming to reconsider what they’ve learned about what the bible has to say on this topic. According to Leah, Jesus made it clear that the highest commandment is to love God and to love people, and that includes all people.

We are so honored to have Leah on the podcast with us for this critically important and timely conversation. When her daughter came out as transgender two years ago, Leah dove deep into the study of the ways humans have misinterpreted the bible with regard to LGBTQ+ people. 

We so appreciate Leah’s honesty and openness about her journey to becoming an LGBTQ+ affirming Christian and her struggles with the contradiction between what she felt was right in her heart and what a lifetime of religious teachings dictated. We talk about Leah's massive commitment to educating herself and how she is continuing her studies while speaking out to spread the message that one can be a devout Christian and also fully LGBTQ+ affirming.

Some Questions We Ask:

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources:

Blue Babies Pink website

Geeky Justin website

CannyonWalker Connections website

Church Clarity website

The Reformation Project website

FreedHearts website

Susan Cotrell YouTube channel

Q Christian Fellowship website

Matthey Vines YouTube channel

Books: 

Justin Lee -Torn

Matthew Vines -God and the Gay Christian

Kathy Baldock - Walking the Bridgeless Canyon, Repairing the breach between the Church and the LGBT Community

Julie Rodgers - Outlove

Staci Frenes - Love Makes Room

Austen Hartke - Transforming: The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians

Colby Martin - Unclobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ways people express their gender identity are more diverse and fluid than ever before. We celebrate this and want to keep learning as much as we can about how it’s all evolving; especially as younger generations confidently assert their unique identities in a variety of new and creative forms of expression. We encourage all individuals to explore and find their own authentic way of presenting themselves in the world. And our guests on this episode are the perfect loved ones to explore this exciting and nuanced topic with us!

Today, we are thrilled to have Bridget's first cousin Gabby and her fiancée and soon-to-be wife, Emily, joining us to talk about the reclaiming of the word "Butch" across not only the LGBTQ+ community but in society in general. Together, Gabby, Emily, and their community work tirelessly in the popular Butch Boudoir Project to empower Butch and masculine people, regardless of their gender identity and sexual orientation, to increase visibility, representation, and to celebrate the many ways of identifying and presenting as "Butch."

They also educate us on the Femme identity, the different labels attached to the term, and the resistance faced inside and outside the LGBTQ+ community. Gabby and Emily share the moving story of how they met, their evolution as a couple, and how they uplifted and encouraged each other to put their thoughts and energies into this movement while living their love story. 

As co-parents raising a nonbinary pre-teen, Gabby and Emily help us examine the importance of avoiding the urge to fit our kids into boxes and understanding the fluidity of gender expression and sexual orientation. Gabby and Emily share their stories and experiences of coming out in a world that was very different from our world now, with little to no representation and no affirming terminology to name how they felt about their sexuality and gender identity. They want something better for their child and for all children. And so do we.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

About how the Butch Boudoir Project started (5:19)

Gabby and Emily explain how being Butch flows throughout the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum (11:19)

How those in charge of online spaces should conduct their educational and boundary creation roles (19:17)

About Emily's experiences coming out and the realization of being attracted to masculinity that had nothing to do with the one displayed by cisgender men (24:28)

About gender identity and sexual orientation fluidity, and why trying to fit our kids into certain boxes is detrimental to their identity discovery journey (42:23)

Gabby and Emily share their thoughts on pronouns, prefixes, gender expression, and presentation (50:47)

Resources:

The Butch Boudoir Project website

The Butch Boudoir Project Instagram

The Butch Boudoir Project Facebook

The Butch Boudoir Project Patreon

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Transgender Support: Becoming a True Ally Video Course

Transgender School Patreon Membership

Transgender School on Medium

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity? Why are there so many different labels for sexual orientation and what do they all mean? Are the labels helpful or problematic? Can my (or my child’s) sexual orientation change over time? How can I ever begin to understand all this?

In this episode, we answer these questions and more in a very frank mother-daughter discussion about sexual attraction, romantic attraction, and emotional and physical intimacy. We wanted to dive deep into this topic because we know it can be very confusing for people.

We explore the ways parents tend to make assumptions about their kids’ sexual orientations and gender identities. In fact, in this very conversation, Jackie reveals something new about the history of her sexual orientation that Bridget didn’t know. We offer ideas for how we can all be more aware of and open-minded about the fluidity of the various forms of attraction that a human being may experience in the span of their lifetime.

We discuss the importance of understanding that no sexual orientation has definitive, fixed characteristics. This is why parents' efforts to identify and label their kids based on specific behaviors or traits are generally pointless. Unless your child explicitly expresses it to you, you likely have no idea how they experience their own sexual orientation. We also talk about intersex people, how the cisgender community perceives and treats queer people, and their reaction to couples in visibly queer relationships. To close today's episode, we go through some sexual orientation definitions and terminology.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How people express their sexual orientation, and that there are at least 46 terms to define sexual orientation (4:19)

The differences between sexual and romantic attraction (5:58)

About parents and their preconceived ideas of their children's sexual orientation and gender identity (8:20)

There is NO universal way of being gay, bisexual, or experiencing any other type of attraction; it is an individual experience (12:43)

How cisgender people perceive and treat queer people (18:34)

Some sexual orientation definitions and terminology (27:02)

Resources:

Article: Healthline - 46 Terms That Describe Sexual Attraction, Behavior, and Orientation

TEDx Providence: Emily Quinn - What I've Learned from Having Balls

YouTube video: Human Rights Watch - US Doctors Still Do Harmful Surgeries on Intersex Kids

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Transgender Allyship 101 Video Course on Vimeo

Transgender School Patreon Membership with exclusive content

Transgender School on Medium

Instagram

Website 

Facebook

Community Facebook Group

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's hard to imagine any parent-child relationship without conflict. In fact, a complete absence of conflict might indicate a lack of trust and honesty.

Although it is expected and, in many ways, healthy to have conflict in a parent-child relationship, if not handled properly, conflicts can lead to permanent damage. An unresolved parent-child rift could ultimately result in estrangement, which we’d never want for any family. 

In today's podcast episode, we have an honest conversation about conflicts between parents and their kids. Although we approach the subject from the perspective of trans kids and their parents, most of the things we discuss in this episode are relatable to all parents and children, of any age.

We also share our own personal examples from our experiences as mother and daughter for 24 years. And some of the things that came up in our discussion were actually surprising to us! 

Together, we explore some of the primary sources of tension between parents and kids growing up, such as control versus autonomy, being affirming versus critical, and enmeshment versus independence.

We talk about how to navigate these conflicts, focusing on respecting kids' individual identities and understanding parents' conditioning, always coming from a place of love and compassion.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Although most of us might have (or might think we have) a clear idea of what it means to be an ally or an adversary to transgender people, we may not be aware of all the specific choices that can make a huge difference. What might cause someone to be seen as an ally by a trans person? What might cause someone to be seen as an adversary by a trans person? And what about all the people who fall somewhere in between, despite the fact that they may believe that they’re coming from a place of love and support for transgender people?

We attempted to answer the questions above, from our perspective, because though the differences can be subtle, they’re deeply meaningful. 

Today's episode is about clearing up some misconceptions about what it means to be an ally, to not be an ally, and to be an adversary. We go through what is expected from allies when interacting with trans people and even more important, how to be an ally even when a transgender person is not present. We discuss the importance of going beyond superficial performative actions and actually demonstrating true allyship, even when it’s uncomfortable and difficult.

We delve into how actively advocating against the transgender community, even if it is only behind a keyboard, validates and encourages continued hate and violence against transgender people. In addition, we share a brief sample of the content we’ve created for our Transgender Allyship 101 course, which you can rent now for only $10.00 at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/transally. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is very special; we have the pleasure of welcoming my parents and Jackie's grandparents, Kath and Bill, to the podcast. As the holiday season is drawing near, we thought it made sense to talk about our experience navigating Jackie's transition as a family, and more specifically, from my parents' standpoint. Although my parents were young in the '60s, and they were, as they call themselves, “weekend hippies,” they weren’t exposed to much information about transgender people until recently. So we thought it would be fascinating to hear about what it was like for them when their granddaughter Jackie, who they’ve always been very close to, came out as a transgender woman at 19. 

In this episode, we get to hear about the experiences my mother, a retired nurse, and my father, a successful business owner, had throughout Jackie's transition. We reflect back on what they thought and felt on the day Jackie came out and explore what they’ve learned since then. 

We also discuss the difficulties that people, especially from older generations, often have as they try to understand a family member's transition. We talk about the power of acceptance as a first step and the importance of committing to a deeper level of support by becoming a true ally over time. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After spending over 30 years leading multi-billion-dollar brands in the fashion industry, and despite his tremendous success, Rob Smith felt he wasn't doing what he was supposed to do. During the day, he was a successful designer in corporate America, and at night, he would work with the LGBTQIA+ youth community. Rob found the answer he was looking for after a shamanic experience, an epiphany during a trip to Peru. That day Rob knew he had to create a gender-free, non-binary shopping environment, which would be the first of many steps to creating The Phluid Project. 

Rob Smith is a Futurist, Activist, Educator, Retailer, Entrepreneur, Community Builder, Speaker, and the Founder and CEO of The Phluid Project. After his trip to Peru, Rob reconnected with his heritage as a third-generation Native American from the Ojibwa tribe, which inspired him to merge his 30 plus years of experience in fashion with decades of fighting for human rights and social equality.

In this episode, we talk about Rob's extraordinary journey that led to creating The Phluid Project, a space that today is a little about selling shirts and a lot about educating, adding value, and advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community. We explore Rob's vision, ideas for the future, and his view on the best way to be allies of underrepresented communities. We also talk about how interesting it would be to eliminate gender from language, especially in the workplace, where formalities can lead to misgendering gender-nonconforming folks. 

Some Questions We Ask:

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources:

Connect with Rob:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For members of the LGBTQ+ community, finding a safe space where they can be themselves is as fundamental as it is hard to find. The possibility of being comfortable in their surroundings and expressing their thoughts and feelings without fear of being ridiculed or humiliated is often unavailable to underrepresented minorities. This is why the work of our guests, Monica and Ash, is so important! By creating a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community on TikTok, they are literally saving lives. 

Monica, a former Sex Ed teacher, and her eldest Ash, a high-schooler who came out as a non-binary lesbian, have a TikTok profile, The Normalizers (@Monicatheteacher), with over 125 thousand followers and 6 million likes on their posts. They talk openly about sexual orientation, gender identity, pronouns, autism bullying, eating disorders, representation, and many other subjects. After starting over a couple of times and repurposing their content, they finally received the surprising yet well-deserved recognition that they now have. Their TikTok profile created a safe space for LGTBQ+ community members and their parents and allies, where everyone is free to express themselves and be who they are without any fear. 

In this episode, our conversation revolves around Monica and Ash's evolution as influencers, and their relationship before and after Ash came out to their mom, Monica, first as a lesbian and later as non-binary. We discuss the importance of creating safe spaces at home and normalizing talking about sexual orientation and gender identity. Monica and Ash shared some of their experience with hateful comments online, how they deal with them, and what they believe social media companies could do about it. 

Some Questions We Ask:

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For those of us advocating for access to necessary medical care for trans youth, recent legislation seeking to criminalize or prevent this gender-affirming care feels like a huge step back. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy is working to gain that ground back again, and to promote greater understanding of and support for it. 

Visiting us today is Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, who we lovingly call Dr. Jo. She’s the Medical Director of The Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Los Angeles Children's Hospital. She is also an Attending Physician, Investigator of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine and Behavioral Health, and Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics Keck School of Medicine of USC. Dr. Olsen-Kennedy is considered one of the leading experts in gender-affirming care.

With a patient load of over 700 transgender children, teens, and young adults and 16 years of experience in the field of gender-affirming medical care for trans youth, Dr. Olsen-Kennedy has answers to our most pressing questions related to gender dysphoria, treatment options, and much more. 

In this episode, we talk about Dr. Jo's work at The Center and how she helps trans kids' parents, caretakers, and trans adults. We also discuss the barriers that prevent trans people from accessing quality medical care services and the effects of the criminalization of gender-affirming care for transgender adolescents on the LGBTQ+ community, their parents, and the professionals involved. 

Dr. Jo kindly shares her position on the use of GnRH Analogs, and she invites us to reflect on why we have different responses when it is used on trans youth. We talk about the central role of having key conversations as the foundation of any medical care, and much more.

Some Questions We Ask:

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources:

Connect with Johanna:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Going through his transition in a rural area of Northern California was tough and lonely for Aydin. Although he assumes there were other trans people in the area, he never got in touch with them. On the other hand, he would drive three and a half hours each way to see a gender specialist on weekends. These difficulties created a strong desire in him to increase accessibility to mental health services for transgender people, which he considers crucial. This marked the beginning of a journey of advocating for the transgender community and supporting them as a counselor, trainer, and educator.

Aydin Olson-Kennedy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the former Executive Director of the Los Angeles Gender Center. In his practice, Aydin has been serving teenagers and adult transgender and nonbinary individuals and their families for over ten years. He is considered a national expert, and he has trained thousands of professionals and families in the US and is a dedicated volunteer professional for the Los Angeles based support group Transforming Family, which Bridget is a parent volunteer for. 

In this episode,we had an enlightening conversation where Aydin shared his transition journey, and the difficulties he faced before and after coming out as a transgender man. We discussed important recommendations for how parents can support and communicate effectively with their transgender and nonbinary children. We explored misgendering people: why it happens and tips for parents, caregivers, and others to prevent it. Aydin also offered some poignant insights on the damage that can be caused by parents expressing their own distress with their kids, and much more.

Some Questions We Ask:

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Aydin:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to being more empathetic with other humans that are different from us, Lauren Nile feels that she could put together a five-day PowerPoint presentation with 1000 bullet points, yet nothing would be as impactful as experiencing discrimination or harassment first-hand or seeing someone we love go through it. She believes that we need to go out there and be curious and make an effort to get the closest we can to walk in their shoes. Once we see their humanity, it is almost impossible to hold on to the prejudices against them.

Lauren Nile is an Author, Keynote Speaker, Organizational Development Trainer, Consultant, and Retreat Facilitator. Her primary goal in working with groups is to increase participants' self-awareness and emotional intelligence. She is a former VoiceAmerica.com and The Wisdom in The Middle host. Lauren was named one of the 2019 Outstanding Voices of Palm Springs and received the 2019 Greater Palm Springs Pride Spirit of Stonewall Advocate of the Year Award. Lauren holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of New Orleans, an MA in Philosophy from the University of Connecticut, and a JD from Cornell University School of Law. 

In this episode, we had a wonderful conversation about oppression, acceptance, and empathy. Lauren shared her brilliant take on intersectionality and enlightened us with her kind wisdom. We discussed our society's ongoing transformations and what is missing to reach equality. Lauren also shared her experience coming out to her family, how they reacted, and her experience as an LGBTQ community member in the late '70s. 

Some Questions We Ask:

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources:

Connect with Lauren:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It had never occurred to Dr. Paria Hassouri that she didn’t know her child's gender. When her daughter Ava came out as transgender at 13, Paria didn’t believe her. Many years later, and with a better understanding of what it means to have a transgender child, Paria knows that gender is a spectrum that presents and evolves at different times. 

Visiting us today is Dr. Paria Hassouri and her daughter Ava, to talk about their journey during Ava's transition. Paria is a pediatrician, a writer, and an activist. She recently published Found In Transition, a memoir where she tells her side of her daughter's transition story.

As an Iranian-American who spent some of her early years living in Iran, Paria knows how exhausting it is to be judged on sight, and that is one of the main reasons she advocates against transphobia.  

In this episode, Paria and Ava generously shared their story - the bitter and the sweet parts of their love story. We talked about how they managed to rebuild trust in each other after Paria's first reactions of denial, anger, and grief. We also talked about how Ava has forgiven Paria and how Paria is working to forgive herself. Ava kindly shared some advice for transgender children and their parents. 

Tune in, and listen to Paria and Ava's beautiful story of love, acceptance, growth, and forgiveness. 

Some Questions We Ask:

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

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If we compare our society with the way things were 10 or 15 years ago, we can see advances regarding trans equality and safety. Still, there is often a lack of trust between members of the LGBTQ community and the law enforcement professionals who are meant to protect them. Reports indicate that approximately half of transgender people feel uncomfortable seeking police assistance. We wanted to understand the issues and talk about the ways to increase awareness and equity. 

In this episode, we had a fantastic conversation with Delwin Lampkin, Founder of Harbinger Horizon LLC, which provides professional development for individuals and organizations in the areas of workplace harassment prevention, cultural diversity, team building, workplace safety discussions, and adult learning. Del is also a law enforcement professional. He generously shared his story of how and why he decided to become a law enforcement officer and his constant striving to become a better, more empathetic servant. We talked about the importance of educating society on transgender identities and how to communicate respectfully across differences. We also touched on diversity courses for law enforcement officers and the importance of starting the change with ourselves. 

Tune in, and listen to Delwin's vision of what we can all do to make the world a safer, more compassionate, inclusive place.

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In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Most children can recognize and label stereotypical gender groups between the ages of 18 to 24 months. They also categorize their own gender at about age 3. As gender stereotypes are usually reinforced, kids might choose to behave in the most rewarding way, according to the gender they perceive as the one they should express. Gender and expression are related, and still, gender identity is not always suggestive of a gender expression, and children's gender expression is not always indicative of gender identity. As parents, we must reduce our interference to none and elevate our support to the maximum; even the slightest indication that we get it can mean the world to them. 

In this episode, we had a fantastic conversation with Jennifer Brookings Chapman, host of the Parentingology podcast, Organizational Psychology Doctorate, business owner, and mother of 9-years-old Blue Chapman, who transitioned at age 4. Jennifer kindly shared her experience and some details of Blue's transition and how it was for her and the rest of the family. 

Following his older brother Cade, Blue decided to become an actor. He got a part on the show Council of Dads, where he played the role of a transgender boy. Jennifer related how it was for her and Blue to be broadcasted for such a massive audience and the impact she believes more shows with stories like that would have in our society.

Tune in, and hear Jennifer's supportive, evolved, and loving story of her and her son, Blue. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources:

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Perhaps a common mistake we can make as parents of transgender children is to think that something must be fixed, that we need to say or do something to solve a problem. We might feel stuck in the mud when we see our children suffering and we aren’t able to help them in the way we think would be best. But the truth is, the only thing they want from us is our love and support. 

In this episode, we add a special guest to the conversation, Bridget's spouse and Jackie's father, Neal Thornhill. We talk about the journey of having a transgender child from a parent's perspective and how Jackie's experience with announcing her transition publicly made her a stronger person. In the last episode, Bridget shared her first reactions to Jackie coming out as transgender, and today you'll hear how Neal dealt with the news initially and what are, in his opinion, the things every parent should avoid. 

Tune in to hear Neal's internal battle between wanting to prevent his family from suffering and feeling powerless in the face of the unknown territory he stepped into. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

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Welcome to the first episode of the Transgender School podcast, where Bridget and Jackie talk about diverse transgender identities and experiences so that we can all be better allies and advocates.

Coming out as transgender is a difficult thing to do, both for the person who's transitioning, as well as for those around them. All of a sudden, reality changes, and major adjustments must be made.

In this episode,Bridget and Jackie provide a comprehensive and clear definition of transgender and share their family story - how Bridget coped with finding out her daughter is transgender, how Jackie experienced this transition herself, and how they embarked on the journey of helping others go through this process with more ease and grace.

Tune in, and join our quest to make the process of coming out and transitioning easier for everyone involved. 

In this episode, you will learn:

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