Trandescendant

This episode is everything you've always wondered about "the surgery" but were afraid to ask. Or maybe you weren't afraid to ask, and some poor trans person had to remind you that we don't talk about those things in polite society. Either way, this episode has all your answers. We discuss the various types of surgeries on offer, the history of surgeries, and Rya's own...

Recent debacles involving the school board in Bucks county, Pennsylvania prompted Joe and Rya to have a discussion about how we should approach cultural conflict. When we make a negative display of ourselves, those on the other side can paint us as villains. We end up working against our own society. When others begin to see us as a threat, we lose our own voice and subvert the message we were hop...

Do you believe in love at first sight? Roy and Matthew do. The first time they met, they knew they belonged together. But for each of them, telling friends and family about a new partner also meant coming out as gay. To their surprise, they never anticipated the  sense of freedom that would come with being their most authentic selves. Start the year with a feelgood story that will inspire you to l...

We often contemplate resolutions we can make to improve our lives. Coming off of last week's episode about cultivating self-esteem, Joe and Rya provide seven actionable habits you can implement into your life right now to help you live a more positively. Here are seven actions to strengthen your self-image. It's your privilege and your responsibility. Nobody can build you up better than...

We all have experiences in our lives that tax our self-esteem. It's too easy to let other people's opinions of us make us feel ashamed. We can allow those negative emotions to bring us down...or we can take intentional steps to counteract them and to cultivate positivity. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

As a society, we must always watch out for the marginalized among us. LGBTQ+ elders are among the most vulnerable. Yet most of us have never stopped to consider the unique challenges of aging LGBTQ+ seniors. How can we act with compassion and love towards those who have gone before us? Send us Fan Mail Support the show

There are a lot of ways that people communicate that they are considering suicide. What you may think is only a mood swing may in fact be an indication of something much deeper. Signals could be anything from verbal comments to changes in routine. Our LGBTQ+ loved ones are most at risk. Do you know what to watch for? Are you ready to interpret the signals when they need you most? Educate yourself...

Have you considered forming a support group for LGBTQ+ people and allies? Joe and Rya approached a national organization, PFLAG, about starting a local chapter in their community. The discussion centers on what makes people come, what entices them stay, and what keeps it welcoming. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

November 20 is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. There is still so much violence against transgender people because of transphobia and misunderstanding. Joe and Rya offer suggestion for how each of us can make a difference. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

You wanted a nice, happy time together with your family. But Uncle George just can't let things be! And Casey is manufacturing new things to be offended by. With the holidays coming up, we want to minimize potential arguments between people who don't always see eye-to-eye. It's not easy, but there are ways to create an environment that fosters love. Rya and Joe explore ideas from tw...

Some people don't want an actual dialogue about LGBTQ people, they just want a debate. How do you avoid that trap? Anyone who has had their gay or lesbian loved ones' identities dismissed will find a wealth of insight about how to respond. Some people expect answers but are not asking in good faith.  And some questions are not appropriate to ask. Let's find ways to support our loved...

In a recent written exchange, a man approached Rya with concerns about his long-term, committed marriage. He and his wife have children and grandchildren. But he is secretly attracted to other men. He doesn't want to tell his wife because he believes it could only end poorly. Will such a conversation really result in disaster? Joe and Rya discuss the situation from a broader perspective and c...

How do you find your own identity? There are more options than you think. Are you queer? Are you questioning? Or something else? Maybe none of the words really define you. Take the first step toward figuring out how to be the real you. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Churches are like giant families. Just like families,  they can sometimes become abusive. When someone is trapped in a toxic system, the have to leave in order for healing to begin. Some church leaders subvert that process by trying to push those who have been wounded to come back to the church by saying, "Well we're not like the church you used to be in." But for many people in the...

It's great to be an ally, but when you're ready to take the next step, how do you go about it? Often, when we try to be most helpful, we end up making things more awkward. Learn how to communicate true sincerity, not just with words, but also with actions. This episode gives tips to point you in the right direction. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Really? Who gets to choose what's best for someone? Who makes the rules? Parents often say, "I only want what's best for you," with the hope that their children will understand their good intentions. But is it really honest care and concern? Is it unsolicited advice? Or is it nothing more than manipulation? Joe and Rya discuss how to tell the difference between genuine love and...

MUST LISTEN EPISODE. Are you having a difficult time mending a broken relationship? Developing and repairing relationships can feel overwhelming when disagreements separate you. Joe and Rya discuss five ways you can get past what divides you and start to build that bridge. And it's not just theoretical. They discuss conflicting opinions where they are actively trying to build bridges in their...

The most important thing we can do is maintain relationships with the people who are closest to us. And yet, how often do we end up finding ourselves at odds with the people we love the most, especially when we desperately yearn for their approval? It's our responsibility to take the lead. In this episode, we discuss how to set a positive tone to help our non-ally loved-ones to more become ac...

LGBTQ issues can tear families and friendships apart. What if you don't approve when someone close to you comes out? How can you preserve the relationship without compromising your values? Many of our podcasts on Trandescendant are geared towards allies. But not everyone feels they can be an ally in good conscience. This episode is specifically addressed to those who do not approve of LGBTQ l...

Joe and Rya gave a live presentation about the importance of accepting your gay or transgender loved one. Since it was a large general audience, no one explicitly identified whether they were an ally. We didn't know how well our message would be received. No one expected how emotional it would become. Content Warning: discussions of suicide Send us Fan Mail Support the show

We're going back to school! We asked ourselves how new teachers are being taught. Is the system getting more accepting of LGBTQ students, or are things going backwards? Do you see the school as your defender... or does the system side with the bullies? We had a discussion with our resident expert in the education field, a recent graduate from the education program and fresh with her teacher&a...

Is it better than it used to be to be openly gay in high school? While society has become more open and tolerant, things are far from easy. In this episode we welcome a special guest, our granddaughter and niece, Maya. She describes her experiences as a high school senior, and the strategies she employs to get along with everyone. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean you can&a...

How do you get along with someone you disagree with? How do you convince them? CAN you even convince them? We live in a society where we tune out the people who disagree with us and create echo chambers where everyone thinks and acts like we do. There is a better way. In this episode, Joe and Rya discuss how to disagree without being disagreeable. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Chaser, clock, ace, gold star, queerbaiting, and lots more. Do you know what these words mean? In this episode,  Rya quizzes her father Joe about the meaning of these terms and other current gay and transgender lingo. If you don't know the meanings, you can feel like you're hearing a whole other language when you're at a Pride event. Listen along and learn with him. Send us Fan Mail...

You will often hear that religion and LGBTQ+ experiences as mutually exclusive. The most hateful advocates for faith are often the most vocal. But their perspective does not represent most people of faith. A growing majority of faith communities are welcoming LGBTQ+ people with open arms in ways that are both accepting AND affirming. Father Wilson Roane from the American Episcopal Church joins us...