Trandescendant

So you want to be an LGBTQ ally. What misconceptions have you embraced without realizing it? Despite greater visibility for LGBTQ people, there is still a lot of misinformation about how coming out can affect someone's life. In this episode, Joe and Rya look at the research compiled by AJ Willingham and Scottie Andrew for CNN about common misconceptions that are harmful to the LGBTQ community...

Joe and Rya respond to questions from a listener about the impact on children when parents are LGBTQ+. How does a lack of traditional gender role models affect development? Does having LGBTQ+ parents confuse children's understanding of gender and sexuality? CW: discussion of suicide Research sited: https://www.ncfr.org/policy/research-and-policy-briefs/lgbtq-parents-and-their-children Send us...

What's the deal with people making up all these new genders? Is that all just a load of mumbo jumbo that young people have made up? In this episode we look at the five aspects of gender, and how they combine to make you who you are. This is important stuff that applies to everyone. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

In this episode, we look at some facts and figures to help us better understand the LGBTQ+ community and where the numbers show we are trending. Joe and Rya explore where the community has made progress so far, and where there is still a lot of work to be done. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

The first step in communicating total acceptance of your transgender loved one is getting their pronouns right. But why is it so important? Why do our trans friends and relatives react so strongly when someone gets it wrong? Can't they understand that the people around them are trying? Their reactions can be confusing if you've never experienced having people use the wrong pronouns for y...

What have we learned about being gay from the animal kingdom? Sociologists have learned a whole lot about how humans behave. But what happens in the rest of nature? Veterinary researcher, Dr. Pete Gasper looks at what the science says. Current research indicates that sexual orientation is the result of three converging natural causes. Shame should never be a part of the formations of our identitie...

What is it like to be transgender in a small town? What is it like to be the parent of a transgender person in a community where everyone knows you? There's no hiding in a small town. Everyone knows your family, your neighbors, your friends, and everything about you.  Joe and Rya open up about the preconceived notions they harbored about what it would be like in town prior to Rya's trans...

Okay, we confess, we didn't create this ultimate guide. The five points of well-being come from Martin Seligman, the famous researcher on the science of happiness. But we live it. And so can you. LGBTQ+ people face unique challenges and complexities in our lives, so having these five points of focus can help us find a deeper sense of peace and positive attitude. Send us Fan Mail Support the s...

Being a good ally is about the journey to understanding. This episode looks at what YOU can do to take the initiative. Love leads to listening, listening leads to understanding, and understanding leads to acceptance. Just start with the first step. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

If you've met one trans person, you've met one trans person. Each of us has a different story. In this episode, we discuss the similarities and differences between two trans-feminine people, Rya Jones and Maggie Williams. This podcast was recorded before a live audience at the PRIDEducation event, sponsored by Rainbow Alliance Advocacy in Appleton, WI on May 21, 2023. Send us Fan Mail Su...

May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. In honor of IDAHOBIT, we discuss ways to support our LGBTQ+ loved ones. Together, we can break down the stigma and create a safe and respectful community for everyone. ❤️🏳️‍🌈 Go to may17.org to find the illustration we used for this episode's podcast. The illustration is available in many languages. We are gratefu...

What kinds of issues are important in healthcare for transgender patients? While transgender people may still experience some pushback from doctors and other providers, things are much better than they once were. In this episode, Rya discusses her own experience with healthcare, which has been generally positive. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

People are notoriously bad at knowing how things will make us feel. Things that happen to us are rarely as mild or as intense as we predict they will be. A common pit trap in relationships is that we overlook what our loved ones are going through because we imagine incorrectly what we would feel in their shoes. In this episode, we discuss how we can all be open to listen to our loved ones when the...

We received an interesting e-mail from a subscriber who expresses gratitude for the podcast, but concerns about some of the issues in the LGBTQ+ community. We discuss those concerns and how it affects our capacity to build healthy relationships with one another. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Rya's daughter joins us to discuss her journey to accepting Rya's transition. It was not easy for her, especially at first. What is it like to have a parent transition? What emotions did she go through? How does she feel about Rya now? Questions for Megan? E-mail trandescendant@gmail.com. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Many adults assume that LGBTQ+ youth may just be going through a phase. But the most critical thing we can do as allies and guardians of youth is to find ways to unabashedly affirm and support them. When a parent is surprised that a child is coming out, it demonstrates that there has already been a breakdown in communication. Mel Davis offers guidance on how we can support our LGBTQ+ youth during...

We learned a new word and we wanted to share it with you. What is transmisia? And what does it mean for promoting healthier relationships? Send us Fan Mail Support the show

What is it like to be a transgender person in the workforce? How is it different if you stay at the same job you worked before your transition. In this episode, we discuss the topic with one of Rya's childhood friends, a transgender man who works at the local foundary. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

One of the great tragedies of many LGBTQ people's life stories is the frequent non-acceptance by family members. We offer two perspectives on how gay, lesbian, and other queer people experience family life. You never know how much time you have left, so we must all make the most of the relationships we have now. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Rya and Joe take a moment to stop and reflect on how the podcast has changed since they started. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

This kind of thing happens all the time but often goes unnoticed. In this episode, we share a real-life example of how words can hurt, even when they have the best intentions. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

You've been there. Someone tells an off color joke that set off your alarms. You know you should speak up. But you're not sure what to say. In this episode, we discuss an effective strategy for being a positive influence in that situation without having to become the "wet blanket." Send us Fan Mail Support the show

"Cultivating positive relationships together" means positive for EVERYONE. But what about for the person who has reservations about LGBTQ issues? Or the person who sincerely believes it conflicts with their faith? Is it possible to still make meaningful contributions towards the relationship? We believe it is. In this episode, we discuss things the skeptic can do to work towards healthie...

We all want to have positive relationships. But how can we cultivate them after we've gotten hurt? In this episode we discuss the one thing that is the biggest favor you can do for yourself and for your relationships. It's good for your physical health, it's good for your mental health, and it contributes to your happiness. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

When you're faced with a hopeless situation, everything can feel overwhelming. But there is a solution, and it's already there. You just have to find it. No matter what, there is an answer for you. This episode explores the types of hopeless situations you could be facing and suggests ways to get through them even when there seems to be no way. Send us Fan Mail Support the show