Trandescendant

What can parents do to create a home where LGBTQ+ children feel truly safe and affirmed? Joe and Rya explore the transformative power of unconditional love and acceptance, revealing how even small acts of rejection can leave lasting scars. By prioritizing communication, affirmation, and inclusivity, we can ensure that our loved ones feel valued and free to express their authentic selves. Joe and R...

The LGBTQ+ experience is often shaped by discrimination, microaggressions, and minority stress. Joe and Rya examine how these challenges intersect with body image concerns and the personal struggles of LGBTQ people. Navigating a world that frequently misunderstands or marginalizes queer identities requires a healthy dose of resilience. This episode gives tips for finding that resilience. Send us F...

Struggles with identity and acceptance can weigh heavily on both LGBTQ individuals and allies. Questions of identity can create difficult emotional challenges, from internalized homophobia and transphobia to the anxiety of coming out. External struggles like family rejection and social isolation can also cause difficulties. So how can we overcome those negative emotions? Joe and Rya offer practica...

How can we help the “Scrooges” in our lives become more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community? We can use A Christmas Carol as a framework to explore practical, research-backed strategies for changing hearts and minds. Each of Scrooge's encounters suggest concrete steps for fostering empathy by sharing personal stories and guiding people toward a more inclusive future. Whether you're confron...

So much of what we learn about others comes from the media we consume. Listen in on Joe and Rya's conversation about how allies can educate themselves on LGBTQ experiences by engaging with film and television. They share some of their favorite queer movies and reflect on the power of media to foster empathy and understanding. The discussion offers accessible recommendations for those looking...

What can we learn from the pivotal moments in LGBTQ history in the U.S.? This episode explores key events that have shaped the fight for equality and civil rights within the U.S. government. From the Lavender Scare to the Stonewall Riots, and through landmark legal cases like Obergefell v. Hodges, they reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the LGBTQ movement. This episode highlights the import...

From 1981 to 1999. she lived in constant fear of being outed, knowing that discovery could end her career in an instant. In honor of Veteran's Day, Monica Skarban returns to the podcast to share her personal story of serving in the U.S. Air Force as a closeted gay woman. She watched firsthand as friends were dishonorably discharged after being exposed. Despite serving with dedication as a nur...

For those struggling with the recent election results, this episode offers a bit of encouragement. Joe and Rya share their thoughts on the outcome and present a perspective you probably haven't heard.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

The mid-twentieth century was a defining moment in LGBTQ history, marking the beginning of a long and difficult fight for equality. Joe and Rya retell the stories of Frank Kameny and Jamie Shoemaker, two key figures whose lives were forever changed by the persecution of LGBTQ individuals. Kameny’s activism helped ignite the struggle for LGBTQ rights. Once the fight for progress began, there was no...

Imagine if computer AI could help you discover your true identity—perhaps even before you understood yourself. From personalized health care for trans individuals, to tools that aid in gender exploration, "Artificial Intelligence" is transforming the LGBTQ+ community. We live in a time of exciting possibilities for progress. But is there also a dark side? Send us Fan Mail Support the sho...

In this episode, Rya and Joe have a heartfelt discussion about how AI is transforming society, with a focus on its potential impact on the LGBTQ community. They explore how AI functions, its growing role in various fields like healthcare and creative work, and the ethical concerns surrounding data usage and misinformation. The conversation touches on the differences between AI and human intelligen...

In the second half of their interview with John Paulk, Joe and Rya continue to explore the complexities of his journey out of the ex-gay movement. Rya shares her experience attending a Love Won Out conference as a closeted trans woman in the '90s, while John opens up about the "dirty little secret" within the ex-gay community—that no one actually changes. They discuss the evolving a...

Our good friend of the podcast, John Paulk, returns in this important episode. John is a former leader of the ex-gay movement who has since renounced conversion therapy and embraced his true identity. He gives a first-hand account of why conversion therapy is so hurtful. He discusses the lack of evidence supporting the idea that anyone can truly change their sexual orientation and the deep persona...

Many well-meaning allies unknowingly cause harm by not recognizing their own ignorance. Joe and Rya explore how even the most supportive allies can miss the signals that they are pushing their loved one away and don't know it. Good intentions are not enough. What does it take to educate yourself? Using sales analogies from their shared business experiences, Joe and Rya provide insights on how...

Joe and Rya take a deep-dive into the ways LGBTQ people can learn to accept themselves through play. They discuss Rya's childhood love for Dungeons & Dragons, a game which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. They explore how role-playing games and other childhood hobbies offer queer individuals a safe space for self-discovery and expression. The role of the Role can be a gamechan...

Is mental health therapy really worth the investment, especially when navigating complex LGBTQ experiences? In this episode, Joe and Rya consider common skepticism about therapy's value, addressing concerns over cost and effectiveness. Through personal reflections on seeking therapy before coming out, Rya illustrates how professional guidance can offer invaluable tools for communication and f...

What happens when our opponents' political rhetoric spirals out of control? Joe and Rya explore how the intense divisiveness in politics feeds the growing conflict surrounding LGBTQ+ issues. The way we frame our own stories can mask the true values that would bring us together. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Father Greg Greiten knew from an early age that he had a secret. In this episode, he shares the deep mental anguish he experienced trying to keep his identity hidden, including moments when he considered ending it all. In this episode, Father Greg tells Joe and Rya how he finally came out as gay to his parishes, and what happened in the aftermath. Despite the risks, his story is one of faith, cour...

A listener shares how she has been grappling with fear that her son might be gay. Joe and Rya offer thoughts on how to maintain a strong relationship without compromising her beliefs. The discussion centers on how to reconcile personal values with the love and connection she has for her son. Joe shares some ways he coped when Rya came out, and Rya gives practical tips on preparing to have a coming...

In this episode, Joe and Rya discuss the complexities of fighting injustice, exploring when standing up for what’s right can go too far. They examine how political divisiveness and social media can lead to the dehumanization of others, even in the name of a good cause. The conversation also touches on the importance of preserving dignity in all relationships, including those within the LGBTQ commu...

 In this episode, Will shares his experiences of being asexual and aromantic, providing insights into his journey and what it means to navigate the world with these identities. The conversation delves into his worries about coming out at work and how his message would be received. Additionally, the discussion turns to the importance of being a better ally and challenges listeners to question their...

Did you know that there is dramatic segmentation between different parts of the LGBTQ+ community? We often group people together when we don't understand them. But no one is a stereotype. Each person is an individual, and each is on a continuum. Joe and Rya explore the variety of ways people might find themselves as a part of the LGBTQ+ community. The combination of gender identity and orient...

In this moving interview with Monica Skarban, she shares how her Catholic Church embraced her with full acceptance after the death of her wife. She discusses the rejection she experienced in some churches and the joy of discovering a parish that fully embraced them. Monica’s story highlights that there are affirming churches for everyone, and no one should let others dictate their self-worth. Toge...

This episode delves into the origins and complexities of prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals, specifically focusing on attitudes towards homosexuality. Homophobia extends beyond mere dislike or fear; it encompasses deep-seated societal norms, cultural biases, and often religious teachings that contribute to discrimination and exclusion. This episode explores the historical, psychological, and soc...

Have you ever tried to convince someone they are believing a lie? If you say something enough times with no proof at all, people start to believe it. A lot of what homophobes have been saying for decades just isn't true. But you can't convince them otherwise. So what can you do? Speak up. Dismantling lies happens the same way they are constructed in the first place, one statement at a ti...