The Gender Rebels Podcast

Our perceptions are limited by our own lived experience, but it's still good to know how other people experience the world. At least, as close as is possible. In this episode, listener Lee asks Kath "What's it like to be cis?" Another thought puzzle: what does one do whenvthey know they're different somehow, but none of the labels apply?  What then? Support us on Patreon  to help us keep making gr...

When your family won't accept your true gender identity, but you don't want to cut them out of your life, what can you do? Listener Melanie asks if she can be on HRT but switch to boy mode as needed. She loves her family, but knows they won't support her transistion. She asks "Is it possible to be on HRT, but revert back to boy mode passably enough for the purposes of semiannual family meetings?"...

Being the partner of a transgender person can be complex. All relationships involve work, but how does having a transgender partner ? In this episode we'll answer a listener question from Catherine whose partner is dealing with some issues unique to trans people. What do you do when your partner is stressed because everyone sees them as only their transition and either stares or offers constant, u...

Why are some people so out of touch? It's 2018 right? In this episode we'll give a point by point response to a letter one listener's Aunt Nina sent her.  We'll give a point-by-point response to every homophobic, transphobic, outdated, bigoted, or just jerky comment in the letter.      Support us on Patreon  to help us keep making great content, and to get some cool rewards—like drinks with us at...

We ARE on vacation, but Kath had to make this microepisode for the cis and straight people who may be attending Pride celebrations this month.  Here's what to do to be a great ally-- and what to avoid! Play it for your cool ally friends. Happy Pride!   Invictus Animus' amazing article Why "Ally" Is A Verb Not A Noun  

Author, activist, and super wonderful fantastic person Katie Rain Hill sits down with the Gender Rebels for the second part of our 100th episode. We'll talk about growing up transgender in a religious, military family, transitioning at a young age, coming out, why listening to oposition matters, and the importance recycling bins at conferences.    Be sure to check out Katie's memoir Rethinking Nor...

Actress, star of Boy Meets Girl, and all around aweseome person Michelle Hendley sits down with the Gender Rebels for the first part of our 100th episode. We'll talk dating after transition, navigating the gaming world as a trans woman, the best pizza in NYC, and potential proof that CERN has led us into an alternate dimension.  We discuss a lot in this episode, so here are all the links:  Michell...

With almost a hundred episodes, we've covered a lot of topics. But, there are some ideas and topics that aren't quite up to snuff when it comes to putting out a new Gender Rebels episode. So, as we begin celebrating the major milestone of 100th episodes, we thought it would be fun to share some of our rejected episode ideas.       Support us on Patreon  to help us keep making great content, and to...

What does it mean to be intersex? How common is being intersex? How does being intersex relate to being transgender? And should intersex people be included in the rainbow flag community? In this episode we explore some the many issues faced by intersex people today.    Be sure and check out Delaney King's amazing  Twitter thread that started it all . Also here is an easy, straightforward Intersex...

What is clocking? This week we discuss clocking; from accidental passing fails to horrible jerk people. We'll talk ways to deal with being clocked, how to react, and how to cope with this awful hurtful thing that transgender people sometimes have to deal with.    Check out  Faith's transition video  on the Gender Rebels YouTube chanel. Be sure and subscribe!  We mention our episode on  being part...

How do you date someone who doesn't know if they're trans? This week we answer a listener question from Beth who writes "What advice would you or Kath have for a partner trying to cope with a transperson living in the closet and living in uncertainty about whether HRT or transition will ever happen?"    Check out Faith's transition video on the Gender Rebels YouTube chanel. Be sure and subscribe! ...

Does being attracted to a transgender woman make you a chaser? In this episode we read a listener question from Stephen who asks "I met this girl online and we started dating. A couple dates in, she tells me that she's trans. I was totally okay with it, and so we continued dating. We shortly thereafter ended up in the bedroom, and at the danger of being crass, dare I say that it was probably one o...

Do you watch movies and TV shows with trasngender characters and themes? In this episode we'll discuss how representation of transgender people has changed and evolved over the last few decades.  Check out the YA novel Dreadnought about a transgender superhero. And be sure to check out Eddie Izzard's hilarious comedy special "Dress to Kill." Support us on Patreon  to help us keep making great cont...

Everyone loves to look great in pictures, but how do you make that happen? In this episode we'll discuss some great tips and tricks for making you look your best in photos.  For the best in pictures of Faith and New York scenery, be sure to follow Faith on Instagram here . Also here's Faith's infographic on how to take great photos .  Check out Vertiasium's video about how the functioning of our l...

Coming out transgender is already difficult. Having kids can make it even harder. In this episode we discuss some of the difficulties inherent in come out as a parent and provide some how-to recommendations for helping to make the coming out process a little easier.  Check out Cassie Brighter's "Coming Out Trans to Your Children: A Step-by-Step Guide." Here is a resource for finding a family thera...

Coming out transgender is already difficult. Having kids can make it even harder. In this episode we discuss some of the difficulties inherent in come out as a parent. We'll also discuss some stories of parents coming out to younger and older kids and how attitudes can change over time.    Here are the stories we reference in the episode if you want to explore them further:  My Father is Now a Wom...

Taking hormones can be a huge part of starting transition, but how does one get HRT? In this episode we answer a listener question from Mia who asks "I want to get on hormones, but am having trouble figuring out how to get access to hormones? Who can I talk to about this?"  If you are in the greater NYC area, check out Callen-Lorde Community Health Center . Planned Parenthood also provides HRT ser...

It's amazing to transition, but is everything always perfect afterward? This week we answer a listener question from Nora. She asks "Is there anything about being a cis male that you miss? Please don’t misconstrue this as 'do you regret transitioning?'  That question would be rude, inconsiderate, and non of my business. And it’s not a sociological question such as 'Don’t you wish women earned as m...

What would you hate to hear when you come out transgender? In this episode we talk about all the wrong things that cis people sometimes say be they ignorant, condescending, or just misguided.  Also be sure and check out our What Are Cis People Thinking episode. And if you're looking for resources for the cis folk in your life, direct them to PFLAG as a way to start their search.     Support us on...

Finding the will to get in shape can be tough, doubly so for transgender people who may be nervous about going to a gym with binary changing rooms. In this episode we answer a listener question from Bree who asks "Do you have any tips for going to the gym? Despite having been full-time for almost a year, I am terrified of going to they gym. My problem is I just don't know how to approach the gym a...

How does it feel to get a hair transplant procedure? In this episode Faith describes her recent procedure to help correct a male patterned baldness issue. We'll discuss preperations, the precedure itself, and the recovery. Also check out our Hair Transplant episode for information on finding a good doctor.    Support us on Patreon  to help us keep making great content, and to get some cool rewards...

How does transition affect romantic relationships? How does one keep a relationship strong after one partner comes out as transgender? In this special Valentines episode we'll answer our most often asked listener question.    Support us on Patreon  to help us keep making great content, and to get some cool rewards—like drinks with us at Stonewall Inn! Check out  our website  for our latest episode...

Are you transgender but sometimes feel like an imposter? In this episode we answer a listener question from Ashley who writes "How do you deal with impostor syndrome? I'm six weeks into HRT and while I still have to present male most of the time, I'm generally hopeful for the future. But some days (rarely) I wake up and ask 'What am I doing?' I know in my heart of hearts that I'm a trans woman and...

Will taking hormones inadvertantly out you? In this episode we answer a question from Dace who asks "If I’m on HRT will it become obvious to everyone? Is it a good idea or even possible to be on HRT and hide it from some people (i.e. family and friends who I think wouldn’t be ok with it)?"    Support us on Patreon  to help us keep making great content, and to get some cool rewards—like drinks with...

Male pattern baldness can be the bane of a transwoman's existance. Faith has struggled with this for years. In this episode we'll talk about the solutions she's looked into, including wigs, drugs, and surgeries. We'll explore all the information on hair transplant surgery that Faith found including various methods, different doctors, psudoscience, and more.    Be sure and give our wigs episode  a...