Transgender School

Although the impact of the 2024 elections on American marginalized groups remains uncertain, it doesn't look very promising. The latest setback in the ballots arguably forces Liberals to reinvent themselves if they want to prevent a one-party rule, which is what the demographic trends of this election suggest will happen. In this episode, Jackie offers an eye-opening analysis of Trump's victory ov...

Gender-affirming care saves lives. It'll be hard to think about anything else once you've listened to today's episode. Fear, isolation, self-harm, self-hatred, and frustration are some of the feelings many trans people feel all the time, and it only gets better when they can come out. In our last episode, Sophia Alexander shared her thoughts on the manosphere and the political landscape in America...

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 for...

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.  Hav...

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 an...

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...

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 gr...

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 Co...

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 righ...

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 r...

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...

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...

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 for...

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...

"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...

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...

"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, autho...

"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 an...

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 Francis...

"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 "Cr...

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 grow...

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 reali...

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 yo...

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 powe...

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, una...