Transvox

In this episode of Transvox, Gillian interviews Aby Hawker, a PR expert specialising in trans and non-binary inclusion. Aby discusses her extensive career in PR, how she transitioned to working with GenderGP, and eventually started her own agency, Transmission PR. Their conversation covers the challenges of communicating and advocating for trans rights, the complexities of gender diversity, and th...

In this episode of Transvox, Gillian and Jenny discuss why right-wing governments across the globe seem so fixated on opposing trans rights. They explore various themes such as traditional values, religious beliefs, political strategies, and the complexities of social change. By examining the responses from AI search engines, they delve into the reasons behind this opposition and consider the broa...

In this episode of Transvox, hosts Gillian and Jenny explore the concept of allyship with a focus on the trans community. They discuss the importance of moving from symbolic gestures of support to actionable, meaningful help. The conversation covers personal experiences, the roles of celebrities, and everyday situations where allyship is essential. They also reflect on the complexities and challen...

In this episode of Transvox, hosts Gillian and Jenny address a listener's question about the concept of dog whistles related to anti-trans sentiments. They discuss the subtle and coded language used in politics and society that conveys discriminatory views without overtly hateful expressions. Key topics include the encoded implications behind terms like 'women and girls' and 'sex matters', and the...

In this episode of Transvox, Gillian and Jenny discuss various European countries and their progressive policies toward trans rights, healthcare, and protections. Highlighting nations like Iceland, Malta, Spain, and Portugal, they explore how these places compare to the UK and others in terms of legislation, daily experiences, and societal attitudes toward the trans community. The discussion also...

In this episode of Transvox, Gillian chats to Chadwan Al Yaghchi, an ENT consultant and laryngologist specializing in gender-affirming voice surgery. The discussion delves into various surgical procedures aimed at voice modification for trans individuals, such as the 'trach shave' and different techniques to alter vocal pitch. Chadwan explains the intricacies of these surgeries, post-operative car...

In this episode of Transvox, Gillian talks to Marianne Oakes, a renowned figure in the trans community, to discuss her journey, including her transition and career evolution. From starting as an apprentice carpenter to owning her own business, Marianne shares insights into her experiences in the building trade, the challenges faced while transitioning, and the decisions leading her to become a cou...

This week, Gillian talks to Jamison Green and they discuss his personal journey as a transgender individual, including his experiences with transitioning, advocacy work, and professional life in the United States. Discussions also touched on the current political climate and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender people, in various aspects of society. The conversation c...

In this episode of Transvox, we're joined by Chloe from Sapphic Bison. Chloe is here to discuss a variety of topics centred around trans healthcare, particularly blood testing. Learn about Chloe's work with Sapphic Bison, a UK-based blood testing nonprofit, and the unique challenges trans individuals face in accessing healthcare. Discover their innovative approach to providing affordable and trans...

In this episode of Transvox, Jenny and Gillian dive into a nuanced discussion about the challenging week for the transgender community amidst increasing anti-trans rhetoric. They cover a range of issues, from the intersection of far-right and anti-trans agendas to recent news about sports restrictions and legislative moves in the United States. They touch upon notable figures like Wes Streeting an...

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the history and progress of the LGBT+ community, including the significance of LGBT History Month and the challenges faced by the community over the years. They also discussed the unworkability of certain laws and policies,and the current state of society Subjects include: LGBT History and the ‘Pendulum of Progress’ Changes within the community - from Molly Hou...

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the effectiveness and potential drawbacks of therapies including non-directive counselling, particularly for individuals with anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, PTSD, and gender identity issues. They emphasise the importance of agency, self-care, and understanding different therapeutic approaches in mental health support, including the need for practical gui...

This week, Gillian talks to Drew Dalton, the CEO of Report Out, a global human rights organisation for gender and sexual minorities, discussing the organisation's growth and research on human rights abuses experienced by LGBTQI+ communities globally. The conversation also covers geopolitical factors influencing attitudes towards homosexuality and gender identity, the correlation between climate ch...

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the changes in social media platforms, particularly at Meta, and their potential impact on free speech and censorship. They also explored the challenges faced by the trans community on these platforms and the potential solutions, such as moderated Facebook groups and other platforms like Discord. Subjects include: Meta's Changes and Free Speech Concerns Digital...

This week, we look back at some of the recordings from 2024 which we think are noteworthy or where there is value for the community. Subjects include: Jenny, Resolutions and the year just finished Helen Webberly and her career fighting for Trans health services Ed Whelan and his book about trans+ surgeries Dee Constantine and their colleague talking about adoption and fostering Katie Munday talkin...

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the challenges faced by the trans community, the need for a strategic approach to lobbying for change, and the importance of maintaining a positive image of trans individuals in media. They also debated the issue of self-identification and the rights of trans individuals, the potential for trans individuals to gain more influence through corporate power, and th...

This week, Gillian and Jenny have decided in the midst of all the gloom of recent news (and the weather) to have a more ‘light-hearted’ episode. Subjects include: A listener question about ‘coming out’ to their family on Xmas Day! Christmas telly How Christmas can be stressful being in the midst of people that may be challenged by your transness How Christmas can be wonderful where you can celebra...

This week, Gillian meets Katie Munday and Dr Virginia Quinney to round out and conclude their discussions around the Trans Plus Experiences of Cancer Screening Services project, focusing on improving healthcare accessibility for trans individuals, particularly in cancer services. They also explored the challenges faced by trans and non-binary individuals in healthcare settings, the importance of c...

This week, Gillian meets Dr Helen Webberley, one of the icons of trans+ healthcare to discuss the complexities of gender identity, the importance of understanding and embracing diversity, and the need for better education and training for doctors in trans+ healthcare. They address the challenges faced by the NHS, particularly in relation to transgender healthcare, and the potential for digital tec...

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the news from the USA and the treatment of Sarah McBride. The conversation gets a little feisty at times, but it shows that trans+ people can have different views but still remain able to cooperate and move forward together. They discuss the situation in the US regarding the election of Sarah Mcbride, the first trans Congressperson from Delaware, and the subseq...

Gillian and Jenny discussed their shared love for the TV show Strictly Come Dancing, reminiscing about past contestants and the show's evolution over time. They also discussed the inclusion of people with disabilities in dance shows, the balance between professional dancers and those with less experience, and their experiences with social media platforms. Additionally, they shared their experience...

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the fall-out from the US elections, Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) and Trans Awareness Week. Discussions covered the need for strategic activism, increased visibility and representation, and the importance of engaging with power structures to effect change. They both highlighted the significant amount of money spent on anti-trans ads, which they felt was a dan...

This week, Gillian meets regular guest, Joseph Harwood, and they discuss Joseph's involvement in the British Beauty Week campaign and his advocacy for the trans community in the beauty industry. They also discussed the challenges faced by trans individuals in the industry, including underestimation, lack of respect, and exploitation. Joseph shared his efforts to gather data for a census to present...

This week, Jenny and Gillian discuss the potential impact of the upcoming American election on the trans community and the broader political landscape, expressing concern about the threat posed by Trump and his allies to American democracy and global stability. They agreed that the Republican Party has been using the issue of trans rights as a wedge between the two parties, while the Democratic Pa...

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the significance of Halloween and National Coming Out Day, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, and the challenges faced by non-binary individuals in expressing their gender identity. They also explored the evolution of language and terminology, the role of online communities, and the importance of giving recognition to those doing something different. They d...