Is the T Transitioning Out of LGBT?

When it comes to the referring to larger “gay” or “queer” community (and I’m using air quotes here), most people and organizations have settled on the acronym LGBT, or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender. While each of these individuals are not identical, nor do they sometimes even share some of the same characteristics, they have found themselves grouped together as one collective community. But why is that? And what are the benefits of the collective versus the individual, or rather the collective and the splintering off of one particular segment of that community? There is an ongoing debate as to …

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The Trans Sexual Experience

Trigger Warning: We will be talking about our personal experiences tonight and as with most topics on this show, we’re not always certain what roads this conversation might lead down. We’re going to do our best to keep this PG-13, but we want to warn folks that if someone feels compelled to share a negative experience, we are certainly not going to squelch that.

Very often trans people are reduced. They are reduced to their names, their pronouns, their parts and their surgeries. Trans people are constantly subject to inappropriate questions, assumptions and stereotypes about any number of experiences in …

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Transitioning the Small Town South

It’s no secret that living as trans can be a challenge. That is particularly true in the small towns of the deep south. There is a massive amount of evidence that successfully transitioning, however one might define that, is monumentally easier with access to resources and a healthy support system. That also holds true after one has “completed” their transition, also however one might define that. It’s also no surprise that, considering the law of averages, that the smaller the town, the fewer resources are available. Throw in the degree to which a town is considered to be conservative or

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Transgender Wellness: Access to Care

Access to health care has lately been a hotly debated topic, both inside and outside of the transgender and genderqueer community. What’s covered, what’s not, who is covered and who is not. It’s a discussion that cuts across class, race, sex, and gender identity. Now, with the Affordable Care Act, there is even more debate and discussion. A good number of these decisions particularly affect the trans\* community.

Tonight,  Danielle Askini – Policy Director at Basic Rights Oregon, will join us to discuss the current climate of health care as it relates to the trans\* and queer community and the …

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Social Work Diversity in Mental Health

Most people acknowledge that mental health issues are not handled as seriously as other health issues. There are misunderstandings, victim blaming, and the inaccurate belief that someone living with mental illness can simply ‘cheer up’ or get through it. What most people don’t know is the diverse ways in which social workers exist in the world of mental health. There is not only a myriad of ways that social workers practice, but also a requirement for diversity and cultural competence and an ever-present need for diversity among providers. Join us as we discuss these issues and their impact on the

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Relationship Politics: Race & Gender Identity in Dating

On this episode of The Strong Stance, we will open the dialogue on gender, race and interracial dating because the reality is that we aren’t as progressive as we like to think we are.  The reality is that race and gender do play critical roles in our relationships and how outsiders view those connections–more than we admit in public, polite society.  Tune into this show as we talk about the reality and the misconceptions of interracial dating. In what ways do race and gender identity play a role in who we have romantic relationships with? Is the personal really political? …

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Speaking out on Sexual Assault

In general, many people find the topic of sexual assault extremely uncomfortable to discuss, but it’s imperative that we have the conversation. Given that we don’t shy away from difficult topics on The Strong Stance, we are going to tackle this issue head on. Join us as we speak to Nicole Armstead and Christa Heilman from the Network for Victim Recovery of D.C. about the resources for survivors of sexual assault and the unique experiences of those that are trans and gender non-conforming.

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Elevation Thru Celebration

When it comes to elevating the queer community we often focus on activism and education, but we don’t often look at how the celebratory events we hold can elevate the community. Of course everyone knows about Pride, but what other events are recognizing our community in an uplifting way?

Tonight, The Strong Stance will talk with Ebone F. Bell and Josh Burford. Ebone is the Founder and Managing Editor of Tagg Magazine; and Josh is an archivist, an activist, and a radical educator with over 15 years’ experience working with minority communities and diversity education.

Resources:
Tagg Magazine: http://taggmagazine.com/
TaggFest …

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The Problem With Passing

So many trans folks, especially early in transition, are obsessed with “passing”: posting pics on social media, asking for others opinions, reading blogs on behavior, dress, and actions. Often this status is seen as important not only for safety but also so that the outside world sees you as who you truly are.
But how does “passing” negatively affect our community? Tonight join me and guest co-host Jaan Williams as we break down the definition of the word and the concept of “passing” and Passing Privilege.

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Outing Post-Transition

Last week, ESPN’s Grantland ran an article about trans golf-club inventor Essay Anne Vanderbilt (Dr. V). The lengthy article used her trans identity to sensationalize the story; and, Dr. V committed suicide in the midst of the writer researching the story.

Tonight on The Strong Stance, Melvin Whitehead will join me as we reflect on how we feel about ESPN’s handling (or lack of) on the situation.  We’re also going to talk about outing/disclosure and transphobia.

Yes, the gloves are off, emotions are checked at the door; and, we’ve got the labels on the table.  We’re taking The Strong Stance. …

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