My friend Sue Robbins (in her 60’s, military career, moved to Utah 2004) joins us to share her story. Sue talks about knowing at a young age something was different about her—and while those feelings existed there was no understanding in society about how she felt.

Sue talks about gradually coming out to herself and others and “transitioned to living life authentically as a woman in 2014.” Sue then talks about her bridge building work in Utah (on various boards and organizations) to bring more understanding of and support to transgender people—including her work with our state legislature.

Sue also talks about how being transgender is not a mental illness but a medical issue and should be treated as such (just like other medical issues like a broken arm or illness). Sue talks about the role of therapists and principles to find the right one to help someone who is transgender.

Sue is a steady voice in this space and has been on this road for a long time. She has chosen to stay away from the vitriol and unhelpful rhetoric—and instead build bridge of understanding.

If you are looking to better understand and support our transgender friends, I encourage you to listen to Sue’s story. I encourage all of us to learn about transgender people from listening to many of their stories—and not from spaces of fear or political rhetoric.

Thank you Sue for being on the podcast. You are awesome. Thanks for your great work in our community!

Links:

Sue’s website: sueinut.com/

Sue’s Twitter: twitter.com/srobbins31

Other Trans Podcasts: listenlearnandlove.org/transgender-and-more-podcasts

LDS Church Website: www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/transgender

Ministering to LGBTQ Latter-day Saints Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143

Richard Ostler Book: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints:

Deseret Book: deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints?variant_id=189035-paperback

Amazon: amazon.com/dp/1462135773