Simply Beyond

In this episode we are joined by the dynamic Jefferson Darrell (he/him). Founder of Breakfast Culture, Jefferson is among Canada’s earliest outliers in the IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility) arena; successfully driving positive change management for organizations for the past five years resulting in more diverse and inclusive teams and increased revenue or new business opportunities.

Isaac and Cyn had the opportunity to talk with Jefferson about journeys in decolonization, the term 'homonoir' and the intersections of identities and being black and gay and traversing both communities as an advocate, educator, and human.

Jefferson shares an interesting revelation within his own dynamic intersectional relationships after the controversial Dave Chappelle Netflix special The Closer, broke.

The underlying thread throughout this episode... there truly are no winners in Oppression Olympics.

Thanks for tuning in and following Hey, Cis! 

Cyn & Isaac

Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.

We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.

We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community. 

Thanks for your support:

Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.

Show Notes:

Follow Jefferson Here:

• Twitter: @BreakfastCultu1 @JeffersnDarrell
• Instagram: @BreakfastCulture @JeffersonDarrell7
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersondarrell/ 
• Produced and edited in-house.
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

Hey, Cis! intro/extro Song Credit and huge thank you! to: Be Myself Artist: Craymo

Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP Website: http://www.Craymo.com

Have you ever looked behind the curtain and thought about who is behind the music you love? Do you ever contemplate what draws you to a piece of music or composer; and how that is linked to your identity?

How does that shape your music? Or does it?

In this episode of Hey, Cis! we’re joined by Hope Salmonson (She/Her), a composer and student at Mount Allison University who is the heart behind the research project “(Trans)Gendering the Musical Score: Exploring Transgender Identity through Composition”.

Hope Salmonson, from Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia), is a queer, trans composer and tubist, trying to navigate the very big world around her. Hope’s compositional practice is inspired by community and connection to others. Her works have been performed by Ensemble Allure, and play and the Mount Allison Elliott Chorale, among others, and in April 2021 she hosted a recital of her compositions, featuring seventeen performers and five premiere performances. Hope was the featured composer at the University of New Brunswick’s 2021 Contemporary Music Festival and also participated in the 2021 Young Women Composers Camp and the 2020 Art Song Lab. In her free time, Hope enjoys gaming, cooking for her loved ones, and singing.

A short clip of Hope's piece Looking Forward//Looking Back can be heard at the beginning of this episode. You can explore more of her work on her website https://www.hopeariamusic.com/

Thanks for your support:

Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.

NEW Music!

And check out the new music in our intro and extro generously donated by artist Craymo, who found us on Q Review - for which we're always grateful. 

Song: Be Myself

Artist: Craymo

Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP    Website: http://www.Craymo.com 

Produced and edited in-house.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

From Trailer Park Boys to tractors and trailers, this episode continues our journey celebrating the new film Dawn, Her Dad & The Tractor, filmed in Nova Scotia and starring Maya V. Henry.

We are today joined by actors Rob Wells (Ricky, Trailer Park Boys) and Halifax-based actor, writer and comic, Breton Lalama. In the film, written and directed by Shelley Thompson, Breton plays the role of Dawn's friend and ally, Banu. Breton is best know for their roles in Slasher (2016) and Pretty Hard Cases (2021). And they've been busy! For one - seeing them play 40 characters in ONE play last Fall in Fully Committed at The Neptune, was a phenomenal comedic ride that left us a little tired -but exhilarated!

Rob is currently working on the film for Trailer Park Boys, and together Rob and Breton shake down what it was like working on this Maritime film that raises the bar and brings trans-based conversations and inclusion into family film.

Produced by Terry Greenlaw.

Thanks for your support:

Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.

Show Notes

Find the movie here: https://linktr.ee/dawndadtractormovie

Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5OaDwuCyaQ

Film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13190778/ 

NEW Music!

And check out the new music in our intro and extro generously donated by artist Craymo, who found us on Q Review - for which we're always grateful.  Check out Craymo's music here:

Song: Be Myself

Artist: Craymo

Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP    Website: http://www.Craymo.com 

Produced and edited in-house.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

#halifax #dawndadtractormovie #halifaxfilm @telefilm_canada #trans #transisbeautiful #heycis #podcast #inclusionmatters #transgender #trans #mental 

In S2:E21: The Story of Dawn, Her Dad & The Tractor, with Shelley Thompson and Maya V Henry, we're celebrating a Maritime-made film written and directed by Shelley Thompson and starring Maya V. Henry.

This 2 Part podcast comes ahead of the films return to the Atlantic region this winter.

On casting trans actors in film: 

‘It’s not that I need to be seen to be doing the right thing. I need to do the right thing. And we need to have proper representation for trans individuals across the media. And we need them to be respected...’  Shelley Thompson, Writer and Director, ‘Dawn, Her Dad and the Tractor’

Closed Captioning:

To View this podcast episode with closed captioning and transcript, please tune-in on YouTube.

To learn more about the film:

All things Dawn can be found here!

https://www.facebook.com/DawnHerDadAndTheTractorFilm/

Thanks for your support:

Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.

Produced and edited in-house.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

Let's Get Festive! In this episode we are filling your halls with Queer festive music.  That's right: gay, merry and bright!

Kenney Fitzpatrick of Q LGBTQ Creative Network is jamming out with us and sharing tunes and celebrating Queer artists in this episode. We'll talk about where the music comes from, celebrate Canadian artists and artists from further afield.  Afterwards, head on over to the full playlist and hear what resonates with you and have a very merry and lyrical holiday season from Hey, Cis!

Cyn & Isaac

Head over here for the full playlist New Queer Holiday Cheer 

Twitter: @TheQReviews 

Artists to check out:

• https://www.brandicarlile.com/
• https://kayladiamond.com/
• https://www.rosemaryjoaquin.com/
• https://travieaustinmusic.com/
• https://haydenjosephmusic.com/

Happy Seasons Greetings to you all and thanks for listening in 2021. 

Join us in 2022 as we launch our new look, new format and more amazing conversations from coast-to-coast! For the video version of this podcast, head over to YouTube and follow along.

Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary journey to being a better human.

Join our head-on conversation about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting transgender and non-binary youth, students and adults within Canada. We take on difficult topics; breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender expansive and non-binary community.

Thanks for listening!

Produced and edited in-house.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

Content Warning: The following episode contains discussions surrounding death, HIV and AIDS which may be a difficult topic for some listeners.

December 1st marks International World AIDS Day and on this episode of Hey, Cis!, 'Sparking Passion from Pain with Deva Station', we commemorate the day with a very special guest, Deva Station.

Seven feet tall in hair and heels, and an attitude through the roof, Deva is an Elder of the Halifax Drag Community and loves to recognize and help new and upcoming talent as the Ultimate Drag Auntie.

Deva is also HIV positive and shares with us the dark moments after she was diagnosed as HIV positive; and how it was the best thing to ever happen to her. She advocates frequently to stop the stigma, encourage testing and says more education in schools is needed.

Thanks for your support:

Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.

Show notes:

AIDS Coalition of NS

https://www.worldaidsday.org/ 

Deva has her own production company StationDRG Media Productions she is currently producing two shows Queens Ranting and now Apocalyptic Kitchen.

Produced and edited in-house.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

Is there space in the Canadian constitution for transphobia?

Misinformation overload has been pounding the news media airways in Canada. Personal, public attacks on your identity and human rights -- it is more than exhausting. It can lead to policy change that hurts Canadians with diverse gender identities.

Charlotte Dalwood says, 'no' and we had the pleasure of connecting with her from Calgary, Alberta.  Charlotte Dalwood (she/her) is a juris doctor student at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law. Her publications include articles in CBC News, Rabble, The Edmonton Journal, and Sojourners.

Thanks for your support:

Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.

Show Notes & Useful Links:

As misinformation campaign against transgender rights intensifies, Ottawa must act

Share your thoughts with us! Follow Charlotte Dalwood on Twitter @csdalwood, or connect with her online at www.charlottedalwood.com

More on this topic?  Check out these podcasts and resources:

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-37-mainstreet-ns

OK - Love this episode so much: Transploitation - Canadaland podcast

Episode #15: T.R.A.G.I.C - The Real Tragedy

We need to talk about transphobia in Canadian media: Three recent pieces from the “Toronto Star,” CBC and CTV show a worrying trend towards anti-trans narratives

Episode #16: Prioritizing Bill C-6: Conversion Therapy and Politics of Queer Identities

#transawarenessweek 

Produced and edited in-house.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

We're chatting with Julien Grey from Pride Spa Beauty Lounge about creating comfortable and welcoming space that centralizes the 2SLGBTQIA+ community AND takes an intersectional approach to small business pride.

Thanks for your support:

Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.

Show notes:

PRIDE Beauty Lounge: https://www.pridebeautylounge.com/

Produced and edited in-house.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

Welcome to Season 2 of Hey, Cis! A beyond binary journey to being a better human.

In August we spoke to Chris, a younger brother of someone who underwent conversion therapy when they were a young adult. In impacted Chris' entire family for decades. Chris speaks candidly of his memories before his brother was sent away, and the future impacts it had upon his brother and himself.

We are joined again by Honourable Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth Bardish Chagger, along with Halifax activist Rae O'Neil.

With an election called this September, this long-time coming Bill, which had reached Senate status, has now died and it's going to be up to the people of Canada; ALL people to understand what a ban on conversion therapy means for Canadians.

Topics we consider in today's episode include gender identity and sexual orientation; prioritizing this legislation; and understanding how you can help....

Tune-in and join the conversation.

Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.

We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.

We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.

Thanks for your support:

Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.

Hey, Cis; Hey, who? Cis = latin preface for 'on the same side as. Cisgender is someone whose gender identity aligns with their sex as assigned at birth.

Cisgender is someone who has the ability to make the world safer, brighter and more inclusive for trans people young and old. Cisgender is someone who needs to be an intentional part of the conversation -- so let's talk.

Cynthia Sweeney is the mother of three amazing children and lives with her husband and family in Halifax, Nova Scotia. One of her children is transgender.

Isaac Cook is a trans and non-binary social scientist, educator and lives with his partner near Truro, Nova Scotia.  For more... see our About page.

This podcast is 100% volunteer-based and we appreciate your support and tuning in.

In this episode we were excited to be joined by the following guests:

Tristan Coolman (he/him)

Tristan Coolman is president of a Pflag chapter in York Region in Ontario. 

Over the last three years Pflag YR has led the efforts in Ontario to lobby the provincial government to revert their curriculum back to a realistic model which begins to better equip our younger generations with the language and confidence to express themselves as they choose without worrying about the pressures of gender norms.​

Megan Kean (she/her)

Megan (she/her) is a registered nurse with 12 years of experience working in pediatrics and a student in the Master's of Nursing program at Dalhousie University. She is a mother to 8-year-old twins, one of which is a proud transgender girl, Bri.

Bri socially transitioned in grade 1 and her peers were very supportive of her thanks to her amazing teacher Mme. Kelsey.  Megan is grateful for the wonderful support of her teachers, friends, family, and the trans community over the past two years and is very proud of her family.  Megan was a guest on Hey, Cis! episode 2, 'What would you want for your own child?'.

Kathy (she/her)

Kathy is from the Halifax area and a parent of 3 boys. When her youngest son came out in 2016 as transgender it was a blessing and welcome answer to questions they had been seeking for years. Her family could not have made it through 6 years of struggle prior to this without the help and support from his teachers, principals and his mental health team. The support of those folks in the school system are one of the main reasons Kathy's son is with us today. She knows the value of having teachers and school staff who are educated on how to help and willing to help and support  students through some of their most challenging times in life. Especially when not all parents and families are as accepting.

Kelsey Myles (she/her)

Kelsey is currently a grade Primary/One French Immersion teacher within the Halifax Regional School Centre for Education. She has 10 years teaching experience both within Halifax and abroad in International Schools. Kelsey's been involved in Simply Good Forms Inclusive Reads program for 2 years now. She’s an educator who strives to ensure an inclusive learning environment in which all students feel accepted, safe and valued.

Maggie Barnhill (she/her)

Maggie is a lawyer, turned stay at home mom, turned teacher.  She has 3 teenage sons whom I am (hopefully successfully) raising to be good humans.  She teaches within Nova Scotia.​

Overview:

Canadian teachers received a deceiving and potentially harmful email this past week. It was written supposedly by 'a fellow teacher' and addressed all Canadian teachers.
 

The widely distributed email from Megan Giacomelli, calls upon teachers to join the project T.R.A.G.I.C. (Teachers Resisting All Gender Ideological Curriculum). It's mandate is simple and extremely dangerous for educators and all students:

'...to get teachers in touch within same boards and geographical areas so we may be able to speak up in solidarity and support to effect change at a board level.' 'I feel very concerned about the pressure to teach content regarding gender ideology, which I believe to be a harmful form of indoctrination and completely inappropriate for children.'

​The email targets those who are not educated on gender identity beyond the binary and it is well disguised as 'informative' rather than for what it truly is: transphobic and baseless. Is the author really a teacher? We don't know. Do they stand behind their real name? Uncertain.

What is their background and their personal agenda?

In this episode, our panel of guests, with lived experience, with education and with fact-based, science-based and most importantly with human rights based information are coming together to share their reaction to the email and talk about why it is so potentially harmful.

Tune-in as we talk about protecting trans and non-binary children through policy and accountability; and we ask Nova Scotia Department of Early Childhood Education:

• How can you ensure teachers know where to go to the information they need to support trans and non-binary students of any age? Because, current stats show the majority of Nova Scotia teachers are uncertain and uncomfortable finding these resources.

Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.

We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.

We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.

Thanks for your support:

Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.