Talking Transparency

Today, we're having an open and candid conversation with De Sube and Tracey Swinarsky, long-time trans activists in Hampton Roads and the founders of the Transgender Assistance Program of VA. We'll be discussing activism, the inception of TAP VA, the significance of Trans Day of Visibility, cross-cultural organizing, the plot to destroy public education, the history and importance of the trans family and community, and much more!

If you're in the Hampton Roads Area on March 29th, come out to the Trans Day of Visibility event to honor the legacy of Shelby Lexus Walker, starting at 11 AM at the Southeastern Transgender Resource Center

To donate to the Shelby "Lexus" Scholarship, you can email Tarena Williams at [email protected].

Calendar

March 17th - Trans Family Dinner

Sign up for these events at https://www.caloscoalition.com/events

Today we're talking transparently with Miss Victoria about her journey, faith, and family, and then we share some updates on the situation in Oklahoma surrounding the murder of Nex Benedict, some details from our trip to the General Assembly with our trans sibs and Equality VA, and we discuss the Supreme Court agreeing to hear Trump’s immunity claim. Will our next President be the “for life” kind? 

Sources

Calendar

Sign up for these events at https://www.caloscoalition.com/events

Today we're talking transparently with Melissa Lukeson about Virginia Beach School Board Member Mike Callan visit to our Trans Family Dinner in a conversation you will not want to miss!. After that lighter conversation, we discuss the tragic and senseless murder of Nex Benedict in Oklahoma, and discuss the legislation and events surrounding the murder, our feelings, and how we think the community can heal after suffering such a loss. 

Sources

https://www.hrc.org/news/honoring-nex-benedict-16-year-old-non-binary-high-school-student-who-tragically-died-after-school-beating

https://newrepublic.com/post/179161/oklahoma-nonbinary-teen-nex-benedict-dead

Calendar

March 17th - Trans Family Dinner

March 23rd - Calos D&D Club

March 28th - Financial Literacy Workshop 

Sign up for these events at https://www.caloscoalition.com/events

To sign up for the February 26th Equality Virginia Lobby Day, visit https://secure.everyaction.com/T1cXjyVFl0-_qUBGGO-T6g2

As always, visit www.caloscoalition.com to learn, volunteer, or donate! Visit us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/TalkingTransparency and visit our linktree @ www.linktree.com/talkingtrans

Today we're talking transparently with Cody Conner about his conversation with Virginia Beach School Board Member Mike Callan. There are no sources for this episode because the deets were so juicy we didn't have time to get to an article! You're going to want to hear this one 😉

Calendar

February 18th Trans Family Dinner

February 22nd Love yourself Card Making Workshop

February 24th D and D

March 17 Trans Family Dinner

Sign up for these events at https://www.caloscoalition.com/events

To sign up for the February 26th Equality Virginia Lobby Day, visit https://secure.everyaction.com/T1cXjyVFl0-_qUBGGO-T6g2

As always, visit www.caloscoalition.com to learn, volunteer, or donate!

*UPDATED AUDIO* Sorry for the delay in sharing the long-awaited interview with Dexter Davis. Despite the audio quality issues*, the conversation itself is truly compelling. I encourage you to give it a listen and appreciate the insightful discussion we had. We've fixed the audio issues for the next episode, and will be having Dexter on again in the future. 

Links

If you're looking for a promotional speaker or other representation based work, find  Dexter Davis at his socials

https://www.facebook.com/dextergatekeeperdavis

https://www.instagram.com/themenintransition/

https://www.themenintransition.org/

https://www.instagram.com/spectrum_nsu/

and stay tuned for his podcast!

Calendar

February 18th Trans Family Dinner

February 22nd Love yourself Card Making Workshop  

February 24th D and D 

March 17 Trans Family Dinner

Sign up for these events at https://www.caloscoalition.com/events

To sign up for the February 26th Equality Virginia Lobby Day, visit https://secure.everyaction.com/T1cXjyVFl0-_qUBGGO-T6g2

As always, visit www.caloscoalition.com to learn, volunteer, or donate!

Today, Melissa and Thea sit down with Sabrina Scarlet, an accounting student and musician to talk about music, flags, and family!

Donate to our Trans Wish List Fundraiser by following this link

SKS will be playing February 3rd @The Purple Buffalo in North Charleston, SC

Check out SKS on Instagram @sksmusic_official

Check out SKS on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, and Spotify

On The Calendar:

January 25th - Resume Success Workshop (at the Creative ReUse Center)

January 27th - DnD Club, and every 4th Saturday (also at the Creative ReUse Center)

February’s Trans Family Dinner will be on February 18th

To RSVP for any of these, please visit www.caloscoalition.com/events

new song, out now!!

Sources:

An article on HB 901 from The Advocate “Don’t Display Gay”

https://www.advocate.com/politics/florida-dont-display-gay

Today, Cody and Ty sit down with Gray Lyden, the President of the ODU Sexuality and Gender Alliance, the only queer organization on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. We discuss their student led initiatives, school life, queer activism, stereotypical gender roles, if the kids are still "Rocking the Vote", and what it means to be authentically yourself. 

If you're a student on campus, check out Blacksphere's R&B Hip Hop Night, February 2nd from 5pm-9pm, and the Black Love Movie Night February 13th 5pm-9pm

Check out ODU SAGA and Blacksphere

https://www.instagram.com/odu_blacksphere/

Visit our website at www.caloscoalition.com/talkingtransparency and consider supporting us on Patreon or supporting the Coalition at www.caloscoalition.com/donate. 

Today, Melissa, Cody, and Thea sit down with Jessica Gurley to discuss parenting, politics, and her work providing a safe space for parents, grandparents, guardians and allies to learn about what their gender-diverse child is experiencing and the best ways to support them. 

Visit https://www.757transfamily.com/ to learn more about her work.

Sources

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dave-chappelle-kicks-off-netflix-203006264.html

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2023/12/28/dewine-to-decide-on-transgender-medical-care-sports-bill/71917534007/

Today Melissa, Cody, and Thea sit down with Mel Howard and Amore Harrell from Thriving Transmen of Color to talk about how they met, the wonderful work they are doing, and how you can get involved! Thriving Transmen of Color is an organization with international reach founded and operating here in the 757. 

Shout out to Daroneshia Duncan-Boyd with Transgender Advocate Knowledgeable and Empowering (TAKE) and the Owning Our Power: Monica Roberts Freedom Black Trans Leadership Cohort.

Thrive Marathon Sundays at 7pm. Join the conversation and express yourself in a safe space for BIPOC transmen.

Thriving Transmen of Color

https://www.thrivingtransmenofcolor.org/

Tik Tok and Facebook @officialttmoc

Facebook and Instagram @thrivingtransmenofcolor

Get your unisex cross-body “Protect Trans Kids” bag by emailing [email protected] and support Trans Youth!!!

If you’re in the Hampton Roads area

The TTMOC is starting their “Thriving to Be a Better Version of You” Youth Program in February for youth ages 12-16 who identify as LGBTQIA+. The group meets in person and has support services for parents through 757transfamily. Check out the TTMOC socials for more information.

Also, consider joining us at our Trans Family Dinner on Sunday, January 21st, or come out to the TTMOC “What does it mean to be you” seminar on February 21st 6:30-8:30 at Minority Aids Support Services, 1401 Tidewater dr. Unit 10 Norfolk, VA 23504

Sources

https://wftv.com/news/local/federal-government-takes-aim-trans-medical-coverage-ban/746UX55GAVGXNDV2C73RTKXTJM/

https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2023/12/12/florida-fines-high-school-transgender-student-volleyball

https://www.virginiamercury.com/2023/12/14/va-supreme-court-backs-fired-teacher-who-refused-to-use-transgender-students-pronouns/

This week, we're bringing you a special minisode of Talking Transparency. Due to holiday scheduling conflicts, our regular hosts couldn't join us, so Thea and Ty are stepping in with a brief update and a roundup of noteworthy news articles. In the spirit of the season, we want to wish everybody a happy holidays, and remember: Trans joy triumphs over hate every time. And gay is slay. Don’t be a rat.

Florida Bill Will Prohibit Flying Pride Flags

Gay is Slay, Don't be a Rat