Trans and Caffeinated

Em Rabelais is the white, disabled, queer, trans feminine, and non-binary ethicist, nurse, scholar, white feminism dismantler, and potential kept themmebian you never knew you needed. Until now. WHOOO that was a mouthful.

As an academic, their scholarship is rooted in disrupting and dismantling white supremacy in nursing—but Em’s work doesn’t end there. They are deeply committed to pushing back against all forms of oppression, including the rampant ableism and transmisogyny they regularly endure.

Em has no desire to play nice with oppressors—they know that the nursing status quo of niceness and civility have not changed anything. Instead, they are intense, intentional, and direct as they push back against oppressive systems designed to harm marginalized and minoritized groups and individuals—even when their methods result in immense personal backlash.

This episode mentions sexual assault, white feminism and white supremacy, racism, transmisogyny, and ableism.

This is Em Rabelais on white feminist violence in nursing

SOCIAL

Venmo: @fernian

IG: @dr.whomever

Twitter: @dr_whomever

LINKS

Mia Mingus on how to give a good apology, Part 1 and Part 2

The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House

Transmisogyny-exempt (TME) vs transmisogyny-affected (TMA) - Terms defined here

Faith woke up one morning with a single thought weighing heavy on her mind: “I don’t even know who I am.” For years, she internalized the resounding sentiment of those around her that it was not okay to be herself - until one day, she came to a crossroads wherein she could no longer bear to live as anybody else.

Now the owner of Wish Me Luck, Chicago’s very first Black, trans, queer-owned tattoo shop, Faith demonstrates the healing power of community spaces, especially for people who have historically been erased or made to feel uncomfortable by the status quo.

Faith’s story shows us that there is nothing quite so powerful as chasing one’s truth, wherever that may lead - and that it is not the job of Black people, of queer people, or of trans people to make themselves more palatable for others.

This episode mentions conversion therapy, weaponization of religion against marginalized groups, mistreatment of trans prisoners, and suicidal ideation.

This is Faith on freedom, self-discovery, and Wish Me Luck Tattoo.

SOCIAL

@americanflesh

@wishmelucktattoo

LINKS

Nickhole Arcade

Prisoner Correspondence Project - Find a trans penpal in prison

Dr Lori Kohler (San Francisco Public Health Network) - Healthcare professional dedicated to providing gender-affirming care to prisoners.

TGI Justice Project

Critical Resistance

Transgender Law Center (TLC)

Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SLRP)

Growing up in a conservative, evangelical home, Mya suspected that coming out as trans could mean parting ways with her parents. However, she firmly rejected the notion that it was her responsibility to adjust to the comfort of those around her. She felt, rather, that it was their responsibility to adjust and accept her for who she is.

Mya always says that her number one goal in life is to help people. And even at times when Mya has faced immense hardship, she has continued to lead with her empathy and compassion first.

This shines through in everything that she does - from serving on a council working to bridge the gap between religious folks and trans folks, to fostering community with other trans feminine people, to educating those around her about trans identities.

This episode mentions discrimination on the basis of religion, familial rejection, homelessness, racism, transphobia, and cissexism.

This is Mya Petsche on loving yourself and others.

SOCIAL

IG: @myaisnotfunny

LINKS

Disclosure documentary | Leading trans creatives and thinkers share heartfelt perspectives and analysis about Hollywood’s impact on the trans community

Donate to Dallas Hope Charities | “Dallas Hope Charities unites to care for those in need throughout our social and geographical communities. By collaborating and hosting several programs, we are fulfilling our mission of providing food, shelter, and services that instill dignity, stability, and hope for all.”

Like many trans people, Fiora spent her formative years consuming media where cisgender actors repeatedly played transgender characters, usually in a very unflattering light.

After her marriage ended, Fiora relocated to New York City and enrolled in an acting class. Suddenly and to her initial surprise, she found herself surrounded by queer and trans actors, in a city where directors not only respected but actively sought to cast trans people.

Though she fully acknowledges that TV and film still have a long way to go before reaching true gender equity, she envisions a bright future for herself and her industry. Her upcoming film Boarder centers Fiora as a feisty trans hit woman hoping to pull off one last job before her past catches up with her.

This episode mentions transphobic tropes and practices in media, family trauma, and divorce.

This is Fiora Wise on Being Pretty but Also Kind of a Bada**

SOCIAL

IG: @FioraTheWise

IG: @BoarderTheMovie

feathersthewise.com

LINKS

Why Scarlett Johansson — Or Any Cis Actor — Should Never Play Trans Roles

As a child, Jesse found respite from their religiously conservative community within the pages of manga. Hidden in those words and images were tales of unapologetic queer love that affirmed their identity, even when their family would not.

Jesse always knew that they felt attraction to people of different genders, and when they first heard the word “pansexual” as a teenager, something just clicked.

These days, Jesse channels their “queer angst” from high school into everything they do; be it by drawing canonically trans and gender non-conforming characters, writing their identities into music, or teaching their coworkers about queer and trans lives.

This episode mentions intersex surgeries, familial rejection, conflation of queer identity with pedophilia, and discrimination on the basis of religion.

This is Jesse Lee-Young on that Good Gay Manga.

SOCIAL

Twitter: @OliveDKnight

Bandcamp: Fempathy;

Twitter: @FempathyBand

Facebook: @FempathyBand

LINKS

InterACT | Advocates for Intersex Youth’s guide to being an ally to intersex folks

Annet Negesa - Intersex athlete suing World Athletics after being coerced into surgery

Cheers, queers, and welcome to the very first Special Edition episode of the Trans and Caffeinated podcast. Today, I have the unique honor of sharing with you the words and stories of six trans and gender non-conforming poets.

Spoken word poetry is one of my absolute favorite art forms. It is uniquely powerful in that it conveys meaning and emotion both through the text itself, as well as the intonation, inflection, punctuation, and feeling that that author provides in their reading.

These poets have spent years developing their craft, and I encourage you to tip each of today’s performers using the payment handles in the info section below.

PAYMENT INFO

Jeslyn Jacob Randall: @sapphirexsparks (Venmo)

Petal McNaughton: @Lillianmcn (Venmo), $Lillianmcn (CashApp)

Myles Taylor: @mylesemtaylor (Venmo), $MLEtaylor (CashApp)

Ness Doughty: @Ness-Doughty-1 (Venmo), $nesspie (Cashapp)

Joey Matt DiPeri: Paypal.me/JoJoMah, $J0w0ey (CashApp)

Yaz: @pjtadross091796 (Venmo)

SOCIAL:

Jeslyn Jacob Randall: @sapphirexsparks

Petal McNaughton: @Coffeepot.lilies (IG)

Myles Taylor: @mylesdoespoems (IG)

Ness Doughty: @queernaturalist (IG)

Joey Matt DiPeri: @NoraQRosa (Twitter)

Yaz:  @yasminet1996 (IG)

CREDITS

Closing Music: Helena Dryjanski (she/they). You can follow them on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Sound editor + Intro Music: Joey DiPeri (she/her). You can follow her on Twitter @NoraQRosa. You can also follow her band Fempathy on Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp.

When I recorded this episode in Summer 2020, I had no idea how little time we had left with my dearest friend Jeff. This episode is now and forever a tribute to the kind, loving, generous, incredible soul that was Jeffrey Scott Guillermo. May he rest in the sweetest, most beautiful peace. I love you forever, Jeff❤️️

As his journey continued, Jeff began to understand that he was transgender - but when he came out, it seemed difficult for those around him to see him as the man that he is. Still, he pressed on, and decided to transition in spite of his fears.

Nine years later, Jeff says that transitioning has been a “breath of fresh air,” and he is happier now than he ever thought possible. Though the journey has at times been incredibly challenging, he has found support and community in the most unlikely of places.

This episode mentions anti-trans violence, transphobia, misgendering, and religious discrimination.

This is Jeff Guillermo on (almost) crying at the dinner table

LINKS

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center

Planned Parenthood - HRT

Capsule Pharmacy

SOCIAL

IG: @jeffrey.scott91

CREDITS

Closing Music: Helena Dryjanski (she/they). You can follow them on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Sound editor + Intro Music: Joey DiPeri (she/her). You can follow her on Twitter @NoraQRosa. You can also follow her band Fempathy on Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp.

Daya always knew that coming out as trans might force her to reexamine and restructure several parts of her life. As a classically trained vocalist and a music minister in a Protestant church, the communities in which she was involved did not always create space for trans and gender non-conforming people to thrive.

When she began to transition, she realized that maintaining her connection with God would mean converting religions— and that maintaining employment would mean pivoting careers. Daya handled this rapid change with immense resilience and grace, and she is now using her experience to help other trans folx find fulfillment in their own lives.

This episode mentions passing, gender dysphoria, cissexism, transphobia, and homophobia.

This is Daya Deuskar, on feeling God again at an all trans Kabbalat Shabbat.

MORE ON DAYA

IG: @mirabai.me

Website: www.mirabai.me (for transgender vocal training, poetry, and more!)

CREDITS

Closing Music: Helena Dryjanski (she/they). You can follow them on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Sound editor + Intro Music: Joey DiPeri (she/her). You can follow her on Twitter @NoraQRosa. You can also follow her band Fempathy on Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp.

From the time they were young, Payton knew they were different from those around them. They didn’t have words to describe exactly how, and living in the politically conservative, hyper-religious, suburban town of Plano, TX, people weren’t exactly open to helping them explore.

When Payton was 15, they mustered up the courage to come out to their family as gay. After that, they were quickly admitted to conversion “therapy,” a manipulative and egregiously harmful abuse tactic to which many young LGBTQ+ kids are subjected as a method of scaring them into believing they are cisgender and straight. At the time of this recording, conversion therapy remains legal in 30 U.S. states, but the fight continues to outlaw this practice nationwide.

In the years since, Payton has committed to using their experiences to improve the lives of others, and has witnessed how their own life has improved in the process. At just 19 years old, Payton speaks with the wisdom and clarity of a much older queer.

This episode mentions sexual assault and conversion therapy.

This is Payton Sliepka, on turning their pain into power.

SOCIAL

Facebook: Payton Sliepka

Twitter: @twinkpay

IG: @paytonsliepka

ON CONVERSION “THERAPY”

Conversion Therapy

PATRON SHOUTOUTS

If you'd like early access to future episodes, shoutouts, Trans and Caffeinated goodies, and more, join us on Patreon!

Thank you, Em Rabelais (they/themme). Follow @dr.whomever on Instagram, @dr_whomever on Twitter, and follow their Health Ethics Book Club, which is linked in the information for this episode. Season 1 of their series is focused on Racism and Whiteness in the health profession.

Thank you, Sarita Sinha (she/her). Follow @saritarosedesign on Instagram, where you can view and purchase designer face masks. She’s an up and coming designer, so stay on the lookout for other great designs in the future.

Thank you, Stephanie Muttillo (she/her). You can follow @_stephaniesara on Instagram. Stephanie is extremely outspoken about environmental sustainability, and I encourage you to support her favorite environmental organization, @4ocean.

Each of these amazing individuals is also featured in the “Shoutouts” highlight on Trans and Caffeinated.

CREDITS

Closing Music: Helena Dryjanski (she/they). You can follow them on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Sound editor + Intro Music: Joey DiPeri (she/her). You can follow her on Twitter @NoraQRosa. You can also follow her band Fempathy on Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp.

When Ary first came out, he had to reckon with the realization that transitioning might mean losing the support of his parents. For quite some time, his parents held firm that they could not support his transition, and begged him to reconsider. Ary knew that for him, living his truth was a matter of life or death. He chose life, in spite of how his parents may react.

Ary has been out as trans for several years now, and has taken it upon himself to share about his journey with others. He works in the coffee industry, where he wears many hats, from barista to technician. As for his parents? Well, their journey might surprise you.

This episode discusses suicidal ideation, family rejection, misgendering, and surgery.

This is Ary on choosing happiness.

PATRON SHOUTOUTS

If you'd like early access to future episodes, shoutouts, Trans and Caffeinated goodies, and more, join us on Patreon!

Thank you, Elaine Kohler! Follow @laineyofshalott on Instagram to view and purchase her beautiful mosaics.

Thank you, Umeko Motoyoshi! Follow @umeshiso_ on Instagram, and head to umeshiso.com, to purchase Umeko’s beautiful coffee cupping spoons. I personally have about 15 of their rainbow cupping spoon, and I use it every single time I brew coffee.

Thank you, Jeffrey Guillermo. Follow @jeffrey.scott91 on Instagram. Jeff is a dear friend of mine, who you’ll get to meet as a guest on a future episode of this podcast.

Each of these amazing individuals is also featured in the “Shoutouts” highlight on Trans and Caffeinated.

CREDITS

Closing Music: Helena Dryjanski (she/they). You can follow them on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Sound editor + Intro Music: Joey DiPeri (she/her). You can follow her on Twitter @NoraQRosa. You can also follow her band Fempathy on Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp.