Trans Voices Podcast

Dialysis technician Mars Bloom (he/him) and traditional tattoo artist Renn Bloom (he/him) join Trans Voices Podcast hosts Elih and Rene for a candid conversation about love, healthcare, art, and finding home.

Visiting Houston from Denver, Mars and Renn share their origin story—from an initial stomach tattoo session to building a grounded life together with their four pets.

Renn breaks down his journey as a self-taught American Traditional tattoo artist, discussing the importance of bringing bold, classic ink into trans spaces, advocating for client consent, and moving past surface-level "safe space" labels.

Mars shares his perspective on working in direct patient care, navigating trans visibility at work and the gym, and comparing the real-world realities of trans healthcare access and community ties between Texas and Colorado.

Together, they discuss state-to-state moves, their joint love for Smiski, and what it means to live and love as trans people.

Follow Renn on Instagram and TikTok: @bloomtats

Follow Mars on Instagram and TikTok: @ohhhmarzzzz

Follow Trans Voices on Instagram and Facebook: @transvoices.life, @transvoiceshouston, @transvoicespodcast

Learn more at transvoices.life

✨ Sponsored by gc2b ✨

We're proud to partner with @gc2b, the original trans-owned and operated gender-affirming brand. Their limited-edition Beyond Borders capsule was created with transmasc and non-binary artists from across Latin America. Every piece features original artwork, and profits support the artists and REDCAHT+, a regional network strengthening trans-led organizing and leadership.

🔥 Shop Beyond Borders at gc2b.com to support trans artists and trans-led communities.

Frank De Oro (he/him) and Casey Martin (they/them) join Trans Voices hosts Rene and Theo to talk about the Coming Out Monologues. The show premiered October 11, National Coming Out Day, at Station Theater in Houston.

Frank is a board member of the University of Houston LGBTQ+ Alumni Network and the director of the show. He explains how the monologues began as a campus tradition, why he brought them back after DEI cuts closed LGBTQ+ spaces, and how community-submitted stories become scripts. Casey is a software developer and visual artist making their acting debut. They tell the story of a Trans Masculine Alliance meeting that turned into an audition, and how a story that wasn’t theirs came to feel like it was.

Follow the Coming Out Monologues on Instagram: @comingoutmonologues  UH LGBTQ+ Alumni Network on Instagram: @uhlgbtqalumni 

Casey’s collage and visual art: @ctmartinart

Follow Trans Voices on Instagram and Facebook: @transvoices, @transvoiceshouston, @transvoicespodcast

Learn more at ⁠transvoices.life⁠

In 2023, four people in Katy decided Katy needed a Pride. Now Katy Pride is gearing up for its 4th Annual Celebration on October 3 with the theme "Stand Tall, Y'all!"

We sat down with Kristina Shackelford (Director of Pride Celebration) and Amanda (President of Katy Pride) to talk about how it started, what it takes to pull it off, and what's coming.

We cover the jump from an idea in June 2023 to a first celebration that October, showing up at Katy ISD school board meetings, and the 2025 venue cancellation days before the event that turned into a 48-hour move to Bear Creek Rodeo Arena.

Katy Pride Celebration: Saturday, October 3, 11 AM – 4 PM at Bear Creek Rodeo Arena, 3230 Hwy 6, Houston, TX 77084

Free admission and parking, rain or shine, with live music from Olive Klug and Sarah Golden, drag hosts Hugh Dandy and Biconic, food trucks, and an expanded Kids Zone. Trans Voices will be tabling, so come say hi!

Kick-Off Party: Thursday, October 1, 6 PM at Home Run Dugout, 1220 Grand W Blvd., Katy, TX 77449

Light bites and live music from Katy native Paige Lewis. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door.

Volunteers are needed for the celebration: for a 2-hour shifts, you get a shirt.

Celebration details: https://www.katypride.org/celebration

Kick-Off Party tickets: https://givebutter.com/katy-pride-kick-off-party-2026-hzweew

Volunteer: https://www.katypride.org

Trans Voices: https://www.transvoices.life/

On July 6th, we tabled at the River Oaks Theatre with 10 other Houston orgs for a screening of State of Firsts, Chase Joynt's documentary about Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.

When the credits rolled, Joëlle Espeut (VP of the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, Advocacy Director at The Normal Anomaly Initiative) and Dylan Forbis (the first out trans person elected to the Texas Democratic Party's State Democratic Executive Committee) took the stage to talk about why visibility alone doesn't build political leadership, who gets to picture themselves running for office, race and gatekeeping in queer political spaces, and Harris County's missing trans representation.

Robin's full write-up of the panel is on the blog.

Read the write-up: https://www.transvoices.life/blog/260713
Register or check your status: https://www.votetexas.gov/
Trans Voices: https://www.transvoices.life/

Ahead of their opening night at MATCH in Houston, guest host Elih N and Robin A (stepping in while Theo and Rene were away!) sat down with writer Alexander ‘Wilson’ Noe (Niro) and Eric Griffin (Augustus) to talk all things Fight or Flight! 🎭

In this special interview, we dive into:• What originally drew Alexander and Eric into theatre and playwriting• Their personal journeys as trans masc creatives navigating the arts• Crafting an interactive, non-linear trans love story with two alternate endings• Preparing to take the show from Houston to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (where they just opened on August 7th at theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall!)

Though this episode lands a little later than planned, it’s an amazing peek behind the curtain and the perfect companion piece to Robin A’s written review on our community blog.

📖 Read Robin A's review: https://www.transvoices.life/blog/260806📲 Support the show & follow their Fringe journey: @fightorflighttheplay | https://linktr.ee/fightorflighttheplay🌐 Trans Voices: https://www.transvoices.life/

Pride & Coming Out Stories with Elih Rene and Theo

In this special Pride episode, we’re joined by Elih Rene and Theo for an honest, heartwarming, and empowering conversation about identity, community, and finding your own voice. Together, we share personal coming-out stories—the nervous first steps, the heartwarming moments, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, or still figuring out your own journey, this episode is a reminder that you are never alone and your story matters.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Elih, Rene, and Theo’s personal coming-out journeys

• Navigating family, friendships, and self-acceptance

• What Pride truly means to each of us today

Grab your favorite drink, tune in, and celebrate Pride with us! 🌈✨

✨ Sponsored by gc2b ✨
We are incredibly proud to partner with @gc2b, the original trans-owned and operated gender-affirming brand. From safe, comfortable chest binders to everyday apparel, gc2b helps our community step out with confidence.
🔥 Use code TransVoices at checkout for 15% OFF your entire order at gc2b.co!

Again be sure to SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, & RESHARE as we are trying to grow and share everyones voice!

If you would like to be a GUEST SPEAKER on our channel, please don't hesitate to reach out! We invite everyone to share their voice with our listeners! Be sure to also visit our website www.transvoices.life for more info.

Get ready for the ultimate Katy glow-up! In this episode, we’re sitting down with two of the local beauty and wellness scene’s finest: Cam, the magic hands behind the area's best massage therapy, and Koda, the stylist keeping everyone’s hair flawless. We dive into how they got started, their secrets to making clients feel brand new, and what it’s really like behind the chair and on the table. Tune in for good vibes, expert tips, and a whole lot of inspiration!

✨ Help Us Grow! ✨If you loved hanging out with Cam and Koda as much as we did, please take a second to subscribe/follow, like this episode, and leave a comment with your favorite takeaway!

Sharing is caring—reshare this episode with a friend in the Katy area who deserves a little self-care. Your support means the world to us and helps us keep bringing you amazing local stories!

📲 Connect with Cam: @cams_hands_lmt💇‍♂️ Connect with Koda: @klr.hair.artist

In this episode, we sit down with Rasheeda Johnson and Daron Yanes Perez to dive deep into the Montrose Center's TransWellness Program — what it is, who it serves, and why it matters. We explore their personal journeys and meaningful involvement in the trans community, and what drives their passion for this work.

We also give a special shoutout to our upcoming TRANS Sexual Wellness & Health Fair happening this Sunday! Whether you're looking for resources, community, or just a safe space to show up as your full self — this is an event you don't want to miss.

🔗 Montrose Center: link

🔗 TransWellness Program: link

📸 Rasheeda Johnson: @SuchaKardashian

📸 Daron Yanes Perez: @d_yanes10

🎉 Health Fair Info: website

Tune in, share with your community, and keep showing up for each other. 🎙🏳️‍⚧️

Follow us: @transvoicespodcast | @transvoiceshouston

In this episode, we sit down with Davis Mendoza Darusman (he/him) — community organizer, creative, and Justice of the Peace candidate — to talk about queering local politics in Houston.

We discuss eviction diversion programs, virtual court access, private debt collection fees, and how JP courts directly impact queer, trans, immigrant, and working-class communities. Davis also shares the story behind “Panning for Love” his community organizing work, and why love and accessibility are at the center of his platform.

If politics feels overwhelming, this episode is a reminder: local change starts with us.

Follow Davis:
Instagram: @davisforjusticetx
Website: davisforjustice.com

Follow Trans Voices Podcast and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!

In this episode of the Trans Voices Podcast, we’re joined by Mycah Taylor (they/them) — founder and Executive Director of Boi’s Club HTX, a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to creating affirming spaces for Black Trans+ masculine people.

Mycah joins us for a powerful conversation on intersectionality, exploring the nuanced relationship trans masculine people have with femininity, how gender identity evolves throughout transition, T4T intimacy, and the lived realities of the Black trans masc experience.

Together, we talk about community building, safety, joy, and what it means to create spaces where Black trans masculine people can live freely, connect deeply, and feel supported.

This episode centers honesty, vulnerability, and collective care — and is one you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more!

Guest: Mycah Taylor (they/them)
Affiliated Organization: Boi’s Club HTX
Category: Gender Journeys · Intersectionality
Social / Website: Boi’s Club HTX