Transvox

This week, Gillian talks to Drew Dalton, the CEO of Report Out, a global human rights organisation for gender and sexual minorities, discussing the organisation's growth and research on human rights abuses experienced by LGBTQI+ communities globally. The conversation also covers geopolitical factors influencing attitudes towards homosexuality and gender identity, the correlation between climate change and social policy, and the launch of Drew's new course on global LGBTQ+ dangers and rights.

Report Out started five years ago with Drew as the founder and seven volunteers, and has since grown to around 100 volunteers across 40 countries. Report Out documents human rights abuses experienced by LGBTQI+ communities globally, working directly with partner organisations on the ground. They then use this information for campaigning and educating the public. Drew has a background in academia and LGBTQI+ activism, and is proud of the impact Report Out has made despite being an all-volunteer organisation.

Subjects included

• Sexual and Gender Minorities in Uganda
• Geopolitics and Queer Identity
• Queer Communities and Climate Vulnerability
• UK's Social Attitudes and Political Climate

They also discussed the launch of Drew's new course, "Global LGBTQ+ Dangers and Rights," an 8-week program starting in February. The course aims to provide a deeper understanding of homophobia and transphobia, moving beyond the idea that it's just a fear.

Drew also mentions his new website where interested individuals can sign up for the course. The conversation also touched on the importance of international perspectives and the role of leadership in promoting social change.

You can out more here: https://www.drewdalton.org/

You can submit questions to [email protected]

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the changes in social media platforms, particularly at Meta, and their potential impact on free speech and censorship. They also explored the challenges faced by the trans community on these platforms and the potential solutions, such as moderated Facebook groups and other platforms like Discord.

Subjects include:

• Meta's Changes and Free Speech Concerns
• Digital Security Act's Impact on Speech
• Trans Community Challenges on Social Media
• Social Media's Impact on Community
• Emotional Reflections and Future Planning

You can submit questions to [email protected]

#transgender, #gendergp, #transgenderhealth

This week, we look back at some of the recordings from 2024 which we think are noteworthy or where there is value for the community.

Subjects include:

• Jenny, Resolutions and the year just finished
• Helen Webberly and her career fighting for Trans health services
• Ed Whelan and his book about trans+ surgeries
• Dee Constantine and their colleague talking about adoption and fostering
• Katie Munday talking about trans medicalisation and the ‘gay ideal’

Thanks to all our guests and I look forward to further inspiring and wonderful guests in 2025.

You can submit questions to [email protected]

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the challenges faced by the trans community, the need for a strategic approach to lobbying for change, and the importance of maintaining a positive image of trans individuals in media. They also debated the issue of self-identification and the rights of trans individuals, the potential for trans individuals to gain more influence through corporate power, and the need for trans individuals to be more involved in politics. The conversation ended with a discussion on the importance of strategic planning and lobbying in politics, the failings of unfettered capitalism, and the need for better language and narratives around transgender rights.

Subjects include:

• Trans Community Challenges and Unity
• Rethinking Strategies for Community Change
• Self-Identification, self certification and Trans Rights
• Addressing Trans Community Challenges as currently approaches seem not to be working
• Trans Rights and Political Action
• Strategic Planning and Lobbying in Politics
• Capitalism, Socialism, and Transgender Rights

As always, they ‘disagree agreeably’ and thrash through different perspectives based on their own experience.

If you would like your voice heard, contact us to email, leave a voice note or send a message.

You can submit questions to [email protected]

#transgender, #gendergp, #transgenderhealth

This week, Gillian and Jenny have decided in the midst of all the gloom of recent news (and the weather) to have a more ‘light-hearted’ episode.

Subjects include:

• A listener question about ‘coming out’ to their family on Xmas Day!
• Christmas telly
• How Christmas can be stressful being in the midst of people that may be challenged by your transness
• How Christmas can be wonderful where you can celebrate as yourself and receive appropriate pressies…!
• Christmas cracker jokes may also be mentioned - some may also make an appearance….

Happy Christmas and/or Happy holidays to all our listeners….

You can donate to support the work on the podcast or to help build the ‘hardship fund’ at @BeyondReflections - to help those who are financially challenged but still need support

You can submit questions to [email protected]

#transgender, #transgenderhealth

This week, Gillian meets Katie Munday and Dr Virginia Quinney to round out and conclude their discussions around the Trans Plus Experiences of Cancer Screening Services project, focusing on improving healthcare accessibility for trans individuals, particularly in cancer services. They also explored the challenges faced by trans and non-binary individuals in healthcare settings, the importance of communication and understanding, and the potential impact of compassion fatigue on healthcare professionals.

Subjects included:

• Trans Plus Experiences and Cancer Services
• Improving Cervical Screening Accessibility
• Challenges in Accessible Healthcare Systems
• Challenges for Trans Individuals in Healthcare
• Gender Pronouns and Healthcare Challenges
• Improving Healthcare for Trans Individuals
• Compassion Fatigue and Project Progress

You can donate to support the work on the podcast or to help build the ‘hardship fund’ at @BeyondReflections - to help those who are financially challenged but still need support

You can submit questions to [email protected]

#transgender, #gendergp, #transgenderhealth

This week, Gillian meets Dr Helen Webberley, one of the icons of trans+ healthcare to discuss the complexities of gender identity, the importance of understanding and embracing diversity, and the need for better education and training for doctors in trans+ healthcare. They address the challenges faced by the NHS, particularly in relation to transgender healthcare, and the potential for digital technology to improve all healthcare. The conversation concluded with a discussion on the importance of understanding and accepting non-binary individuals.

Subjects include:

• Helen’s Trans+ understanding and Healthcare Journey
• Understanding Gender Identity and Biology
• Embracing Diversity for Community Growth
• Portraying Trans+ People as Ordinary and Beautiful Individuals
• Community, Identity, and Neurodivergence
• Helen's GMC Tribunal and her personal Resilience
• Transitioning to Transgender Healthcare Focus
• Improving Trans+ Healthcare Education
• Challenges in NHS Healthcare and other Solutions
• Expert Guidance vs ‘Loud Voices’
• Embracing Non-Binary Identity and Collaboration

Hope you enjoy and find this useful.

You can donate to support the work on the podcast or to help build the ‘hardship fund’ at @BeyondReflections - to help those who are financially challenged but still need support

You can submit questions to [email protected]

#transgender

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the news from the USA and the treatment of Sarah McBride. The conversation gets a little feisty at times, but it shows that trans+ people can have different views but still remain able to cooperate and move forward together.

They discuss the situation in the US regarding the election of Sarah Mcbride, the first trans Congressperson from Delaware, and the subsequent attempts by Republicans to pass rules banning her from using women's facilities in Congress and on federal property. They agreed that this was a problematic issue, not just for trans people, but also for women and girls, as it could lead to a caricature of what a woman should look like. They also discussed the potential for this issue to be used as a wedge to further erode women's rights. Jenny expressed some scepticism about the motivations behind this, suggesting that it could also be driven by transphobia and anti-LGBTQ sentiment.

They ponder the issue of transphobia and its impact on the wider community. Jenny emphasised that the issue is an attack on trans people and should not be diluted into a broader women's issue, as it could leave trans men and non-binary people marginalised. Gillian agreed but also stressed the importance of mobilising the wider community to support the cause, as it is not just about trans people but also about freedom and legislation. They both acknowledged the potential harm of rolling back progressive rights and the need to ensure that all individuals, including trans men and non-binary people, are included in the conversation.

Gillian suggests the importance of engaging with the wider issue of women's rights and equality, rather than focusing solely on trans rights, emphasising the need to campaign and move forward, suggesting that the community should ally with those who have a vested interest in maintaining women's rights. Jenny agreed, but expressed concern about giving ground and respecting pronouns. They also discussed the potential for persuasion among those who have recently developed negative views due to media and political influence. Gillian suggested that the community should focus on building resilience and lobbying for better access to healthcare. Both agreed on the importance of being visible as a form of resistance and activism.

Hope you enjoy and find this useful.

You can donate to support the work on the podcast or to help build the ‘hardship fund’ at @BeyondReflections - to help those who are financially challenged but still need support

You can submit questions to [email protected]

Gillian and Jenny discussed their shared love for the TV show Strictly Come Dancing, reminiscing about past contestants and the show's evolution over time.

They also discussed the inclusion of people with disabilities in dance shows, the balance between professional dancers and those with less experience, and their experiences with social media platforms.

Additionally, they shared their experiences attending dance performances including a meeting between Jenny and Anton Du Beke....the glamour...!

Hope you enjoy and find this useful.

You can donate to support the work on the podcast or to help build the ‘hardship fund’ at @BeyondReflections - to help those who are financially challenged but still need support

You can submit questions to [email protected]

This week, Gillian and Jenny discuss the fall-out from the US elections, Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) and Trans Awareness Week. Discussions covered the need for strategic activism, increased visibility and representation, and the importance of engaging with power structures to effect change.

They both highlighted the significant amount of money spent on anti-trans ads, which they felt was a dangerous level of resources being directed against a small percentage of the population. Gillian. expresses concern that this rhetoric could lead to a rollback of trans rights, while Jenny believes the economy was the main factor driving voters rather than social issues like trans rights. They acknowledge the worrying implications for the trans community, but Jenny suggests the anti-trans messaging may not have swayed many voters. Overall, they see the need for the LGBTQ+ community to unite against the broader threat of right-wing populism and religious conservatism.

They agreed that the community needs to be more strategic and active in engaging with power and influencing decision-makers. They also acknowledged the need for greater cohesion within the community and the importance of having more openly trans politicians in positions of power. Jenny suggested that the community needs to pick the right battles and be more organised, while Dr emphasised the need to look outward and engage with those in positions of power. They both agreed that the community has relied too heavily on activism and not enough on strategic engagement with power.

They also discussed the influence of unions on policy, particularly in relation to the rights of the LGBT community. Jenny highlighted the positive stance of their union towards self-organised groups and trans rights in the workplace. They also discussed the challenges of lobbying the current UK government, which Jenny believes is more open to their cause than previous conservative governments. Dr suggested that they need to adapt to a more turbulent world, using the example of the Middle East's political instability. The conversation ended with a discussion on the need to strategically "stay low" in order to effectively influence policy in the future.

They discussed the importance of Trans Day Remembrance, which is observed on the 20th of November. They highlighted the high levels of violence against the trans community, particularly black trans women in America. Jenny mentioned that the event was founded by Gwendolyn Ann Smith and has since become a significant day for the community to come together and remember those who have lost their lives due to violence, hate, and discrimination. They also discussed the impact of losing community members, with Jenny sharing her experiences from the late 90s when she first joined an online trans community. The conversation ended with a reflection on the unique challenges faced by the trans community.

Hope you enjoy and find this useful.

You can donate to support the work on the podcast or to help build the ‘hardship fund’ at @BeyondReflections - to help those who are financially challenged but still need support

You can submit questions to [email protected]