TransCisTer Radio

On this episode of TransCisTer Radio, Dana and Kelly speak with Anthony Galante, Dana’s husband, on what life can be like for parents of transgender children.  Dana and Anthony have two children, one of whom happens to be transgender.  He came out to them when he was 14 years old.  This threw them for a loop, but they both rebounded beautifully and began to learn how to care for someone who they both deeply loved.  Throughout their journey they faced many new struggles, from coming out to their extended family, to finding appropriate health care, and becoming leaders in creating a safe space for all transgender humans in our local Central California community of Visalia.  Dana and Anthony truly are great parents and lovingly found the strength to not just stand up for their own child, but for all transgender humans.  It was a pleasure being able to speak to them and gain insight and tips into what it means to be a loving parent.  Some of the topics in this episode are:-        What to do when your child reveals that they are transgender.-        What are the first steps to help yourself and your family.-        Some of the misconceptions of being transgender.-        Facing the realities of raising a child who is their own independent human being.-        How to deal with parental ego.-        Where a child is at when they reveal themselves as transgender compared to where parents are often at when that reveal happens.-        How to not panic when your child comes out.-        How important names and pronouns are to your transgender children.-        The high rates of attempted suicide within the transgender youth community.-        How important it is to support your transgender child.-        That transgender children attempt to help protect their parents. Episode Reference:-        Carol Montgomery Brosnac – transgender therapisthttps://www.carolmontgomerybrosnaclmft.com/ -        Gender Spectrumhttps://www.genderspectrum.org/ -        Help The Source LGBT+ Centerhttps://www.thesourcelgbt.org/donate -        TransCisTer Radio email address:  transcister@thesourcelgbt.org -        Voice mail line:  559-343-6646Support the show

On Today's Episode:We got our first email!  Dana and Kelly received an email from a woman in the Midwest, asking our advice to help her friend, who is not currently out to the world as a woman, be comfortable standing as a bridesmaid in her wedding.  Needless to say, we have lots of thoughts on this matter!And then... we have another email!  That makes 2 in total!  This second email comes from Dana's friend Michael who has lots of advice on getting our podcast together, so we are giving producer credits to Michael Roberts-Short today! He also asks us questions about Magic the Gathering and it's somewhat new relation to the trans world.  (Thanks Mike!)Trans in the News brings us to Dana's hidden talent  - rapping.  Rapping a Taylor Swift song, no less!  (There's a reason for it, really!)  All performance requests for Dana the rapper can be sent to transcister@thesourcelgbt.org :)We discuss artist Jordan Eagle and his transgender art show in the Keith Herring bathroom at the LGBT Community Center.  This led us to say - WHAT?  Keith Herring has a whole bathroom in NYC???  That's gotta be an expensive bathroom!Surgeries!  Who wants them? Do you need them?  Does it make you more trans?  If you don't have any surgeries, are you LESS trans?This slides us into a brief discussion on how parents can best support their trans kids.Be sure to tune into our next podcast about Parenting Trans Kids, with our special guest Anthony, Dana's husband.  Sorry boys, you can't see him on a podcast...We love you!!! Dana & KellyTranscister Radio is made in conjunction with the Source LGBT+ Center.  If you'd like to help out the LGBT+ population of rural CA, visit www.thesourcelgbt.org/donateemail: transcister@thesourcelgbt.orgvoicemail: 559.343.6646Support the show

TransCisTer Radio has another special episode. This interview is with the amazing Bri Guerrero.  They are a genderqueer human making their way in California’s Central Valley.  Bri identifies as genderqueer and eloquently answers all of Dana and Kelly’s question about what that means to them and what it is like to live life as a genderqueer human.  One of the first difficult topics discussed in this episode is whether or not genderqueer people are a part of the larger transgender community and how the transgender experience and genderqueer experience are alike and different.  Whereas many transgender people are firmly rooted within a perceived binary gender system, genderqueer humans advocate for a reimagining of that view.  Imagine a world where human beings interact based on their qualities and not on what gender they are perceived to be.  Bri is wonderfully articulate and well-educated and provides a fascinating view of gender.  We super appreciate them taking the time to help educate us. Some of the topics in this episode are:-        The struggle for those who exist between in between the cisgender and transgender communities-        Is being genderqueer a choice?-        Changing one's appearance to appear in the middle-        What does someone in the middle need to look like?-        The public clocking you as male or female-        Would it be Bri’s preference if in society we don’t automatically gender people?-        Can you explain the difference between genderqueer and non-binary?-        How can you explain the terms to the general public?-        Letting go of the concept of gender-        Does Bri try to not gender people when they speak with them?-        How is Bri’s family in regards to their gender?-        How long has it been since they came out to family and friends?-        Did Bri have a transition day?-        Dealing with ungendered speech/pronouns-        What is Bri’s definition of transgender and is genderqueer a part of that?-        Is transition a horribly awful event?-        Is crossdressing a gate-way “Drug” to being transgender? Episode Reference:-        Help The Source LGBT+ Centerhttps://www.thesourcelgbt.org/donate -        TransCisTer Radio email address:  transcister@thesourcelgbt.org -        Voice mail line:  559-343-6646Support the show

On this special one topic show, Dana interviews Kelly regarding her recent orchiectomy procedure.  If you have ever wanted a first-hand account of what a small gender-confirming surgery is like, then this is the episode for you.  While having one’s testicles removed is a small procedure, it can be a greatly affirming one in being able to take control over one’s endocrine system. In this episode Kelly and Dana discuss: What is an orchiectomy?Does Kelly have mystery testicle syndrome?How does an orchiectomy impact future gender confirmation surgery? And much more!Resources:TransCisTer Radio email address:  transcister@thesourcelgbt.orgVoice mail line:  559-343-6646Support the show

In this episode, Dana and Kelly introduce three amazing segments: Catching Up, Transgender in the News, and Ask A Trans Person.  Dana speaks about her preparations for The Source’s Pride event, and Kelly discusses her upcoming orchiectomy.  In transgender news - acting, lingerie, boobs, and doctors are highlighted.  Wrapping things up is a mini-debate... "What exactly does the word transgender mean?"Support the show

This episode wraps up the almost 2-hour conversation that started it all. Kelly and Dana talk about the transgender military ban, define what trans and cis mean, discuss the difference between gender, sex, and sexual orientation, and introduce a new segment of the show called ask "Ask A Trans Person".Support the show

This episode is Part 2 of a 3. Kelly and Dana dive deeper into the gender spectrum, new language, identity, and kids that know their gender earlier and earlier. Authenticity, acceptance, and support are key. Support the show

Meet Kelly Denithorne: fashion blogger, duck hunter, and transgender middle school math teacher. Meet Dana Galante: mom of a trans son, LGBT activist, and drag car racer.  Find out all about these two, their experiences in coming out, growing up, being authentic, and finding support along the way. Support the show