Becoming Visible: Trans Stories

In the premier episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, your hosts Susan and Jack jump right into sharing about themselves, and do a deep-dive into Jack's journey as a transgender man who came out in his 30's with a wife and three kids in the small town of Hartford, South Dakota. Jack began working as the Community Health Worker/Community Outreach Manager for The Transformation Project in 2022 after leaving his career of 12 years at Citibank.Resources:www.transformationprojects...

In the 2nd episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about Grace Hansen, who besides working as a Database Administrator, a gymnastics coach, and is the only remaining founding member of The Rude Band. Grace is a transgender woman who shares her story with us about how she came out at age 53 with a wife and four grown kids in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Stay tuned after the episode to hear one of Grace's faves from the Rude Band!TW: SuicideChe...

In this episode, we speak with Rachel about being nonbinary, they/them pronouns, and how family and friends have reacted to their gender identity. Rachel lives in Sioux Falls, SD, and works full-time as a Communications Coordinator, volunteers her time with Sioux Falls Pride as their Marketing Director, and is in school full-time getting a degree in Coding. TW: SuicideResources:www.transformationprojectsd.orgThere are so many great resources available if you happen to be strugglin...

In our fourth episode, we speak with Jane about being genderqueer and how family, friends and her workplace dealt with her coming out as transgender. Jane lives in Sioux Falls, SD, and works full-time an Engineer and is the parent to two children. TW: SuicideResources:www.transformationprojectsd.orghttps://www.disclosurethemovie.com/aboutThere are so many great resources available if you happen to be struggling with suicidal thoughts. You can head to the Trevor project.org O...

In the 5th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Jack takes the opportunity to interview Ayden (she/they), 18 and Elliott (they/them), 17 to talk about Allyship for Pride month!Resources:https://www.transformationprojectsd.org/There are so many great resources available if you happen to be struggling with suicidal thoughts. You can head to the Trevor project.org Or you can call and text 988 and you will be connected to trained counselors that will listen understand how your problem...

In the 6th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack speak with Libby Skarin, Campaigns Director with the ACLU of SD. Libby has worked against anti-trans legislation longer than anyone else we know in the state, and walks us through the last decade of damaging bills coming from SD Legislators and who is behind all of these proposed laws. TW: SuicideVisit the ACLU of SD:https://www.aclusd.org/Articles:Sioux Falls Argus Leader reporter Morgan Matzen has written a se...

In the 7th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about Everett, a transgender man who recently graduated from college at the University of Sioux Falls and now works full-time as a photographer. TW: SuicideCheck out Everett's Photography at:https://www.everettpalmer.media/aboutResources:https://www.transformationprojectsd.org/There are so many great resources available if you happen to be struggling with suicidal thoughts. You can head to the Trevor project...

In the 8th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about April, a Two-Spirit individual who works for SD Urban Indian Health, is the Executive Director of Rock the Rez, and parent of two children. Check out Rock the Rez at:https:///www.rocktherez.comResources:https://www.transformationprojectsd.org/There are so many great resources available if you happen to be struggling with suicidal thoughts. You can head to the Trevor project.org Or you can call an...

In the 9th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about August (they/she) who is nonbinary trans masc, and their partner Micah (he/him), who is a transgender man. Resources:https://www.transformationprojectsd.org/There are so many great resources available if you happen to be struggling with suicidal thoughts. You can head to the Trevor project.org Or you can call and text 988 and you will be connected to trained counselors that will listen understand how yo...

In the 10th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about Dylan, a trans and Two-Spirit individual who works as a nurse for SD Urban Indian Health and is the parent of two children. Resources:https://www.transformationprojectsd.org/There are so many great resources available if you happen to be struggling with suicidal thoughts. You can head to the Trevor project.org Or you can call and text 988 and you will be connected to trained counselors that will...

In the 11th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about Charlie (they/them or he/him) who is nonbinary and from Sioux Falls, SD. TW: Sexual AssaultCheck out Just Another ReviewCast from Charlie & Rob at:https://www.youtube.com/@justanotherreviewcastResources:https://www.transformationprojectsd.org/ Keshet works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life. We strengthen Jewish communities. They equip Jewish organizations with...

In the 12th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about Di (she/her) who is the parent of a transgender young adult in western South Dakota.Check out Just Another ReviewCast from Charlie & Rob at:https://www.youtube.com/@justanotherreviewcastResources:Transformation Projecthttps://www.transformationprojectsd.org/Black Hills Center for Equalityhttps://www.bhcfe.org/There are so many great resources available if you happen to be struggling with suicidal though...

In the 13th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about Shaneequa. Shaneequa Broken Leg, who grew up on the Rosebud Reservation with her grandparents, eventually relocated to Seattle to live with her dad, facing adversity and ultimately experiencing homelessness after being kicked out. This journey left her with a unique perspective on resilience and compassion. Shaneequa's journey as a Two-Spirit person adds another layer of depth to her narrative. For he...

In the 14th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about JC from Rapid City. JC shares about their high school experience as a transgender kid in SD and their journey to adulthood.Resources:Transformation Projecthttps://www.transformationprojectsd.org/There are so many great resources available if you happen to be struggling with suicidal thoughts. You can head to the Trevor project.org or you can call and text 988 and you will be connected to trained couns...

As we enter into the 2024 Legislative Session in South Dakota, we felt this previous episode would be important to re-release. In this episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack speak with Libby Skarin, Campaigns Director with the ACLU of SD. Libby has worked against anti-trans legislation longer than anyone else we know in the state, and walks us through the last decade of damaging bills coming from SD Legislators and who is behind all of these proposed laws. ...

In the 16th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about Beth, a transgender woman from eastern South Dakota and is President of Transaction SD. Adult 18+ Queer Community Members: Are you an LGBTQ+ individual who is 18+ and wants to make both medical and mental health care more inclusive? TAKE THE SURVEY NOWThis survey will take 15 to 20 minutes of your time. Your identity matters, and so does your physical and mental health. Disclaimer: You...

In the 17th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack learn all about Boots, a resilient nonbinary individual from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as they share their powerful journey of self-discovery and survival. Raised in a complex family dynamic, Boots navigates the challenges of growing up in a Jehovah's Witness community, where conformity and ostracization were the norms. With raw honesty, Boots reflects on their experiences of abuse, discrimination, and institutionalizatio...

In the 18th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack talk with Irene and Sydney to discuss their personal journeys, including Irene's transition later in life. They share about their meeting at an open mic night and their whirlwind romance, and reflect on the challenges and discoveries they encountered, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and acceptance. Adult 18+ Queer Community Members: Are you an LGBTQ+ individual who is 18+ and wants to make both medi...

In the 19th episode of Becoming Visible: Trans Stories, Susan and Jack talk with Skylar. In episode 19, Skylar shares her journey of self-discovery and resilience, highlighting the profound impact of finding acceptance and support during moments of vulnerability. From navigating the challenges of transitioning in rural Missouri to the unexpected solace found in Rapid City, Skylar sheds light on the complexities of identity and community.Her story challenges common perceptions about geographic...

Introducing our 20th episode of "Becoming Visible: Trans Stories"! Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of Danny, a trans mental health therapist specializing in trauma therapy, and hailing from small-town South Dakota. Danny shares poignant childhood memories of navigating the turbulent waters of self-discovery before the era of Google. From the challenges of puberty to the relentless pursuit of authenticity, Danny's narrative is both captivating and deeply moving.But there's...