Trandescendant

 In 2001, a book told the story of outcasts who were mocked for their height, their weight, and how they looked. They ran for student council, called themselves the No Name Party, and lost. But they convinced their principal to start something no school had done before. It sparked a movement now in its 21st year. Name-calling seems like a small thing until you see how much damage words can actually do. Joe and Rya share why breakin...

Have you ever met someone who fully supports their gay friends but gets uncomfortable when trans issues come up? The same people who celebrate Pride and fight for marriage equality often have a completely different reaction to transgender rights. Joe and Rya break down the psychology behind this contradiction and explore why trans people trigger fears that gay and lesbian people don't. Understanding why transphobia feels diffe...

Some things about LGBTQ+ life will never change, and that's actually good news. When everything feels uncertain, we need to know what's worth fighting for. How can we separate the noise from what actually matters? The good news is that some things hold steady no matter what happens next. And we have good reasons to anticipate changes for the better. If you're tired of feeling anxious about the future, this episode of...

When people carry secret shame about the ways they are different from everyone around them, it affects their entire sense of self. This shame gets passed down through culture that teaches rigid ideas about what's acceptable. There's nothing wrong with being exactly who you are. Joe and Rya talk about why so many people struggle with feeling abnormal. We shouldn't have to dim our authentic personalities just because s...

What happens when lawmakers create a bathroom law that forces men into women's restrooms and women into men's restrooms? Texas Senate Bill 8 claims to protect women's privacy, but the reality is far more complicated. This law forces schools, libraries, airports, and government buildings to become surveillance systems or face massive fines. The legal framework in Texas now creates the exact scenarios it claims to prev...

Have you ever noticed how the word "normal" gets turned into a weapon? People use it to make LGBTQ+ folks feel like something's wrong with them just for being different. They act like statistics prove morality, as if being in the minority makes you broken. But here's the thing. Why should any of us have to be "normal" in the first place? It's time to stop letting that word control who gets to live...

You've been hurt by the church. Maybe you walked away years ago, or maybe you're still trying to make it work in a place that tells you who you are is wrong. The wounds run deep. Spiritual abuse often comes wrapped in Scripture. Two-thirds of Christians report experiencing spiritual abuse. That means you're not alone in this pain, even when it feels isolating. Is it even possible to trust a religious community when t...

With rights under threat and uncertainty everywhere, choosing thankfulness can feel like denial. But what if gratitude isn't about pretending everything is fine? Learning to find thankfulness is more than just emotional comfort, it's survival strategy. Joe and Rya look at why gratitude matters more than ever when times are hard. They redirect our focus to things the LGBTQ community still has that nobody can take away. 

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History shows us that divided movements stay powerless. But the pattern never changes: together we stand, divided we fall. Right now many factors are fracturing the rainbow coalition that built everything from Stonewall to marriage equality. Meanwhile, opponents of LGBTQ+ rights are smirking from the sidelines as they watch our community tear itself apart. In this episode, Joe and Rya discuss how to stop the infighting to build a u...

Are you as accepting as you think you are? Most parents believe they're supportive of their LGBTQ family members. But when put to the test, many discover significant gaps between their intentions and their actual level of acceptance. This ten-question assessment reveals where you stand on the acceptance scale and identifies the specific areas where you can strengthen your connection with LGBTQ loved ones. By the end this episo...

Are you wondering if it's the right time to share your LGBTQ+ identity with family, friends, or your community? The decision to come out is deeply personal. Timing matters more than you might think. Whether you're feeling pressure to come out or wondering if you should wait, this practical checklist provides the clarity you need to make the decision that's right for your unique situation. 

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Why do loving, supportive parents still lose their LGBTQ children? The answer isn't what most families expect. Learn how to recognize the hidden patterns that destroy family relationships before it's too late. Understanding these dynamics will change how you approach every difficult family conversation. These principles are important for all of us, whether you're a parent trying to reconnect with an estranged child o...

Do you hear the term "non-binary" and feel confused or overwhelmed? What does it actually mean? How do pronouns work when someone uses both he and they? Eos, who leads a local transgender support group, breaks down the real experience of non-binary identity beyond stereotypes. This conversation covers the practical questions families need answered. "Accepting" isn't the same as "affirming." Small ...

 Have you ever poured your heart into loving someone only to discover they don't feel loved at all? This happens frequently in LGBTQ+ families where parents think they're being supportive, but their child feels misunderstood or invalidated. When someone you care about shuts down completely, your instinct might be to defend how much you've done for them. Instead, there are four specific strategies that can help draw p...

The Supreme Court is hearing cases right now that could fundamentally reshape what it means to be LGBTQ in America. States are passing laws that ban medical care for transgender youth, restrict which sports teams kids can join, and  , and allow therapists to practice conversion therapy on minors. Former US Attorney Jim Santelle has good news for you. There are specific, practical actions that actually move the needle. Your voice ma...

Most parents think, "Don't confuse them," "They're too young," "Let them figure it out themselves." These all sound like reasonable approaches. But the research reveals a shocking truth. Families that stay silent about LGBTQ issues actually harm their children. Too many well-meaning parents choose quiet over conversation. What feels like protection is actually the very thing putting kids in d...

Tired of feeling powerless while politicians make decisions that affect your life? Your voice carries more weight than you realize. Especially at the local level where real change happens fastest. Most people stop at voting. But the smartest advocates know that ongoing communication with representatives is where the actual influence lies. Local politicians are accessible and responsive. They are desperate to understand their consti...

When your child comes out as LGBTQ+, suddenly you have questions you never expected to face. Did you cause this somehow? Will they ever truly be happy? What if this is just a phase and you're enabling something harmful? These are the 2 AM thoughts that keep us awake at night. Joe and Rya tackle the deepest parental fears head-on. They address the guilt and the secret wishes that maybe this wasn't happening at all. You don...