All The Only Ones: The missing piece of the puzzle
Nov 2, 2023
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Zen, a Mexican-American New Orleans native, explores their transness while learning about historic trans person Bernard. They discuss challenges faced, historical mistreatment in medical field, and the frustration of justifying one's existence.
The podcast explores the history of gender transition in the early 1900s, highlighting the vibrant social worlds created by trans people in major cities.
The episode emphasizes the urgent need for gender affirming care for trans youth and calls for greater understanding, acceptance, and support in society.
Deep dives
Trans Youth: Uncovering the History
In this podcast episode, the host explores the history of gender transition for young people. The episode delves into the 1920s and 1930s when ideas about gender and sex were changing within American medicine. It discusses the existence and presence of trans people in major cities during that era, highlighting the vibrant social worlds they created. The episode also explores the interconnectedness of the experiences of trans and intersex youth in their interactions with medical professionals. The story follows the journey of a trans man named Bernard, who sought gender affirmation surgery but faced resistance and denial from doctors. The episode draws connections to the experiences of present-day trans youth and the societal pressures they face in defining their identities.
Finding Identity: The Story of Zen
The episode also features the story of Zen, a non-binary person navigating their own transness in the present day. Zen shares their experiences growing up and struggling with gender norms and expectations, including their exploration of gender identity through social media. The episode highlights the challenges and insecurities faced by Zen in expressing and defining their own identity, as well as the pressure to conform to mainstream ideas of transness. Zen's journey underscores the importance of self-acceptance and the ongoing process of discovering and embracing one's true identity.
Redefining Gender: The Significance of History
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of understanding the history of gender transition for young people, as it can provide a crucial context for the treatment and experiences of trans youth today. By examining the experiences of trans individuals like Bernard from a century ago, the episode aims to challenge preconceived notions and reshape our understanding of gender identity. The episode argues that recognizing the long-standing presence and struggles of trans youth throughout history can help inform and reshape current conversations and approaches to supporting and affirming young trans individuals.
The Need for Gender Affirming Care
The episode also highlights the urgent need for gender affirming care for trans youth. It discusses the surge of anti-trans bills being passed across the United States that target and limit the rights and access to healthcare for trans kids. The episode sheds light on the detrimental impact such bills have on the mental health and well-being of trans youth, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive and affirming healthcare that respects and supports their gender identities. It serves as a call to action for greater understanding, acceptance, and support for trans youth in society.
In our first episode, we meet Zen, a Mexican-American, New Orleans native, coming into their transness, exploring its spectrum, as we learn about an historic trans person, Bernard, from Alabama in the early 1900s, fighting to be seen. They're both navigating their identities in a world that is constantly trying to define them.
