Interviews on LGBTQIA-Related Trauma

12/03/16 - Shevy (pronouns: they/them/theirs), the Transgender Wellness Coordinator at the WNY Pride Center, shares their story of engaging with and working in the transgender community in Buffalo, NY. Shevy facilitates trans support groups, works on sexual education and prevention, engages in policy work, presents as a panelist and trainer and works one-on-one with transgender individuals. In this podcast, Shevy discusses the oppression and discrimination encountered by the trans community, including the barriers faced with medical/mental health providers and pronoun-usage. Shevy's focus centers on empowerment and self-advocacy in the hopes that clients can shift from "gender dysphoria" to "gender euphoria." Shevy discusses the ways in which the Pride Center has harnessed the trauma-informed care principles to support, respect and lift-up the trans community. 

Keywords: transgender, health and wellness, gender identity, pronouns

5/5/16 - Adrian (pronouns: they/them/theirs) identifies as neutrois transgender and is involved with transgender health care services. In this podcast, they share the story of coming to realize their desire to change their body, a process which started online. Adrian discusses the terms neutrois transgender, non-binary and cisgender and they expound on the difficulties trans individuals face when engaging with health care providers. In reflecting on the principles of trauma-informed care, Adrian identifies a lack of sensitivity toward the trans community, particularly in medical settings, and the stigma of transgender being viewed as a mental health issue. They discuss the journey to feeling a sense of safety with their identity and being talked with, rather than at. Click here to visit Adrian's YouTube channel.

Keywords: neutrois transgender (non-binary), health care services