Hey, Cis!: Recent Episodes
Cyn and Isaac
A beyond binary journey to being a better human. Join our head-on conversation about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting transgender and non-binary youth, students, and adults within Canada.
Hosts Cyn (she/her) and Isaac (he/they) give arts, culture, doers & dreamers a beyond binary twist in this Atlantic Canadian conversational talk show; breaking down cis-normative bias, smashing stigma, and fostering a greater connection between cisgender and trans, and non-binary communities.
"Once you get in the room, it is actually a hell of a lot harder for them to kick you out of it."In our final episode of season three, we are finishing off with a powerhouse of a guest. Fae Johnstone (They/She) is Executive Director and Co-Owner of Wisdom2Action (W2A). She is an experienced community engagement expert, diversity and inclusion consultant, and project manager. Over her past two years working with W2A, Fae has led local, provincial, and national initiatives focused on 2SLGBTQ+ community health and wellness, youth mental health, meaningful community engagement, and gender-based violence. Also, she's been on a chocolate bar.
"We are having to wake up to how precarious our progress is."After having her likeness depicted Hershey's chocolate bars a part of their International Women's Day promotion, Fae became the focal point of an international boycott targeting Hershey's. The homophobic and transphobic vitriol exploded from the far-right ecosystem online, only 72 hours after sharing a post to her Twitter. In the following days and weeks, Fae's face, name, and entire life story was published online and being picked apart by the likes of Rebel News and Tucker Carlson.
In today's conversation, we hear all about this tumultuous time in Fae's life, reflecting on what her experience says about anti-trans conspiracies fomenting in far-right circles here in Canada. Even in the face of unbelievable adversity, Fae continues her essential work as a key voice for Queer and Trans rights in Canada today.
Hey, Cis! Connected Communities Moment - Thriveworks:
This summer, Thriveworks will be connecting with rural communities across Atlantic Canada to talk about 2SLGBTQIA+ career opportunities. We want to hear from you what it is that you need to achieve your career goals, so reach out to us on our social media to share your thoughts!
Find us on:
- Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
- Twitter (@simplygoodform)
- Instagram (@simplygoodform)
- LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/)
Music:
Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP
Website: http://www.Craymo.com
This podcast is created by Simply Good Form, with production assistance and editing from Podstarter.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm
Hey, Cis! Season 3 is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.
Hosts: Cyn Sweeney (She/Her) and Isaac Cook (They/He)
Producer: Connor Sampson (He/Him) podstarter.io
For more beyond binary conversations on being better humans, tips for being an inclusive leader in your field and connecting with trans folks from coast-to-coast, subscribe to Hey, Cis! on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
"I don't care how folks read, I care that you read."In this episode, Cyn and Isaac kick off summer with their book reviewer friend, Abbey Campbell (she/her), who shares some of the most exciting new publications to hit the world of Queer literature. Looking for a good novel to take on vacation, or something to read with your morning coffee? Then tune in, because Abbey and the team at Hey, Cis! have you covered!
Did one of the books we talk about in this episode catch your interest?
Featured Texts (with appropriate content warnings):
- The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag
The Girl from the Sea is a sapphic coming-of-age story about a young rural Nova Scotian girl named Morgan, who kisses a selkie one night after being saved from drowning in the sea.
Content warning(s): Outing, near drowning, divorce (mention)
Find the author on these socials:
Twitter: @MollyOstertag
Instagram: @molly_ostertag
Website: www.mollyostertag.com - This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone
Two time-traveling agents from warring futures, working their way through the past, begin to exchange letters—and fall in love.
Content warning(s): Self-harm, descriptions of dead bodies and body parts, blood-drinking, murder & attempted murder, gun violence, poisoning, torture, imprisonment, animal death, war
Find the authors on these socials:
Twitter: @tithenai & @maxgladstone
Instagram: @amalelmohtar & @max.gladstone
Website: www.amalelmohtar.com & www.maxgladstone.com - Usby Sara Soler (out July 25th, 2023)
Originally written in Spanish, Us by Sara Soler tells the true love story of Sara and her girlfriend, Diana. Sara illustrates their shared past as a heteronormative couple and guides the reader through the ups and downs of coming out and accepting yourself. For Sara, it was finding out that she was bi. For Diana, it was finding out she was trans.
Content warning(s): Gender dysphoria, transphobia, homophobia, biphobia
Find the author on these socials:
Twitter: @Hammer_moon
Instagram: @sarasoler_art - A Day of Fallen Nightby Samantha Shannon
Standalone prequel to The Priory of the Orange Tree. It’s set just shy of five centuries before Priory and covers the period known as the Great Sorrow.
Content warning(s): Cancer (implied), childbirth, child loss, child marriage, mass death, mind control, miscarriage (mention), pandemic, parental death, postnatal depression, pregnancy, reproductive coercion, violence, vomiting
Find the author on these socials:
Twitter: @say_shannon
Instagram: @say_shannon - Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
Aristotle and Dante meets The Hate U Give meets The Sun Is Also A Star. A stunning YA contemporary love story about a Mexican-American non-binary teen who falls in love with an undocumented Mexican bisexual boy.
Content warning(s): racism, xenophobia, ICE, deportation of a character, death of a family member, underage drinking, use of drugs, sex (mention off-page), vomiting
Find the author on these socials:
Twitter: @JONNYescribe
Instagram: @jonnyinstas
Website: www.jonnygarzavilla.com
Hey, Cis! Connected Communities Summer Reading Give-Away:
We’ve shared a few of our picks, now let’s hear from you!
What Queer reads are on your list for summer 2023? Have a recommendation for Hey, Cis! Listeners? Share it here for your chance to WIN a gift voucher for $25.00 CAD to one of our favourite Queer bookstores, Venus Envy.
To Enter:
Share one of your Queer Summer Reading recommendations, along with your name, address and contact details on the entry form below between now and June 30, 2023 at 12pm.
Winner will be randomly drawn and contacted within 24 hours of the draw to receive their virtual gift voucher. No purchase necessary. No cash value and not redeemable for cash.
Check out the contest page for more information.
Contest runs 12 a.m. June 7, 2023 to 12 p.m. on June 30, 2023.
Entry Form Link: https://forms.gle/qxLc9YikFn7kzSc29
Music:
Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP
Website: http://www.Craymo.com
This podcast is created by Simply Good Form, with production assistance and editing from Podstarter.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm
Hey, Cis! Season 3 is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.
Hosts: Cyn Sweeney (She/Her) and Isaac Cook (They/He)
Producer: Connor Sampson (He/Him) podstarter.io
For more beyond binary conversations on being better humans, tips for being an inclusive leader in your field and connecting with trans folks from coast-to-coast, subscribe to Hey, Cis! on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Diversity flows beneath the waters off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia and above the surface in Atlantic Canada. Alexa Goodman (They/Them) and Aaron Judah (He/Him) both with MEOPAR and ocean sciences; know the importance of inclusion and representation within STEM; and they're making waves. It's a fast hour packed with great insight into inclusion and belonging and shifting the narrative in the Ocean Sciences and STEM. In this episode we chat with Alexa Goodman and Aaron Judah.
Join this conversation by taking part in our Connecting Communities Word Cloud! Show us how many diverse salty dogs we've out there tuning in!
Alexa Goodman (They/Them), is a marine manager passionate about doing good for our planet and its people by shifting awareness into action, using curiosity, compassion and strong project management to lead the way. They joined the MEOPAR team in May 2021 as Training Program Manager to equip the next generation of marine researchers with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in their careers. Alexa is a scientist, intersectional environmental activist, practising yogi, and a driving force in managing abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear, also called ‘ghost gear’.
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Aaron (he/him/his) is a gay, mixed (Indian-Italian-Middle Eastern), bi-religious (Bene Israel Judaism-Roman Catholic) marine ecologist who focuses on the functionality of marine ecosystems under human impacts and global change. If you've ever scratched head around intersectionality and the impacts of minority identities with STEM and beyond.
Diving picts of Aaron in action alongside Alexa can be seen over at the BLOG along with our Community Connection Game. Read their full bios and more here.
SHOW NOTES: Simply Good Form has been named a Finalist in the upcoming Halifax Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year of Award! Check out all the amazing business finalists here. On November 11th, Cyn attended the CGLCC 2022 Business Leaders Awards as a Finalist in the Business Advocate of Year Award. Check out some photos from the night and see a long list of game-changers and incredible leaders from across Turtle Island.
This episode is hosted by Cyn Sweeney (She/Her) and Isaac Cook (He/They).
Cyn is a cis, straight beyond binary educator and author passionate about 'beyond binary' inclusion and breaking heteronormative and cisnormative practices. As a mother, storyteller and community writer, Cynthia is inspired by peoples stories - and listening fully. In 1998 Cynthia was told by a Supervisor that she has a 'tendency to go against the grain,' when it came to her 'drive to complete projects'. It wasn't meant as a compliment. Something her 28-year-old self couldn't realize at the time, was that this is one of her super powers. She's grateful everyday for the work she is doing.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Isaac Cook is a transgender, non-binary, queer person with a passion for making change. With a degree in Linguistics and Criminology, Isaac has more than seven years of communications, marketing and web development experience with a particular passion for STEM- focused and non-profit organizations. Outside of their work with Cyn at Simply Good Form Inc., Isaac enjoys cooking, travelling, astrology and hanging out with his dogs Aspen and Timber.
Produced and edited in-house.
Proudly sponsored by TD Bank Group.
MUSIC: Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP
Website: http://www.Craymo.com
Kwe’! It is Mi'kmaq History Month throughout the province of Nova Scotia and Hey, Cis! is celebrating... and learning... together with our special guest, Kassidy Bernard (they/them/Nekem). Kassidy Bernard is an L’nu and Scottish Two-Spirit youth from We’koqma’q. Kassidy grew up in Unama’ki, one of the seven ancestral districts of Mi’kma’ki.
'In my twenty-five years of life, I’ve grown and made connections within my L’nu, Two-Spirit, and creative communities. I continue to unlearn colonial standards to make room for my L’nu worldview which prioritizes humor, rest, and community care. This is reflected in my relationships; creations in design, illustration, and podcasting; and in my continued learning in body literacy, birthwork, foraging, and whatever else my neurodivergent mind desires!'
In addition to being a co-owner of Patuo’kn Illustration and Design with their older sister Kaylyn, Kassidy holds an elected role as Indigenous Rep for CFS-NS.
After six years living in Kjipuktuk, and attending NSCAD University, they moved back home. It was in Kjipuktuk that they say they blossomed, and are thankful to the supportive community of friends that formed around them. Kassidy now lives happily at the foot of Apitusa’, the mountain that looks over the lake in We’koqma’q.
To learn more about Kassidy's favourite music, film recommendations and more, head over to our blog The Bridge on Saturday!
Credits You can connect with Kassidy:
- Instagram: @kassidyraine
- Facebook: @kassidy.bernard.7
This episode is hosted by Cyn Sweeney (She/Her) and Isaac Cook (He/They).
Cyn is a cis, straight beyond binary educator and author focusing on 'beyond binary' inclusion and breaking heteronormative and cisnormative practices. As a storyteller and community writer Cynthia is inspired by peoples stories - and listening fully. In her late 20s she felt insulted to be described as a 'bull in china shop,' when it came to pushing barriers and cutting through red tape. More than two decades on, she realizes it's served as one of her best assets in role-modelling for her 3 children and family.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Isaac Cook is a transgender, non-binary, queer person with a passion for making change. With a degree in Linguistics and Criminology, Isaac has more than six years of communications, marketing and web development experience with a particular passion for STEM- focused and non-profit organizations. Outside of his work with Cyn at Simply Good Form Inc., Isaac enjoys cooking, travelling, astrology and hanging out with his dogs Aspen and Timber.
Produced and edited in-house.
Proudly sponsored by TD Bank Group.
MUSIC: Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP
Website: http://www.Craymo.com
'Do disabled people get to have pleasure? And, you know, there's also all these other rules that go along with how people get it on; how people have sex and feel pleasure together.
And one of the biggest myths that come up is around this idea of like spontaneity, where like every time we have sex, there should be no conversation that happens...' reflects Rachele Manett, on early childhood perceptions around the way sex is 'supposed to be'.
In this episode of Hey, Cis! we are talking about the intersections of ability and the accessibility of accessing pleasure; the privilege that accompanies ability when it comes to connecting sexually with others and ourselves.
Isaac (He/They) and Cyn (She/Her) are pleased to welcome Rachele Manett (she/they) to the show. Rachele is a queer, Jewish, disabled sexuality educator. They are currently the education coordinator for Venus Envy; an education-based sex shop and book store located in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia, where they organize and deliver workshops on all sorts of sexy topics.
Rachele has a particular interest in accessible sex practices and pleasure experiences.
"I think that once sort of disability became a part of my life, my existence, I was like, Oh, I can throw this entire rule book that I thought existed out the window because it's clearly not working for me anymore. Like, I had to rethink a lot of stuff, but I also think that that has had a big effect on how I see queer sex existing.'
Promoting healthy conversations around body parts and body types plays a big role body positivity and body autonomy. But what happens when body terminology doesn't work for you? Or there isn't representation out there that supports your identity? What kind of barriers form and why are they harmful?
Listen up folks! This episode is a tip of the iceberg around conversations that should be happening around sex and pleasure and we're excited you're here!
If you're a parent or a caregiver of a transgender or non-binary youth, teen or young adult, or you're an educator; this episode is all about inclusion, pleasure, accessibility and breaking down myths and stigma linked to cisnormative bias. We also talk about tools, toys and supports promoting body euphoria for trans youth. Because.... if we're not talking about it, you may never find out.
Hey, Cis! is changing the narrative, one conversation at a time; and building better humans along the way. Thanks for tuning-in.
Head over to our Blog THE BRIDGE on Sunday for more.
Credits This episode is hosted by Cyn Sweeney (She/Her) and Isaac Cook (He/They).
Cyn is a cis, straight beyond binary educator and author focusing on 'beyond binary' inclusion and breaking heteronormative and cisnormative practices. As a storyteller and community writer Cynthia is inspired by peoples stories - and listening fully. In her late 20s she felt insulted to be described as a 'bull in China shop,' when it came to her commitment to pushing through barriers and red tape to meet her goals. At 50, she now realizes it's served as one of her best assets in being a role-model to her 3 children and family.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Isaac Cook is a transgender, non-binary, queer person with a passion for making change. With a degree in Linguistics and Criminology, Isaac has more than six years of communications, marketing and web development experience with a particular passion for STEM- focused and non-profit organizations. Outside of his work with Cyn at Simply Good Form Inc., Isaac enjoys cooking, travelling, astrology and hanging out with his dogs Aspen and Timber.
Produced and edited in-house.
Proudly sponsored by TD Bank Group.
MUSIC: Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP
Website: http://www.Craymo.com
Being 'great' at Grand-parenting isn't so hard. But what happens when you're a Grandparent and you've learned one of your grandchildren is trans? How do you keep the 'Grand' in Grandparent? Welcome to Season 3: Episode 31 of Hey, Cis!
Want to be THAT Grandparent who has earned their bragging rights? In the season launch episode of Hey, Cis! podcast, we're celebrating Grandparents Day leading up to September 11th and talking with Trans Black activist and public speaker, Chris Cochrane (She/Her), about the challenges that relationships between Grandparents and family members experience, after learning they have a gender-expansive, transgender or non-binary grandchild.
And it's not only for Grandparents, Nona's, Papa's and Ami's! Maybe you're the parent or caregiver grappling with this very situation. Or a close family member. Tune-in and go beyond binary with us.
Our guest Chris Cochrane is from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia and shares her experience transitioning and the reactions of some extended family. Chris speaks and educates about her lived experience through her intersectionality.
Chris is also a Grandparent, or as she says, 'Ami' because she's just too young to be a Grandma! Chris has five grandchildren - yep, five fab grandkids and she talks with Isaac and Cyn, about ways for Grandparents (and extended family members) can focus on strengthening family connections, rather than dismantling them; while they learn to understand the complexities of gender identity.You won't want to miss this episode.
Head over to our Blog THE BRIDGE on Sunday for more TIPS in talking with Grandparents, extended family members and resource links.
Educational resources, books and comics:
- Cape and Cowl Comics and Collectibles
- Venus Envy
Tune-in next time when we will be talking with Rachele Manet (she/they), a Queer Educator at Venus Envy about trans youth and accessibility to resources and supports! This episode is all about pleasure, accessibility and breaking down stigma linked to cisnormative bias.
Credits GUEST: Chris Cochrane works toward creating spaces for QTBIPOC people, as well as working with 2SLGBTIQIA+ youth to ensure those spaces will be upheld for years to come. Currently she is The Support Service Educator for The Youth Project. Chris also sits as the Vice Chair of Halifax Pride where she uses that platform to ensure equity for all of the the community, while focusing on our marginalized and racialized communities. You can connect with Chris at Chrisbeauty2015@outlook.com.
Hey, Cis! is hosted by Cyn Sweeney (She/Her) and Isaac Cook (He/They).
Cyn is a cis, straight beyond binary educator and author focusing on 'beyond binary' inclusion and breaking heteronormative and cisnormative practices. As a storyteller and community writer Cynthia is inspired by peoples stories - and listening fully. In her late 20s she felt insulted to be described as a 'bull in China shop,' when it came to her commitment to pushing through barriers and red tape to meet her goals. At 50, she now realizes it's served as one of her best assets in being a role-model to her 3 children and family.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Isaac Cook is a transgender, non-binary, queer person with a passion for making change. With a degree in Linguistics and Criminology, Isaac has more than six years of communications, marketing and web development experience with a particular passion forSTEM- focused and non-profit organizations. Outside of his work with Cyn at Simply Good Form Inc., Isaac enjoys cooking, travelling, astrology and hanging out with his dogs Aspen and Timber.
Produced and edited in-house.
MUSIC: Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP
Website: http://www.Craymo.com
Proudly supported by TD Bank Group.
Being in an airport is always a stressful time- we've all had moments traveling when we had to hurry through security when you notice your running late to your flight. Traveling for transgender individuals however, comes with an additional layer of anxiety that many cisgender individuals take for granted.
In the second part of this two-part series, Isaac and Cyn are joined by Simply Good Form's own Emma Stanley (She/Her) who is a frequent flyer and an expert at 'boymoding' to ensure she can get through security without any hassle. Emma shares with her experiences with border security officers, traveling to foreign countries and provides advice to fellow trans travellers who may be second guessing their upcoming trip.
We are also joined by Veronica Landry of Boot Prints Hiking Tours in Nova Scotia. As a local tourism and experience provider it was important for Veronica to ensure she was taking the steps to be inclusive and welcoming of LGBTQ+ travellers and hikers. Veronica has an LGBTQ+ special hiking multi-day tour in Cape Breton this summer, at the end of Halifax PRIDE festival. More details on her website.
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: We'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts. This month we are also raising funds to support a Pflag Halifax trans youth Art Night in July and your donations will 100% support this event!
Credits Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP
Website: http://www.Craymo.com
Being in an airport is always a stressful time- we've all had moments traveling when we had to hurry through security when you notice your running late to your flight. Traveling for transgender individuals however, comes with an additional layer of anxiety that many cisgender individuals take for granted.
In the frst part of this two-part series, Isaac and Cyn are joined by Simply Good Form's own Emma Stanley (She/Her) who is a frequent flyer and an expert at 'boymoding' to ensure she can get through security without any hassle. Emma shares with her experiences with border security officers, traveling to foreign countries and provides advice to fellow trans travellers who may be second guessing their upcoming trip.
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: We'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Credits Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP
Website: http://www.Craymo.com
CW: This episode contains strong language and themes of a sexual manner.
"I know what you already think about me. I know that you think I'm.. you know.. less than. I know you think I'm not viable... for Queer men," says Andrew Gurza talking about reclaiming the word Cripple. But, you don't get to define Andrew Gurza, our Guest today on Hey, Cis!
As we approach the end of Season 2, we are talking all about ableism, the 'power of being crippled' and breaking down stigma by talking about what matters.
Andrew Gurza is an award-winning Disability Awareness Consultant and the Chief Disability Officer and Co-founder of Bump’n, a sex toy company for and by disabled people. Andrew uses they/he pronouns and identifies proudly as disabled. He has spoken all over the world on sex, disability and what it means to be a Queer Cripple.
Their work has been featured on BBC, CBC, Daily Xtra, Gay Times UK, Huffington Post, The Advocate, Everyday Feminism, Mashable, Out.com, and several anthologies. He was the subject of an award winning National Film Board of Canada Documentary “Picture This”.
In addition to those accolades, Andrew is also the host of Disability After Dark: The Podcast Shining a Bright Light on Disability Stories, which won a Canadian Podcast Award in 2021. Disability After Dark was a Queerty Award nominee, and was chosen as an Honoree at the 2020 Webby Awards.
The show is available on all platforms. Andrew is also the creator of the viral hashtag #DisabledPeopleAreHot.
VLOG Post We took the conversation and spoke with Rachele Manett of Venus Envy as they
Additionally, head over to our blog to hear a behind-the-scenes interview with Rachele Mannett of Venus Envy where Rachele shares with Cyn in an video interview, inclusive books including one co-authored by Andrew Gurza and information about the intersectional barriers experienced by LGBTQ+ people living with a disability.
You can find out more about Andrew by visiting www.andrewgurza.com and connecting via social media @andrewgurza1
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: We'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Credits Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP
Website: http://www.Craymo.com
Who has four paws, almost 200k followers on twitter and approximately 10 years of vaccine research experience? Todays special guest, Chise! On previous episodes, Isaac and Cyn have had the honour to chat with members of our local community who are HIV positive and with the development of COVID-19 vaccines- the possibility of an HIV vaccine has emerged and became more of a reality.
In this episode of Hey, Cis! we have the great pleasure to chat with Chise, an American Senior Scientist in Vaccine Research and Development who is not only supporting the efforts to develop the HIV vaccine, but also to debunk myths and advocate for accurate, up to date science communication.
Chise (She/They) lives on the East Coast, USA and has been a Senior Scientist in Vaccine Research and Development for approximately 10 years. Her research focuses on uncovering mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and host immunity then applying that knowledge toward development of safer and more effective vaccines. Currently, her research efforts have been dedicated to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) as she helped develop and provide research for Moderna’s vaccine that was co-developed with NIAID.
Outside of the pandemic, her research efforts have been dedicated to studying MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, Zika, Ebola, DENV, HIV, RSV, Influenza, and other emerging pathogens.When she is not at work or conducting research, she utilizes her ‘fursonas’ and social media platforms to provide science communication on Twitter under @sailorrooscout to help aid people’s understanding of COVID-19 and the COVID vaccines. She also is a strong activist and member of the BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Credits Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP Website: http://www.Craymo.com
Did you have a role model growing up? Someone you could see yourself in.... someone with similar passions, goals, values to your own? What does isolation feel like, when you do not have this kind of connection? And why is it so important? Connection, visibility and belonging have never been more important and today we are talking to an inspiring leader who is creating connections for Queer people in our community through a new program, along with someone who is benefiting from these meaningful connections.
Everyone deserves a role model and that is the motto at Proud Pairs, a one-on-one mentorship program connecting 2SLGBTQ+ youth with 2SLGBTQ+ adults in the Halifax Regional Municipality. This program, which is currently in its first wave, is founded by Lauren Sobot (she/her), a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University.
After being positively impacted by her own 2SLGBTQ+ mentors in university, Lauren became passionate about launching Proud Pairs to bring the transformative experience of mentorship to other young people!
Today Lauren and Lily (they/them), a mentee of the program, join us here on Hey, Cis! to talk about the importance of mentorship for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, why having a role model is something many cisgender people take for granted, and the impact the program has had on the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Nova Scotia.
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Show Notes & Links:
- Lauren Sobot (she/her), Founder & Program Coordinator - Proud Pairs 2SLGBTQ+ Mentorship Program
- info@proudpairs.com
- proudpairs.com
- Instagram: @proudpairs
In Season 2, episode #25 of Hey, Cis!, 'Taking ACCOUNTability with X' we hit on an important topic about accountability.
X (They/ Them) is a visual artist who uses drag as their medium. Working primarily as a performer and show producer within the nightlife scene in Halifax, Nova Scotia; X uses their platform to explore gender, fashion, performance, and persona. Starting to produce under their stage name in 2018, X gravitated towards this subversive art form because it allowed them to culminate many different creative disciplines at once while being unapologetically queer.
In addition to performing in the nightlife scene, X has gone on to work on various multimedia projects including producing fashion films in partnership with Halifax based designers, Producing self-portrait series, working alongside musicians and most recently due to the covid 19 pandemic, producing digital drag performances for online drag shows with producers from across North America.
X not only uses their platform to express their artistic visions but to also be an advocate and activist for non-binary visibility and queer exploration through drag. X focuses on sharing their story in hopes to inspire confidence and freedom in whomever may be watching.
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Show Notes & Credits You can find X’s work on Instagram and twitter under @callthemx, and on Facebook under @callmex.
Hey, Cis! thanks musical artist Craymo for our intro/extro song: Be Myself
Artist: Craymo
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP Website: http://www.Craymo.com
In this episode we are joined by the dynamic Jefferson Darrell (he/him). Founder of Breakfast Culture, Jefferson is among Canada’s earliest outliers in the IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility) arena; successfully driving positive change management for organizations for the past five years resulting in more diverse and inclusive teams and increased revenue or new business opportunities.
Isaac and Cyn had the opportunity to talk with Jefferson about journeys in decolonization, the term 'homonoir' and the intersections of identities and being black and gay and traversing both communities as an advocate, educator, and human.
Jefferson shares an interesting revelation within his own dynamic intersectional relationships after the controversial Dave Chappelle Netflix special The Closer, broke.
The underlying thread throughout this episode... there truly are no winners in Oppression Olympics.
Thanks for tuning in and following Hey, Cis!
Cyn & Isaac Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Show Notes: Follow Jefferson Here:
- Twitter: @BreakfastCultu1 @JeffersnDarrell
- Instagram: @BreakfastCulture @JeffersonDarrell7
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersondarrell/
Hey, Cis! intro/extro Song Credit and huge thank you! to: Be Myself Artist: Craymo
Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP Website: http://www.Craymo.com
Have you ever looked behind the curtain and thought about who is behind the music you love? Do you ever contemplate what draws you to a piece of music or composer; and how that is linked to your identity? How does that shape your music? Or does it?
In this episode of Hey, Cis! we’re joined by Hope Salmonson (She/Her), a composer and student at Mount Allison University who is the heart behind the research project “(Trans)Gendering the Musical Score: Exploring Transgender Identity through Composition”.
Hope Salmonson, from Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia), is a queer, trans composer and tubist, trying to navigate the very big world around her. Hope’s compositional practice is inspired by community and connection to others. Her works have been performed by Ensemble Allure, and play and the Mount Allison Elliott Chorale, among others, and in April 2021 she hosted a recital of her compositions, featuring seventeen performers and five premiere performances. Hope was the featured composer at the University of New Brunswick’s 2021 Contemporary Music Festival and also participated in the 2021 Young Women Composers Camp and the 2020 Art Song Lab. In her free time, Hope enjoys gaming, cooking for her loved ones, and singing.
A short clip of Hope's piece Looking Forward//Looking Back can be heard at the beginning of this episode. You can explore more of her work on her website https://www.hopeariamusic.com/
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
NEW Music! And check out the new music in our intro and extro generously donated by artist Craymo, who found us on Q Review - for which we're always grateful.
Song: Be Myself Artist: Craymo Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP Website: http://www.Craymo.com
From Trailer Park Boys to tractors and trailers, this episode continues our journey celebrating the new film Dawn, Her Dad & The Tractor, filmed in Nova Scotia and starring Maya V. Henry.
We are today joined by actors Rob Wells (Ricky, Trailer Park Boys) and Halifax-based actor, writer and comic, Breton Lalama. In the film, written and directed by Shelley Thompson, Breton plays the role of Dawn's friend and ally, Banu. Breton is best know for their roles in Slasher (2016) and Pretty Hard Cases (2021). And they've been busy! For one - seeing them play 40 characters in ONE play last Fall in Fully Committed at The Neptune, was a phenomenal comedic ride that left us a little tired -but exhilarated!
Rob is currently working on the film for Trailer Park Boys, and together Rob and Breton shake down what it was like working on this Maritime film that raises the bar and brings trans-based conversations and inclusion into family film.
Produced by Terry Greenlaw.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Show Notes Find the movie here: https://linktr.ee/dawndadtractormovie
Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5OaDwuCyaQ
Film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13190778/
NEW Music! And check out the new music in our intro and extro generously donated by artist Craymo, who found us on Q Review - for which we're always grateful. Check out Craymo's music here:
Song: Be Myself Artist: Craymo Written by: Craig Stephen Raymo/Brandon Jarrett/Joshua Daniel Hershfield (c) (p) 2015 Craymo Music, BMI/Moho Music, ASCAP Website: http://www.Craymo.com
halifax #dawndadtractormovie #halifaxfilm @telefilm_canada #trans #transisbeautiful #heycis #podcast #inclusionmatters #transgender #trans #mental
In S2:E21: The Story of Dawn, Her Dad & The Tractor, with Shelley Thompson and Maya V Henry, we're celebrating a Maritime-made film written and directed by Shelley Thompson and starring Maya V. Henry.
This 2 Part podcast comes ahead of the films return to the Atlantic region this winter.
On casting trans actors in film: ‘It’s not that I need to be seen to be doing the right thing. I need to do the right thing. And we need to have proper representation for trans individuals across the media. And we need them to be respected...’ Shelley Thompson, Writer and Director, ‘Dawn, Her Dad and the Tractor’
Closed Captioning: To View this podcast episode with closed captioning and transcript, please tune-in on YouTube.
To learn more about the film: All things Dawn can be found here!
https://www.facebook.com/DawnHerDadAndTheTractorFilm/
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Let's Get Festive! In this episode we are filling your halls with Queer festive music. That's right: gay, merry and bright!
Kenney Fitzpatrick of Q LGBTQ Creative Network is jamming out with us and sharing tunes and celebrating Queer artists in this episode. We'll talk about where the music comes from, celebrate Canadian artists and artists from further afield. Afterwards, head on over to the full playlist and hear what resonates with you and have a very merry and lyrical holiday season from Hey, Cis!
Cyn & Isaac
Head over here for the full playlist New Queer Holiday Cheer
Twitter: @TheQReviews
Artists to check out: * https://www.brandicarlile.com/ * https://kayladiamond.com/ * https://www.rosemaryjoaquin.com/ * https://travieaustinmusic.com/ * https://haydenjosephmusic.com/
Happy Seasons Greetings to you all and thanks for listening in 2021.
Join us in 2022 as we launch our new look, new format and more amazing conversations from coast-to-coast! For the video version of this podcast, head over to YouTube and follow along. Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary journey to being a better human.
Join our head-on conversation about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting transgender and non-binary youth, students and adults within Canada. We take on difficult topics; breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender expansive and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Content Warning: The following episode contains discussions surrounding death, HIV and AIDS which may be a difficult topic for some listeners.
December 1st marks International World AIDS Day and on this episode of Hey, Cis!, 'Sparking Passion from Pain with Deva Station', we commemorate the day with a very special guest, Deva Station.
Seven feet tall in hair and heels, and an attitude through the roof, Deva is an Elder of the Halifax Drag Community and loves to recognize and help new and upcoming talent as the Ultimate Drag Auntie.
Deva is also HIV positive and shares with us the dark moments after she was diagnosed as HIV positive; and how it was the best thing to ever happen to her. She advocates frequently to stop the stigma, encourage testing and says more education in schools is needed.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Show notes: AIDS Coalition of NS
https://www.worldaidsday.org/
Deva has her own production company StationDRG Media Productions she is currently producing two shows Queens Ranting and now Apocalyptic Kitchen.
Is there space in the Canadian constitution for transphobia?
Misinformation overload has been pounding the news media airways in Canada. Personal, public attacks on your identity and human rights -- it is more than exhausting. It can lead to policy change that hurts Canadians with diverse gender identities.
Charlotte Dalwood says, 'no' and we had the pleasure of connecting with her from Calgary, Alberta. Charlotte Dalwood (she/her) is a juris doctor student at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law. Her publications include articles in CBC News, Rabble, The Edmonton Journal, and Sojourners.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Show Notes & Useful Links: As misinformation campaign against transgender rights intensifies, Ottawa must act
Share your thoughts with us! Follow Charlotte Dalwood on Twitter @csdalwood, or connect with her online at www.charlottedalwood.com
More on this topic? Check out these podcasts and resources:
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-37-mainstreet-ns
OK - Love this episode so much: Transploitation - Canadaland podcast
Episode #15: T.R.A.G.I.C - The Real Tragedy
We need to talk about transphobia in Canadian media: Three recent pieces from the “Toronto Star,” CBC and CTV show a worrying trend towards anti-trans narratives
Episode #16: Prioritizing Bill C-6: Conversion Therapy and Politics of Queer Identities
transawarenessweek
We're chatting with Julien Grey from Pride Spa Beauty Lounge about creating comfortable and welcoming space that centralizes the 2SLGBTQIA+ community AND takes an intersectional approach to small business pride.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Show notes: PRIDE Beauty Lounge: https://www.pridebeautylounge.com/
Welcome to Season 2 of Hey, Cis! A beyond binary journey to being a better human.
In August we spoke to Chris, a younger brother of someone who underwent conversion therapy when they were a young adult. In impacted Chris' entire family for decades. Chris speaks candidly of his memories before his brother was sent away, and the future impacts it had upon his brother and himself.
We are joined again by Honourable Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth Bardish Chagger, along with Halifax activist Rae O'Neil.
With an election called this September, this long-time coming Bill, which had reached Senate status, has now died and it's going to be up to the people of Canada; ALL people to understand what a ban on conversion therapy means for Canadians.
Topics we consider in today's episode include gender identity and sexual orientation; prioritizing this legislation; and understanding how you can help....
Tune-in and join the conversation.
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Hey, Cis; Hey, who? Cis = latin preface for 'on the same side as. Cisgender is someone whose gender identity aligns with their sex as assigned at birth.
Cisgender is someone who has the ability to make the world safer, brighter and more inclusive for trans people young and old. Cisgender is someone who needs to be an intentional part of the conversation -- so let's talk.
Cynthia Sweeney is the mother of three amazing children and lives with her husband and family in Halifax, Nova Scotia. One of her children is transgender.
Isaac Cook is a trans and non-binary social scientist, educator and lives with his partner near Truro, Nova Scotia. For more... see our About page.
This podcast is 100% volunteer-based and we appreciate your support and tuning in.
In this episode we were excited to be joined by the following guests:
Tristan Coolman (he/him)
Tristan Coolman is president of a Pflag chapter in York Region in Ontario.
Over the last three years Pflag YR has led the efforts in Ontario to lobby the provincial government to revert their curriculum back to a realistic model which begins to better equip our younger generations with the language and confidence to express themselves as they choose without worrying about the pressures of gender norms.
Megan Kean (she/her)
Megan (she/her) is a registered nurse with 12 years of experience working in pediatrics and a student in the Master's of Nursing program at Dalhousie University. She is a mother to 8-year-old twins, one of which is a proud transgender girl, Bri.
Bri socially transitioned in grade 1 and her peers were very supportive of her thanks to her amazing teacher Mme. Kelsey. Megan is grateful for the wonderful support of her teachers, friends, family, and the trans community over the past two years and is very proud of her family. Megan was a guest on Hey, Cis! episode 2, 'What would you want for your own child?'.
Kathy (she/her)
Kathy is from the Halifax area and a parent of 3 boys. When her youngest son came out in 2016 as transgender it was a blessing and welcome answer to questions they had been seeking for years. Her family could not have made it through 6 years of struggle prior to this without the help and support from his teachers, principals and his mental health team. The support of those folks in the school system are one of the main reasons Kathy's son is with us today. She knows the value of having teachers and school staff who are educated on how to help and willing to help and support students through some of their most challenging times in life. Especially when not all parents and families are as accepting.
Kelsey Myles (she/her)
Kelsey is currently a grade Primary/One French Immersion teacher within the Halifax Regional School Centre for Education. She has 10 years teaching experience both within Halifax and abroad in International Schools. Kelsey's been involved in Simply Good Forms Inclusive Reads program for 2 years now. She’s an educator who strives to ensure an inclusive learning environment in which all students feel accepted, safe and valued.
Maggie Barnhill (she/her)
Maggie is a lawyer, turned stay at home mom, turned teacher. She has 3 teenage sons whom I am (hopefully successfully) raising to be good humans. She teaches within Nova Scotia.
Overview: Canadian teachers received a deceiving and potentially harmful email this past week. It was written supposedly by 'a fellow teacher' and addressed all Canadian teachers.
The widely distributed email from Megan Giacomelli, calls upon teachers to join the project T.R.A.G.I.C. (Teachers Resisting All Gender Ideological Curriculum). It's mandate is simple and extremely dangerous for educators and all students:
'...to get teachers in touch within same boards and geographical areas so we may be able to speak up in solidarity and support to effect change at a board level.' 'I feel very concerned about the pressure to teach content regarding gender ideology, which I believe to be a harmful form of indoctrination and completely inappropriate for children.'
The email targets those who are not educated on gender identity beyond the binary and it is well disguised as 'informative' rather than for what it truly is: transphobic and baseless. Is the author really a teacher? We don't know. Do they stand behind their real name? Uncertain.
What is their background and their personal agenda?
In this episode, our panel of guests, with lived experience, with education and with fact-based, science-based and most importantly with human rights based information are coming together to share their reaction to the email and talk about why it is so potentially harmful.
Tune-in as we talk about protecting trans and non-binary children through policy and accountability; and we ask Nova Scotia Department of Early Childhood Education:
- How can you ensure teachers know where to go to the information they need to support trans and non-binary students of any age? Because, current stats show the majority of Nova Scotia teachers are uncertain and uncomfortable finding these resources.
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Hey, Cis; Hey, who?
Cis = latin preface for 'on the same side as.
Cisgender is someone whose gender identity aligns with their sex as assigned at birth.
Cisgender is someone who has the ability to make the world safer, brighter and more inclusive for trans people young and old. Cisgender is someone who needs to be an intentional part of the conversation -- so let's talk.
The International Transgender Day of Visibility takes place every year on March 31st and we are celebrating! This is the 12th annual TDoV and it was founded by US-based transgender activist Rachel Crandall in 2009 as a way to have a special day designated to celebrate the transgender community. Today we hear from people, young and old, from around the country on what TDoV means to them. Isaac shares what TDoV means to them, as trans and non-binary person living in Nova Scotia and Cynthia shares a little about why this day is significant to her as a cis, white woman and parent of a trans child.
We talk about ways you can take part in your own spaces and help raise awareness, learn and engage in intentional allyship.
Celebrate with us and tune-in to this extra special episode of Hey, Cis!
Celebrate with Music and Film #TDOV2021 * One event featuring musicians is through Transgender Health and Wellness Center. While it's sold out, they've great info on their page. Check out Ryan Cassata's video below, Skylar Kergil, Niko Storment or * Tune-in to OUTLOUD Queer Music. We featured Kenney Fitzpatrick and OUTLOUD in S1: Ep #5: For every Ariana Grande find yourself a Kim Petras Podcast * https://www.qreview.ca/podcast.html * Cowboys is a 2020 movie: 'Cowboys explores emotionally charged themes with a steady hand, highlighting the humanity of its characters in a story of fraught family dynamics and gender identity.'
Celebrate with Art and Downloads #TDOV2021 * These downloads are AWESOME! Click the photo above to connect with these great educational downloads to share and post with pride * Hands-On Weekly Crafting Circle is on Mar. 31st via Simon Frazer Student Society
TDOV2021 #TD0V #transvisibility #lgbtq #transgender #transhealth #inclusionmatters
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Thanks for your support: Hey, Cis! is a volunteer podcast and we'd love your support in producing sustainably high-calibre content. Consider supporting with a ko-fi - it's easy and every sip counts.
Hey, Cis; Hey, who?
Cis = latin preface for 'on the same side as.
Cisgender is someone whose gender identity aligns with their sex as assigned at birth.
Cisgender is someone who has the ability to make the world safer, brighter and more inclusive for trans people young and old. Cisgender is someone who needs to be an intentional part of the conversation -- so let's talk.
Kastin Bradley is creating safe space for the queer community to explore their vocal chords, their voices and form a new connection with their voice. And it's happening at Trans-formative Voices starting now. "If they're feeling any dysphoria from it; if they're doing hormone replacement therapy and their voice is affected or not affected," Kastin tells Hey, Cis! how this new program provides a safe space to learn how to take care of your voice. Did you know, there are healthy ways to change the way you communicate... and non-healthy ways?
It's not all about tone and pitch -- there is cadence and even sentence structure.
Did I go up at the end of that sentence? What does that say about who I am?...
This week we're joined by Kastin Bradley, a music therapist at Find Your Voice Music Therapy. Together with Isaac, who holds a degree in linguistics, and Cynthia... who just likes to talk,
we break down some of the binary standards around the way we're "air quote"... "supposed to communicate"... "un-air quote".
Kastin uses they/she pronouns and identifies as non-binary.
Born in PEI, they went to Acadia university where they studied Music Therapy. They're now living in Halifax and loving it.
So what is music therapy all about?
Kastin describes it as the use of music and elements of music in order to attain non-musical goals. In this instance, music therapy is used to help you learn how to communicate more efficiently, or rewire your brain around memory and communication. It's a non-traditional therapy.
'It can be really challenging to talk about what you're feeling...but it can be really less threatening to be handed a drum,' laughs Kastin as they describe their non-threatening and accessible approach to curated music therapy.
'Our voice is a very individualized aspect of ourselves. It portrays who you are, it can inflect mood and communication...I'm really excited about my program to start,' says Bradley, referring to Trans-formative Voices, a virtual program launching this month, supporting trans and non-binary people in a gender affirming way.
What does Trans-Formative Voices involve?
- virtual bi-weekly 1 hour meeting
- vocal warm-ups
- breathing exercises
- throat help
- how to care for your voice to avoid damage
- finding comfort range around vocals and more...
Cis-sexism is the idea everyone is cisgender and/or the idea that everyone wants to be cisgender or that being cisgender is better than any other way of 'being'.
'Not everybody wants to be male or female and there's so much room in between to find a comfort zone,' shares Kastin. That comfort zone can be how you find comfort in how you talk.
'I just really want to strive to provide a space and the resources for everyone to explore themselves, to explore their voice, to find what feels comfortable for them to not feel like they have to fit into any certain box,' says Kastin.
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
mentalhealth #musictherapy #lgbtq #transgender #transhealth #inclusionmatters
Hey, Cis; Hey, who?
Cis = latin preface for 'on the same side as.
Cisgender is someone whose gender identity aligns with their sex as assigned at birth.
Cisgender is someone who has the ability to make the world safer, brighter and more inclusive for trans people young and old. Cisgender is someone who needs to be an intentional part of the conversation -- so let's talk.
'Your story isn't black enough,' recalls DeShanna Neal, as she was told by publishers that her child's story needed more discourse. Intersections of being a child, transgender and autistic come together in a beautifully written storybook by mother and daughter duo, DeShanna Neal and Trinity Neal. 'All of these different things, all of these parts of her make her a masterpiece of a human being. And intersectionality is so vastly important. Sometimes we just focus on gender identity and forget there is a whole person in there.'
In their home, she explains they use gaming terms. So when she knew her daughter is trans, in her mind, her daughter simply levelled up some more!
'I wanted people to see her blackness as something that was so beautiful. The only time you hear about black trans femmes and girls and women, was usually after they died...we are more than our deaths,' shares DeShanna.
My Rainbow is a newly published children's book about a transgender girl named Trinity who was struggling with growing her hair and a family who listened with their heart. This intersectional story introduces the world to Trinity, a young black girl with autism who knows who she is and shines her story out to the world.
My Rainbow is a featured book in Simply Good Form's 2021 Inclusive School Reads Nova Scotia event. Part 1 of 4 conversations with DeShanna Neal as we talk about trans youth inclusion, gender identity and breaking down stigma.
In Part 1 of Cynthia's conversation with DeShanna, the mother of 4 children shares about the intersections of raising a beautiful black, transgender child with autism and the importance of giving space to children, to really hear them. And listening with your heart.
Check out our Blog post from this episode and see some fun picts of Trinity and their mom!
Hey, Cis; Hey, who?
Cis = latin preface for 'on the same side as.
Cisgender is someone whose gender identity aligns with their sex as assigned at birth.
Cisgender is someone who has the ability to make the world safer, brighter and more inclusive for trans people young and old. Cisgender is someone who needs to be an intentional part of the conversation -- so let's talk.
"Human rights don't start at 18. They start at birth." Barry Bedford, school principal, parent, Pflag educator and fierce ally. "Policies on paper mean absolutely nothing if they're not enforced."
Barry Bedford says the school board and teachers have a primary role in educating and creating safe inclusive spaces. Schools have children more than their families do. He says it's not ok to lump LGBTQ+ education into bullying and anti-bullying.
Call it what it is - it is transphobia; it is homophobia. Barry says, if we don't call it what it is, it's hypocritical at best.
"We have the trans flag up 12 months of the year at my school. We have the PRIDE flag up 12 months of the year at my school," says Barry, school Principal and Pflag Canada educator and volunteer.
From forms that don't work, to safe spaces that really aren't so safe, this week's podcast breaks down what it means to be an ally. And what it means to NOT be one. We talk about COVID and the effects of online schooling in Ontario for youth who are forced back into the closet while on lockdown.
The marginalization is real. And time is up for educators wanting to bury their heads in the sand, while putting a pride flag on their desk but refusing to be a safe space for their gender diverse or sexually diverse students.
On Barry's watch, he's got your back and takes allyship to a real level and offers up some great advice to Hey, Cis! on how you can be a better human.
If you listen to any episode this season --
This. Is. The. Episode.
Ally is a verb - not a noun.
Hey, Cis; Hey, who?
Cis = latin preface for 'on the same side as.
Cisgender is someone whose gender identity aligns with their sex as assigned at birth.
Cisgender is someone who has the ability to make the world safer, brighter and more inclusive for trans people young and old. Cisgender is someone who needs to be an intentional part of the conversation -- so let's talk.
'I saw that video and although I've never been beaten like that... I could certainly relate to what that child was experiencing, in some way. And my questions are really about: * What is happening there? * Where was the staff? * Why are these kids cheering them on?"
This Podcast we are joined by the President of Pflag Vancouver, Colin McKenna
As a 13-year-old, Colin was kicked in the back in a homophobic assault in B.C. while at a phone booth on a call to his mother. In 2020, Cynthia removed her 13-year-old from their public Jr. High School in Nova Scotia because of transphobia.
This. story. is. not. new.
It is happening across Canada. And many of these hate crimes go unreported.
This month a 13-year-old, Grade 8 student experienced a vicious assault on Jan. 11th in British Columbia.
The scene is too familiar:
A person lies on the ground covering their face; tucking in their head; while being physically assaulted. A circle of bystanders gather around mocking and videoing. A bet was shouted out by a bystander on where she would be kicked next.
Nobody intervened.
'That playground situation was painful in so many ways...Nobody wants to see 13-year-olds being arrested. But if they're assaulting other people, that's the consequence,' says McKenna.
It is a conversation deserving of everybody's attention; especially cisgender folks across Canada.
The first response by the Mission Schools Super Intendant was that it could have been Covid-instigated, when it was transphobic bullying. And not bullying - it was a full on assault.
The story also remained provincial - meaning many Canadians aren't aware this even happened - or does happen, in our Canadian schools. CBC didn't air the story until a rally took place in an action of solidarity to support the young girl, four days after the attack.
Be the change: We asked Colin what can Cisgender parents and caregivers do.
- Those parents can be the ones who explain to the kids what it means to be LGBTQ;
- Explain to your children the fact that beating someone up for being differently is inherently wrong;
- Call out the bigotry you hear. 'If you're in a parents group and you hear somebody say something about gay, trans, coloured people; call it out and be the person who really owns that. Squash it.'
Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.
We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
Hey, Cis; Hey, who?
Cis = latin preface for 'on the same side as.
Cisgender is someone whose gender identity aligns with their sex as assigned at birth.
Cisgender is someone who has the ability to make the world safer, brighter and more inclusive for trans people young and old. Cisgender is someone who needs to be an intentional part of the conversation -- so let's talk.
'I think a lot of entomologists kind of identify with the minorityor side of diversity of people. People don't understand you...right...so we have to help you understand us in order to appreciate it in the diversity that exists,' says Aaron Fairweather, PhD Entomologist, University of Guelph As an openly trans scientist, it's not all about the food... but when it comes to diversity, University of Guelph is multi-faceted.
(University of Guelph is rated #1 in Canada for having the best university food engulfing student stomaches.)
During our conversation, Aaron shares their account of 'coming out' throughout their journey undertaking multiple degrees at U of G.
And Twitter played a positive bridge at one point of the journey.
'It happened that my advisor was paying attention to the hashtag,' and said, I'm not going to share this but I saw this and I'm here for you to talk to me. I'm here for you to be yourself; if you have a name change or you want your new pronouns used on my website, I'm here for you.'
Aaron says this was their biggest mentorship moment that helped them feel like it's just going to be OK.
Aaron (they/them) is completing their PhD and studying at University of Guelph in Ontario.
They are currently working in environmental sciences studying ants in agriculture and how ants interact with crops in Ontario.
Let's ponder that a moment...
Specifically, their current field of study involves looking at the diversity and ecology of these ants with a perspective on ecotoxicology and how pesticides interacting with the species is impacting what we grow and eat. Like bees... and just as impactful.
They say there are around approximately 27 species of ants associated with 37 crops in Ontario.
Aaron's journey with sciences has been a long one that began when they were about the age of 2-years-old and fascinated with caterpillars; raising them, documenting them and cataloguing them while watching them turn into butterflies.
It was a book written by Author and Professor Steven Marshall that inspired their journey to University of Guelph.
In our conversation, Isaac brings up how the smallest species can be often be overlooked, yet they're so important; for food and agriculture. Of course we had to parallel the life of ants and small species with the way marginalized communities experience being invisible.
Is it possible we can take a lesson in nature on the value of diversity?
Aaron recalls hearing remarks from others like, 'You're working with this gross thing' or 'You're gross for with working this gross thing...'. As an entomologist, they say, they can identify with this. It resonates.
'Minority... the side of diversity of people... people don't understand you, so we have to help people understand us and the diversity that exists.'
'The University of Guelph has supported that quite a bit, specifically the environmental sciences Department,' regarding new hires, grant and support chains and the BIPOC community. They say many conferences they have attended has had gender neutral washrooms, women in STEM and other aspects of inclusion that they haven't seen at other conferences outside the insect world.
'I found Guelph to be one of the most inclusive spaces of all (universities and places)...I've travelled to,' reflects Aaron. '
Challenges faced as a trans scientist? The biggest challenge, Aaron says, is the lack of effort on some faculty around supporting events, helping with the use of correct pronouns at conferences.
They suggest faculty could do better at helping to correct when someone mispronouns someone, ensuring pronouns are added to name tags, etc.
The onus has to fall on the faculty and staff to help push for change. 'Those who are making the push
for inclusion and diversity, generally tend to be those who have a vested interest,' says Cynthia referring to profs who are already teaching courses like Gender Studies, Women's Studies, Human Rights.
But it has to be consistent across all departments. Advocating has to go beyond those within the LGBTQ2+ community.
Advice from the field:
- Find someone who will champion you and speak up on diversity. Someone who will have your back around pronouns. They can be an amazing role model for other cis people to take on more of leadership role around diversity inclusion.
- Biology is complex and goes way way beyond two simplified gender binary boxes. Aaron was part of compiling comprehensive literature based on scientific studies exactly on this topic. There is this huge body of scientific literature that supports gender diversity and 'there are so many facets to biological sex and gender...really blocking people into these blocks,' they say is outdated and unnecessary, aside from being false information.
Spotlight on Aaron Fairweather: Fave Food: Sushi!
Fave Read: The Fire Ants, Walter Tschinkel and How to Understand your Gender; A Practical Guide for Exploring Who You Are by Alex Iantaffi and Meg-John Barker. And it's a Workbook!
Cats of Dogs? expanded for all animals: Lethocerus Americanus, a.k.a. Giant Electric Water Bug. This is largest insect found in North America found commonly in ponds. 'It's my most nostaligic feeling of like my introduction to biology...as a kid."
Follow Aaron here: @insectaaron on Twitter
Hey, Cis! is a weekly head-on conversation about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.
We take on difficult topics; breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.
What would you want for your own kids? Megan K. is a healthcare professional with a transgender child and Megan bridges the parent-healthcare professional gap. She says, she feels it's important to be visible as a parent with a trans child; sharing some of her beautiful journey provides context for those who are willing to learn about trans affirming healthcare.
"I would challenge people to start thinking about, how are the processes in your organization contributing to gender normativity. Because, if you're part of that system and you're not trying to improve it, then you're perpetuating gender norms.... it takes reflection and insight."
One critical support element, Megan agrees, is the child's teacher and their school's approach to a gender affirming curriculum. She shares a little about what her child's school got so right. And where they've reached some road blocks.
Now in Grade 2, her daughter Bri is currently managing daily verbal attacks on her gender identity. COVID-19 has changed the landscape of learning and connection for parents and teachers. And this challenges her ability to ensure her daughter is having a positive experience in school.