Episodes

  • Pathfinder in Science and Identity: The Extraordinary Dr. Ben Barres
    Dec 23 2024

    Join us for an inspiring exploration of Dr. Ben Barres's remarkable journey as a pioneering neuroscientist and transgender advocate. In this episode, we delve into how Dr. Barres broke barriers in academia while making groundbreaking contributions to brain science. We discover how his unique perspective on gender in science shaped his advocacy for equality in academia. Learn about his influential research, mentorship legacy, and tireless work promoting diversity in scientific fields.

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    @translessonplan

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    22 mins
  • Strutting Through History: The Groundbreaking Story of Tracey Norman
    Dec 8 2024
    Join us for an inspiring journey through fashion history as we explore the groundbreaking story of Tracey "Africa" Norman, the first African-American trans model to achieve mainstream success in the 1970s. From her meteoric rise in the fashion industry to her historic Clairol campaigns, we delve into Norman's remarkable journey of resilience, authenticity, and triumph. In this 20-ish minute episode, we'll explore her breakthrough moments, the challenges she faced in a groundbreaking career, her influential role in the ballroom scene, and her inspiring comeback that continues to impact fashion industry inclusivity today. Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of discrimination and workplace prejudice. ---------------------------------------------------------- @translessonplan @mariiiwrld Merch: ⁠⁠https://trans-lesson-plan.printify.me/products⁠⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/a914d2eca1cf/trans-lesson-plan⁠ ---------------------------------------------------------- Works Cited: Brennan Kilbane, Diego Bendezu. “At 71, the First Black Trans Model Looks Back.” Allure, Allure, 3 Oct. 2024, www.allure.com/story/tracey-norman-beauty-profile. Masters, Jeffrey. “Tracey ‘Africa’ Norman Looks Back on Her Legendary Modeling Career.” Advocate.Com, Advocate.com, 31 May 2023, www.advocate.com/transgender/2021/1/27/transgender-tracey-africa-norman-clairol-model. Masters, Jeffrey. “Tracey ‘Africa’ Norman Looks Back on Her Legendary Modeling Career.” Advocate.Com, Advocate.com, 31 May 2023, www.advocate.com/transgender/2021/1/27/transgender-tracey-africa-norman-clairol-model. “Queer Newark - Tracey Africa Norman.” Queer Newark - Oral History Project, 31 Oct. 2016, queer.newark.rutgers.edu/interviews/tracey-africa-norman. TodayShow. “Meet Tracey ‘africa’ Norman, the 1st Black Trans Model Who Was on a Clairol Box in 1975.” TODAY.Com, TODAY, 1 June 2021, www.today.com/style/tracey-africa-norman-1st-black-trans-model-was-born-her-t219674. “Tracey Norman - Model.” MODELS.Com, models.com/models/tracey-norman. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024. “Trans Visibility in Fashion: The Past, The Present and Future | InStyle.” InStyle, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj1Y7ZvPhrg. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/translessonplan/support
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    22 mins
  • Transgender Day of Remembrance
    Nov 20 2024

    In this episode of the Trans* Lesson Plan Podcast, we will be honoring the lives lost to anti-trans violence in the year (2024). We'll also delve into the history and significance of Transgender Day of Remembrance. We discuss the current state of violence against transgender individuals, presenting sobering statistics from 2024 and explaining how these cases are tracked and reported. The episode also covers the impact of TDOR on transgender history and activism, and concludes with a call to action for listeners to become allies and advocates for the transgender community.

    Link to TDOR Virtual Event:

    https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/events/tdor2024/

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    @mariiiwrld

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    Citations:

    HRC: https://www.hrc.org/resources/fatal-violence-against-the-transgender-and-gender-expansive-community-in-2024 & https://reports.hrc.org/an-epidemic-of-violence-2023

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/translessonplan/support
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    20 mins
  • Sculpting Identity: Michael Dillon and the Birth of Modern Gender-Affirming Surgery
    Nov 18 2024

    In this enlightening episode of the Trans* Lesson Plan Podcast, we delve into the extraordinary life of Michael Dillon, a pioneering figure in transgender history. Michael became the first known transgender man to undergo phalloplasty, setting the stage for modern gender-affirming surgeries. From his groundbreaking medical procedures to his spiritual journey as a Buddhist monk, Michael's story is one of courage, resilience, and relentless pursuit of authenticity. Join us as we explore how this remarkable individual challenged societal norms, advocated for transgender rights, and left an indelible mark on both medical science and LGBTQ+ history.

    CNN Article: https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/14/us/transgender-awareness-week-reveals-a-community-in-crisis/index.html

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    @translessonplan

    @mariiiwrld

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    Citations:

    • Dillon, Michael, et al. Out of the Ordinary a Life of Gender and Spiritual Transitions. The Lilliput Press, 2021.
    • Regan, Julie. “The Possibilities of Emptiness and the Realities of (Trans) Gender.” Living Treasure: Buddhist and Tibetan Studies in Honor of Janet Gyatso, Wisdom Publications, pp. 107–121, Accessed 6 June 2023.
    • Salvo, Victor. “Michael Dillon.” Edited by Owen Keehnen and Carrie Maxwell, Legacy Project Chicago, legacyprojectchicago.org/person/michael-dillon. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
    • Transguy. “FTM History - Brief History of FTM Trans Civilization.” TransGuys.Com, 16 May 2022, transguys.com/features/ftm-trans-history.
    • Ward, Lauren Ward, and Duncan Jones. “Michael Dillon: A Biographical Exhibition.” St Anne’s College Crest, www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/life-here/library/blog/michael-dillon/. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
    • Whittle, ST. A Brief History of Transgender Issues. The Guardian (Guardian News and Media Limited), 2010.
    • “The World’s First Trans Phalloplasty - Michael Dillon.” FTMsurgery.Net, 10 Oct. 2019, www.ftmsurgery.net/first-trans-phalloplasty.htm.
    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/translessonplan/support
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    27 mins
  • Turning Pages of Trans History: Our Essential Book List Revealed!
    Nov 13 2024

    Link to Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/translessonplan


    This special announcement unveils our carefully curated list of must-read books on transgender history. Discover why we've created our list with Bookshop.org to bring you this collection and learn how your literary journey can support both independent bookstores and the amplification of trans authors and allies. Whether you're a seasoned reader of trans literature or just beginning to explore the subject, this list offers valuable insights and recommendations for all! So, click on that affiliate link above and stock up on your collection now! Happy Reading!

    ***THIS IS NOT SPONSORED***

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/translessonplan/support
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    2 mins
  • Lipstick and Liberation: Casa Susanna's Transgender Oasis
    Nov 10 2024

    In this episode of the Trans Lesson Plan Podcast, we explore the fascinating history of Casa Susanna, a hidden sanctuary in the Catskill Mountains of New York during the 1950s and 60s. Discover how this cozy retreat became a pivotal safe haven for transgender women and cross-dressing men in an era of intense societal pressure and discrimination. Join us as we uncover the story of Susanna Valenti and the diverse community that found solace and self-expression at Casa Susanna.

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    @translessonplan

    @mariiiwrld

    Merch: ⁠https://trans-lesson-plan.printify.me/products⁠

    Subscribe to our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/a914d2eca1cf/trans-lesson-plan

    Link to trans* resources: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/sexual_orientation/resources/transgenderrights

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    Works Cited:

    • ​Bakker, Alex, et al. Others of My Kind: Transatlantic Transgender Histories. University of Calgary Press, 2020.
    • ​Bonnet, Isabelle, et al. Casa Susanna: The Story of the First Trans Network in the United States, 1959-1968. Thames & Hudson ; Art Gallery of Ontario, 2023.
    • ​Broverman, Neal. “Visit Casa Susanna, A Secret House of Trans Women in the 1960s.” Advocate.Com, Advocate.com, 1 Apr. 2024, www.advocate.com/transgender/casa-susanna#rebelltitem11.
    • Casa Susanna. PBS, 2023.
    • ​Davis, Bob. “Using archives to identify the Trans* women of Casa Susanna.” TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly, vol. 2, no. 4, 1 Nov. 2015, pp. 621–634, https://doi.org/10.1215/23289252-3151547.
    • ​Haynes, Suyin. “In Upstate New York, Casa Susanna Was a Safe Haven for Trans Women in 1960s America.” CNN, Cable News Network, 26 June 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/06/26/style/casa-susanna-trans-photo-archive/index.html.
    • ​Hurst, Michel, and Robert Swope. Casa Susanna. PowerHouse Books, 2014.
    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/translessonplan/support
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    31 mins
  • Soaring Beyond Expectations: The Trailblazing Life of Roberta Cowell
    Oct 7 2024

    In this captivating episode of the Trans Lesson Plan Podcast, we delve into the extraordinary life of Roberta Cowell, a pioneering figure in transgender history. From her daring exploits as a World War II Spitfire pilot to becoming one of the first individuals in Britain to undergo gender-affirming surgery, Cowell's journey is a testament to courage, resilience, and authenticity.

    Join us as we explore Cowell's early life, her wartime experiences, and the challenges she faced in her post-war transition. This episode offers a nuanced look at Cowell's complex legacy, acknowledging both her groundbreaking achievements and the controversies surrounding some of her later statements. It's a story of triumph over adversity, the power of living authentically, and the ongoing struggle for transgender rights and recognition. ----------------------------------------------------------

    @translessonplan

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    22 mins
  • The Queen's Ball: William Dorsey Swann and the Birth of Drag Culture
    Sep 9 2024

    Discover the extraordinary life of William Dorsey Swann, the first known self-proclaimed drag queen and a pioneering LGBTQ+ activist. In this captivating episode of the Trans Lesson Plan Podcast, we journey back to the late 19th century to explore Swann's remarkable story - from his birth into slavery to his role in shaping the foundations of modern drag culture and LGBTQ+ rights.

    Learn about Swann's legendary drag balls in Washington D.C., which provided a sanctuary for gender expression in an era of intense oppression.

    Join us for this inspiring tale of resilience, community, and the power of authentic self-expression in the face of adversity. William Dorsey Swann's legacy challenges us to rethink the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and reminds us of the enduring impact of those who dare to live authentically.

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    @translessonplan

    @mariiiwrld

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    Subscribe to our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/a914d2eca1cf/trans-lesson-plan

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/translessonplan/support
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    24 mins