Kate, Jeannie, & Jayna: How to Support Transgender Colleagues & Kids in a Dangerous Time

The Empathy Edge

Enjoy this unique discussion with three brave women, two live under the shadow of fear for themself and their child, and one is a cisgender ally: Kate Brookes, Jayna Sheats, & Jeannie Gainsburg. We talk about their own stories that led them to this work, how the increase in anti-trans legislation impacts them, what it's like to parent a trans teen, and their most poignant moments along the way. We also share simple yet impactful tips on how to be an ally.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Accepting and loving your child no matter how they present is support and protection for your child.
• Fiction is an amazing tool for empathy. It allows you to explore with your imagination experiences outside of your own.
• As allies, we need to step up, use the right language, and let people know that they are safe.
• Everyone is watching the world for signals to understand they are safe.

"Dignity is at stake. LGBTQ rights are at stake. Right now, while my daughter has access to these things, a vote could take some of these necessities. They're not privileges, they're necessities" — Kate Brookes

References:

• Hanna's Ascent by Jayna Sheats
• Transister: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World by Kate Brookes
• The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGPTQ+ Advocate by Jeannie Gainsburg
• 2016 Study on Mental Health of Transgender Children Who are Supported in their Identities
• GFP: Gender and Family Project
• Sissy: A Coming of Gender Story by Jacob Tobia
• Cori Lovejoy: A Trans Woman’s Journey Transforming Self and Organizational Culture
• Jeannie Gainsburg: How to Be a Savvy LGBTQ+ Ally

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Kate Brookes: Producer, Filmmaker, Writer. Kate Brookes is an award-winning TV reporter turned producer, filmmaker, and writer. An activist since her teens, Kate has devoted countless hours to the causes she supports, including mental health, housing justice, and anti-gun legislation. But it wasn’t until realizing she’d completely botched the birth announcement for her twins that she became active in LGBTQ causes. The author of Transister: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World, Kate lives with her husband and rock star children, one of whom happens to be trans, in New York City.

Jeannie Gainsburg, Founder, Savvy Ally Action: Jeannie is an educational trainer and consultant in LGBTQ+ inclusion and effective allyship, and author of, The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate. She is the founder of Savvy Ally Action, which offers accessible and encouraging workshops and videos on how to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ communities.

Jayna Sheats, Author: Jayna grew up on an isolated Colorado ranch in the 1950s, where the word “transgender” had never once been heard. Returning to CO after studying language and psychology in Germany, she majored in physical science and settled in Silicon Valley with a PhD in chemistry. Jayna is the author of, Hanna's Ascent. She spends her time writing novels about triumph over trauma and social justice, and a non-fiction book on transgender women in athletics.

Connect with Our Guests:

Kate Brookes: transistermom.com

Jeannie Gainsburg: savvyallyaction.com

Jayna Sheats: jaynasheats.com

X: @transistermom

LinkedIn: Jeannie Gainsburg

Facebook: Jayna Sheats, Author

Connect with Maria:

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

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LinkedIn: Maria Ross

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