Send us a Text Message.When many people think about creativity, they automatically think arts or tech, but there’s so much more to it. Creativity is about solving a problem; more specifically, how you go about solving a specific problem. As today’s guest says, “Parenting is creative… cooking is creative.” He challenges us to think about how we use creativity in our daily lives. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, I sit down with El a.k.a Uppercutt and we discuss the many ways he uses creativity in his life.We talk:El’s transition journey - 4:36How colonization affects “gender” - 11:13Being born and raised, and returning to Florida - 20:41An awful high school experience - 32:58Advice for listeners in Florida who don’t feel safe or have community - 42:07El’s career as a creator - 54:54How his road trip to California changed his life - 1:08:01Click here for transcript!References:Trans Florida Resources IG - @transfloridaresources Trans Empowerment Project  Discord Signal Messenger (Groups)PFLAGEvelyn From the InternetsThe Fitzlane Project IG - @thefitzlaneprojectCamp Out FloridaQueer Expressions St. Pete IG - @queerexpressionsstpeteRose Dynasty FoundationFound Family Collective IG - @foundfamcollectiveKaon City Medics IG - @kaoncitymedix Read more about El in his bio below:El is a born, raised, and returned Floridian currently creating wearable and shareable Queer Anarchist work for his Trans community under the brand Uppercutt. Through his (discontinued yet still available,) Youtube channel All of El, he is well-versed in shamelessly speaking about issues surrounding race, identity, sexuality, gender, social justice, trauma, and silly shenanigans.He is an arts creator, educator, facilitator, and advocate working at the intersections of mental health, accessibility, and sustainability. When not teaching through local facilities or organizations, he works 1:1 with other creatives to uncover, unpack, discover, and inspire their personal projects through virtual consultations.https://www.instagram.com/all.of.el  https://www.instagram.com/_uppercutt_  https://eltapiakwan.com/ 14uppercutts.myshopify.comAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.I had a conversation with a friend recently about raising children. The person I was talking to didn’t think it was possible to raise a child as nonbinary. In fact, they believed that it was impossible to raise a child without gender norms. Well, allow this interview to be an example for anyone out there who shares that belief. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, I sit down with Zyon Aijon and he tells us what it was like to be raised without limitations and expectations and encouraged to be exactly who he was. We also discuss his artistic career, his transition journey, and much more!We talk:Dealing with discrimination in the south - 5:59Zyon’s transition journey - 13:31Being raised without gender norms - 21:34Zyon’s musical career - 32:15His other artistic ventures - 41:04Finding spiritual balance - 52:52Click here for transcript!Episode References:OSCARVILLE & LAKE LANIERRead more about Zyon in his bio below:Zyon Lewis is a black trans artist born in Bridgeport, CT and raised between there and the south. He is a Vegan, Artist, Leader, activist and Innovator. He is a music artist, making music under the alias “1000 Percent”. He also produces gaming, lifestyle, creative and motivational content. He has been a digital artist/graphic designer since age 13 and now at 25 he continues to create. Zyon started his medical transition (HRT) August 19th, 2021 and he had top surgery in March of 2022. He continues to live his truth daily, by finding balance and peace in his daily experience.Connect with ZyonAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.Today’s guest is not new to the show, and in fact, this will be his fourth time. He’s already shared his story with us in episode 31, “Speaking Truth to Power Leading Up to Knowing Your Worth,” and he participated in our Love, Sex, and Relationships conversation back in season one. But Mr. Amari Leach always brings the good vibes and deep conversation, so you already know what to expect. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, Amari and I discuss unity in the Black community, anti-trans bills, advice for parents of queer youth, and much more!We talk:Why he wanted to come back on the show - 5:14What Amari does for self-care - 21:59The “protecting the youth” lie from government - 33:50Shawn’s philosophy on minding your own business - 43:17Continuing the work to save lives - 1:03:10Click here for transcript!Episode References:Season 1, Episode 31: Speaking Truth to Power Leading Up to Knowing Your Worth with Amari LeachSeason 1, Episode 18: Love, Sex, and Relationships Part 1Season 1, Episode 19: Love, Sex, and Relationships Part 2Caste: THE ORIGINS OF OUR DISCONTENTS - Book by Isabel WilkersonRead more about Amari in his bio below:Mr. Amari Leach (He/Him) Is Strong Black Man born & raised in Louisville Ky & now resides in Seattle WA. He is Passionate about using his voice to help others Fight For Our Rights & Having a Safe Affirming Communities & Our Basic Human Rights Respected.  He is a Human Rights Advocate, Youth/Trans Youth Advocate, Spiritual Energy Raiser, Educator On Real Black History(Black Excellence) & Real Issues In Our Community, Animal Rights Advocate & Disability Rights Advocate. He Stands For Truth, Unity & The Power Of Helping Each Other Grow & Learn. Through His Powerful Voice He Is Able To Help Shift Mindsets & Share Perspectives Of Folks Who Are Often Overlooked, His Main Goals Are Helping Our Youth Find Their Voices Protect It & KEEPING IT! Helping Them Utilize It With Their Parents & In Life, While Also Helping Parents Understand The Importance Of Creating A Safe Space For Their Children To Be Able To Speak Their Truth With Love & Acceptance Being Returned,Our wonderful youth are the leaders of our future and we have to lead the way correctly! He Also Is A Podcast Host Of His Own Show Tea With T™Talks With Mr. Amari Leach Where He Sheds Awareness On Real Issues & Advocates For Important Social Issues , Award Winning Graphic Designer Artist ( Mother George's Brew-Lavender Rights Project x Metier Brewing CO), Panel/Keynote Speaker, Mentor/Teacher & Business Owner, Songwriter & Author.  ☕"I am changing the world one sip at a time"-Mr. Amari Leachhttps://www.instagram.com/teawithtllchttps://www.twitter.com/teawithtllcAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.The concept of visibility is about being able to see yourself, in other people, in the workforce, in the media, etc. But visibility can be dangerous, especially depending on where you live. So how do you find the courage to be visible, when it's  especially dangerous? My guest, Mikail Khan, and I discuss that in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. We also talk about transness in Bangladesh, discrimination in South Asia vs America, the effects of Islamophobia, and much more.We talk:Mikail’s love for the Bronx - 5:49Their transition journey - 16:31The concept of abolition - 29:52What Mikail’s mom would say today - 42:14Advice for Muslim’s to gain courage to be visible - 50:23Click here for transcript!Read more about Mikail in their bio below:Mikail Khan (they, he) is a Bangladeshi transmasculine queer Muslim media maker, communications specialist, writer, organizer, & film curator. They grew up in Dhaka for 19 years and are currently based in Lenape and Wappinger land (Central Bronx, NY). Mikail is invested in advocating for the liberation of trans and gender-expansive people of color through an abolitionist perspective. Their creative pursuits are driven by interrogations on gender, queerness, geography and religion, and they organize with a few NYC-based grassroots groups to counter Brahminism, Islamophobia, and white supremacy.https://www.instagram.com/banglatheyshiAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.If you’ve listened to any guest episode of Dem Bois Podcast, you’ve heard me ask the question, “how did your name choose you?” I believe that our names choose us for a reason and I enjoy learning about these journeys from my guests. And, today you’ll get to hear another Dem Bois first: the beautiful village naming process for Kaneon Hammock. In this episode we also talk about why and how they are fighting generational curses, advice for living in truth and being authentic, and much more.We talk:How Kaneon’s name found him - 4:57The acceptance he felt from his mother - 16:08Advice for anyone wanting to transition - 24:43How working at a bar encourage his sobriety - 33:33His relationship with his nephews - 40:18Click here for transcript!Read more about Kaneon in their bio below:I am 30, I’m an IT technician  who has found himself driving trucks as well lol ! I am a living version of what I live by “Be yourself and live in your truth” Always be the man you wanna be! Nothing in life is unattainable!https://www.instagram.com/__smmkd__Are you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.There are always pivotal moments in our lives that put us on a path to discovery or point us in the right direction. They can be positive or negative, but they always have an impact on how we view life. For Marz T, that pivotal moment was the passing of his mother. It awakened his passion for music, which pushed him to find his voice and discover himself. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, I sit down with Marz T aka Mo LaFlo and we discuss his transition journey, his mom’s passing, his music career, and much more!We talk:How the name “Marz” chose him - 8:38His sense of self and identity - 18:40The passing of his mother - 26:43His relationship with his mom - 38:09The stage name Mo LaFlo and his music career - 53:27Advice for listeners who want to get into music - 58:44Click here for transcript!Read more about Mo in his bio below:Mo LaFlo is a Tucson-based artist from Winter Park, Florida, whose sound has traveled the ears of many listeners all over the world. Mo LaFlo's sound is transformative, exuding emotion and a climate of reverence. His sound captures the essence of R&B, Hip Hop, and Neo Soul. Outside of the booth, he enjoys mentoring youth and helping them find their voice and tap into their creativity.https://www.instagram.com/mo_laflo444 https://www.tiktok.com/@mo_lafloQuestion from listener Ozziel Inzunza to Marz:What are your biggest inspirations and role models for your artist expression: personal and professional role models?Marz Response:Great question Ozzie. I would have to say my biggest inspirations/role models that inspire my artistry are Tupac, Chris Brown, Rhapsody, J Cole and Kendrick Lamar. I love lyricists & storytellers, as well as great entertainers when it comes to performing live. I would say those for professional. As far as personal, I lived say Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, because they lived and loved boldly and unapologetically! Thank you for asking!Are you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.Losing a parent is hard. It can feel like losing a part of yourself, leaving a space that will never be filled… or so it seems. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, I share my experience with the death of my chosen mother. While her health was in decline, my birth mother’s behavior toward me completely shifted. It felt like that motherly love just flowed. I haven’t recorded a solo episode in almost a year and in this episode I discuss that too. But, this topic weighed heavily on my heart, so I hope you enjoy it.I talk:A quick rundown of solo episodes from season 1 - 2:32Things I learned from my birth mother - 7:41Sharing the podcast with my family - 20:36My birth mother’s shift in behavior - 29:54How I met my chosen mother - 39:34Being at peace with the passing of my chosen mother - 50:16Click here for transcript!Read more about Shawn in his bio below:Shawn Aaron is the Founder and Executive Director of Dem Bois Inc. Shawn is a strong believer that trans men of color should have access to gender-affirming care and surgeries regardless of their economical status. Shawn is passionate about addressing intersectionality when it comes to one’s gender identity and access to non-bias healthcare. Shawn identifies as trans-masculine and understands the importance of accessing transition related care. “I podcast to share stories and experiences of gender expansive leaders within my community. This allows me to build connections across different communities of color and people spanning multiple generations. From the rising generation of queer and trans folks of colors to the elders who paved the way for me and others. There are few storytellers that document the lives of trans men of color. As the host and creator of the Dem Bois Podcast, it is imperative that I continue to amplify and highlight the lives of trans men of color. Visibility = PossibilityTMThrough my storytelling, I demonstrate that:- Trans lives are not monolithic. - Trans men of color have always existed in society. - Trans men of color elders exist and represent possibility for the next generation. - Young trans men of color now have a point of reference of what they can become since our stories are often underrepresented.”  Connect with ShawnAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.Imagine being unhoused at a young age, disowned by your family because of who you are. Imagine having to stay indoors all day and all night because if you leave your home you could be imprisoned for life. In another Dem Bois Podcast first, today’s guest, Ruthra Lubega doesn’t have to imagine any of these things. Ruthra is an HIV/AIDS and executive director of Positive People Initiative Uganda, and in this episode we talk about what it’s like for trans and gender non-coforming folks living there.We talk:Being disowned by your parents at a young age - 5:23Contracting HIV - 14:32Ruthra’s belief in God - 22:36Building community with like-minded people - 28:15Ruthra’s number one fear - 32:55Click here for transcript!Read more about our guest in their bio below:Ruthra Lubega Is an HIV activist who has lived with HIV/AIDS for the past 12 years and advocates for the rights of HIV positive persons, more so the trans gender persons and gender non conforming persons. Ruthra is the Executive Director of Positive People Initiative Uganda an organization that supports people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Ruthra operates a transitional shelter that provides a diverse space for marginalized persons to socialize and also provides a robust advocate journey for shelter inclusion for people living with HIV/AIDS.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064311236900 https://instagram.com/positive.transug?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng== https://instagram.com/ruth_lubegahttps://twitter.com/ruth_lubega?t=sCJBIYkhCHNTQlnx0UYCEg&s=08Are you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.Transitioning shouldn’t be for anyone else but yourself. It’s not about the person you’re in a relationship with. It’s not about your parents. It’s not about your children. It’s about you taking charge of your life and being your authentic self. That is the message I want you to take from this episode of Dem Bois Podcast! Today I sit down with Cameron Bostic and he shares about how his life mentally prepared him for his transition.We talk:Cameron’s transition journey - 5:43Advice for mentally preparing to transition - 17:29His relationship before and after his transition - 25:20Cameron’s career as a DJ - 34:40Last bit of advice for listeners - 44:21Click here for transcript!ReferencesThe AggressivesDem Bois Podcast Ep. 3 - Surviving HomelessnessRead more about our guest in his bio below:I am a transman dj, living in South Florida. I am also an ambassador for the South Florida black pride organization.www.instagram.com/djladieslovecamAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.Moving to a new city can be challenging. And, moving to a new city where no one like you really exists, that’s damn-near impossible. But today’s guest, Mia Obiekwe overcame that challenge and rediscovered themself in the process. Mia is a veteran, activist, model, and drag king, and in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, we talk about all of those things. They also give advice for trans masc folks who are looking for support.We talk:Mia’s transition journey - 8:25Their genderqueer identity - 18:51Mia’s hope for Black queer people to be authentic - 25:59Their former business and why it ended - 35:39Rediscovering themself in a new environment - 41:44What Mia’s support system looks like - 50:55Click here for transcript!Referencesthem magazineRuPaul’s Drag RaceDem Bois Podcast Ep. 6 Transforming Your Mindset with Zeke WilliamsRead more about our guest in their bio below: Mia-Obie is a trans masculine individual from Cincinnati, Ohio. They Spent most of their adult life in Atlanta, GA where they learned to hustle as a business owner in the cleaning industry. Within the past year they recently moved to Santa Fe, NM where they have had to rediscover themself in an environment where black trans people don't really exist, as well as, grieving the closure of their cleaning business. https://www.instagram.com/miaobie.benbanjeeAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.How do we learn gender roles? They are taught to us by society, our families, our teachers, our peers, our bosses, etc. They tell us who we are supposed to be and how we should behave. But we get to decide who we are and who we will become. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest Father Venus shares how his gender journey sparked his artistic journey and how he incorporates the two.We talk:Father Venus’ love for being an Aries - 8:40His career change because of his transition - 22:32Message to former students - 32:59Incorporating gender within artistry - 45:13His goal with his music and business - 55:44Click here for transcript!ReferencesPilot Frixion PensSaturn Says StudiosDem Bois Podcast, Ep. 7 - Transitioning at WorkAlexes Hazen, M.D.Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, BrooklynRead more about our guest in his bio below:Father Venus is an artist who centers pleasure, justice, and magic through hip-hop music & visuals. Born & raised in Harlem, NY they now reside in Detroit where they independently craft their own style of hip-hop from their home base, Saturn Says Studios--AN ARTIST-OWNED PRODUCTION HOUSE & CREATIVE COMMUNITY FOR AND BY BLACK + BROWN, TRANS + QUEER ARTISTS, CREATIVES, AND ENTREPRENEURS. https://www.saturnsays.comhttps://www.instagram.com/fathervenusmusichttps://beacons.ai/fathervenusAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.It’s true. Your transition never really ends. As you age, grow, and learn, you will continue to transform and transition. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast I had the privilege to sit down with actor, writer, producer, and editor, Shaan Dasani. Shaan discusses his career and how his Trans identity is integrated into his work. He also shares some advice for Trans actors. There are just so many good topics within this episode so I hope you enjoy it!We talk:How the name Shaan chose him - 7:01Cultural narratives in having sons vs daughters - 14:15Acceptance from grandparents - 22:29How Shaan’s Trans identity is integrated into his work - 34:51Advice for Trans actors - 51:34Click here for transcript!ReferencesAgents of Change FilmEp. #33 Why It's Important For Us to Tell Our Own Stories with D’LoUN Climate Change Conference - United Arab EmiratesOTVRead more about our guest in his bio below:Shaan Dasani is a multifaceted actor, writer, producer & director. With an MFA in Film Production from Chapman University, he has produced over 30 short films and music videos. As an actor, he has starred in commercials for Google, Uber, and on TV in shows like Criminal Minds and Fox’s 9-1-1. His current penned project in which he also stars - AGENTS OF CHANGE - is a spy genre film about secret agents who fight environmental crime and showcases a queer and trans cast in a film that goes beyond identity to address broader social and political issues of our time.https://instagram.com/shaandasanihttps://instagram.com/agentsofchangemovie https://www.ShaanDasani.comAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.“The parent’s role is to guide and to nourish. Not to dictate or tell them how they should be, how they [should] live their life.” - Gabriel VidalThis quote really sets the tone for what you can expect in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. This episode’s guest is one of my favorite people and once you hear the interview you will see why. Gabe is the Director of Youth Organizing for the GSA (Gender/Sexuality Alliance). He is also a Queer and Trans DJ. And, I am so excited to introduce you to him in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast.We talk:Gabe’s transition journey - 7:31How he experimented with gender identity - 13:07Having parents who are allies - 24:53Advice for queer youth without that strong foundation - 30:43Advice for parents of queer youth - 35:57Music as a creative outlet - 43:59Click here for transcript!ReferencesGender/Sexuality AllianceRead more about our guest in his bio below:Gabriel (he/him/Gabe) is a queer trans DJ, record collector and community organizer born and raised in Los Angeles. His approach to music has been shaped by his family, community organizing and underground music communities. Collecting records has been an outlet of his own transformation and a way to celebrate the experiences of his communities and others. Additionally, Gabriel is the Director of Youth Organizing for Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network and spends his extra free time DJing in local venues and community events in the Los Angeles area. https://mixcloud.com/gfunktrecehttps://www.instagram.com/gfunktreceAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.If you know anything about the podcast, then you know that we are all about amplifying trans voices, so today we have another Dem Bois Podcast first. This episode won’t only be hosted by me. It will also be co-hosted by Vee Martin, and we will be interviewing our guest Ray Adens. I interviewed Vee back in season one and we had a great conversation about building confidence, going to therapy, and transitioning with children. In this episode, Vee is back and Ray is ready to share. We discuss family, mental health, battling with faith, and much more!We talk:Ray’s transition journey - 7:10His faith - 15:26Getting back in touch with his mom - 28:51Learning to be a man without a “father-figure” - 37:07Being kind and polite - 46:23Bromance and competition - 50:44Click here for transcript!ReferencesEp. 11 - Building Confidence to Become Your True Self with Vee MartinEp. 14 - Discovering New Life Through Grief and Healing with Mely Anais QuirozRead more about our guest and co-host in their bios below:Ray - Humble in heart, wise in response (motto)Vee - Vee is a father, husband, friend and overall a simple family man. He is on a journey of self love, understanding and exploring what his future holds.Are you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.Today we have another Dem Bois Podcast First! In this episode, my guest TJ Jourian shares a difficult time in his life where he had to revert back to his previous gender and how that affected his mental health. And, I want to give an emotional warning, because we do discuss suicide ideation. We also discuss masculinity, being trans identified vs. being a man, cultivating healthy higher education environments, and much more! We talk:TJ’s transition journey - 5:48How his family accepts his identity now - 15:50How reverting back to his previous gender affected his mental health - 24:42TJ’s higher education and how he navigated those spaces - 34:47The importance of community in higher education -  47:10How you can work with TJ - 54:12Click here for transcript!ReferencesBoys Don’t Cry (movie) Brown Boi ProjectEmergent Strategy by adrienne marie brownRead more about our guest in his bio below:T.J. Jourian is a scholar, consultant, and coach with Trans*Formational Change. He helps changemakers – diversity workers, activists, creatives, scholars, and leaders – reclaim and transform their energy, as they transform the world. T.J. partners with colleges, companies, conferences, and community-based organizations across Turtle Island in their efforts towards equity and inclusion. His research examines race, gender, and sexuality in higher education; masculinity, transness, and racialization; and campus gender and sexuality practitioners. T.J. has published extensively, including the co-edited books Queerness as Being in Higher Education: and Queerness as Doing in Higher Education: Narrating the Insider/Outsider Paradox as LGBTQ+ Scholars and Practitioners.http://www.tjjourian.net/https://www.instagram.com/tjjourian/https://twitter.com/tjjourianhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tjjourian/Are you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.There are so many people out there who aren’t getting the care they need or deserve, especially trans people. We are met with ignorance and incompetence, and today’s guest, Dr. Julius Weaver wants to change that! Dr. Julius is a board-certified family physician who has been practicing for 20+ years and they are promoting Black and trans visibility through their medical expertise. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, we discuss transitioning late in life, being stealth vs. being visible, transitioning with children, and much more.We talk:How the name Julius chose him - 2:55His relationship with his ex-husband now - 9:44Advice to trans parents navigating societal norms - 20:36Transitioning while working in the medical field - 30:24Being a doctor and providing that competent care to trans folks - 39:16Where the name “Dem Bois” came from - 48:00Click here for transcript!Read more about our guest in their bio below:Dr. Julius Weaver (he/they) is a black transgender board-certified family physician who has been practicing for over 20+ years. Julius is a busy, protective mother of three teens and in their downtime enjoys sports, gardening and being by any picturesque body of water they can find.  Dr Weaver recently started their most exciting venture, RMD Proud. RMD Proud is a direct pay, virtual, gender affirming care program for transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Julius Weaver is a late blooming non-binary trans guy. Their gender journey has certainly been lifelong but he started socially transitioning when he came out a few years ago to his family. Currently, Julius loves to promote black and trans visibility through their own medical expertise and also by talking about their personal transition journey. http://www.resolvemd.org/gender-carehttp://www.instagram.com/thetransmdhttp://www.instagram.com/rmd_proudAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.There are so many LGBTQ brothers and sisters out there who really want to be a part of a spiritual community and want to reconnect with their faith. But there are so many ways that society uses religion to condemn and push folks out to the margins. So I am very excited for this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, where I get to sit down with Andrés Herrera, a trans man who is also a spiritual care practitioner. In this episode, we discuss spirituality, faith, community, and masculinity.We talk:André’s’ transition story - 5:50Emilio’s family’s disconnect from religion and acceptance of his transition - 18:17Finding faith-based spaces that were affirming - 25:28How spirituality has shaped Emilio’s masculinity - 39:17Society’s use of religion to oppress - 47:50Click here for transcript!Episode Reference:St. Stephen’s Episcopal ChurchFaith from the Margins PodcastNew Revelation Community ChurchDem Bois Podcast Ep. 14 - Discovering New Life Through Grief and Healing with Mely Anais QuirozAndrés is a trans man from South America who offers spiritual direction to other trans and queer folk, especially from Latin America. He is also the communications assistant at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Houston, TX, where he produces the podcast Faith from the Margins.http://www.cuidadoespiritual.comhttp://www.instagram.com/hola.andreshAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.Something I always say is that when you have the love and support of your family, who cares what the world has to say?! But, many trans men of color aren’t fortunate enough to experience this during their transitions. In a Dem Bois Podcast first, my guest, Emilio Perdomo and I discuss what it’s like to have supportive parents and even having them be a part of your renaming process. In this episode we also talk about what he does as a social worker, mental health services, the current anti-trans legislation and much more.We talk:How it felt for Emilio to have his parents be a part of the renaming process - 6:11Advice for anyone who wants to transition but may be struggling to tell theirpartner - 13:56The work Emilio does as a social worker - 21:09His passion to work with foster youth - 32:41The importance of showing up as your authentic self on your mental health - 42:05Click here for transcript!Episode ReferencesDem Bois Podcast Ep. 8 - Advocating for Trans Lives with Luckie AlexanderDem Bois Podcast Ep. 14 - Discovering New Life Through Grief and Healing with Mely Anais QuirozEmilio Perdomo, LCSW is a first gen Salvadoran, raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a Mental Health therapist and Social Worker with a passion for working with LGBTQ youth. With his love of art and graphic design, he created the brand Rooted in Pride. It highlights the culture and empowerment of being a person of color in the LGBTQ community.Instagram.com/emilioo0oRooted in PrideAre you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.The recipient of Dem Bois Inc.’s 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant is Nick Pritchett! Nick is a trans man from Martinsville, Virginia, and his motto is “to forever and always live in your own truth and own happiness!” In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, Nick and I discuss the importance of mental health and different ways to manage it and heal. Nick also shares how he was able to shape his masculinity through shadow work and how his life has changed since getting top surgery.We talk:Nick’s transition story - 5:16Changes he made for healthier masculinity - 16:04Nick’s mom’s spirit visiting him since his transition - 26:18Taking care of his grandmother - 30:15How getting top surgery has affected Nick’s mental health - 40:45Last words from Nick - 48:48Click here for transcript!Episode References:https://www.studmodelproject.com/modelshttps://transtape.life/ Read more about our guest in his bio below:Hello, hope all is well! My name is Nick (He/Him/His), a resident of a small town in the state of Virginia called Martinsville. My motto is to forever and always live in your own truth and own happiness! https://instagram.com/_soypapi_Are you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a Text Message.Twenty people are physically abused by intimate partners a minute. That equals more than 10 million abuse victims annually. 1 in 3 women, and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner. And, how does being exposed to this violence affect their children? Long-lasting effects on their emotional and physical well-being, and social and academic functioning. Domestic violence incidents affect every person within the household. And in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest Nick Pritchett and I share our experiences as children living in that environment. We also discuss the ways in which we sought help and choosing healthy masculinity over toxic masculinity.We talk:Content warning - 0:39Nick’s experience with domestic violence - 11:33His mom’s murder - 27:15How trauma affected him - 41:44My experience with domestic violence - 53:49Advice and resources - 1:24:01Click here for transcription!Episode References:National domestic violence hotlineCall: 1(800) 799-7233Text: 88788Read more about our guest in his bio below:Hello, hope all is well! My name is Nick (He/Him/His), a resident of a small town in the state of Virginia called Martinsville. My motto is to forever and always live in your own truth and own happiness! https://instagram.com/_soypapi_Are you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here! Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!