Category

Growth, Resilience, and Self-Discovery

Encouragement for personal growth, resilience, and self-discovery through life’s complexities. Explore tools for self-awareness, building confidence, and embracing new seasons of identity and purpose with compassion, curiosity, and care.

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Book Review: Queer Body Power by Essie Dennis

Introduction Essie Dennis’ Queer Body Power (2022) is a vital and timely exploration of queer identity, body image, and the intersections of gender, race, and ability. This book goes beyond the surface of body positivity, diving deeply into the personal and political realities that shape how queer bodies are viewed,...
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What does hope mean (and not mean) to us?

In our collective psyche, hope is often revered as a beacon of optimism in an uncertain world, a lifeline we’re encouraged to grasp, even in the darkest times. From a tender age, we’re taught to “be hopeful,” “never give up hope,” and that “there is always room for hope.” Society...
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Embracing the Unveiled Self: The Journey to Authenticity for Trans* and Queer People

Introduction In recognition of Pride Month 2023, we turn our attention to the words of Alexander Leon, a renowned LGBTQ activist and writer in the UK. In one of his tweets, Leon encapsulated a shared reality, stating, “Queer people don’t grow up as ourselves. We grow up playing a version...
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Resilience, Realistic Hope, and Allyship: A Compassionate Approach to Transgender and Gender Diversity

Introduction We are all familiar with the phrase “It Gets Better.” This mantra often offers a glimmer of hope, a light at the end of the tunnel during personal transformation and acceptance. This saying, while powerful, may not fully capture the realities faced by many transgender and gender-diverse individuals. While...
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Embracing the Journey: Cultivating Confidence and Self-Esteem as a Trans* Individual

Finding Your Path: My Journey Towards Self-Acceptance and Confidence A Personal Tale: From the Shy Kid to an Empowered Woman I know the struggles of being different and the fear that engulfs you when you cannot express yourself. Growing up as a shy kid in the rural reaches of the...
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Group of queer teens celebrating Pride.

Another Deadass Glossary: A Fun Guide for Parents to Understand Their Trans* or Nonbinary Gen Z Teen

Introduction Feeling lost with Gen Z slang? OK boomer, let’s dive in! Greetings, fellow parent of a teenager. Do you ever find yourself utterly baffled when your teen starts speaking in what appears to be an alien language? You’re in good company. Welcome to the wild and wacky world of...
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Embracing Your Transgender Body: Strategies for Finding Peace and Acceptance

Shame is an emotion that is experienced by many people, but it can be particularly acute for those who are marginalized or have been subject to discrimination. For transgender individuals, shame can be a pervasive and complex emotion that can be linked to societal stigma, discrimination, and internalized transphobia. This...
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Hope in Action: Healing Ourselves, Each Other, and the Earth Through Collective Care

Embracing Collective Care: Healing in Connection with Each Other and the Earth In times of great suffering—whether personal, collective, or environmental—our natural response may be to turn inward, to shield ourselves from the chaos around us. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and isolated, retreating into solitude in the hope that...
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A young person outstretches their arms in the morning sun while hiking in the mountains

Healing After Trauma: Embracing Post-Traumatic Growth in Gender-Affirming Therapy

Introduction: The Path to Post-Traumatic Growth Trauma has a way of reshaping our internal worlds. It leaves its imprint on the body and mind long after the initial event, often creating a lingering state of stress, anxiety, and fear. For many trauma survivors, especially those who experience marginalization, healing can...
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Moving Toward Queer Liberation: A Trans and Queer Therapist’s Perspective

Introduction As a trans and queer therapist, I have walked beside my community through valleys of struggle and climbed the peaks of resilience. For many years, I have witnessed the quiet, often unseen revolutions in therapy rooms, homes, and the spaces where we gather. Queer liberation is not a distant...
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