Trandescendant

 Have you ever poured your heart into loving someone only to discover they don't feel loved at all? This happens frequently in LGBTQ+ families where parents think they're being supportive, but their child feels misunderstood or invalidated. When someone you care about shuts down completely, your instinct might be to defend how much you've done for them. Instead, there are four specific strategies that can help draw p...

The Supreme Court is hearing cases right now that could fundamentally reshape what it means to be LGBTQ in America. States are passing laws that ban medical care for transgender youth, restrict which sports teams kids can join, and  , and allow therapists to practice conversion therapy on minors. Former US Attorney Jim Santelle has good news for you. There are specific, practical actions that actually move the needle. Your voice ma...

Most parents think, "Don't confuse them," "They're too young," "Let them figure it out themselves." These all sound like reasonable approaches. But the research reveals a shocking truth. Families that stay silent about LGBTQ issues actually harm their children. Too many well-meaning parents choose quiet over conversation. What feels like protection is actually the very thing putting kids in d...

Tired of feeling powerless while politicians make decisions that affect your life? Your voice carries more weight than you realize. Especially at the local level where real change happens fastest. Most people stop at voting. But the smartest advocates know that ongoing communication with representatives is where the actual influence lies. Local politicians are accessible and responsive. They are desperate to understand their consti...

When your child comes out as LGBTQ+, suddenly you have questions you never expected to face. Did you cause this somehow? Will they ever truly be happy? What if this is just a phase and you're enabling something harmful? These are the 2 AM thoughts that keep us awake at night. Joe and Rya tackle the deepest parental fears head-on. They address the guilt and the secret wishes that maybe this wasn't happening at all. You don...

Understanding the difference between supportive curiosity and invasive questioning isn't just about avoiding awkwardness. Many of us want to ask questions about LGBTQ experiences. We care deeply and want to show genuine interest, but the fear of saying something wrong keeps us from asking authentic questions. The truth is, some questions that feel perfectly reasonable in our minds can actually hurt the people we're trying...

It's our third year anniversary of Trandescendant Podcast! And boy, do we have a shocking episode for you. We decided to expand our podcast from two to three generations. And this might surprise you, but Rya has a transgender son. This is his story. You might expect that having a transgender parent would make the journey easier for a transgender child, but the reality is far more complex. Each person's path to authenticit...

Have you ever tried to have an important conversation with a family member only to watch it explode into an argument you never wanted? Most people think there are only two choices when something needs to be addressed: stay silent and let resentment build, or speak up and risk a fight. But there's another option. Joe and Rya break down a simple five-step method that transforms even the most sensitive topics into productive conv...

What happens when the conversations that matter most feel impossible to have? Too many families avoid difficult talks until relationships reach a breaking point. They think they're protecting each other when they're actually making everything worse. Most family conflicts aren't caused by different beliefs. What matters is how we approach our loved ones. When you practice these two simple conversation techniques, even...

Have you ever noticed how some of the most hurtful rejections come wrapped in language that sounds accepting? Coded phrases hide judgment behind politeness, creating what feels like acceptance but actually delivers conditional love with strings attached. From military culture to church communities, conditional acceptance creates exhausting energy costs for LGBTQ+ people who must constantly manage which parts of themselves are accep...

The global landscape of LGBTQ+ rights reveals dramatic contrasts that might surprise you. While places like Iceland, Canada, and the Netherlands boast acceptance rates above 90%, over 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa still criminalize LGBTQ+ identities entirely. Yet beneath these stark differences lies a hopeful truth: younger generations worldwide are driving unprecedented change. From Taiwan becoming Asia's first country t...

Is it better to stop hiding who you are, or are there times when staying private is the better choice? This question divides even the most supportive allies and LGBTQ+ advocates. From teenagers navigating hostile family situations to adults managing workplace dynamics, every coming out decision is complicated. The debate is even more layered when considering the differences in coming out between gay and transgender people. How can ...

Real people are losing access to healthcare, having their gender markers erased, and watching their rights disappear with each new executive order and state law. While some allies post supportive messages online, many don't grasp the depth of fear gripping the LGBTQ+ community right now. Joe and Rya examine the harsh realities while also spotlighting victories around the world. When hate rises, so must we. That means moving fr...

We know that many LGBTQ+ critics are tired of being painted as hateful bigots when their heart is in the right place. We understand your position because we believed exactly what you believe now, and we can explain why we changed our minds without calling you names or questioning your faith. This isn't another lecture about tolerance—it's a conversation from people who get where you're coming from and want to show yo...

What if the real story about LGBTQ+ futures isn't what's dominating your social media timeline? While headlines focus on legislative battles and political backlash, the actual data reveals a dramatically different trajectory for 2026 and beyond. The geographic divide between high-equality and low-equality states is widening, creating both challenges and opportunities that most coverage misses entirely. Joe and Rya cut thr...

Have you ever noticed how shame quietly shapes your life even though it doesn't actually belong to you? Shame isn't something we're born with—it's learned through societal messages, family dynamics, and religious teachings that told us we should feel inadequate for who we are. Your identity is a gift rather than a burden, and there is absolutely nothing shameful about being your true self.

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Have you ever thought someone had your back, only to find them missing when you actually needed support? The difference between someone who says they're an ally and someone who truly shows up can be the difference between feeling safe and feeling betrayed. Many people in the LGBTQ+ community would rather deal with outright hostility than fake support because at least with hostility, you know to keep your guard up. Learning to ...