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Episode 11: Why Gender-Affirming Care for Youth Matters - Revisiting Luke's Journey

Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

Release Date: 04/18/2025

Episode 11: Why Gender-Affirming Care for Youth Matters - Revisiting Luke's Journey show art Episode 11: Why Gender-Affirming Care for Youth Matters - Revisiting Luke's Journey

Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

We're back! After a short hiatus, we're relaunching with a special reunion episode featuring our very first guest, Luke S. In this heartfelt conversation, we explore how Luke's gender journey has evolved since we last spoke, the transition from high school to college, as well as his insights on navigating the world as a young transgender person in today's America. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Gender Wellness and Special Guest 01:52 Luke's Journey: From High School to College 03:33 Family Dynamics and Support 05:19 The Importance of Gender Affirming Care 07:25 Medical Transitioning...

info_outline Episode 10: “To Support Gender Wellness is to Have Support” With Gina Bigham of Trans* Lounge show art Episode 10: “To Support Gender Wellness is to Have Support” With Gina Bigham of Trans* Lounge

Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

You won't want to miss this latest episode of Over the Binary Podcast. This week, Casey and Grace discuss how to seek a fulfilling journey toward trans joy; featuring the one and only Gina Bigham of the LA LGBT Center's Trans* Lounge.    Gina Bigham is the Program Manager of the Trans* Lounge at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and a woman of trans experience. She has been a Center employee since 2011 and has made her mark on the organization not only with the Trans* Lounge, but also as the long-time lead organizer of Trans Pride L.A., one of the oldest and highest-attended trans specific...

info_outline Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 9 | It’s a Really Good Time to Speak with Marci Bowers, M.D. show art Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 9 | It’s a Really Good Time to Speak with Marci Bowers, M.D.

Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

Dr. Marci Bowers began working with the trans community in the mid-1990’s, prior to her transition. Flash forward to today, she is a well-known pioneer in the field of gender-affirming surgery, the first transgender woman to perform such surgeries.  In addition to her work as a physician/surgeon, Marci is the current President of , the first transgender woman to hold the post, and also serves on the Board of Directors for . Previously, she has served on the Boards of GLAAD and the Transgender Law Center. Over the years, Dr. Bowers has been called upon — or been the subject of —...

info_outline Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 8 | Autism and Gender Diversity show art Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 8 | Autism and Gender Diversity

Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

For reasons not understood, gender-diverse people are three to six times as likely to be autistic as cisgender people. In Episode 8, Casey and Grace welcome special guest, Dr. Laurie Stephens, to discuss the connection of autism diagnoses among the gender-diverse population. Dr. Stephens is a developmental psychologist who has been working with children, teens, and young adults on the autism spectrum for over 25 years. She currently serves as ’s Senior Director of Autism and LGBTQ+ Programs.   Why this episode is relevant, especially for parents of transgender and non-binary children...

info_outline Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 7 | When More Care is Needed show art Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 7 | When More Care is Needed

Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

In most cases, the mental health care that Gender Wellness of Los Angeles provides to gender expansive individuals and their families is sufficient in addressing behavioral health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and social difficulties that often accompany the trans / non-binary person’s journey at a given point in time. However, there are cases when the severity of emotions — and the resulting behaviors — are so intense that more care is needed. Suicidality and incidents of self-harm, for example, are all too common within the transgender and non-binary population — among...

info_outline Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 6 | We Are Unerasable show art Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 6 | We Are Unerasable

Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

Episode 5 of OTB, “We Are Unerasable,” is a conversation between hosts Casey Weitzman, MA, LMFT & Grace O’Connor, MA, LMFT — both compelled to comment on the rash of anti-LGBTQ legislation being passed in many parts of the country and its effect on the trans and nonbinary community, noting how their clients — and other people close to them — are reacting. Ultimately, they sound a message of hope and perseverance as the they underscore the value of coming together during these “uncertain times.”

info_outline Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 5 show art Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 5

Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

For Episode 5 of OTB, we decided pivot a little from the way we normally do things. Within mostly audio presentation, Grace O’Connor, MA, LMFT assumes the role as solo host as she moderates a conversation with guest, Los Angeles Gender Center co-founder, Elise Turen, Phd, ASC, and GWLA President and Founder Casey Weitzman, MA, LMFT — normally, OTB’s other co-host. At GWLA, we think it's important to take time and reflect on he Trans/Nonbinary community's history, as we try to clear the hurdles we face every day. With Episode 5, we are provided with a unique perspective earned over time,...

info_outline Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 4 show art Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 4

Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

One might say that Paria Houssari is a “perfect” guest for this podcast, for two reasons:

info_outline Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 3 show art Over the Binary (OTB) | Episode 3

Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

Body mass index (BMI) requirements for gender affirmation surgery (GAS) are ubiquitous and vary among medical providers. In this episode of Over the Binary (OTB), Casey and Grace talk with esteemed nutritionist — and author — Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDRD-S, about the subjective BMI requirements that can limit access to GAS, sometimes negatively impacting a transitioning person's health and safety.

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Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender

The (normally) respected television series 60 Minutes recently aired a segment that was widely criticized for its unbalanced portrayal of “detransitioning.” Consistent with this outrage from trans advocates everywhere, Casey and Grace discuss the unfortunate broadcast, and more.

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We're back! After a short hiatus, we're relaunching with a special reunion episode featuring our very first guest, Luke S. In this heartfelt conversation, we explore how Luke's gender journey has evolved since we last spoke, the transition from high school to college, as well as his insights on navigating the world as a young transgender person in today's America.

In This Episode:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Gender Wellness and Special Guest
  • 01:52 Luke's Journey: From High School to College
  • 03:33 Family Dynamics and Support
  • 05:19 The Importance of Gender Affirming Care
  • 07:25 Medical Transitioning as A Young Person
  • 09:28 Letting Your Authentic Self Shine
  • 11:01 Navigating Therapy and Support Systems
  • 13:35 Advice for Trans Teens in Today's Climate
  • 17:07 Reflection and Closing Thoughts

Key Topics:

  • Moving from high school to college as a transgender student
  • Nuturing family support systems and relationships
  • Accessing and benefiting from gender-affirming care
  • Finding and utilizing appropriate mental health resources
  • Practical advice for transgender teens navigating today's political and social climate
  • Building resilience and community in challenging times

Resources Mentioned:

  • Gender Wellness of Los Angeles - Therapy and gender affirming services: 1-818-855-1105
  • Trevor Project Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386
  • Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
  • PFLAG - Support for families and allies

Connect With Us!

About Our Hosts: Casey Weitzman, LMFT (she/her) and Grace O'Connor, LMFT (she/her), are licensed marriage and family therapists specializing in gender identity at Gender Wellness of Los Angeles.

Listen and Subscribe: Find "Over the Binary: Conversations About Gender" on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Audacy.

Over the Binary is a podcast dedicated to providing resources, testimonies, and answers related to gender for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. Our conversations aim to inform, support, and inspire as we work together toward a more inclusive world for people of all gender identities.