What Makes a Haircut Queer? (w/ Alys Aurora)

Brooklyn-based hairstylist Alys Aurora of Studio Botanicum helps us answer some age-old questions, like:  Is there such thing as a queer haircut that isn't a mullet? How can a haircut help affirm your presentation? What does "queer" hair look like for folks with textured/kinky hair?  Hosted by Ally Beardsley and Babette Thomas, Gender Spiral is a quest to explore the modern experience of being a human in our gendered world. Find Alys @studio.botanicum on Instagram, and book an appointment! Follow Gender Spiral on Instagram and TikTok, and support us at patreon.com/GenderSpiralPodcast. Find transcripts and leave us a voicemail at genderspiralpod.com.

If you love Gender Spiral, you'll also love the TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones! Check out this featured episode (originally released on June 6, 2024) then go on over to the TransLash feed and binge the rest of their catalogue, starting with the latest episode "Trans Comedy as Resistance" featuring our own Ally Beardsley! "Imara Jones first made an impact in a 2018 online docuseries about her transition and life and four years later, the podcast is just one part of TransLash Media, a fast-growing platform and nonprofit organization telling stories and reflecting the culture through a trans perspective. With new episodes twice a month, Jones delivers illuminating discussions with guests from the trans community as well as allies to help create a fairer world for all."  In this episode, "Imara celebrates the process of gender exploration beyond rigid binaries and limitations. First, she's joined by Eli Lawliet, also known as "The Gender Doula," to talk about he guides his clients through questioning and transitioning. he discusses the lessons he's learned about gender presentation from his pet snakes and why he thinks identity labels can hinder exploration. Next, Frankie de la Cretaz chats about being a transmasc mom, experimenting with induced lactation, and navigating the world without the privileges of white womanhood." Learn more about TransLash Media at translash.org and about TransLash Podcast.  

In a hilarious and chaotic episode, comedian Honey Pluton talks the "they/them to he/him pipeline," French parents, and the derogatory C-word (customer). Hosted by Ally Beardsley and Babette Thomas, Gender Spiral is a quest to explore the modern experience of being a human in our gendered world. Find Honey on Instagram @honeypluton for info on his upcoming show dates. Also, listen to Honey's podcast "Up Good with Honey Pluton" and support him on Patreon.  Follow Gender Spiral on Instagram and TikTok, and support us at patreon.com/GenderSpiralPodcast. Find transcripts and leave us a voicemail at genderspiralpod.com.

Babette and Ally do a little stream-of-conciousness reflecting on 2024. Thank you for spiraling with us all year! A new full episode will be out next Tuesday, 1/7/25. Hosted by Ally Beardsley and Babette Thomas, Gender Spiral is a quest to explore the modern experience of being a human in our gendered world. Follow Gender Spiral on Instagram and TikTok, and support us at patreon.com/GenderSpiralPodcast. Find transcripts and leave us a voicemail at genderspiralpod.com.

Musician Pascal Stevenson aka Fashion Club talks to us about writing her first album since transitioning, how getting sober helped her come out, and her taste in, well, fashion. Hosted by Ally Beardsley and Babette Thomas, Gender Spiral is a quest to explore the modern experience of being a human in our gendered world. The new Fashion Club album "A Love You Cannot Shake" is out now. Follow Pascal on Instagram @fashion.club.la. Follow Gender Spiral on Instagram and TikTok, and support us at patreon.com/GenderSpiralPodcast. Find transcripts at genderspiralpod.com. On our website you'll also find a link to leave us a voicemail: we want to hear about what queer and trans voices in media mean to you!

Dust Reid and Massima Bell are the producers of the new album TRANSA, "a spiritual journey celebrating trans people." They talked to Ally and Babette about creating the album, compiling both covers and new work, and working with artists like Hunter Schafer and Sade. Hosted by Ally Beardsley and Babette Thomas, Gender Spiral is a quest to explore the modern experience of being a human in our gendered world. TRANSA is out now. Find more info at transa.world. Follow Gender Spiral on Instagram and TikTok, and support us at patreon.com/GenderSpiralPodcast. Find transcripts and leave us a voicemail at genderspiralpod.com.

Ally & Babette get into some post-election catharsis, then our guest Nori Reed provides some much-needed laughter as she shares stories about growing into herself as both a trans woman and comedian. Hosted by Ally Beardsley and Babette Thomas, Gender Spiral is a quest to explore the modern experience of being a human in our gendered world. Find Nori Reed on Instagram @norireed Follow Gender Spiral on Instagram and TikTok Support us at patreon.com/GenderSpiralPodcast. Find transcripts and leave us a voicemail at genderspiralpod.com.

Content Warning (genital anatomy, surgeries). This is part 2 of 2 episodes where we get the answers to some FAQs about medical transition from medical professionals. In this episode Kayla McLaughlin, a Physician Assistant and surgery education liaison, gets into nitty-gritty details about trans surgeries and what it looks like to get one, especially bottom surgeries like vaginoplasty and phalloplasty. Hosted by Ally Beardsley and Babette Thomas, Gender Spiral is a quest to explore the modern experience of being a human in our gendered world. Follow Gender Spiral on Instagram and TikTok, and support us at patreon.com/GenderSpiralPodcast. Find transcripts and leave us a voicemail at genderspiralpod.com.

TRIGGER WARNING (anti-trans healthcare bans, suicide, death threats): 8:52-10:22 This is part 1 of 2 episodes where we get the answers to some FAQs about medical transition from medical professionals. In this episode, Dr. Crystal Beal (founder of Queer Doc) tells us all about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), how it's prescribed, and all the various ways it can help folks reach their transition goals. Hosted by Ally Beardsley and Babette Thomas, Gender Spiral is a quest to explore the modern experience of being a human in our gendered world. Further reading as suggested by Dr. Beal: "State-level anti-transgender laws increase past-year suicide attempts among transgender and non-binary young people in the USA" - Nature   "The Substance of Borders: Transgender Politics, Mobility, and US State Regulation of Testosterone" - Toby Beauchamp   Trans Healthcare Resources:   - CenterLink (Find an LGBTQ Center near you)   - WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health)   - Queer Doc's Compilation of Trans and Gender Affirming Resources State-by-State   Find and contact your legislators and tell them to lean on the DEA to extend telemedicine flexibilities. Follow Gender Spiral on Instagram and TikTok, and support us at patreon.com/GenderSpiralPodcast Find transcripts at genderspiralpod.com/episodes

Twitch streamer and YouTube star Charlotte McDonnell joins us to talk about digital footprint as a Trans Person on the Internet™, how taking a break from YouTube helped her get in touch with herself, and which video games are the most trans-coded. Hosted by Ally Beardsley and Babette Thomas, Gender Spiral is a quest to explore the modern experience of being a human in our gendered world. Find Charlotte @coollike on Twitch and Instagram. Follow Gender Spiral on Instagram and TikTok, and support us at patreon.com/GenderSpiralPodcast , Find transcripts at genderspiralpod.com/episodes