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In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, we get to talk about the impact of visibility equalling possibility and the significance of building technology for social good. Today I sit down with Dr. Kortney Ziegler, a serial social entrepreneur, and we discuss the importance of community and compassion, grief after losing a parent, and cultural dynamics of living in South Africa. The conversation touches on themes of aging, representation in media, and the complexities of identity within the diaspora.

We talk:

06:14 Embracing aging and wisdom

17:59 Visibility and representation in media

24:33 Life in South Africa from a trans perspective

37:21 Cultural displacement and loneliness

46:52 Grief and loss

55:44 Building technology for social good

Episode References:

Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen (2008)

The Changemakers Guide - preorder

Read more about Kortney in his bio below:

Kortney Ziegler, PhD, is the founder and CEO of WellMoney, a money-sharing community that enables members to both receive and provide monetary aid during times of financial emergencies. Kortney is a serial social entrepreneur who previously co-founded a crowdfunding platform—Appolition—that raised over $1 million to pay bail for people who couldn’t afford it and Trans*H4CK, a nonprofit that creates tech for the transgender community and visibility for trans technologists and entrepreneurs.

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.

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How do you foster community and collaboration? One way is through art and activism. And, we dive into that in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today I sit down with rommy torico, a formerly undocumented queer, trans, non-binary visual artist, and they share their experiences navigating identity, survival, and self-discovery. We also discuss the impact of being undocumented on their gender journey, the importance of college as a space for exploration, the complexities of family dynamics during the coming out process, and the significance of mental health support.

We talk:

11:22 The Impact of Survival on Self-Discovery

20:10 The Role of Chosen Family and Community

24:19 Navigating Relationships and Trauma

39:34 Art as a Medium for Social Justice

49:31 Future Aspirations and Uncertainties

Episode References:

Past Lives (2023)

Titanic (1997)

Love Jones (1997)

Read more about rommy in their bio below:

rommy torrico is a formerly undocumented, queer, trans nonbinary visual artist born in Iquique, Chile and raised in Florida. They have been involved in social movement spaces encompassing (im)migrant, queer and trans rights struggles for over a decade and infuse much of their work with personal experience and the stories their communities share. Over the years, Torrico’s work has been included in several publications and exhibited at the Getty Museum, the Smithsonian Museum, the Library of Congress and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía as well as many galleries and museums throughout the Americas and internationally.

• IG: @rommyyy123

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.

Send us a text

Many times when we hear or read the phrase soul mate, we think of it in a very romantic way. But, soul mate relationships can be platonic. They can be found in friendships that love us down and encourage us to be our full selves. And, in this Dem Bois Podcast first, I sit down with Kelz and we discuss what that term actually means. In this conversation, we dive into critical analysis, identity, and the significance of friendship and community. And, Kelz emphasizes the importance of visibility in queer narratives and the personal nature of identity language. They also recite a really great poem at the end of the episode, so be sure to listen!

We talk:

09:07 Exploring gender identity and fluidity

18:04 The significance of the term 'stud' and class privilege

26:08 Understanding non-binary identities

34:58 Kelz work, 'we was boys together'

45:55 Rekindling friendship and identity

01:00:55 Kelz’ poetry

Episode References

Criminal Intimacy: Prison and the Uneven History of Modern American Sexuality by Regina Kunzel (Book 2008)

The Aggressives (Documentary 2005)

Between Women (TV Series 2011-2013)

Sula (Novel 1973)

we was bois together by Kelsey L. Smoot

Read more about Kelz in thier bio below:

Kelsey L. Smoot (They/Them/He/Him) is a full-time PhD student in the interdisciplinary social sciences and humanities, as well as a poet, advocate, and frequent writer of critical analysis. They are the author of a chapbook titled We Was Bois Together (CLASH! an Imprint of Mouthfeel Press).

• Instagram.com/nonbinarypapi

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.