This week, in a special episode, Ellen talks to Clive about his experience of being trans and his reactions to a changing in attitudes toward trans people in both the US and UK. He talks about his lived experience of hiding a secret and rarely feeling able to let Anja, his female self, come out and be seen by the world. We talk about how this relates to authenticity and activism, and the beautiful way that Clive has recently found that his journey of gender exploration and coming to terms with his sexuality plays into and is being informed...
This week, in a special episode, Ellen talks to Clive about his experience of being trans and his reactions to a changing in attitudes toward trans people in both the US and UK. He talks about his lived experience of hiding a secret and rarely feeling able to let Anja, his female self, come out and be seen by the world. We talk about how this relates to authenticity and activism, and the beautiful way that Clive has recently found that his journey of gender exploration and coming to terms with his sexuality plays into and is being informed by his spiritual journey. Clive talks candidly, shedding light on the nuances of gender fluidity and his belief in the importance for fostering a beloved community that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that invites empathy and understanding, introducing listeners both to a side of Clive and to the beautifully varied world of trans that many may know little about.
Feel free to reach out to Clive if you'd like to talk about your own searching or struggling with this issue via Messenger on our Facebook group, or via his website, https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/tmg/tmindex.html.
Suggested Intention Focus for this week
This week, as we consider Clive’s fear that we may be moving away from building a beloved society that embraces full acceptance and inclusiveness of trans people, we suggest holding as our main intention:
We will that, in the face of legislative changes and the course of dialogue in our home countries toward trans people, all people will be moved by a desire for beloved community that fully upholds the dignity and equality of trans people, and that tolerates and celebrates differences of view.
Please join us in holding this.
Clive’s YouTube channel, A Gender Fluid Life: https://www.youtube.com/@transformationsontuesday. Offers reflections, explainers, inquiries into “all things trans,” including dedicated playlists aimed at offering help for parents and loved ones of trans people, reflections on being trans and having faith, and help for coming out.
Clive’s guide to coming out as trans or a crossdresser: https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/tmg/tmcomingout.html (see also the supporting video, https://youtu.be/qIjT3maFQNI).
Clive’s infographic and guide to understanding your gender and sexuality: https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/tmg/tmdownloads.html (see also the supporting video, https://youtu.be/_1SpFYUxvDc).
Listen to our Part 1 episode on this topic, Trans Lives Matter at https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-7p8jz-18966ad
Help and information:
Crossdream Life. Includes discussion forum and help for families, partners and significant others of trans people, and a dedicated area for transmen. https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/crossdreamlife/
Resources on Crossdreaming, Transgender and Transsexual Issues. https://www.crossdreamers.com/
Directory of help sources for trans folks in Wayfarer Magazine (mainly USA-focussed). https://www.wayfarermagazine.com/p/trans-and-queer-emergency-resource
Books:
‘The Transgender Issue’ by Shon Faye. Amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/Transgender-Issue-Trans-Justice-All/dp/1839768398/ref=sr_1_1
‘Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity’ by Julia Serano. (includes discussion of the theory of subconscious sex). Amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/Whipping-Girl-Transsexual-Scapegoating-Femininity/dp/1541604520/ref=sr_1_1
‘Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say’ by Preston M. Sprinkle. Amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Transgender-Identities-Church-Bible/dp/0830781226/ref=sr_1_1
‘Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality’ by Helen Joyce. Amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/Trans-Sunday-Bestseller-Helen-Joyce/dp/0861543726/ref=sr_1_1
Sources referenced in this episode:
Full UK High Court ruling on meaning of the terms “woman” and “man” in the Equality Act 2010: https://supremecourt.uk/uploads/uksc_2024_0042_judgment_aea6c48cee.pdf
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision for beloved community (originally spoken about by Josiah Royce) can be found at https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/
Chapter markers:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:56 Exploring Trans Issues
00:03:23 Clive’s Experience Growing Up
00:05:37 The Complexity of Gender Identity
00:08:02 Spiritual Insights and Gender
00:10:59 The Intersection of Gender and Spirituality
00:18:22 Childhood Awareness and Suppression
00:21:11 University Challenges and Isolation
00:27:39 Finding Expression Through YouTube
00:32:29 The Impact of Recent Rulings
00:43:49 Current Events and Activism
00:54:10 Authenticity and Activism
00:57:02 Resources for Understanding Trans Experiences
01:01:59 Closing Thoughts and Intention
Join us in person for intention holding:
https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls
https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.
Our websites:
www.heartfulimpact.com/ Our show website.
https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.
https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.
https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.
https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.
Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.
Our show content is hosted by Podbean and available from all major podcast platforms.
Our theme music is by Chris Collins. indiemusicbox.com.
Our logo artwork is by AltoClassic (Getty Images/istock).
Contact us via Facebook Messenger from the Impact! Facebook group, or using any of the contact methods mentioned on our websites.
Impact! www.heartfulimpact.com.
