ConverSayTrans Podcast Tortoise Shack Media

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In conversation with Alexandra and Jules for this episode, is Fladh Tubridy Co-Chair of the Dun Laoighaire CATU (Community Action Tenants Union) branch. For this special episode we focus on the rights to housing and trans people precarious position in housing. Fladh been apart of CATU the last few years and has really seen the necessity and power of collective action in fighting against state forces.



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Joining Jules and Alexandra in this episode of ConverSayTrans is Fiona Leigh, a singer, actor and writer. Who is a part of the trans writers union, who are currently boycotting The Irish Times.



Having come back to Ireland just before Covid hit, this self described Gen Xer tells us about her memoir that is she hoping to find a publisher for about her time in Japan realising that she was trans. Her musical exploits as the singer in a punk band, her adoring male fans, her inspiration in music, Courtney Love, especially in her Hole era (the band!) In Japan, as she was exploring her identity and singing through the night, she was an English teacher in a school. Fiona lets us into deep parts of her life such as the tumultuous relationship between her parents, the true love of her life, and how she medically transitioned.



Coming home to Ireland at this time can be incredible isolating with the past restrictions and being told to limit your social contacts, but Fiona has found a place in her local charity shop where the seller adored her blonde locks and punk aesthetic, of course she's now apart of the trans writers union and contacting with members of the community that way.

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In this episode of ConverSayTrans we have Jamie and Chloe O’Herlihy, sisters who both came out as trans in 2016. They have been on the Late Late Show, cover of GCN, the subject of tabloid interest & more. Their rise in prominence was a lot to deal with, but their bond helped them deal with the aftermath. Now they’re talking to us about how they viewed their younger self, the power and beauty of make-up and looking after oneself externally. Chloe lives in Scotland and works at a fabulous queer inclusive salon, and Jamie is a blogger who uses YouTube and Onlyfans, where she says being able to be her own boss and have a direct control over her image has been liberating!

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Our guest on ConversayTrans this week is the illustrious Jayson Pope, a young activist who found community and conviction in the BeLonGTo Youth Services. He has been publicly out as a trans man since he was 13, so his youth is not an indication of his inexperience in being trans. His story is one of hope, with a deep support system that included his parents, friends, BeLonGToo and at times even his secondary school. Initially at ConverSayTrans we ask our guests to bring an item that represents a pivotal moment in their life, and Jayson's gift is a ring from his own 21st Birthday as he talks with Jules and Alexandra the Irish secondary education system and his activism.



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This week Alexandra and Jules speak with Philippa Ryder, a noted activist and writer, about her youth, coveting her sisters dress as a young child, that inclination towards the feminine that was a indication of her true self yet to allowed to fully blossom.



Regaling the two younger gals with her stories of adversaries and her commitment to speaking up for herself and others like her. Philippa’s life story joins the global march to freedom and empowerment for every gendered human being. She voices truth out of silence, courage through fear, and joy by following the horizon she sees. Continuing the train of book appreciation on ConverSayTrans, her memoir, My Name is Philipa, is published by Mercier Press Books. You can pre-order it HERE



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In this episode Jules and Alexandra are joined by Greta - from The Small Trans Library Dublin, a lending library of trans-authored books for trans people. We talk about the great work they as a community resource raising money for trans people who are out or work or need struggling. The Importance of global care and assistance in making the world better for trans people all the world in doing so the have fund for a safe house in Nigeria and are assisting with Quest 9JA in helping trans Nigerians accessing trans affirming healthcare. As we had Greta, a literary connoisseur we had to ask her about the inherent queerness of zine, how she found her own community in the small trans library & how her studies as a law student are deeply influenced by her own transness and desire to help other queer people. The fraught nature of searching for housing taking in safety and stability. You can donate HERE to The Small Trans Library Dublin to help them continue all their great work.



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