Badly Governed Lydje Lahens

We dive into the relationships between transgender and cisgender people. We're unpacking the challenges faced by nearly 1 in 5 individuals (NTDS, 2020; USTS, 2022) in various areas like healthcare, societal concerns, adverse childhood events (ACEs), and mental health.
But we're not just throwing numbers at you. This episode is all about real stories and feelings. We're sharing personal experiences that highlight these communities' daily struggles and victories. We'll also explore how society and different life experiences shape this complex dynamic between transgender and cisgender groups.
Join us on this journey to better understand what these folks go through. This podcast is all about creating empathy and opening up a conversation. We want to find solutions that make our world more inclusive for everyone. So, let's break down the walls together and build a community based on understanding, kindness, and unity. Because, in the end, it's about real people, their stories, and the connections that bind us all.

References:
Barbee, H., Deal, C., & Gonzales, G. (2022). Anti-Transgender Legislation-A Public Health Concern for Transgender Youth. JAMA pediatrics, 176(2), 125–126. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.4483 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8955456/ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/all-about-sex-gender-and-gender-identity/what-do-transgender-and-cisgender-mean https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/RCMD/studies/37888 https://www.ustranssurvey.org/

Credits:
Host & Executive Producer: Lydje Lahens Producer: Lydje Lahens Writers: Lydje Lahens & Damian Lima Videographer: Anthony Schultz Digital Copy Editor: Lydje Lahens Social Media Graphics & Management: Lydje Lahens & Dream Big Web Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net) Video Editors & Shorts: Luis Romero and Anthony Schultz Branding: Zozimus

Keywords:
#Transgender #Cisgender #LGBTQ+ #GenderIdentity #Diversity #Inclusion #Empathy #SocialJustice #HealthcareEquity #MentalHealthAwareness #AdverseChildhoodEvents #CommunityBuilding #HumanStories #PersonalExperiences #SocietalChallenges #Understanding #Kindness #Unity #Intersectionality #Advocacy #BreakingBarriers #Dialogue #Acceptance #Authenticity #NormalizeLGBTQExperiences

Health and racial disparities in uterine fibroids or non-cancerous tumors are, unfortunately, quite prevalent. Research indicates that 80% of Black women are more likely to develop uterine fibroids by the age of 50 compared to White women. Not only are Black women more likely to be diagnosed with uterine fibroids at an earlier age, but they also tend to experience more severe symptoms and complications like heavy menstrual bleeding and fertility issues.
Additionally, fibroids may cause more than physical pain – women with the condition also reported experiencing significant distress that negatively affected their quality of life, including depression, anxiety, body image issues, and their overall mental health. This psychological impact particularly affected black women in lower income brackets.
The reasons for these disparities likely involve a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic status. Some studies suggest disparities in healthcare access, including early detection and treatment, play an essential role. Therefore, addressing these disparities is essential to ensure equitable healthcare outcomes for all individuals.
This public health issue is significant and has prompted a need for more community discussions and interventions promoting awareness, improving access to healthcare services, addressing clinician bias, eliminating structural determinants, and calling for more inclusive research free of scientific racism to understand better the underlying factors contributing to these disparities.
In this episode of Badly Governed, Nagede Volcy White shares her experience living with uterine fibroids. Here we go! And remember, if you are not included, then chances are you are not represented.
Keywords: #inclusive research, #Mental Health, #Health care access, #Uterine fibroids, #non-cancerous tumors, #ethnic minorities, #racial disparities, #severe symptoms, #quality of life, #socioeconomic status, #White counterparts, #White women, #Black women, #public health issue, #heavy bleeding, #scientific racism, #clinician bias, #reproductive health, #menstrual bleeding, #structural determinants, #ethnic minorities, #Lack of representation, #Black female Gynecologist
Credits:
Host & Executive Producer: Lydje Lahens
Producer: Lydje Lahens
Writers: Lydje Lahens & Nadege V. White
Videographer: Anthony Schultz
Digital Copy Editor: Lydje Lahens
Social Media Graphics & Management: Lydje Lahens & Dream Big
Web Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net)
Video Editors & Shorts: Luis Romero, Anthony Felice, Alex Kulikoff, and Anthony Schultz
Branding: Zozimus
References:
Baird, D. D., Patchel, S. A., Saldana, T. M., Umbach, D. M., Cooper, T., Wegienka, G., & Harmon, Q. E. (2020). Uterine fibroid incidence and growth in an ultrasound-based, prospective study of young African Americans. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 223(3), 402-e1.
Yu, O., Scholes, D., Schulze-Rath, R., Grafton, J., Hansen, K., & Reed, S. D. (2018). A US population-based study of uterine fibroid diagnosis incidence, trends, and prevalence: 2005 through 2014. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 219(6), 591-e1.

The United States has experienced population growth across all races, with the Black population reaching 47.2 million in 2021, which is a 30% increase since 2000.The US Black population includes individuals who identify as Black alone or combined with other races and Hispanics or Latinos who identify as Black.In 2021, there were 4.8 million foreign-born Black Americans, representing 10% of the U.S. Black population. This is up from 2.4 million people, or 7%, in 2000.The median age of the U.S. Black population in 2021 was 33, five years younger than the overall US population. Around 30% of Black people were under 20, and 12% were 65 or older.The New York City metro area has the most Black residents, followed by Atlanta and Washington, D.C.In this episode of Badly Governed, Professor Leigh Kamore Haynes and Research Analyst Peter Ciurczak look at how the Black population is changing in major cities like Boston and the unpreparedness of our health and social systems.
CREDITS
Host & Executive Producer: Lydje Lahens
Producer: Lydje Lahens
Writers: Lydje Lahens, Leigh Kamore Haynes, and Peter Ciurczak
Videographer: Anthony Schultz
Digital Copy Editor: Lydje Lahens
Social Media Graphics & Management: Aunonto Islam & Dream Big
Web Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net)
Video Editors: Luis Romero, Alex Kulikoff, and Anthony Schultz
Branding: Zozimus
RESOURCES
Bagley, A. (n.d.). Can Massachusetts overcome its cost and demographic headwinds to compete for talent?
Bureau, U. C. (n.d.). National Black (African American) history month: February 2023. Census.Gov. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2023/black-history-month.html
Great migration to global immigration: A profile of Black Boston. (n.d.). https://bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/great-migration-to-global-immigration
Mitchell, T. (2019). Views of demographic changes. Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2019/03/21/views-of-demographic-changes-in-america/
Vespa, J., Medina, L., & Armstrong, D. M. (n.d.). Demographic Turning Points for the United States: Population Projections for 2020 to 2060. Population Estimates and Projections.
MERCHS
lahens.net (creator-spring.com)

As gun violence continues to ravage communities of color, the issue of ghost guns has become an increasingly pressing topic.
Ghost guns are untraceable firearms that individuals can make using 3D-printing technology or kits containing the parts necessary to assemble a gun without serial numbers or registration information.
The risk posed by these weapons is especially concerning in communities of color, as they can be disproportionately affected by the increased presence of these untraceable firearms, undermining community policing and gun violence prevention efforts.
In this episode of Badly Governed, state representative Brandy Fluker Oakley and Assistant Professor of Psychology Brian T. Jones discuss the challenges of the epidemic of gun violence, but more precisely, Ghost guns and the threat they represent to communities of color.
CREDITS
Host & Executive Producer: Lydje Lahens
Producer: Lydje Lahens
Writers: Lydje Lahens, Brandy Fluker Oakley, and Brian T. Jones
Videographer: Anthony Schultz
Digital Copy Editor: Lydje Lahens
Social Media Graphics & Management: Aunonto Islam & Dream Big
Web Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net)
Video Editors: Luis Romero, Alex Kulikoff, and Anthony Schultz
Branding: Zozimus
RESOURCES
A Definition: https://www.teamenough.org/what-are-ghost-guns
MA Bill HD4420: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/HD4420
Summary of HD4420: Summary of HD4420, An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws (repmindydomb.com)
Mental Health Provider: https://www.reimaginecounseling.com/
Find Your Rep Here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
MERCHS
lahens.net (creator-spring.com)

The U.S. Mental Health System requires significant improvement. The system leaves many people and families facing challenges accessing resources and receiving treatment. Meanwhile, the rate of mental health disorders and suicide has significantly increased among Black and African American communities, leading to significant racial disparities for black families across the country. In this episode of Badly Governed, our guest speaker Coles Voyard joins us to discuss the increased suicide among black children, some systemic challenges parents face, and what needs to be done.
CREDITS
Host & Executive Producer: Lydje LahensProducer: Lydje LahensWriters: Lydje Lahens & Coles VoyardVideographer: Anthony SchultzDigital Copy Editor: Lydje LahensSocial Media Graphics & Management: Aunonto Islam & Dream BigWeb Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net)Video Editors: Luis Romero, Alex Kulikoff, and Anthony SchultzBranding: ZozimusMENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988Youth.gov: https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-mental-healthGreater Boston Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition: https://www.greaterbostonpreventssuicide.org/youth-mental-healthYouth Mental Health Resources: https://ymhproject.org/resources/Mental Health Counseling: https://www.reimaginecounseling.com/The Milton Coalition: https://www.milton-coalition.org/mental-health-resourcesINSPIRATION
“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, you are not the rain.” — Matt Haig “We would never tell someone with a broken leg that they should stop wallowing and get it together. We don’t consider taking medication for an ear infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently.” — Michelle Obama
“If you are broken, you do not have to stay broken.” — Selena Gomez

The Badly Governed podcast provides a platform for discussing issues related to corruption, lack of transparency, arbitrary policy-making, and dishonesty within systems of governance. Our approach involves collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, including community leaders and professionals in fields such as science, policy, and healthcare. Our goal is to encourage discussions about important societal issues related to the systems that impact our daily experiences. To suggest ideas for upcoming podcast episodes, please send an email to info.bg@lahens.net.