Dear Schuyler Diversion

✶ If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, visit https://www.pinkmantaray.com/resources/ed for resources and research.

A big part of Schuyler's journey was grappling with his eating disorder. And he is not alone; LGBTQ+ youth are affected by eating disorders more than any other demographic. But why do people develop eating disorders, and what can be done about them?

To gain more insight into today's topic, Schuyler speaks with friend and actress Cree (Mr. Iglesias, Game Shakers). During their discussion, Schuyler and Cree touch on everything from racial injustice to Cree's own experience with an eating disorder. But as you will hear at the end of today's episode, both of those topics are more intertwined than you may think.

✶ If you have a question for Schuyler, send him a voice memo on Instagram @pinkmantaray, or go to DearSchuyler.com. 

✶ Join Diversion+ on Apple Podcasts and get the whole episode ad-free! In fact, members get every Dear Schuyler episode—as well as every podcast from Diversion Audio—ad-free, plus early releases and special episodes. Try the free trial at https://apple.co/417QkGV
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Most everyone can relate to not liking some aspect of their bodies. But for many transgender people, they often experience something that is more nuanced and devastating than that: gender dysphoria. It can be hard for cisgender people to truly understand what gender dysphoria is like. That is why Schuyler invited someone on to the show who could speak to the topic with intelligence and sincerity: Chella Man! Chella is an artist and activist, among many other things. In today's discussion, Chella opens up about leaning into those feelings of discomfort in his art and fashion, and tells a story about how he helped his mom better understand what it feels like to be transgender. ✶ If you have a question for Schuyler, send him a voice memo on Instagram @pinkmantaray, or go to DearSchuyler.com. ✶ Join Diversion+ on Apple Podcasts and get the whole episode ad-free! In fact, members get every Dear Schuyler episode—as well as every podcast from Diversion Audio—ad-free, plus early releases and special episodes. Try the free trial at https://apple.co/417QkGV

In Schuyler's experience as a trans educator, the questions people have about being transgender hold them back. They feel that because they don't understand every part of the trans experience, they are unsure how to be supportive. That's why, on today's episode, Schuyler tackles a question many prospective allies grapple with: Can I be an ally and still have questions? To explore this question, Schuyler invites Brendon Ayanbadejo on to the show. A former NFL Pro-Bowl player and Super Bowl champion, Brendon began publicly advocating for queer rights when he wrote an op-ed for the Huffington Post in 2009 stating he is for marriage equality -- a full five years before Michael Sam came out as the first openly gay NFL player. Schuyler finds out how his background compelled him to become a vocal advocate for marriage equality. He also invites Brendon to ask questions about aspects of being trans that are confusing to him. ✶ If you have a question for Schuyler, send him a voice memo on Instagram @pinkmantaray, or go to DearSchuyler.com.

Schuyler sits down with actress/comedian Dylan Mulvaney in her home to hear what it's like to be in the public eye at the same time as learning how to be her whole self. Dylan Mulvaney got her start on Broadway as part of the cast of the musical Book of Mormon, but her public profile rose in 2022 when she began documenting her transition on TikTok as part of her "Days of Girlhood." Since then, she's appeared on numerous talk shows like The Drew Barrymore Show, and even had the chance to speak with President Biden at the White House about trans rights. Mulvaney shares her experiences of coming out, navigating the entertainment industry, and dealing with the media attention that comes with being a visible trans person. We explore the challenges she has faced, as well as the opportunities that have arisen from being a trailblazer in the industry. They discuss how to find joy in the midst of hate, the importance of representation and visibility for the transgender community, how to survive and thrive, and the work she's doing to help create a more inclusive and accepting world.

Schuyler sits down with actress and comedian Dylan Mulvaney in her home to hear what it's like to be in the public eye at the same time as learning how to be her whole self. Mulvaney shares her experiences of coming out, navigating the entertainment industry, and dealing with the media attention that comes with being a visible trans person. We explore the challenges she has faced, as well as the opportunities that have arisen from being a trailblazer in the industry. They discuss how to find joy in the midst of hate, the importance of representation and visibility for the transgender community, how to survive and thrive, and the work she's doing to help create a more inclusive and accepting world.

If you have a question for Schuyler, send him a voice memo on Instagram @pinkmantaray, or go to DearSchuyler.com

On the premiere episode of Dear Schuyler, Lia Thomas shared her experience and opinions on being a transgender woman in women's sports. The interview made national news from Fox News to TMZ, and everyone from former tennis star Martina Navratilova to average folks all over our YouTube comments had something to say about Lia's stance on the topic of trans inclusion. As a result, Schuyler decides to delve into the topic of trans women in women's sports even more -- this time, focusing on the science and research. This week, he invites researcher Joanna Harper on to the podcast. Joanna began researching the topic of athletic performance of transgender people when she noticed that after she transitioned herself and began hormone suppression, her running performance deteriorated significantly. Since then, she published the first peer-reviewed study on the performance of transgender athletes as well as the book Sporting Gender: The History, Science, and Stories of Transgender and Intersex Athletes. Harper has also advised the International Olympics Committee and World Athletics on policies involving transgender athletes.