Transgender Voices in the Miami Valley
At WYSO, we believe in the power of storytelling to create understanding, foster empathy, and reflect the full diversity of our region. This collection brings together stories by, for, and about transgender people—featuring first-person narratives, community conversations, local reporting, and cultural coverage.
Here you’ll find:
- Personal journeys of identity, family, and affirmation
- Interviews with trans artists, advocates, and leaders
- In-depth audio stories exploring life at the intersections of race, gender, class, and place
- Updates on local and national issues impacting transgender communities
Whether you’re looking to listen, learn, or connect, these stories amplify trans experiences with care, dignity, and respect. We’re proud to be a platform where all voices belong.
WYSO is a listener-supported NPR member station serving southwest Ohio. Thank you for making this work possible.
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Navy veteran Monica Helms explains how she created the iconic transgender flag in 1999, its symbolic meaning, and how it became a rallying point for the trans community. -
On May 4, 2025, transgender people and allies gathered in Dayton, Ohio, for a rally to demand transgender rights and resist anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and systemic erasure. -
Arienne Childrey, Ohio's first transgender city council member, urges the LGBTQ+ community to take "Stonewall spirit" and fight anti-trans laws through political action. -
Arnold challenged Republican Rodney Creech, who she says is a former trans ally, for the Ohio House in '24, raising awareness about trans rights in conservative districts -
Khris Goins founded Black Transmen of Ohio after noticing a lack of representation. The nonprofit now provides support, resources, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. -
Kathie Bowers, an instructor at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, wrote to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine opposing Senate Bill 104's bathroom restrictions. Hear her story. -
Trans youth face increasing anti-trans laws nationwide. Advocate Shelby Chestnut shares how communities are organizing and why young people give them hope for the future. -
Lee Wade, an Ohio trans man, reunites with his father, Danny, after his dad was in prison. It's their first meeting since Lee began his transition from female to male. -
Translucent is a new WYSO series sharing stories from transgender people in Ohio and beyond, highlighting resilience, identity, and community in their own words. -
The Equal Deathcare database kicked off a year ago to help LGBTQ+ people with making funeral and end-of-life arrangements. -
Monica Helms created the transgender pride flag and founded the Transgender American Veterans Association. Helms spoke at the 2024 TransOhio symposium at Wright State. -
A group of conservative parents in Tipp City failed to convince a federal judge this week that the Bethel local school district’s bathroom policy was unconstitutional.
