She, He, They, Ze— what’s the purpose of pronouns? Are they just grammatical structures or are they something more? And is gender only tied to trans identities or is it a part of us all?   

Feeling safe and grounded in your gender identity is not a luxury; it’s essential to mental and emotional well-being. In this episode, we explore what well-being can look like for trans and gender-diverse students, including the challenges that may intersect yet differ from the rest of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, the pressure of being out and the quiet resilience of those who aren’t. A sense of comfort in one’s identity is an essential part of wellness and safety, yet trans students often face stigma and discrimination that can deeply impact their mental and emotional health.  

This conversation offers a guide for trans students to be grounded in their wellness despite these challenges, while also giving cisgender listeners insight into how they can be better allies. Together we reflect on the evolving nature of gender and sexuality, and why building a stable, healthy and accepting connection with one’s identity is the true guide to wellness.  

Our host Susu B. explores these topics with our guest, Brian Ginther (they/them). Brian is a non-binary, queer interdisciplinary multi-media artist, designer and writer, and a Digital and Multimedia Support Assistant in the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change at York University. Brian shares their perspective on identity, community and self-acceptance and provides us with valuable tips and resources that truly invite trans folks on campus to exist loudly.