The Radicalguy

Guest: Jennifer Leitham

Ethan St.Pierre — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:59:54 GMT

Jennifer Jane Leitham has been referred to by noted jazz critic Leonard Feather as the "left-handed virtuoso of the upright bass." In addition to her successful performance career, Jennifer has appeared on over 100 recordings with some of the giants of jazz music. In addition, she has recorded 6 highly acclaimed CDs of her own. Jennifer is best known for her decade long stints with both Mel Torme’ and Doc Severinsen. She has appeared with many distinguished artists including Woody Herman, George Shearing, Gerry Mulligan, Peggy Lee, Joe Pass, Cleo Laine, Louis Bellson, Pete Rugolo, Bill Watrous, and numerous others. She has also been a member of the Tonight Show All-Stars, The Woody Herman Thundering Herd, Benny Carter Quintet, Bob Cooper Quartet, and more. Jennifer has been invited to perform as a featured artist or group member at almost every major jazz festival in North America and many overseas. A highly regarded educator, she is enthusiastically received as a presenter of workshops and clinics at schools and colleges around the country, and has joined the faculty at California State University Long Beach as a Studio Artist. Jennifer's own highly regarded CD's include Leitham Up, The Southpaw, Lefty Leaps In, Live! , and Two for the Road, (a duo performance with guitar virtuoso Jimmy Bruno). Her new CD, The Real Me features her original compositions, arrangements, and for the first time, her singing voice! Her trio performs for enthusiastic, diverse audiences on a regular basis. You can find Jennifer’s CDs and much more on her website: http://www.jenniferleitham.com/

Update with Donna Rose

Ethan St.Pierre — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:06:18 GMT

Donna Rose is an internationally respected leader within the Transgender community. A dynamic speaker and compelling writer, Donna has appeared in USA Today, Fortune magazine, Pink Magazine, Marie Claire Magazine, on a 4-part Transgender Summit series on Entertainment Tonight, in several documentary films, and is invited to share her compelling story at corporations, universities and events around the country. She is on the boards of several national GLBT non-profit organizations. Her website, www.donnarose.com, is an internationally respected source of education and support for and about the transgender community. Donna has been involved in transgender advocacy since 2003 when her memoir, Wrapped in Blue, was published and selected as a Featured Book at the 2003 Texas Book Festival. She was featured in an educational DVD released by The Human Rights Campaign titled "Understanding Transgender Issues". She has been involved with every transgender effort released by HRC in recent years including the "Coming Out as Transgender" Guide, the workplace Gender Transition Guidelines template, and the "Transgender In the Workplace: A Tool for Managers" booklet. Donna was named a "Gay Corporate Leader" by the Advocate in 2005 and helps companies gain a better understanding of the workplace challenges posed by a transgender employee. Check out Donna's new website: transeducate.com

Guest: Kate Bornstein

Ethan St.Pierre — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:08:12 GMT

Kate Bornstein is an author, playwright and performance artist. Kate’s best known for her ground-breaking books on postmodern gender theory, Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us; and My Gender Workbook. Her latest book, Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives To Suicide For Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws , is a runaway underground best-seller. Kate's books are taught in over 120 colleges and universities around the world; and she has performed their work live on college campuses, and in theaters and performance spaces across North America, Europe, and Australia. Her new memoir, Kate Bornstein Is A Queer and Pleasant Danger, is scheduled for release by Seven Stories Press in the fall of 2008. Note: All of Kate Bornstein’s books including “hello Cruel World” is available at the IFGE book store. If you can’t find what you are looking for online, please give them a call at: (781)899-2212.

Leslie Townsend Interview

Ethan St.Pierre — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:34:06 GMT

Leslie Townsend grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was during her early teen years that Leslie came to realize who she needed to be in order to become whole. After leaving home at the age of nineteen, her life took many twists and turns in the pursuit of womanhood that included drugs and prostitution. After having her surgery at the age of twenty-three, Leslie had a difficult time letting go of the shame and rejection she had received from her friends and family. Realizing that she could blend in to "normal" society, Leslie kept her past a secret and lived in stealth for twenty years. Over the course of those years, Leslie pursued other careers such as modeling, secretarial work, bartending, stand-up comedy and many others all in an attempt to shake the past and move forward. It was an elusive quest. Fortunately for Leslie, she came to point in her life where she decided not to hide any longer. She made the decision to come out and tell her story. First she penned her autobiography Hidden in Plain Sight . Then, she began her involvement with Beautiful Daughters . Over the past few years, Leslie has continued to move forward in life with a newfound sense of pride and confidence in her life and accomplishments. As an elected board member of The Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia , Leslie will have the chance to help empower youth in a way that she never could have before. She has also started a scholarship fund at the University of Pennsylvania to benefit transgender students. Leslie continues to speak about her journey at colleges and youth groups. Listen to a sample of the song Leslie wrote the lyrics and melody to on her website http://www.leslietownsend.net/ please purchase a copy of the song “Run Away” it’s only a buck! And don’t forget to check out the website http://www.transsistertales.com/ for info on Trans sister tales.

Guest: Kim Pearson

Ethan St.Pierre — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:57:28 GMT

Kim Pearson is the executive Director of TranYouth Family Allies and the mother of a transgender son. Kim will discuss healthcare for transgender youth, employment prospects for transgender young adults and the dilemmas faced by parents of transgender youth. Kim will also fill us in on what TransYouth Family Allies has been up to and some of their upcoming plans. You can contact Kim at kimp@imatyfa.org

Guest: Donna Rose

Ethan St.Pierre — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:38:22 GMT

An Interview with Tim Cwiek

Ethan St.Pierre — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 20:39:53 GMT

Tim Cwiek is a journalist for Philadelphia Gay News and has provided the most in depth coverage of the suspected police involvement of the death of transgender woman, Nizah Morris than any other journalist in the country. **NOTE: I usually add a song at the end of every interview to sort of drive my point home. I labored about which song to add to this interview and I finally came to the conclusion that there just isn't a song made that is appropriate.