Since the earliest days of planning for the Mind/Body connection series, I knew I wanted to talk to a transgender person about their experience. A mutual friend introduced me to Bethany Cole and her story opened up my eyes and heart so wide on this topic. I am grateful to Bethany for having this honest conversation with me. I will be thinking about it for years.
Bethany Cole is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) and transgender advocate who works primarily with the LGBTQ community in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology with a Master's of Arts in Counseling Psychology; and in her clinical work, she helps people process their personal trauma, gain greater acceptance for their own life story, and develop an increased capacity to both experience and manage a broad range of emotions. She lives in the Puget Sound area with her spouse.
In our conversation, Bethany tells me her story of growing up and her initial confusion between the gender she was assigned at birth (male) and the gender she knew herself to be (female). We talk about the difficult years of trying to fit in and then the freedom that arose when she decided to live in the world as herself.
This is absolutely one of the biggest interviews I've ever done for this show, and Bethany's perspective and insight will stay with me for years.
Two books that made a great impact on her life:
Meditations by Meister Eckhart
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
UPDATE:
After our conversation, Bethany graciously sent me a few books that could serve as valuable resources for anyone who wants to know more about this topic. Here are the three that she recommended:
Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
Surpassing Certainty by Janet Mock
Lou Sullivan: Daring to Be A Man Among Men by Brice D. Smith
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