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Most of us only think about death when someone close to us meets that fate. But, it’s important to prepare for death because it is a natural part of life. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, I sit down with Patrick Cornelius, and we discuss his career shift from brain injury rehabilitation to becoming a funeral director and embalmer, emphasizing the importance of visibility and preparation for death. Patrick also talks about the challenges of navigating new identities and the significance of living authentically and planning for the future.

We talk:
Patrick’s gender identity journey - 11:50
Always having an attraction to gay men - 19:30
Advice for listeners wanting to explore their sexuality - 33:21
Patrick’s career transition - 41:20
The importance of living authentically - 53:34

References:
Stone Butch Blues
Stealth: A Transmasculine Podcast S5 E4 with Patrick
Stealth: A Transmasculine Podcast S5 E1 with Shawn Aaron

Read more about Patrick in his bio below:
Patrick is a 55-year-old black, gay, trans man who began socially transitioning around 2009 and medically transitioned in 2012. Originally from Southeastern PA, he’s called Portland, OR home for the last 11 years. He enjoys discovering the many plant-based restaurants the Pacific NW has to offer, weightlifting, the theater and traveling with his husband. After spending 20+ years working in community-based brain injury rehabilitation, disability sport and the Paralympic movement, he changed careers to follow his dream of becoming a funeral director and embalmer in 2013.

• @patcorn

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The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on Dem Bois Podcast episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. It will be great to have TMOC designing products that represents their community and that folks will feel proud to put on. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

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Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

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Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.

Are you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here!

Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

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In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, I sit down with Kwasi Johnson, best known as Kwasi Raheem for our next installment of our Board Member Highlight Series. Kwasi shares his career journey from finance to IT and his role as a senior IT engineer. He discusses his transition to our board treasurer, emphasizing his commitment to resource allocation, community support, and amplifying trans men of color voices. He also stresses the significance of voting and encourages community engagement.

We talk:
What Dem Bois mission means to Kwasi - 6:32
What he would like to contribute as a board member - 8:40
What he does as a treasurer - 11:49

References:
Dem Bois Podcast Ep. 60

Read more about Kwasi in his bio below:
Kwasi was one of Dem Bois 2022 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Awardees. Kwasi has been welcomed to join the Board as the Treasurer. Kwasi brings his extensive knowledge of financial planning, budgeting and project management to Dem Bois as a way help shape the lives and futures for trans men of color

“Peace, love, and light to you. My name is Kwasi-Raheem. I'm a fun, loving, and hilarious plant & animal dad. When I'm not working 1 of my 2 IT related daytime gigs; you can catch me photographing, walking my dogs, and or in your local Home Goods. I also keep a number of reptiles and am a budding "Lego-Brick Architect.”

• kwasi.raheem@dembois.org

Would you like to make a difference in the lives of trans men of color? Are you or someone you know interested in serving on a non-profit board?

We are looking for one individual who is committed to supporting trans men of color.

Dem Bois seeks a trans leader of color, or other queer folks of color, along with allies who understand the importance of accessing medical transition-related care, and other trans related issues to join our Board.

We are looking for someone who would like to become our Vice-Chair to work alongside the other dynamic leaders of the board to help support the mission and vision of the organization.

What does board membership mean? What does a Vice-Chair of a non-profit board actually do? Are you interested in being a part of Dem Bois board, but would like to learn more before applying?

• Schedule a 15-minute meeting to learn more about board service. Learn how you can use your skills and talents to support the mission and vision of Dem Bois Inc.
• Link to application to Join Dem Bois Board of Directors

Are you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here!

Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!

Send us a text

Dem Bois Inc. is an organization dedicated to amplifying trans men of color voices, and today on Dem Bois Podcast, we are continuing our Board Member Highlight Series with Tiana Moon, our board secretary. Tiana shares their background, including their mixed-race heritage, queer identity, and extensive experience in training and community education. And, they emphasize the importance of financial support for gender-affirming procedures, recounting their own experience with top surgery in Tijuana.

We talk:
Tiana’s career and personal life - 1:21
Dem Bois Inc mission - 5:17
Their hopes for the future of Dem Bois - 8:10

Read more about Tiana in their bio below:
Tiana grew up in Kumeyaay territory, living on both sides of the U.S/Mexico border in San Diego, CA and Tijuana, MX. They are a mixed race Chicano of Indigenous and Jewish ancestry. They are also queer, polyamorous, trans, nonbinary, and disabled. All experiences that shape their sense of community and commitment to care work.

They are a Co-Director at Brown Boi Project, an organization dedicated to Gender Justice and leadership development with a focus on how Black, Indigenous, and other people of color experience masculinity. They are also a facilitator and logistics nerd. In addition to formal training and curriculum design, their facilitation includes holding other dynamic spaces like support groups, retreats and gatherings, repair processes, community building events and action planning. Most recently they presented at the Caring Futures conference at The American University of Paris to present on mutual aid, building community care projects and decreasing reliance on violent state systems.

Furthermore, they have a decade of experience providing trauma informed direct services and mentorship to LGBTQ2S+ youth and families experiencing homelessness, incarceration, and co-occurring psychiatric disability and substance use dependence. Both in professional capacities represented by organizations and informally through community relationships and activist care spaces.

They are excited to bring these experiences to their role and honored to support the work of Dem Bois through service as a board member!

• tiana@dembois.org

Dem Bois seeks a trans leader of color, or other queer folks of color, along with allies who understand the importance of accessing medical transition-related care, and other trans related issues to join our Board.

We are looking for someone who would like to become our Vice-Chair to work alongside the other dynamic leaders of the board to help support the mission and vision of the organization.

What does board membership mean? What does a Vice-Chair of a non-profit board actually do? Are you interested in being a part of Dem Bois board, but would like to learn more before applying?

• Schedule a 15-minute meeting to learn more about board service. Learn how you can use your skills and talents to support the mission and vision of Dem Bois Inc.
• Link to application to join Dem Bois Board - Join Dem Bois Board of Directors

Are you enjoying the Dem Bois Podcast? Donate today to help support the cost of production and the honorarium we pay our guests for their time. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here!

Donate to support our 2023 Gender Affirming Surgery Grant Fund here!