Talesha

Talesha Sams (she/her/hers)

Talesha Sams is a 61-years-old, white, transgender woman who grew up in rural Oregon, lived in Spokane, and now lives in Benton City, WA. An attorney, she loves the law and is a passionate advocate for transgender people. Here, Talesha shares her experiences with her supportive family, finding and building community, and her active work life.

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Audio Stories | Transcripts

1. Benton City & Spokane (age, community, family, rural life, work)

2. Transitioning at Work (repression, support, work)

3. Support at Work (gender expression, support, work)

4. Deciding to Transition (aging, children, community groups, medical transition, spouses/partners)

5. Gender Care (medical transition, rural life, urban rural movements)

6. PFLAG, A New World (community groups, online)

7. More Community Involvement (community groups, represion)

8. Drag Storyime (community groups, repression, support)

9. Doing My Part (online, support, work)

10. Older & Younger Transgender People (age, family, repression, work)

11. Out at Work (gender identity, stealth, support, work)

12. Early Realizations (family, gender identities, identity realizations, parents)

13. Always Felt Feminine (children, friends, gender expression, gender identity)

14. Passing (children, gender expression, gender ideals, gender identity, survival strategies)

15. Negative Public Comments (repression, survival strategies, work)

16. Father-in-Law (family, spouses/partners, repression)

17. Children & Grandchildren (children, family, medical transition, support)

18. Medical Transition (children, family, medical transition, support)

19. Growing Community (community groups)

20. Allies (community, pride, support, work)

21. Dressing for Work (work, support)

22. Bathrooms at Work (repression, support, work)

23. Helping Others (support, work)

24. Advocating for Older Trans People (aging, community, support)

25. Growing Up Rural (family, rural life)

26. Rural Living (medical care, urban-rural movements)

27. Rural Medical Care (medical care, repression, rural life)

28. Politics (repression, support, work)

29. Love the Law (repression, support, work)

30. Humor (family, social class, survival strategies)

31. Time for Myself (support, work)

32. Stereotypes (gender expression, genderal ideals, repression)

33. Staying Busy (support)

34. Attorney of the Month (gender expression, work)

35. Wish I Transitioned Sooner (age, medical transition)

36. Being an Advocate (support)

37. Abuse (children, mental health, repression, spouses/partners)

38. An Open Book (children, family, repression, work)

39. Supportive Family (children, family, parents, support)

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We want to hear about your reactions to the stories! We want to hear from everyone, but are especially interested in responses from trans and queer folks. In the Comments section below, tell us a bit about yourself (whatever you are comfortable sharing, such as your age, gender, sexuality, where you live, etc.), what the storyteller shared, and how it resonated with you. Comments are moderated and are posted once approved.