Over the Binary (OTB), Episode 9 | It’s a Really Good Time to Speak with Marci Bowers, M.D.
OTB, Ep 9 | It’s a Really Good Time to Speak with Marci Bowers, M.D.
A pioneer in the field of gender-affirming surgery, Dr. Bowers is, also, the current President of WPATH, the first transgender woman to hold the post — and so much more. Our conversation with her took many twists and turns and we are fortunate to share her unrivaled experience and perspectives.
A pioneer in the field of gender-affirming surgery, Dr. Bowers is, also, the current President of WPATH, the first transgender woman to hold the post — and so much more. Our conversation with her took many twists and turns and we are fortunate to share her unrivaled experience and perspectives.
STREAM THE AUDIO-ONLY VERSION OF EPISODE 9:
Dr. Marci Bowers began working with the trans community in the mid-1990’s, prior to her transition. Flash forward to today, she is a well-known pioneer in the field of gender-affirming surgery, the first transgender woman to perform such surgeries.
In addition to her work as a physician/surgeon, Marci is the current President of WPATH, the first transgender woman to hold the post, and also serves on the Board of Directors for The Trevor Project. Previously, she has served on the Boards of GLAAD and the Transgender Law Center. Over the years, Dr. Bowers has been called upon — or been the subject of — numerous documentaries, interviews, news reports, and articles.
Marci and podcast co-host Casey Weitzman, the President and Founder of Gender Wellness of Los Angeles, have been friends and colleagues for over 10 years. All (above) things considered, it’s no wonder that OTB, Episode 9 took lots of twists and turns. Even after editing, it runs a little longer than expected, so we’ve outlined the episode to help you navigate the range of topics discussed.
CHAPTER 1 (6:21) • Trans-Surgical History Gives Way to Progress
Marci’s formative time in Trinidad, Colorado — dubbed the “sex change capital of the world” — began in 2003, before her move to the West Coast which led to further development of gender-affirming surgery programs.
As President, Marci is emphatic that WPATH “is as science-based as any organization that I’ve ever been a part of.”
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a formal classification of mental health disorders, featuring symptoms, diagnostic criteria, culture and gender-related features, and other important diagnostic information used by health professionals around the world. Recent updates to the DSM, regarding care for gender-diverse folks, are discussed as Marci resoundingly states that GAS patients need to “do your research.”
Questions about the writings of Abigail Shrier direct the conversation towards thoughts about appropriate care for trans youth, the fear and doubt of parents, puberty blockers, and more.
A transition involves much more than just physical transformation, and mental health guidance along the way is paramount to one’s journey.
Learn More About Marci Bowers, M.D.
TIMELY: Marci authored an essay, published Sunday, April 1, 2023, in the New York Times. We highly-recommend that you read it, in its entirety, for yourself, but we’ll tease it with the following excerpt — it’s the first paragraph and it lays the foundation for the rest of the essay:
“This year, more than 350 anti-transgender bills have been introduced in state legislatures, pushing discussion about treatment for trans and gender-diverse patients further into the national spotlight. It isn’t hard to surmise that politically convenient doubts about the validity of trans identities have come to take the form of prohibitions against trans health care.”
Trinidad | PJ Raval (Director), Jay Hodges (Director) Released in 2010, Trinidad is an award-winning film that uncovers Trinidad, Colorado’s transformation from Wild West outpost to “sex change capital of the world,” and follows three transgender women who may steer the rural ranching town toward becoming the “transsexual mecca.” Marci’s role in the community is featured prominently throughout. Each woman has a unique perspective on the procedure and on the very definition of “transgender,” underscoring the diversity and vibrancy of the transgender community as a whole. The film also examines the perspectives of the people who live in the small Western frontier town.
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