HISTORY

FT. Rey Resendez

The episode features a conversation discussing transgender identity, history, and advocacy. Rey Resendez, a transgender and two-spirit Quechua writer and advocate from Bolivia, shares insights about their personal journey and work through their platform "Rey and the Archive." The discussion covers the importance of documenting queer history, the erasure of transgender narratives throughout history, and the challenges faced by transgender individuals. Rey emphasizes how queer history predates the Stonewall riots, mentioning earlier uprisings like the Compton Cafeteria riot. They discuss how many cultures historically recognized gender diversity, including the Quechua concept of "Kariwami" (man-woman). The conversation explores intersectionality, highlighting how Rey's identity encompasses being transgender, an immigrant, Hispanic, and neurodivergent. Both Rey and NV stress the importance of visibility, community building across marginalized groups, and the need to document transgender experiences beyond social media platforms which can be censored or removed. They also discuss personal experiences with transition, including Rey's recent completion of gender-affirming surgeries and their journey toward mental health. Rey and NV conclude by encouraging allies to center transgender voices and experiences while remaining integral to the fight for liberation.