Making Her-story with Guest Stella Keating 🏳️‍🌈

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Season 2: Episode 92 Description

In today's episode: 🏳️‍🌈 We're wrapping up Women's History Month with a young girl standing up for LGBTQ+ rights. ✨ Meet teenage activist Stella Keating! 🎙️ Stella shares her experience testifying in front of Congress about the Equality Act. 😎 And, have you heard about the GenderCool project? Hear about how the organization is helping change perceptions of transgender and non-binary youth. And, test your Congressional knowledge on today's Trivia on the Ten. ✅

Sources

Mr. Monster Goes to Washington: When Elmo Testified in Front of Congress (mentalfloss.com)

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TRANSCRIPT:

Ryan Willard  0:00  

Oh, wait, what? What if? I mean? Because then... 

Bethany Van Delft  0:08  

Ryan, are you okay? 

Ryan Willard  0:10  

Yeah. But no, I'm just trying to figure out what's going on with all these laws that are getting passed. 

Bethany Van Delft  0:15  

Oh, do you mean the bills that are affecting trans, non-binary and LGBTQ+ people? Florida's controversial, Don't say gay," bill as it's known by critics, was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis. The judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the state from investigating parents who obtained gender transitioning medical care for their children. 

Ryan Willard  0:34  

Yeah, I'm a little confused. Can you help? 

Bethany Van Delft  0:37  

Yes, I'm so happy you brought this up because I know someone who can. Today we're talking to Stella Keating about her incredible work and advancing LGBTQ+ rights. I am Bethany Van Delft. It's Thursday, March 31st. And this is the Ten News.

Various Voices  0:56  

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Bethany Van Delft  1:04  

Tears, I was so excited to sit down with Kid activist Stella Keating, she is the first transgender kid to testify in front of Congress. She works with the Gender Cool Project. And she's promoting the Equality Act, which would guarantee equal rights for LGBTQ+ people. Stella, I am so excited that you joined us today. Yay. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Stella Keating  1:35  

Yeah, so my name is Stella. I use she/her pronouns. And I am a Gender Cool champion and a student activist.

Bethany Van Delft  1:42  

That is amazing. You mentioned the gender cool project. I know you're part of that. Could you tell us a little bit more about it?

Stella Keating  1:48  

Yeah, so the gender cool project started out as a storytelling campaign, sharing positive stories of who transgender and nonbinary youth are, not what we are. So so often, we see in media, more negative stories about transgender nonbinary people. And what we're showing is that there are many, many positive stories and that we are thriving and that we are loved by our families. And so it started out as that and it's kind of moved into now preparing more large organizations for the next-gen workforce. So we as transgender people, you know, we are the next-gen workforce, transgender and nonbinary people. Plus, what we saw recently, with the new poll that was done that almost 21% of all GenZ identifies as LGBTQ, which is huge. And so we're trying to get these companies prepared for that, because it's gonna have to be a major shift. And so that's kind of what we're doing at the gender cool project. And it's been really amazing, and I really love doing it.

Bethany Van Delft  2:46  

Last year, you testified in front of Congress about the Equality Act. So first, can you tell us about the Equality Act? What is that?

Stella Keating  2:54  

Yeah, okay. So I will give a little short little synopsis of it. So the Equality Act essentially would give national protections for training for all LGBTQ-identifying people. And it would basically prohibit any sort of discrimination against anyone who identifies within the LGBTQ community, which is super exciting. There are a lot of states where you can be refused services in a restaurant, or you can be refused a home, just because you identify as LGBTQ, which is really scary. But the Equality Act would fix all of that. And that's what's really exciting. And that's why I've had to fight before the Senate on behalf of the Equality Act so that we can get the Equality Act passed.

Bethany Van Delft  3:38  

What was it like for you to testify in front of Congress? Was that was that terrifying? Were you nervous?

Stella Keating  3:45  

Yeah, well, um, so I am on the West Coast, and Congress is on the east coast. So they had it at 9 am. And it was 6 am here for me. So I was very tired. And so I was very exhausted. I was also really nervous too. And I had hardly I barely slept the night before. I was just like, I had to be up at four in the morning. I was really tired and exhausted. And I was really nervous, as well. But when I was giving my, my testimony, I just kind of like a wash of calm had come over me. And I knew that in that space, and in that moment, I had a sense of purpose, and that's where that kind of calm came in. And so then I gave my whole speech and everything and it was really amazing. And I just I loved it so much, and yeah.

Bethany Van Delft  4:45  

Oh, you loved it. Does that mean that you are going to run for political office is on point? 

Stella Keating  4:50  

Yes, most likely, yes. 

Bethany Van Delft  4:53  

What are you thinking just to pick your brain? You could say I don't know, Bethany, leave me alone.

Stella Keating  4:57  

Um, well, you know, I kind of want to be the first transgender President of the United States. That's my big dream. So um, yeah. And I also want to be a civil rights lawyer as well, because that's extremely important. 

Bethany Van Delft  5:09  

So incredibly important. Well, you have my vote, I can cast the vote in the future. I'll cast my future vote for you.

Stella Keating  5:17  

Thank you. I appreciate it.

Bethany Van Delft  5:20  

This is troubling to talk about, but there are political attacks on transgender kids and their families happening right now in Texas. What could you say to kids and parents who are afraid of the world that we're living in today? And you know, especially to parents of kids who want to be active or, you know, parents who want to be active, they're afraid of the repercussions?

Stella Keating  5:46  

You, you're right, it is really scary. And there's no easy answer to that question, either. I'm very, very privileged that I get to live in such a state that accepts me for who I am, as much as they do. I live in Washington State. And Washington state is a very safe place for many LGBTQ people. And I've also had to fight my own battles as well, there was a time that I had to fight what my family and I called the bathroom boogeyman, where people thought that because I'm transgender, I shouldn't use the bathroom that I identify as. And so you know, it was really scary to, you know, I used to have nightmares and would like, wake up in a sweat, thinking about the potential of having to live as a boy, when I'm not one. And that was really scary. But what I found is that I had my family that I could lean on, and I had the family that I could, you know, be with, and that was really comforting for me. And we also are really loud group and we are a very powerful group as well. You know, there's 21% of GenZ identify, because 21% identifies as GenZ, you know, that's a large portion of people, and we are not going away, you know, 21% of people cannot just disappear overnight. Unless you're in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then, you know, fantasize about status fingers, but I don't think that's real. So I don't think you have to worry about that. And but yeah, I think, you know, I had my family. And that was really comforting for me as well. And when you have such a loving and accepting family it is. It's very rewarding.

Bethany Van Delft  7:25  

So, it sounds like really just looking out for each other and taking care of each other like these are, these are tough things but they have to be done. And the way to get it done safely is just be there for each other and, and support each other. Yeah, exactly. That's a wonderful message. What are some ways that non-trans kids can get involved in speaking up and supporting trans rights?

Stella Keating  7:47  

Yeah, that's a great question. I think loving it. Supporting your trans friends is really important. And promoting and lifting up the voices of other transgender people is also extremely important. You know, we, we are under attack right now. And we, we need a lot of love and support. And so anyone that can help, it's greatly appreciated. I think that, yeah, I think lifting up the voices of other transgender people is really important as well. And also being a safe space for transgender and nonbinary people. It's really important.

Bethany Van Delft  8:20  

A lot of people know what it is. But just for our listeners who don't know, it, describe what is a safe space, just where you can be yourself without judgment. Is that right?

Stella Keating  8:28  

Yeah, exactly. Where you can be loved and where you just, you just give love and support to whoever needs it. And also give understanding, and yeah, I think that those eight spaces sort of just being really accepting and open. Wow.

Ryan Willard  8:48  

Stella is so cool. You are right, Bethany. Definitely feel better about the future.

Bethany Van Delft  8:53  

I know. Right. Let's get back to it. All right. This is the intense rapid-fire question part. All right, here we go. Yeah, here we go. All right. Do you prefer puppies or kittens? 

Stella Keating  9:11  

Kittens. 

Bethany Van Delft  9:12  

Burritos or quesadillas? 

Stella Keating  9:14  

Quesadillas. 

Bethany Van Delft  9:15  

If you could be any Marvel comic character. Who would you be? Throwing you a curveball and why?

Stella Keating  9:21  

Too hard, pass. There's too many.

Bethany Van Delft  9:24  

Vampires or werewolves?

Stella Keating  9:27  

Oh, vampires. 

Bethany Van Delft  9:28  

Yes. coolest place in the world you've been to today?

Stella Keating  9:32  

I have two answers for this. Washington DC because I love the DC area and Costa Rica. I went with my grandma and it was the most beautiful place I had ever been I miss it every single day.

Bethany Van Delft  9:44  

If you could go to space who would you take with you but if there isn't a who, what would you take with you? 

Stella Keating  9:50  

I'm gonna go with the what, I would take my cat Yukio.

Bethany Van Delft  9:54  

You cat might be a who too, I think. 

Stella Keating  9:58  

Yeah, that's a good point. 

Bethany Van Delft  10:01  

I can see that. All right. And then finally ideal vacation. Is it in the mountains or on the beach?

Stella Keating  10:08  

Oh, the beach. 

Bethany Van Delft  10:10  

We're oddly similar. I love it. That's so great. Love it. All right, Stella, we're so excited that you joined us. Thank you so much for your time, and I cannot wait to see all the amazing things you do. I'll be watching. Not creepily just fangirly.

Stella Keating  10:27  

Cool. Thank you so much for having me. It's been really fun.

Bethany Van Delft  10:30  

Thank you so much for coming by the Ten, Stella. Do you know someone who is standing up and speaking out? We want to know visit thetennews.com/contact and we might have you and your friend join us on the show. And now... 

Various Voices  10:50  

What, what, what's the big idea?

Bethany Van Delft  10:53  

Trivia on the Ten. Testifying before Congress is a big deal for kids and adults. But do you know who the first nonhuman was to testify before Congress? Was it a) SpongeBob Squarepants b) Elmo or c) Groot? Did you guess it? The answer is b. In 2002, Elmo testified before Congress to support funding for music education. Elmo sang a short song and shared how important music is for kids and adults. Apparently, Elmo was the only congressional speaker who tried to eat the microphone. Good thing Cookie Monster wasn't there. That's our show. But before we go, here's a quick note for the grownups. Thanks for listening to the Ten News. Look out for our new episodes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and extras on Saturdays. The Ten News is a coproduction of Small But Mighty Media and Next Chapter Podcasts and is distributed by iHeartRadio. The Ten News creative team is visiting the website gendercool.org. And you should too, and includes Tracey Crooks, Pete Musto, Ryan Willard, Adam Barnard, and Tessa Flannery. Our production director is Jeremiah tittle and our executive producers are Donald Albright and show creator Tracy Leeds Kaplan. I'm Bethany Van Delft and thanks for listening to the Te News. I know Elmo did an awesome job in front of Congress, but I kind of would have liked to have heard Groot get his point across. I am Groot. I am Groot. I am Groot.