In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Rick Koonce sits down with transgender activist Alejandro Marcel to explore a life shaped by resilience, courage, and unwavering authenticity. From early childhood awareness of gender identity to becoming one of the first in the United States to undergo gender-affirming care, Alejandro shares the arc of a life devoted to social justice and service.

Drawing from decades of work with LGBTQ+ communities—including HIV/AIDS patients, homeless youth, and trans elders — Alejandro offers profound insight into compassion, identity, and the ongoing challenges within the healthcare system. His story is both sobering and hopeful, reminding listeners of the importance of visibility, dignity, and self-advocacy.

This conversation is a call to action — for individuals, families, and society — to lead with understanding and humanity.

Key Takeaways:

• Gender identity is deeply rooted and often understood early in life
• Advocacy begins with visibility and self-acceptance
• The healthcare system still lacks understanding of transgender needs
• Resilience is built through purpose, service, and authenticity

Alejandro's Bio:

Alejandro Marcel, a long-time transgender activist, began his career in the early days of the gay liberation movement in (pre-AIDS-era) San Francisco, working closely with figures like Harvey Milk. He later applied movement-building strategies to collaborate with farm workers in California, and then with the civil rights movement, before shifting to focus primarily on the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people.

Assigned female at birth, Alejandro knew, from an early age, that his physical body did not align with his gender identity. He experienced physical dysphoria that he describes as "feeling born with an entire cast on my body."

While his early career focused on HIV/AIDS and Homeless Youth Work, in recent years his focus has shifted to concentrate on the challenges trans seniors face today in navigating America's healthcare system.

That said, he remains a passionate advocate on behalf of transgender youth, and recently organized a webinar for trans elders and trans youth, sponsored by PFLAG Cape Cod.

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For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html

© 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod

In this encore episode of Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage, host Rick Koonce sits down with Dr. Maureen Osborne, a psychologist and gender therapist with more than two decades of experience working with transgender clients. Dr. Osborne shares how an unexpected early client transformed the direction of her career and opened her eyes to the deep emotional, psychological, and social realities faced by transgender individuals.

Through compassionate storytelling and real client experiences, Dr. Osborne explains gender dysphoria, the weight of secrecy, and the profound shame many transgender people carry long before they ever speak their truth. She challenges harmful myths, addresses internalized transphobia, and highlights the critical role of family, therapists, and allies in helping transgender people feel seen, respected, and affirmed.

Rick and Dr. Osborne also explore the complexities of transition within long-term marriages, generational differences in gender expression, and how biology and social experience intersect in shaping identity. This thoughtful conversation offers insight, hope, and practical guidance for transgender individuals, families, and anyone seeking deeper understanding.

Key takeaways:

• Gender dysphoria is about distress, not pathology
• Secrecy and shame often cause more harm than identity itself
• Supportive families and informed therapists can change lives

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on how they can show up with greater empathy and to reach out for support, education, or connection through trusted organizations like PFLAG.

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability.

For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html

© 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod

In this encore of the powerful Stonewall edition of Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage, host Rick Koonce sits down with David Bermudez, a firsthand witness to the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. David shares a vivid, deeply personal account of what it was like to be inside the Stonewall Inn when police raided the bar, igniting a rebellion that would change the course of LGBTQ+ history.

Through David's memories, listeners are taken back to a time when being gay meant living under constant threat—of arrest, public exposure, violence, and loss of livelihood. He describes the fear, the brutality, and ultimately the collective refusal to remain silent any longer. David also reflects on the long arc of progress since Stonewall, including marriage equality, the AIDS crisis, and the importance of remembering history without erasing the humanity of those who lived it.

Now in his 80s, David offers wisdom for younger generations, urging unity, vigilance, and compassion across the LGBTQ+ community. His story is not just history — it is a reminder of why visibility, courage, and solidarity still matter today.

Key takeaways:

• Stonewall was born from lived fear, resistance, and survival
• Progress came at a profound personal cost
• LGBTQ+ history must be remembered through the voices of those who lived it
• Unity across generations remains essential

Listeners are encouraged to reach out, reflect, and continue the work of honoring and protecting hard-won freedoms.

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability.

For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html

© 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod