Community is The Antidote: We Have What We Need to Survive

Hosts: Ez (he/him) w/ Special Guest Fae Weichsel (she/her)

This week on Tranzmission, Ez (he/him) speaks with New York City–based correspondent Fae Weichsel (she/her) for a powerful conversation on trans survival, resistance, and hope in the United States.

Together, they unpack the current political climate shaped by the rise of Trumpism and the MAGA movement, and what it means for trans communities navigating a wave of restrictive legislation across multiple states.

The conversation traces the long history of trans resistance from the Stonewall uprising to today with a particular focus on the vital leadership, resistance, and community care, not to forget the work of Black trans women throughout the US queer liberation movement.

But this episode doesn’t stop at crisis.

We Have What We Need to SURVIVE is about turning toward each other sharing tools, knowledge, and strategies for collective care, resistance, survival, and joy. Ez and Fae explore how chosen family, underground networks, resource sharing, and storytelling have long acted as forms of community defence, sustaining trans life across generations.

Throughout the episode, Fae also reshares a powerful speech she delivered at a vigil several years ago, reflecting on grief, solidarity, and the ongoing fight for trans liberation.

Together, they examine how mutual aid, community wisdom, and trans-led organising continue to build power and create futures beyond fear — futures still filled with joy, love, and possibility. This is an episode about truth, solidarity, and above all — hope.

Find Fae Wiechsel on BlueSky @faefutchauntie.bsky.social and Patreon under faeweichsel

🔗 If you'd like to listen back to the unedited episode - with the music - head to our On Demand website. And don't forget to follow our socials at Facebook and Instagram.

Timestamps and Links:

• 00:00 - Acknowledgement of Country
• 00:20 - Welcome to Tranzmission
• 01:58 - Community News and Events
• 06:57 - Community is The Antidote: Introduction w/ Fae Weichsel
• 13:08 - Community is The Antidote: What's happening in the US
• 31:53 - Community is The Antidote: History & Lived Experience
• 41:49 - Community is The Antidote: Survival, Resistance & Hope
• 54:59 - Fae Weichsel: Sam Nordquist's Vigil Speach

Community News and Events:

• Advocate: Trailblazing trans lawyer fighting Trump named one of the world’s most influential people by Christopher Wiggins
• PinkNews: British Medical Association no longer opposes Cass Review – apart from puberty blockers ban by Poppy-Jay St. Palmer
• Star Observer: “Make It Even More Gayer”: Queer Venue ‘Come To Daddy’ Fights Back Against Homophobic Vandals by Patrick Lenton
• Star Observer: Queens Ball To Honour Dame Sybil Von Thorndyke At 65th Annual Event by Patrick Lenton
• Community Service Announcement: MORPH Micro Grants

Community is the Antidote Links:

• Reporting from Erin Reed
• Trans Legislation Tracker
• National Center for Transgender Equality
• Human Rights Campaign
• Australian Human Rights Institute
• Lemkin Institute
• Download Signal - Messaging App
• Stonewall uprising
• Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR)
• Grassroots organising
• Trans women of colour leadership (AUS Zoe Belle)
• Mattachine Society
• Act Up

Support Services

• QLife - 1800 184 527
• QC LGBT Mental Health Services
• Open Doors Youth Services Inc.
• LifeLine - 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
• How to Support Transgender & Gender-questioning Youth
• Transgender Map

Get Involved

• Trans Justice Project
• Meanjin Peoples Pride
• Parents of Trans Kids Speak Out
• Protect Trans Kids QLD

4ZZZ's community lives and creates on Turrbal, Yuggera, and Jagera land. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Produced and recorded by Ez at 4zzz in Fortitude Valley, Meanjin/Brisbane Australia on Turrabul and Jaggera Country and audio and cover image edited by Tobi for podcast distribution for Creative Broadcasters Limited.