Ken is a west coaster with a passion for the outdoors and all things dogs. Ken’s story details his process of self discovery and risk taking as he makes decisions to embrace his gender identity and move forward with transition. Ken’s voice is rich and genuine. Be sure to take a listen.

Reid Vanderburgh started his social transition in 1995, and began taking hormones in 1997. He is a retired therapist who worked with nearly 500 trans clients during the course of his career, helping them answer the question, “how do I want to live my life?” In the realm of gender identity. Reid is the author of two books, two journal articles, and numerous book chapters. He is on the board of the Portland chapter of PFLAG, a support organization for families of those who come out. In his spare time, Reid sings baritone in the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus.

Spencer Bergstedt is a consultant, public speaker, educator, and author specializing in LGBTQ workplace, health care, and educational inclusion issues. Spencer has been advocating for LGBTQ people for over 30 years.

Willy Wilkinson, MPH is an award-winning writer, public health consultant, and cultural competency trainer who has been advocating for marginalized populations since the early days of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. He is the author of the Lambda Literary Award-winning book Born on the Edge of Race and Gender: A Voice for Cultural Competency, which illuminates trans experience from a Chinese American and mixed heritage perspective, and transforms the memoir genre into a cultural competency tool.

John Otto has a Bachelor’s degree in transgender studies (aka interdisciplinary gender & sex studies) and has worked professionally advocating for transgender people in Washington DC. He is of the first generation to come out and enter adulthood post-Stonewall and has been every letter of LGBT along the way.