Transgender Experience in Arkansas

TEA profiles the lives and achievements of seven transgender individuals who reside in northwest Arkansas, with additional insight provided by a noted gender studies scholar.

  • Ethan Avanzino

    Airs: 01/24/24

    Ethan is a 35-year-old trans man who resides in Eureka Springs where he operates tourist lodging. He also works in the commercial airline industry and is an avid LGBTQ+ advocate.

  • June Simmons

    Airs: 02/07/2024

    June is a 17-year-old trans woman who attends Fayetteville Virtual Academy and is pursuing computer science and engineering courses at the University of Arkansas.

  • Grayson Brown

    Airs: 02/21/24

    Grayson identifies as trans-masculine. He's 16 years-old and attends school in Fayetteville.

  • Dr. Lisa Corrigan

    Airs: 03/06/24

    Dr. Lisa Corrigan is a Professor of Communication and Director of the Gender Studies Program at the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. She discusses LGBTQ+ personal pronouns, nonbinary pronouns and neopronouns.

  • Elliot Rogillio

    Airs: 03/20/24

    Elliot is a 26-year-old trans man who lives, works, and volunteers in Fayetteville.

  • Angel Renee

    Airs: 04/03/24

    Angel is a 22-year-old award-winning professional trans drag queen artist and northwest Arkansas native.

  • Malachi Clement

    Airs: 04/17/24

    Malachi, a 27 year-old native of northwest Arkansas, is a trans man who performs as a drag king.

  • Deanna Starshine

    Airs: 05/01/24

    Deanna is a 47-year-old trans woman, a physics professor at the University of Arkansas and poet.

  • Credits

    TEA was conceptualized by KUAF news producer Daniel Caruth, directed and filmed by Emerson Alexander in the Listening Lab studio at KUAF Public Radio in Fayetteville, and hosted by Taylor Johnson and Sophia Nourani. TEA was edited by Sophia Nourani and produced by journalist (and accordionist) Jacqueline Froelich.