Sabah Choudrey (they/he) is an award winning activist & campaigner. An author, writer and international public speaker. A community organiser. A psychotherapist, youth worker and... a go go dancer! Impressive, right?

We often see each other at events and I know all about Sabah's incredible achievements but it's not often we get to have a decent chat so recording an episode with them was the perfect chance to find out more...

Little Sabah was a bookworm (this podcast features one of the best family anecdotes ever in relation to this) and lover of Bollywood musicals & dancing - we join the dots on how these both shine through in Sabah today! A mutual love of Mean Girls & Lindsay Lohan also comes into convo.

Sabah co-founded Trans Pride Brighton back in 2013 - one of the most well attended events Trans Pride events around. They're now the Director of Middlesex Pride and they've just finished a 10 year stint at Gendered Intelligence as a youth worker to write more. We explore what the future looks like, balancing the intersections of race, religion, sexuality & gender and writing ambitions plus Sabah's own description of 'reluctant activist.

Sabah uses these three words to describe their origin story 'Trans, Brown & Hairy' - which show up in Sabah's work throughout... with pride as Sabah talks about celebrating ALL bodies and identities. This was a wonderful conversation - enjoy!

You can find Sabah at UK Black Pride on Sunday 11 August as they're heading up the brand new youth and family offering - hope to see you there!

Sabah's book 'Supporting Trans People of Colour: How To Make Your Practice Inclusive' is out now.
Facebook Sabah Choudrey | Twitter @SabahChoudrey | Instagram @sabah.c | LinkedIn Sabah Choudrey | sabahchoudrey.com/link

Paul Carruthers (he/him) is a nurse consultant at Gender Plus, the UK's first gender hormone service to receive CQC registration for treating trans and non-binary individuals aged 16 and over. He's also Mr Gay Britain 2023!

Whilst campaigning for this accolade and since, Paul has been leveraging his title to champion trans rights, challenge false narrative around trans healthcare (deeply needed right now) and advocate for same-sex parenting through adoption. He's a role model, advocate and a bit of a hero so having kept up with him for a while, I was stoked to find out more about him.

Being similar ages, so much of Paul's story resonated with me and will do with many other gay people our age (early 40s / baby midlife queers). Growing up as a shy, effeminate kid, Paul experienced a great deal of bullying, shame and internalised homophobia - all topics that can be triggering so pleased take care of yourself whilst listening.

Yet Paul found his voice and purpose - through his life changing work, passionate campaigning and his ultimate dream to become a parent. To two boys who he is raising to be respectable, accepting and amazing humans. Paul describes himself and his origin story with the 'Shy, Dedicated and Made-It'. I hope you love listening to this conversation as much as I loved having it.

PS. Please support Paul in his journey to becoming My Gay World. Give him a follow, support & love over on Insta: @paul_cc123