Dubbs?! That's me! I grew up in the Midwest in the 80’s and 90’s where there wasn’t any positive Trans representation or much queer Jewish representation in my communities or in the media and that had a profound impact on me. I felt really lost and alone for a huge chunk of my life. I thought I was the only one who felt the way I did! Once I started to discover that I wasn’t alone and that I had it in me all along to do the work to rediscover my most authentic self I’d been afraid of and hiding all those years, I decided that I’d spend the rest of my life 1) trying to be the Trans representation I never had and 2) doing the work to try and help make life a little bit easier for other LGBTQIA+ people.

 

So that brings me to today. I am now a Brooklyn-living, sober, genderqueer/nonbinary Trans Jew who produces, hosts, facilitates, educates, consults and gets vulnerable through sharing, writing, teaching, and advocating for a more trans-affirming and just world for all LGBTQIA+ people. In 2015 I founded Thank You For Coming Out (TYFCO) and have been so excited about the journey of the organization and where we are today!

 

Thank You For Coming Out is an organization that inspires connection, belonging, and community by uplifting and centering LGBTQIA+ stories and identities. We started out as a once-a-month improv show at the Magnet Theater in NYC and grew to two theaters, festivals, improv/storytelling/writing workshops, DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging) training and more. 

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​Nothing makes me happier than getting to learn about other people’s stories and journeys which is why hosting the Thank You For Coming Out podcast produced by Gay City News is one of the most fulfilling and exciting jobs I’ve ever had. Previous guests include Drag Race  star Peppermint, two-time Emmy winner Joey Soloway, New York Times Best-Selling author Glennon Doyle, Olympic Medalist Adam Rippon, activist and educator Schuyler Bailar, Tony and Grammy winner Lauren Patten, our first-ever ally episode with Grammy winner Sara Bareilles and dozens of other incredible guests. 

 

Along with my collaborator and pal Geoffrey Kidwell, we founded Craft Your Truth, an organization that encourages LGBTQ folks to use performance art as a way to express their stories and connect with their community around them. 

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In the recent past, I was the Associate Director of Education and Training for Metro New York at Keshet where I worked with hundreds of Jewish institutions and professionals on LGBTQ equality. 

 

​I love to write and I’m honored to have been featured on Hey, Alma a few times, have an essay in the book Welcome to Kweendom and I contributed to the #1 Amazon book Redoing Gender.

 

It feels nice to be recognized for my hard work: I’m a recipient of the GCN Impact Awards, was named one of Logo's NewNowNext’s 6 Inspiring LGBTQ Jewish Activists You Should Be Following, was recently named one of Jewish Week’s Annual 36 under 36, and am part of the 2022 ROI community cohort.

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I’ve spoken at the Hillels at Princeton, The Ohio State University, Northwestern, and have spoken on panels, plenaries and had speaking engagements all over the country, and I’ve worked with organizations and companies like SXM Media, KWT Global, The Ally Coalition, Shake Shack, HOMAGE, Level Forward, and more. 

 

On a more personal note (though, I’d argue all of the above was personal), I love drinking pop (not soda, told you, I’m from the midwest), 90s tv/music/fashion, wearing t-shirts from HOMAGE, rewatching old sitcoms over and over, traveling, reading, making people laugh, and eating the best pizza in the world from Bexley Pizza Plus (when I’m in Ohio).

 

I’m really glad you took a moment and found my page. Let’s work together to figure out the best ways we can build spaces of belonging :)