Just Who Is This Guy?
Matt Kailey is a transsexual man and an award-winning author, blogger, and community leader, as well as a nationally recognized speaker and trainer on transgender issues.
He is the author of Just Add Hormones: An Insider’s Guide to the Transsexual Experience (Beacon Press), a Lambda Literary Award finalist and Rocky Mountain News local bestseller, and his work has appeared in numerous publications, from anthologies to professional journals.
He is also a media personality who has appeared on local and national radio and television, in local and national print publications, and in five documentary films.
Why Does He Think He Knows So Much?
Matt began his transition from female to male in 1997 after forty-two years of living as a straight female (as far as his age, you can do the math, but he is a proud, card-carrying member of AARP).
At that time, he entered an entirely new community – the LGBT community – which was both a culture shock and an incredible and life-changing learning experience.
Shortly after his transition, Matt took over facilitation of the Trans Man Support Group for the Gender Identity Center of Colorado and ran the group for almost six years. He also authored a column, “my point eXactlY,” for the Gender Identity Center Journal (the capital X and Y were supposed to represent the XY chromosome, which he doesn’t possess – but better on paper than not at all, right?). That column became the basis for the book Just Add Hormones.
In 2002, after eighteen years as a social caseworker, Matt left the social work profession to become a staff writer for Out Front Colorado, one of the oldest LGBT publications in the country. He was later promoted to managing editor, making him possibly the first out trans editor of a major LGBT publication.
Matt has spent the last fifteen years educating about trans issues and advocating for transgender and transsexual people. His award-winning blog, Tranifesto, features information, opinion, and advice for trans people, their loved ones, and anyone interested in learning more about the trans community.
What Can He Do For My Business, Organization, or Classroom?
Since his transition, Matt has spoken to and trained thousands of people at venues across the country, including universities, businesses, and organizations, and has consulted with human resources personnel and managers in major corporations, small businesses, and government agencies on transition in the workplace.
His expertise ranges from transgender basics to on-the-job transition strategies to essential information for faculty, civil servants, therapists-in-training, medical personnel, and other professionals who work with diverse populations.
He is also a community college instructor teaching psychology, human sexuality, and “Writing Your Gender,” a class he created that combines personal essay with gender exploration.
Contact Matt to arrange an entertaining and informative presentation for your campus, business, or community organization, or to discuss a keynote speech for your next event.
Awards:
2002: Sonja’s Dream Lifetime Achievement Award, Gender Identity Center of Colorado
2003: Poets & Writers, Inc., Writers Exchange Award for Fiction for the short story “Cam’s Decision” (judge Anne Tyler)
2006: Lambda Literary Award finalist for Just Add Hormones
2007: Friends of the Gender Identity Center of Colorado Award
2010: Best Blog, TransGuys Community Award
2010: Man of the Year Award, Tiffany Club of New England
2011: Melissa Chapman Award for individual effort effecting social change, Gender Identity Center of Colorado
Find Matt on:
Twitter (warning: I am still learning to use Twitter, so I don’t tweet much yet)
