Welcome to The Purplepaw Blog, where we unpack the complexities of gender, identity, and what it truly means to be human—without the academic jargon (okay, maybe just a little, but only the fun kind).

Curated by Amethysta Herrick. Ph.D., this space is where science, philosophy, and lived experience collide to challenge assumptions and spark new perspectives. Whether you’re here to explore your own identity, stay informed on the latest research, or just enjoy a deep dive into the human experience, we deliver thoughtful, engaging, and refreshingly honest discussions. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real conversations about who we are and how we navigate the world. Dive in, stay curious, and let’s rethink identity together.

US v. Skrmetti: The Beginning of the End for Conservative Rhetoric

How to defeat your own rhetoric with a law that upholds it completely

When I last mentioned United States v. Skrmetti - the challenge to Tennessee Bill SB1 of 2023 prohibiting gender-affirming care to transgender minors - I

Empowerment Through Gender Transition: A Journey of Self-Discovery

Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with

Gender transition is self-care, but it's not the only self-care you have to do when you begin. Transition may address some problems while uncovering long-ignored

Just Trying to Live - with LouLou

The Purplepaw Experience - now in convenient podcast form!

Today's episode features the incredible Louise, or LouLou, and what life as a T Elder means. LouLou is just a lass trying to live her

Pride Month: Caring for Myself Two Years Later

Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with

It's been a rough six months getting to Pride Month, and yet here we are again. This year, I realized caring for myself is the

The Reality of Being Human with Maevius Lynn

Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!

Today's episode is a special Pride Month offering featuring Queer Thelemite Maevius Lynn. Lynn is an esoteric author, content creator, and advocate of the new

TransPerspectives: Catch Me Now, I'm Falling!

I am also here to catch you People just don’t get it. They say we are out of touch with reality. They argue that we don’t understand biological truth. They believe that if we just tried to conform to their understanding of the world, we would discover that

I am also here to catch you

People just don’t get it. They say we are out of touch with reality. They argue

Find Peace in Not Knowing with Paul Cram

The Purple Pawedcast - now in convenient podcast form!

Today's episode features some funny (and poignant) stories from Paul Cram. Paul is an actor, book lover, and multimedia designer who catalogs and celebrates Queer

Transgender: Self Reflections of Universal Truths

I am an avid reader of Nicole’s daily affirmations. I savor the words and meaning and hold them like jigsaw pieces to see how and where they fit in my story. Also like a jigsaw puzzle, each fitted piece reveals a grander, surprising, and beautiful picture of my journey!

I am an avid reader of Nicole’s daily affirmations. I savor the words and meaning and hold them like jigsaw pieces to see how

Transgender and Fully Transitioned: Ask Me Anything!

Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with

I'm a transgender woman who completed every bit of gender transition. Got questions about the science, the philosophy, the experience? I'm ya girl. 💜🏳️‍⚧️💜

Support the

Healing Even Closed Wounds

How the Queer community can be healed through hypnosis

I began a course of education to become a Certified Hypnotist in April 2025 because I see major opportunities to heal the Queer community. Certainly,

Growing Up Transgender in a Hostile World

Affirmation is not abuse.

There is so much fear in the world that the TV and Movie Industries capitalize on when creating comedy, and horror films. We suspend our

Strength is about Being Seen with Koby Falks

Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!

In this episode, we hear Koby Falks's story of finding authenticity and strength by challenging toxic masculine stereotypes. Koby is an adult content creator, entrepreneur

Trump's Gender Review: The Anti-Science Presidency

Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with

Trump demanded a review of gender-affirming care data - his version of the Cass Review - but violates every characteristic of good science. Not surprisingly,

The Truth about the US Government Trump Conveniently Ignores

Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with

I received a comment telling me Trump is the law of the land. Despite Trump himself stating that in interviews, he ignores the truth of

Clearing Triggers Through Forgiveness with Katharine Giovanni

Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!

Today we hear a story of pain and forgiveness from Katharine Giovanni. Katharine is a three-time award-winning, best-selling author; speaker; and forgiveness and transformation coach

Stepping Cognitive Bias Back to Move Gender Theory Forward

When our theories of the Universe limit our observations of its diversity

Not long ago, I discussed magic and its relationship to a fully realized identity.

Several colleagues of mine questioned my topic: why am I -

Queering the Future: How to Keep the Rainbow Inclusive

Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with

Today there are many ways to spell the acronym, but the Queer community must stay inclusive as attacks from all sides threaten more than just

Embracing Our Full Humanity with Pepper Kat

Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!

This week, I chat with Pepper Kat about Western society's difficulty in embracing physicality and sexuality.  Pepper is an adult entertainer and podcaster who

Dreaming Together, Waking Into a New World

Living real life with other beautiful and functional dreamers

You've likely heard the phrase "I think, therefore I am." It comes from the philosopher René Descartes who began using it in 1637. People tracing

The Lack of Science Behind "Biological Women"

Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with

The phrase "biological woman" gets thrown around in any discussion about transgender people. Does this phrase have any meaning scientifically? In this live stream, I