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.
How to Be an Ally during Pride Month and HRT before Surgery
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
I asked you for questions, and you had a few! In this live stream...
- During Pride Month, @angelvii wonders how best to be an Ally
When Am I Qualified to Decide Who I Am?
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
In this live stream, I address comments I got about being able to understand myself, my identity, and my gender. I then talk about how
07 June 2024 - Kink Will Bring Us Together
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
Today's episode features Jake Didinsky, a pansexual, nonbinary DJ and Producer. Jake is also co-founder of the inclusive night club event "Lights Out, Barks Out.
Within Madness Lies Power - 31 May 2024
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
In today's episode, I speak with Karen Anne Coccioli. Karen is a queer author and public speaker whose queer memoir "Paradise" is available on Amazon.
My False Step of Transgender Hope
I was never equipped to be an Alpha Male
The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 rocked United States society to its core. For the first time in recent US history, citizens felt unsafe
24 May 2024 - Changing the Narrative
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
Today's episode features the effervescent Cherish Amber! Cherish is a queer sex, love, and relationship coach who teaches we must know ourselves in order to
A Transgender Retrospective
A quarter-century of poor choices and exceptional support
I am scheduled to travel to Thailand in July for gender-affirming surgery, as I wrote in a previous post. Because I must wind down my
17 May 2024 - Doing What It Takes Because You Must
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
In today's episode, I speak with the incredible Jasmine Vine! If you've been living under a rock for the past decade, Jasmine is a trans
The Nonexistent Link between Autism and Gender Dysphoria
Two observations can be true and yet unrelated
A recent article in the Daily Mail claims a biological link between autism and gender dysphoria. I provided comments to the author of the article,
The Indispensable History of 'Sex Testing' in Sports
Waters keeps the book focused on the 1930s, with the history told in such a way that it's crystal clear how it's relevant today. The moral panic over trans people in sports continues not to be about sports.
Michael Waters has written this incredible book, The Other Olympians
There's a history book coming out very soon that I want to talk about all
Sex vs. Gender - The Science and Philosophy
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
This is a presentation I did for California Aggregation for Gender Diversity that culminates all the work I have done over the past two years.
10 May 2024 - Breaking All the Rules
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
In this episode, I am proud to feature my dear friend Kaedyn Nedopak. Kaedyn is an Award-winning Queer Transgender Producer, Author, Podcaster, and Activist...and
I'm Sorry Mother… Transgender Regret
Have you faced ridicule and continuous coaching not to be who you are? If you are LBG_QIA, then yes, I believe you. If not, I won’t deny, but tell me how?
I’m so sorry that I am hurting you now, all these years after you passed. I have tried so hard to be the son
The Human System of Identity
We are both immutable and correctable - a contradiction in human experience
Two comments caught my attention recently. At first, they seem contradictory, but together, they expose a deeper-lying mechanism of human identity.
The first comment concerned
Trans Volta
I didn't choose the word 'trans' to describe my unique life path, nor would I have chosen it, but these days, this word happens to be the umbrella that works in the rain. A word you can use alongside 'trans' is 'volta'.
A sonnet is a 14-line poem, traditionally with a rhyme scheme, that conveys a complex thought. It can pose a question and provide an answer,
03 May 2024 - Evolving Past Adversity
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
This episode features Win Charles, an award-winning author, podcaster, and advocate for people with disabilities. Win and I discuss the abuse people with disability face,
Transgender: Unseen and Invisible
She ran. Her breath ragged and sore in her throat, mouth wide open trying to suck more air. Legs hurting and complaining with every step as she rounded a corner past a big gnarly oak and started uphill, at last! It felt like her entire life had been waiting for
She ran. Her breath ragged and sore in her throat, mouth wide open trying to suck more air. Legs hurting and complaining with every step
Being Transgender Isn’t What You Think, Unless YOU Are …
I didn’t want to be transgender, I just am Growing up, I didn’t want to be transgender. I didn’t even know what transgender was. It was the 1970s, and I was in elementary school and high school. I believed I must be sick. I thought something was
I didn’t want to be transgender, I just am
Growing up, I didn’t want to be transgender. I didn’t even know what
Success in a Creative World
The benefit of a creative life must not entail the detriment of an adoring audience
This past weekend, I went to a burlesque show directed by my dear friend Julia DiVerdi. The event was almost overwhelming in its innovation. I
26 April 2024 - The Stories That Must Be Told
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
Today I present an amazing conversation with Lindsay Law. Lindsay retired from a career as an executive producer and President of Fox Searchlight Pictures to