113: The Umbrella Hour with Dr. An Goldbauer & Zander Keig LCSW & guest Aaron Kimberly

113: The Umbrella Hour with Dr. An Goldbauer & Zander Keig LCSW & guest Aaron Kimberly

Gain insights from experts and survivors on why sexual violence against trans men is so rarely talked about, even though the numbers are alarmingly high. The Umbrella Hour brings together Dr.

An Goldbauer, social worker Zander Keig, and returning guest researcher and nurse Aaron Kimberly for a frank, careful look at Aaron’s study, **“Experiences of Sexual Assault Among Trans Men – A Feminist Narrative Inquiry.”** You’ll hear Aaron explain how a broad interest in quality-of-life issues for trans men led to a sharp focus on sexual assault, after repeatedly seeing data that “approximately half of all trans men have been sexually assaulted” yet finding **no** studies asking them what actually happened.

From there, the trio talk through homelessness, unsafe shelters, prison placements, and how trans men are often housed in women’s prisons or kept in solitary simply because systems don’t know what to do with them. A major thread is language. Aaron and Zander unpack how words like “rape”, “sexual assault”, “victim”, and even “veteran” can hide as much as they reveal.

As Zander puts it, you get more accurate data by asking basic questions like, “Has anybody ever touched part of your body that you would consider to be private?” rather than using labels people might resist or not recognise.

Aaron adds, “If we can't see this clearly and speak about it clearly, we can't address it.” Legal systems, feminist theory, and medical practice all come under the microscope, from misclassified case law to emergency departments that may not even think to ask a passing trans man if pregnancy is possible. Throughout, the tone stays compassionate and practical, aimed at professionals, trans men themselves, and anyone serious about justice and safety for marginalised people.

If sexual violence, gender, and justice are part of your work or your life, could this be the conversation that helps you ask better questions and see hidden risks more clearly?