Community Conversations
Joshua is a frequent speaker and moderator on LGBTQ history and equality, and on transgender healthcare. Here are a few segments.
The Winter Solstice A Time to Rest, Recover and Replenish
A drash offered by Joshua at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City,
Dec. 19 2021.
Uncovering Our Queer Past: In Conversation, with Frederick Johnson
Frederick and Joshua discuss queer lives hidden from history and Joshua’s play, Dear ONE Love & Longing in Mid-Century Queer America. Nov. 1, 2021
Hey, Playwright podcast: "The Eternal Vigilance of Josh Irving Gershick"
Tori and Mabelle talk with Josh about his development of Dear ONE: Love & Longing in Mid-Century Queer America. He shares the sacred duty of oral history storytelling, including transparency and honor, focusing on a theme, and preserving the voice of the subject. April 29, 2021
A Couple Transitions
Being in a long-term union means embracing growth and navigating change: One partner’s life challenges belong to both people. It’s what we sign up for when we take the couple’s journey. Likewise, when one partner transitions, the couple must transition as well.
In this Community Conversation – a part of the Center Theatre Group’s Block Party 2019 remount of Skylight Theatre Company’s Rotterdam at the Kirk Douglas Theatre – we’ll meet people who have transitioned, or whose partners have transitioned, and discuss their journeys as a couple.
Moderated by Joshua Irving Gershick (trans advisor and associate producer of Rotterdam), the chat features panelists Suwon Weaver (actor and comic), Dr. Alison Taur (Chief of Nuclear Medicine, Kaiser Permanente) and Elissa D. Barrett (Executive Director of the Western Justice Center). Rotterdam (by Jon Brittain) was onstage at the Douglas Mar 28 - Apr 7, 2019.
Beyond Conversation
The following chats were a part of Skylight Theatre’s Beyond Conversation series, created and produced by Joshua to illuminate transgender experience. The series ran in tandem with the award-winning Skylight Theatre production of Rotterdam, for which Joshua served as trans adviser and associate producer.
A Family Transitions, Parts 1 & 2
When one member of a family transitions, all members of the family transition and must question their own assumptions, hopes, desires and beliefs about their emerging trans child, mother, father, brother or sister and about themselves. Guests Peggy Cryden Rostovsky and Jake Rostovsky join Joshua. Nov. 12, 2017
The Couple’s Journey, Parts 1 & 2
When a spouse transitions, the couple itself must transition. Many long-term couples remain together, reframing marriages built on love and commitment. Guests Marcy & Scottie Madden, and Elissa Barrett talk with Joshua. Dec. 3, 2017
Fighting the Good Fight: Four Decades of Activism, Parts 1 & 2
Trans activist Alexis Sanchez discusses the past, present and future of trans activism with Joshua. Jan. 15, 2018.
Transgender Across the Generations, Parts 1 & 2
Transitioning mid-life may present different challenges and opportunities than a transition undertaken in one’s 20s and 30s, but every journey requires courage and loving community. Guest Keegan Halupowski and Joshua discuss their experiences transitioning across the generations. Jan. 21, 2018
Mothers of Transgender Children, Parts 1 & 2
Whether ursine or human, Mother Bears ferociously protect their young. These mothers of transgender children, fierce advocates, discuss what they’ve learned in their fight to make their communities safe for all gender-nonconforming children. Guests Emily Power and Cindy Byrne talk with Joshua. Jan. 28, 2018
