Ryan Cassata: podcast appearances and interviews

Ryan Otto Cassata, born on December 13, 1993, is an American musician, public speaker, writer, filmmaker, and actor. He is known for speaking at high schools and universities about gender dysphoria, being transgender, bullying, and his personal journey through gender transition, which included top surgery in January 2012 at the age of 18. Cassata has appeared on television programs such as Larry King Live and The Tyra Banks Show to discuss his experiences as a transgender individual. As a performer, he has participated in LGBT music festivals and conducted tours across the United States. His notable performances include venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center, Whisky a Go Go, The Saint, The Bitter End, SideWalk Cafe, Turf Club, and Bowery Poetry Club. Cassata made history as the first openly transgender performer to appear at the Vans Warped Tour, performing on the Acoustic Basement Stage in 2013 after winning a spot through the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands. He returned to the Warped Tour in 2015, performing on the Ernie Ball Stage after winning again. In addition to his performance career, Cassata composed the soundtrack for the 2010 short film Loop Planes, which screened at prominent film festivals including Tribeca, SXSW Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, and Hamptons. His music features in his 2011 EP Distraction, with tracks like Distraction and Sleeping Through. Cassata is also the main subject of the documentary Songs for Alexis, which premiered at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, and was featured at Frameline and DOC NYC. The film received acclaim and was highlighted by Indiewire as a must-watch at Frameline 2014.