The Girlfriends: Spotlight, E7: Eilís Runs the Ball Barn – Detailed Summary

Introduction

In Episode 7 of Season 3 of The Girlfriends: Jailhouse Lawyer, titled "Eilís Runs the Ball Barn," listeners are taken on an intimate and gripping journey into the lives of Eilís (Eilish) and Willow, two trans women who revolutionized trans healthcare through grassroots efforts. This episode delves deep into their personal struggles, the establishment of their clandestine clinic, and the broader implications for the trans community in accessing medical care.

Setting the Stage: Early Struggles and Personal Motivations

The episode opens with Eilish and Willow preparing for a significant medical procedure in their mother's living room in Philadelphia. The intensity of the moment is palpable as Eilish describes the harrowing experience of performing an orchiectomy on herself with Willow's assistance:

Eilish [03:22]: "We’re about to do an orchiectomy, a surgery to remove my testicles. Strap in. It’s about to get intense and graphic."

This self-surgery experience catalyzed their commitment to providing accessible and affordable gender-affirming surgeries for other trans women. Eilish recounts her tumultuous past in the early '90s, highlighting the lack of support and the challenges faced during her transition:

Eilish [06:42]: "Early '90s transition was difficult. Some of them were assholes, some of them weren’t. I was kicked out of the house with nowhere to go."

Formation of a Sisterhood and Founding the Clinic

Eilish's bond with Jenny, her adoptive trans mother, provided the stability and support needed to embark on their mission. Jenny's creation of a mailing list for trans youth became the foundation for their network:

Jenny [07:11]: "There was no one there for me. I wanted to make sure that kids didn’t have to go through the same pain that I went through."

Meeting Willow, a recent medical graduate, was a turning point. Despite Willow's lack of formal training in surgeries, her resourcefulness and commitment enabled them to perform their first orchiectomy:

Eilish [09:43]: "Would you like to look? I’ll buy all the supplies. Everything will be grand."

The first surgery was fraught with complications, including equipment failure that nearly jeopardized Eilish's life:

Eilish [04:51]: "I hear, oh, shit, that ain’t good. The electric cautery pen’s dead."

Overcoming Adversity: Establishing the Trans Health Initiative

Despite the initial setback, Eilish and Willow persisted, learning from their mistakes and improving their methods. The partnership culminated in relocating to the Pacific Northwest, where they converted a tractor shed into the headquarters of the Trans Health Initiative. This move symbolized their transition from desperate DIY efforts to a more organized and scalable operation:

Eilish [25:04]: "We are living in a rented farmhouse… we were just banging this out. Willow found old medical equipment on eBay."

Their clinic operated under the radar, offering low-cost orchiectomies and other gender-affirming surgeries. Eilish meticulously describes the process, emphasizing the personal touch and support they provided to each patient:

Eilish [28:00]: "We would say, here’s script for Vicodin and Moxicillin. You take the Vicodin in front of us… I would hold your hand and tell you very long stories to keep you calm."

Challenges with Authorities and Maintaining Secrecy

The clandestine nature of their clinic inevitably attracted the attention of health authorities. A tense encounter with the Board of Health nearly exposed their operations, but Eilish's quick thinking and assertive stance prevented a full investigation:

Eilish [37:32]: "I started saying, hey, you know, guys, I wouldn’t be doing this if the board of health actually treated trans folks fairly… They got really uncomfortable… They went away."

This narrow escape underscored the systemic barriers trans individuals face in accessing healthcare and the constant vigilance required to maintain such underground operations.

Impact and Legacy

Over 18 months, Eilish and Willow performed approximately 14 surgeries, providing crucial medical services to trans women who otherwise had limited options. Their efforts not only offered physical transformations but also empowered their patients, fostering a sense of community and resilience:

Eilish [41:03]: "I enjoyed the look in the eyes of other trans women when they realized that there were no CIS folks involved… If we can do this shit."

However, the emotional toll of running the clinic led to burnout, prompting them to close their operations after nearly two years. Despite the closure, the legacy of the Trans Health Initiative endures as a testament to grassroots activism and mutual aid within marginalized communities.

Reflections and Broader Implications

Eilish reflects on the ongoing struggles trans individuals face in the medical system, highlighting persistent discrimination and the need for continued self-reliance and community support:

Eilish [44:21]: "Be the cockroach. Cockroaches are very hard to kill… Learn what you need to survive and do the work you need to do."

She emphasizes the importance of small, manageable actions in effecting change, advocating for a decentralized approach to solving systemic problems.

Conclusion

Episode 7 of The Girlfriends: Jailhouse Lawyer offers a compelling narrative of resilience, ingenuity, and solidarity. Through Eilish and Willow's story, listeners gain insight into the dire necessity of accessible healthcare for trans individuals and the lengths to which communities must sometimes go to secure their basic human rights. The episode not only honors their contributions but also serves as a call to action for continued support and advocacy for marginalized groups.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Eilish [03:22]: "We’re about to do an orchiectomy, a surgery to remove my testicles. Strap in. It’s about to get intense and graphic."
• Eilish [06:42]: "Early '90s transition was difficult. Some of them were assholes, some of them weren’t. I was kicked out of the house with nowhere to go."
• Jenny [07:11]: "There was no one there for me. I wanted to make sure that kids didn’t have to go through the same pain that I went through."
• Eilish [09:43]: "Would you like to look? I’ll buy all the supplies. Everything will be grand."
• Eilish [37:32]: "I started saying, hey, you know, guys, I wouldn’t be doing this if the board of health actually treated trans folks fairly… They got really uncomfortable… They went away."
• Eilish [41:03]: "I enjoyed the look in the eyes of other trans women when they realized that there were no CIS folks involved… If we can do this shit."
• Eilish [44:21]: "Be the cockroach. Cockroaches are very hard to kill… Learn what you need to survive and do the work you need to do."

Final Thoughts

This episode poignantly captures the intersection of personal struggle and community activism. Eilish and Willow's unwavering dedication to providing essential healthcare services highlights the profound impact that determined individuals can have in combating systemic injustices. The Girlfriends: Spotlight continues to illuminate the stories of women making significant strides in their respective fields, inspiring listeners to recognize and support the often-overlooked heroes within marginalized communities.