MINNEAPOLIS — A Twin Cities speech vocologist is using her talents to empower her clients.
Lisa Butcher sees many clients who identify as transgender and gender nonbinary at the M Health Fairview Lions Voice Clinic.
"With my gender-affirming voice care clients, I will often see people seeking a more feminine voice quality," said Butcher. "Sometimes I'm working with clients who are seeking a more masculine voice quality. Making sure that the voice is comfortable."
Butcher saw the program grow and later explode in 2018, after she and other founding members created the Comprehensive Gender Care Program.
The clinic only saw a handful of clients before then. In recent years, they've seen about 50 people for gender affirming voice care.
"I'm very used to and aware of what it's like to be othered and understand that from my client's point of view," said Butcher. "I grew up biracial here in Minnesota. I want to make sure that that people are safe, and that their voices are being heard. And this work is really a passion."
Butcher has worked with Audrey Mercado for years. She not only has helped Audrey train her voice, but helped with resources to connect her with the possibilities of vocal surgery.
"As a trans woman, vocal dysphoria, or vocal dysphoria, is a very common thing amongst us," said Mercado.
She says the M Health Fairview Lions Voice Clinic has helped her find her voice in more ways than one.
"It comes down to feeling like a closer version of myself," said Mercado.
Mercado said it's more than finding yourself. The clinic is necessary for her safety.
"I feel much safer knowing that I'm comfortable with my own voice and not going to out myself just from speaking," she said.
"I need to prove that there is a medical necessity to this," said Butcher. "And for me, making sure that the voice is comfortable, desirable, is often a big part of it. But safety is also huge. It's not only our current climate of things in the U.S., but with medical staff. They want to make sure that they're being heard. Having that dysphoria can also create a lot of mental health problems."
"I would avoid speaking altogether to not be outed," recalls Audrey. "This has definitely helped me feel confident getting there."
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