ABOUT THE
AUTHOR

Drake
Bear Stephen
Website:
www.DrakeInnerprizes.com
Email:
drakebearstephen@pacbell.net
Drake is a
Transpersonal Hypnotherapist, Shamanic Energy Medicine
Practitioner, NLP practitioner, and a Reiki Master.
Drake has a variety of background experiences that
includes a 37-year career in telecommunications and a
B.A. from Antioch University in art and psychology.
Drake’s introduction to shamanism began over 18 years
ago with an interest in Two Spirits because they
identifies as pan-gendered. Their preferred pronouns are
the singular they, their, and them.
Drake specializes in past life therapy and has a private
practice that focuses on energy medicine and
self-empowerment. Drake also teaches workshops on gender
and sexual identity, the Afterlife, and other topics of
transpersonal metaphysics.
Drake is also a photographer, illustrator, and artist
that produces their own websites and advertising
materials.
Drake is the author and illustrator of Soul Sex: The Alchemy of
Gender and Sexuality, The Chumpi Stone Guidebook, The
Gender Oracle Guidebook & Card Deck (forthcoming),
and Wisdom To Die For, (forthcoming) as well as
co-author of The Chakana Oracle Guidebook & Card Deck.
In addition, Drake is also a contributor to
TRANScestors: Navigating LGBTQ+ Aging, Illness, and End
of Life Decisions Volume 2.
Drake Innerprizes
Companion Sites:
www.DrakeInnerprizes.com
www.ChakanaOracle.com
www.ChumpiSacredStones.com
www.GenderOracle.com
www.Wisdom2die4.com
ANNOUNCING NEW SERIES
TRANScestors: Navigating LGBTQ+
Aging, Illness, and End of Life Decisions
EDITED BY JUDE PATTON & MARGOT WILSON
TRANScestors is a series of edited volumes that
address the issues of LGBTQ+ aging, illness, and end
of life decision-making It is published by
TransGender Publishing. Volumes include: Volume I:
Generations of Hope, Volume II: Generations of
Change, Volume III: Generations of Pride, and Volume
IV: Generations of Challenge.
My contribution in
Volume II includes:
-
Switcheroo: The True Story of a Boy Named Sue
-
Coping
with 2020
-
Take-aways
of a Trans Elder

Learn More At
www.TransgenderPublishing.com
Amazon.com
Paperback and Ebook
COMMENTS
about
Soul Sex: The Alchemy
of Gender & Sexuality:
"I have been reading [your book] and I am
very moved by both your story and your writing. It
is so worth reading! I am learning a lot that will
be useful in my work and in my life. May your book
support healing and bring understanding and wisdom
to many!" –Holly Holmes-Meredith, D.Min., MFT,
Clinical Director of HCH Institute
"Loving Drake Bear Stephen's work! I am referencing
it in The Witch's Book of Power. We should
have copies in the store very soon and I can't wait
to share with everyone. Such transformative and
thought provoking work." –Devin Hunter
"I was
very happy to find and purchase your book. It has
helped me feel less alone. I am struggling
with my own identity and life. Your book was a
confirmation of things I have always inherently
known were true but had no other human begins to
relate to. [Your book] really spoke to me.
Thank you for being your authentic self and
publishing such a book. It gives me courage to
continue to explore my authentic self without
shame." -AL
"I
received your book today, and along with it I
received all the love you have sent for me. I hugged
the book, and felt very joyful. There is a little
abandonment deep inside me and whenever I meet
someone of my own I feel belonged. Our journey is so
similar, and I feel so good that you could put
together your essence of learning into this book. It
makes me feel so empowered. This book that you have
written will not only help Trans but it’s for the
whole humanity." – AD
AMAZON
REVIEWS
"An interesting and informative read about the
intersections of gender and sexuality. This book
shines a light! A one-of-a-kind guidebook to soul
and sex, how much better can it get? Stephen writes
from a higher level of consciousness in this
mind-opening, and soul-stirring page turner. This
book is for anyone interested in sex, or souls." -Rev.
Marjorie Rivera
"This book speaks to the gender and sexual
revolution that we are currently experiencing in
this country, by looking at gender and sexuality
from a completely different perspective than the
norm. The author's personal journey is high-lighted,
which makes for a fascinating read. Digging deep
into both the historical and spiritual context, this
book offers an expansion of consciousness to the
reader by formulating a whole new understanding of
what it means to be both gender fluid and gender
free. A liberating read." –Alexandria Folts,
Transpersonal Coach
"I finally
had the opportunity to finish reading your book and was extremely
impressed. Spending the last 25 years working with Gay, Bi,
Straight, and questioning men the subject of trans-gender is
becoming more and more prevalent in our society. Your book opened my
eyes and mind to the alternative lifestyles beyond my gender
knowledge base. I will use your book as a learning tool and
reference whenever I can. It's educational on so many levels and
exceptional source of information. It is obvious, that beyond your
own story, you have spent many countless hours on research of so
many topics that I had never considered, or in some cases, heard of.
Thank you behalf of an old school educator and I hope educators,
counselors, clergy, and anyone in the alternative spirituality read,
use, and appreciate your book and the work you have done. Good luck
and may many blessing come your way for your work. –Reverend Dan
Newman, PhD, DD
"In this
profoundly informative and deeply inspiring work, Drake Bear Stephen
shows us that gender and sexuality are not as we imagine them to be.
He expertly guides us to see that they are fluid, and dynamic rather
than binary, and static. In a world that is changing (finally!), and
becoming more allowing and more aware, this is a must-read guidebook
not just for those who are interested in understanding themselves,
but for all of us to understand each other, and to become more
open-minded and more informed overall.
From the
author's engaging personal story of gender transformation, to the
journey throughout history we see that long ago, those who did not
fit the 'traditional' mold of either male or female were considered
special beings, and recognized as sacred - and we are shown that
gender has always been fluid, and that our current view of what is
'normal' is long overdue for an overhaul.
Rich with
original ideas, diagrams, historical fact and many, many resources
for further study, this is a highly and extremely well-researched
book that could easily be used as a text for a course on gender
studies.
My eyes are
open, my heart is open, my view of male, female and every expression
of gender and sexuality has been expanded...and I am grateful for
this. Let the awakening begin!" –Renee Starr, author of You Are
Woman, You Are Divine: The Modern Woman's Journey Back to The
Goddess
COMMENTS
about Presentation on
Soul Sex: The Alchemy
of Gender & Sexuality:
"Great presentation by
California's Drake Bear Stephen at last night's Site Nite. Imbued with informative, genuine and thought
provoking theories and facts, culminated by a past
life group meditation led by Drake.
Bonus!" -Connie Pizoli
"It
was an engaging and thought provoking presentation.
I can't wait for you to return to Pittsburgh." -Heather
Lorah
"So
grateful! A presentation from the heart!" -Regina Rivers
NOTABLE QUOTES
from Soul Sex: The Alchemy of Gender & Sexuality
[Note: Permission to
reprint a quote is provided as long as the source is cited as
"Soul Sex: The Alchemy of Gender & Sexuality" by Drake Bear
Stephen. Any other use is prohibited under the copyright
laws.]
ABOUT GENDER & SEXUALITY
“In
Soul Sex, I am offering a buffet, from soup
to nuts, of perspectives on gender, sexuality, and
identity. I invite you to sample each of the dishes
as food for thought.”
“Your genes determine what’s in your jeans (your
biological body) but not what type of jeans you wear
(your psychological identity).”
“The
soul, when not incarnated, is a being of light and
energy. It has no gender, no sex, and no sexual
orientation. Gender and sexual identity are
constructs of human incarnation. This means that the
states of gender and sexual identity are created for
the sole purpose of learning.”
“Gender identity is state of mind and not
necessarily the physical state of the body. It
drives social role and personal presentation. Sexual
identity is a state of mind that drives the sexual
activity of the physical body and the emotions of
the heart.”
“Sexuality and gender are two of the most basic but
powerful aspects of our personal identity. They are
the bedrock upon which we build our self-concept and
the lens through which we view the outer world.”
“A
rose is a rose is a rose. But if a rose could talk,
and it said it was not, would it still be a rose?
This is the consciousness of identity.”
“The
wonder of identity builds gender in 12 ways:
psychologically, physically, professionally,
mentally, spiritually, emotionally, biologically,
legally, financially, aesthetically, ethically, and
socially.”
“Although all individuals together make up a common
tapestry, each of our lives is a unique and
colorful thread. In Soul Sex we examine all
of the independent threads of gender and sexuality
to see how they weave together to create a beautiful
textile.”
“Assuming a gender and sexual identity is not about
putting on one outfit and wearing it for an entire
lifetime. As outfits become outdated or outgrown,
they can be discarded for new ones.”
“Gender is the prism that each one of us perceives
others through in this physical world. It is the
most observable quality about an individual.”
“We
usually ‘read’ others’ gender from surface clues of
the physical body, but an individual also has a
gender energy that is not always as recognizable
even though it is always present.”
“Gender and sexual identities are not caused but
created. The creation of self-identity is complex,
multidimensional, and made up of seen and unseen
forces, including: biological, sociological,
psychological, and spiritual factors.”
“Biology is no longer destiny due to the advances of
Western medicine and surgical techniques. Now
consciousness can power gender identity.”
“There are four major forces that shape the physical
body: your genes, your hormones, time, and what you
think of yourself.”
“21st
century birth announcements should be non-gender
specific and announce ‘Congratulations! It’s a
human!’”
“Androgynous, intersex, and third gender individuals
have been present from ancient times to modern times
throughout the world. They are present in
mythological and creation stories from many cultures
and religions. Why then is a binary system of gender
and sexual identity still the mainstream model in
most cultures?”
“Non-conforming gender and sexual identities are
gradually being eliminated from the books on mental
disorders because these identities are natural and
normal. Social awakening and subsequent law reforms
are in progress to reflect the new consciousness of
personal identity freedom and expression.”
“Picture your soul as a holographic globe with a
continuum of sexual identity acting as longitude and
a continuum of gender identity acting as latitude.
Just as you can live at any longitude and latitude
coordinates on Earth, you can be at any longitude
and latitude of identity within the Soul. With free
choice and fluidity of identity available to you at
all times, you can spend an entire lifetime on one
point or move from point to point throughout one
lifetime.”
“Gender and sexuality are fluid and not permanently
assigned at birth. It is possible for individuals to
live outside of the two gender boxes of male and
female. They can wake up each day and decide who
they want to be at that moment in time.”
“Don’t assume that gender identity matches birth
assigned sex. Modern etiquette practices should
include asking an individual their preferred name
and preferred pronoun.”
“We
need to adapt our modern language to allow for
non-gender specific pronouns that don’t keep us
trapped in the old binary gender system.”
“Indigenous cultural perspectives that are based on
a circular concept that all things are connected and
interrelated seem to embrace the three or more
gender classification systems more easily than
Western cultural perspectives that are based on the
linear concept that all things have a polar opposite
and act independently of one another. These linear
based belief systems perpetuate the binary sex
system of only two legal gender statuses.”
“Because there are only two options at present, male
or female, in binary gender systems, there is no
place for individuals who have an identity that is
both male and female or at some point between male
and female. Yet the number of individuals who do not
identify as either of the two legal choices is
steadily on the rise.”
“Not
all individuals with non-conforming gender
identities are the same. Some individuals have a
gender identity that is opposite of their birth
assigned sex and take steps to transition the
physical body to match their identity while others
may have a gender identity that is somewhere between
the male and female poles. These individuals make up
the third gender.”
“How
can people say it is unnatural to be somewhere
between male and female? Picture a beautiful flower:
the petals of its feminine genitalia enshroud the
masculine phallus at its center.”
“Trans* individuals that live in a binary gender
system are pressured to completely transit from one
gender to the other. However, if there were a third
gender option, how many might choose to remain at
some identity between the two? How many truly embody
characteristics of both male and female? Would more
individuals be asking for both male and female
genitalia? After all, wouldn’t that be the best of
all worlds?”
“Past life experiences can have a big effect on
current gender and sexual identities. In addition, a
soul may change gender and sexual identity from one
lifetime to another. The soul chooses specific
identities to experience and learn for the purpose
of growth.”
“The
understanding, welcoming, and acceptance of trans*
and intersex individuals as natural beings would
change many lives in profound ways. Gone would be
ostracism, shaming, stigmatizing, discrimination,
bullying, and hate crimes perpetrated just because
an individual is considered to be different.”
“I
seem to be living the Reader’s Digest
abridged version of fluid identity. I am a Four
Spirit having lived as a straight female-bodied
individual; as a lesbian female-bodied individual;
as a straight male-bodied individual; and as a gay
male-bodied individual in one lifetime.”
“A
transsexual’s emancipation proclamation is a custom
made body. Surgery is one small step for a lifetime,
one huge step towards freedom.”
“We
should abandon classifying sexuality on the basis of
an individual being attracted to someone like or
opposite themselves. Individuals can identify their
sexuality based on the object of their love i.e.
andro-loving, gyno-loving, or pan-loving.”
“A
chameleosexual is an individual whose sexual role is
dependent on what the gender orientation of their
partner is. In other words, an individual that is
sexually versatile depending on the gender of their
partner.”
“I’m
not homo, hetero, bi, tri, or pan but simply
sexual.”
“During
transition, a transsexual often doesn’t know if they are being
‘read’ as male or female. The biggest dilemma is deciding whether to
use the male or female restroom or hold it until they get home. It’s
a wonder more transsexual are not hospitalized for burst bladders.”
ABOUT SELF-EMPOWERMENT
“Self-identity is self-knowledge. Self-knowledge
accompanied with self-esteem creates
self-empowerment.”
“If
we scuttle the belief that we are victims, we
realize that each of us is so powerful that we
intentionally create our Earth identities for the
specific purposes of learning and experience. The
resulting wisdom is a gift to our soul.”
“No
matter who you are or how you identify, you are
exactly who you are supposed to be at this given
moment in time. Your mission, if you so choose to
accept it, is to recognize your self-worth, amplify
your self-love, and step into your personal power.”
“Each
one of us is a prize from the Universe to our Self
and from our Self to the Universe. Your personal
prize is as precious as diamonds, more valuable than
gold, and the most beautiful rainbow ever seen.”
“Every individual has the sacred right to their
identity. Identity is complex, multidimensional, and
as unique to each individual as snowflakes are
different.”
“The
bottom line is that all things are possible
in the world of energy. And our entire universe and
all its multi-dimensions, known or unknown, consists
of energy.”
“As
you heal old wounds, cancel outdated vows and
contracts, and create a luminous Energy Body, you
are freed to find the treasure you seek. It may be
peace, empowerment, energy, health, creativity,
prosperity, spirituality, or love. But I guarantee
that by the end of your quest, you will find that
you are the treasure!”
“Being compassionate doesn’t mean you need to walk a
mile in my moccasins. It simply means walk a mile
next to me. With respect.”
“Projections become reflections. The world is a
mirror. Use it to your advantage. What belief,
thoughts, words, and actions you project upon its
shiny surface is none other than the very same
beliefs, thoughts, words, and actions that are
reflected back to you from others.”
“Like
a kid in an identity shop, I am searching for the
Holy Gail, that Wind of Life, on whose wings I can
ride to peace.”
“Self-security is created by striking a balance of
being in a power position (yang energy) and
being in a peaceful place (yin energy).”
“Self-identity is self-empowerment.”
“The
stronger an individual’s identity is, the more at
peace they will be because owning one’s identity is
empowering.”
“Self-empowerment consists of four steps: 1) Know
Yourself. 2) Love Yourself. 3) Be Yourself. and 4)
Share Yourself.”
“Most of
us have experienced some form of trauma while
growing up but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn to
love ourselves, claim our power, and manifest a
successful life. The possibilities all lie in the
power of our perception.”
“The
Golden Rule of Empowerment: Be true to yourself. And
honor others for being true to themselves.”
ABOUT THE SOUL
“Our
identities are created, like the perfect storm, when
multiple forces converge on one physical body in one
lifetime. These forces are divided into three
aspects: the Physical (includes nature, hormones,
DNA, and genes); the Mental/Emotional (includes
nurturing, family, culture, society, and
personality); and the Spiritual (includes astrology,
past lives, karma, pre-life selection, and soul
purpose).”
“In
our current lives, not only are we are working on the
karma that we created in past lives but we are
creating karma that will affect our future lives.”
“Our inability to accept differences in others has
the power to destroy lives. Furthermore, karma being
what it is, individuals that persecute others
because of differences will be experiencing the
other end of that persecution in a future life.”
“Duality is a construct where incarnated souls learn
from experiencing polar opposites. But duality is
also a spectrum with an infinite number of points
between the polar opposites. We learn balance by
traveling along the spectrum until we find the
middle point.”
“What
we see when we look in the mirror is what the world
reflects back to us. We get what we believe we
deserve. When we believe we are not good enough or
deserve what we want, we block the flow of
abundance, prosperity, and love. The more we love
ourselves the more of our dreams we are able to
manifest.”
“The
only thing we can take with us out of this lifetime
is the knowledge and wisdom that our soul acquires.
So any gain we make in knowing ourselves will stay
with us. These are the questions to ask in the quest
for wisdom: Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am
I going? What is my purpose? What are my gifts?”
“Perhaps my soul is really homeless because it has
wandered through so many lifetimes in so many
different cultures, creeds, genders, sexualities,
and spiritualities.”
“A
predominant characteristic of older souls is that
they come onto the Earth plane with a sense of
knowing. My message to old souls is, don’t let
others shame you away from what you know even when
you feel you are in a minority of one. Go with your
gut instinct because it is the truth for you.”
“I
was born in the 1950s where there was only the Black
and White Way. There weren’t any Ifs, Ands, Buts, or
Gray Areas allowed. Unfortunately, by the age of
six, I knew I was not fitting in well with the Black
and White Way. The 1960s introduced, and the 21st
century is reinforcing, a replacement model for the
Black and White Way. It is an inclusive Shades of
Gray Way.”
“Shifting our perception from static to dynamic
enables us to stop thinking in black and white and
start thinking in the colorful multi-shades of the
spectrum. This enables two-dimensional linear models
that limit the human experience to transform into
three-dimensional spherical models that are
much more inclusive of the possibilities.”
“There
is no such thing as ‘being born in the wrong body’.
A soul may incarnate with a mismatch between
identity and physical body for various reasons but
it is not accidental. A soul sets the parameters of
their life before incarnating. Realizing this
helps shift an individual’s perspective from victimhood
to self-empowerment.” |