Being LGBTQ

Nicholas joins Sam to talk about season 2 of the award winning podcast series 'Rainbow Dads' which was released back in June. The series features stories of LGBTQ Dads and how they have navigated life including coming out in the army and struggling with sex addiction. Nicholas is an award winning script writer and lives in South London with his husband and two daughters, he also volunteers for the LGBT helpline 'Switchboard'.Listen to Rainbow Dads - https://rbd2019.podbean.com/ 

Miami born bisexual author Davida Breier joins Sam to discuss her new book 'Sinkhole' which was released in May 2022. Davida currently works for Johns Hopkins University Press and has received high praise for her debut novel. Sam also chats to Davida about 80's nostalgia and how it can often cover up the truth. Learn more about Davida - http://davidabreier.com 

On this episode Sam is joined by queer electro-pop artist ZAVA who released his new anthem H.O.E (Heaven On Earth) to celebrate Pride Month in June. ZAVA talks about his music, growing up gay and gender fluidity. Also - Sam gives an update on the future of Being LGBTQ and shares the story of a blind, bisexual, polyamorous goose.Find ZAVA on social media - @thisiszava on Twitter and Instagram. 

Loren Ostrow is an LGBTQ activist who has served on the board of directors/trustees of the Los Angeles LGBT Centre for 22 years, he is also a past recipient of the Harvey Milk Award. Most recently Loren became the Lead Developer of 'Living Out Palm Springs', a luxury community for LGBTQ adults aged 55 and over. The ground breaking ceremony came at the end of last year and Loren chats to Sam about the importance of inclusive living for LGBTQ seniors as well as remembering their contributions to the fight for LGBTQ rights over the decades, including his own contributions! Find out more - http://www.livingout.com 

Georgia Clark is a novelist and performer currently living in Brooklyn, New York with her wife and new-born baby, she also founded and hosts the popular storytelling series 'Generation Women'. Georgia's new LGBTQ rom-com 'Island Time' is a book she describes as being written during lockdown "in order to whisk myself away to the place I couldn't go to - my home country of Australia". In this interview Georgia talks about the new book, the definition of home, how publishing has changed for LGBTQ authors and becoming a parent.More about Georgia - http://www.georgiaclark.com 

'Mark and the Tiger' is the musical name of singer Mark Haberland whose brand new single 'The La La Song' is one in a line of upcoming releases from Mark's next album 'The Hero's Journey' which was recorded with Grammy Award nominated producer Mikal Blue. In this interview Sam chats to mark about his upcoming release, where his musical identity came from and his connection to the North East of England where Being LGBTQ is based. More about mark - https://www.markandthetiger.com

Rosana Cade & Ivor MacAskill are renowned queer live artists based in Glasgow, creating and performing their unique works nationally and internationally in a wide range of contexts. In this interview they chat to Sam about their latest project which takes inspiration from the story of Pinocchio from a queer trans perspective. It shifts between fantasy and authenticity in response to Ivor's gender transition. The performance is part of LIFT (London International Festival of Theatre) 2022 and premieres on June 29th at the Battersea Arts Centre. Find out more about LIFT - http://www.liftfestival.com 

Lil Miss Hot Mess is a founding member of the Drag Queen Story Hour in the United States and has hosted book readings across the country including RuPaul's Drag Con, libraries and schools. She's also a children's book author releasing her first ''The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish' in 2020 and her second 'If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It' in May 2022. Additionally Lil Miss Hot Mess organised the #MyNameIs campaign on Facebook which challenged the platforms 'real name' policy which discriminated against trans and non-binary people as well as drag queens.More info - http://www.lilmisshotmess.com 

Ry Levey has been a professional in the film industry for over 20 years and joins Sam to talk about his feature directorial debut 'Out In The Ring'. The documentary looks at the history of queer identity in professional wrestling using a historical timeline starting in the 1940's and 50's. The film features interviews with performers, fans and writers exploring how identity has been portrayed through the years including representations of masculinity, femininity and homophobia. Follow 'Out In The Ring' on social media including on Twitter @outinthering and Instagram @outintheringdoc 

LGBTQ ally and Formula 1 racing driver Seb Vettel joins Sam to talk about standing up for human rights specifically the rights of LGBTQ people. Seb is a four time F1 world champion, winning consecutively between 2010 and 2013, he currently drives for Aston Martin and has used his platform to speak out including when visiting countries with anti-gay laws. In 2021 at the Hungarian Grand Prix he wore a t shirt with the words 'same love' on it making a statement against so called 'gay propaganda' law proposals in the country.

Gabe Montesanti is a queer U.S. roller derby player from the midwestern United States and her debut memoir 'Brace For Impact' has been praised as 'heartfelt' and 'powerful' as Gabe navigates life in a conservative setting. Gabe currently lives in Denton, Texas where she teaches creative writing at the University of North Texas and in this interview chats to Sam about the memoir, current threats to LGBTQ rights and more. Further information about Gabe - https://www.gabemontesanti.com/

Lucy Dunne is CEO of the 'Dunnebells' personal training company and has helped thousands of women with health and fitness. Lucy became an online personal trainer in 2016 and chats to Sam about the origins of the company, dealing with an eating disorder, accepting her sexuality and shutting down online trolls. Find out more about Dunnebells - http://www.dunebells.com 

For our first episode of Pride Month Sam is joined by writer Brian Watson who is currently working on a memoir about his life, including his long journey to being able to marry his partner of 28 years. Brian met his husband Hiro while he was in Japan in the 90's and their relationship blossomed. Also in this episode Brian shares his views on the political situation in the U.S. from mass shootings to anti-LGBTQ legislation. More about Brian - http://www.iambrianwatson.com 

Transgender Indie Rocker Lenny Zenith joins us to talk about his new single 'Where Is Safe?', an autobiographical track which aims to raise money for organisations fighting anti-trans legislation in the United States. Lenny transitioned as a teenager in the late 1970's and in this interview discusses becoming his true self, what we can do to fight against transphobia and the ongoing problem of gun violence in America.More about Lenny - http://www.lennyzenith.com

Dr Jack Bartel is a transgender behavioural health specialist currently practising in Florida. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Florida Institute of Technology. He also completed an APA accredited internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. In this interview Dr Bartel talks about the challenges facing the trans community in healthcare ad how to address them, being a trans doctor, the rise in transphobic rhetoric in the U.S. and much more! 

Anna and Jen are co-founders of a brand new app for the LGBTQ community centred on friendship rather than dating. Anna is a visionary business leader with a background in mental health advocacy while Jen is experienced in launching and building companies and won the U.S. Fintech Award for Director of the Year. The aim of the app is to be a place 'where people can meet their next best friend in a new city'.Also on this episode - Sam reacts to Blackpool's Jake Daniels becoming the U.K's first openly gay male professional footballer for over 30 years.Find out more about 'Out App' - http://www.outqueerapp.com Other links from this episode - http://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com / http://www.shamepinata.com 

TJ Alexander is an amateur baker and author originally from Florida with an MA in writing and publishing from Emerson College in Boston. TJ's new book 'Chefs Kiss' was released at the start of May and has been described as a 'fresh and witty queer romcom'. TJ identifies as non-binary and bisexual and in this interview chats to Sam about the book, coming out as non-binary, the challenges faced by LGBTQ people in 2022 and much more!TJ's website - http://tjalexander.comSupport Being LGBTQ - http://www.patreon.com/beinglgbtq / http://ko-fi.com/beinglgbtq

Jonathan Alexander is originally from New Orleans and is a widely published cultural journalist and author, he is the Chancellor's Professor of English at the University of California, Irvine and in 2012 a book he co-edited 'Bisexuality and Queer Theory' was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual literature. Jonathan joins Sam to discuss his latest memoir 'Dear Queer Self' which revisits the years 1989, 1993 and 1996 in Jonathan's life at moments of significant political and cultural change. Find out more about Jonathan - The Blank Page Support Being LGBTQ - Patreon / Ko-fi

Betsy Cerulo is a gay business leader and co-founded the Maryland Chamber of Commerce as well as the Maryland LGBT Foundation. Her new book 'Shake It Off Leadership - Achieving Success Through The Eyes Of Our Labels' provides guidance on how she got to where she is today. Betsy's own management consulting firm has been recognised by the Baltimore Business Journal three time as one of the Top 50 woman owned businesses. In this interview Betsy talks about being gay in the 80's, women's rights and the continuing campaign for equal pay.More about Betsy - Visit her websiteSupport Being LGBTQ - Patreon

Gay music artist Harrison Barnes released his first music in 2020. He was born and raised in South Carolina and currently performs as a professional dancer on the Las Vegas strip. In this interview Harrison chats to Sam about releasing music, being bullied for being gay when he was younger and how Britney Spears has inspired him.Website - http://www.harrisonbarnesmusic.comSocials - Instagram / FacebookSupport Being LGBTQ - Become a Patron 

In the second of our episodes about LGBTQ History Months around the world Sam and Rodney speak to the organisers of LGBTQ History Month Cuba and Queer History Month Berlin which both take place in May. Raúl Pérez Monzón is the organiser of the Cuba effort and Giuseppina Lettieri is the coordinator of the Berlin effort. Raúl is a historian at the University of Havana and Giuseppina has been involved with Queer History Month Berlin since 2016. She has been a political educator, community organiser and activist in the field of queer empowerment, intersectionality and anti-discrimination for more than 10 years at the 'Archiv der Jugendkulturen' in Berlin. Berlin: https://www.queerhistory.de Cuba socials: Facebook: facebook.com/lgbtqcubahistoria / Twitter: twitter.com/lgbtqhistcuba / Instagram: instagram.com/lgbtqhistoriacuba

On this episode Sam is joined by Jenee Arthur, co-host and creator of the 'Daughter-Father Dance' podcast which features funny, frank and fraught conversations between Jenee and her Dad. Jenee is the only gay person in her large Catholic family (70 immediate members!) which has had its difficulties to say the least and through her podcast series she hopes to explore different perspectives and tackle difficult issues head on. But when is an opinion just hate and can we truly address division in our society?More about Jenee - http://www.jeneearthur.com More about 'Daughter-Father Dance' - http://daughterfatherdance.com 

Felix Fern from Trans Activism UK joins Sam to talk about the ongoing situation in the U.K. as transphobic rhetoric from government and media continues to increase. A petition calling for transgender people to be included in any ban on so called conversion therapy on the U.K. Parliament website has hit 100,000 signatures meaning it must be considered for debate in Parliament. It comes after the U.K. government removed trans people from the long awaited ban on LGBTQ conversion therapy.Trans Activism UK - Trans Activism UK

LGBTQ fauthor Mario Dell'Olio talks about his latest book 'Forbidden Rome', a 'complex and timeless journey of beautiful self-discovery. Mario has written a total of five books including 'Letters From Italy' and 'Coming About: Life In The Balance'. He holds a doctorate in sacred music and has a masters in Music in Vocal Performance and Religious Education, he is also a founding member of 'Queer Indie', a writers alliance established to promote queer and ally literature. Mario chats to Sam about his writing, coming out and even getting stuck at sea!

In this episode we look at a turbulent week of transphobia in the UK which has transphobic talking points echoed by top figures in the UK government including Prime Minister Boris Johnson. It follows the removal of trans people from a proposed ban on conversion therapy abuse which subsequently led to hundreds of LGBTQ organisations pulling out of an LGBT conference set to be held by the UK government. Sam is joined by Phoenix, a trans woman who presents on 'Trans Radio UK' and runs the @LGBWithTheT Twitter page and Oscar Hoyle a non-binary voluntary LGBTQ youth worker who is the director of 'Blossom' which provides services aimed at LGBTQ young adults and those who support and live alongside them. Trans Radio UK - https://www.transradiouk.com/members/phoenix/ Blossom - http://www.blossom.lgbt/

Transgender actor and author Alexandra Billings joins Sam to talk about her new memoir ‘This Time For Me'. The memoir has been described as a celebration of endless possibilities. Alexandra is a history making LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS activist and moderated a panel on trans rights at the White House. In 2016 she was awarded the Human Rights Campaign visibility award.Find out more – https://www.schmengieinc.com/alexandra-billings/ 

Author Veronica Gutierrez joins Sam to discuss her new book ‘As You Look', a detective story following latinx lesbian Yolanda Avila, a former LAPD police officer turned private investigator. Veronica is an LGBTQ author based between LA and San Francisco, as well as writing she is a former community organiser, civil rights attorney, and non-profit leader. In this interview we talk about the book, the demonisation of immigrants, the importance of authenticity and more.Find out more: http://www.veronicagutierrez.com 

April 2022 marks the first ever Italian LGBTQ History Month. In this special episode co-hosted by Being LGBTQ founder Sam Wise and the founder of LGBT History Month in the U.S. Rodney Wilson, we interview three of the organisers of LGBTHM Italy - Alessio Ponzio, Chiara Beccalossi and Oscar-Silvi Bertoliss. The Italian effort comes as an international committee has been setup to celebrate LGBTQ history months around the world. Find out more: http://www.lgbtplushistorymonth.it 

Marieke Nijamp is a non-binary New York Times bestselling author and joins us to talk about her latest book ‘At The End Of Everything', a novel which focuses on a group of teenagers exiled at a juvenile treatment centre. The book is bursting with LGBTQ representation. In this interview Marieke gives more details about the book and gives her take on a number of different issues including the treatment of disabled people in society and her previous book ‘This Is Where It Ends' which focussed on gun violence. Marieke lives and works in the Netherlands.  Find out more about Marieke: http://www.mariekenijamp.com 

In this episode we speak to a transgender activist who has been fighting for LGBTQ rights for almost 30 years. Tanya Walker is a military veteran, co-founder of the New York Transgender Advocacy Group and facilities the trans women's group at SAGE which provides services for LGBTQ elders. She lobbied the Assembly and Senate in Albany for 17 years to pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and in 2021 gave testimony on inequality and discrimination to the US House Committee on financial services.New York Trans Advocacy Group – http://www.nytag.org SAGE – http://www.sageusa.org 

Vico Ortiz is a non-binary actor who has appeared in many top TV shows including ‘Transparent', ‘Criminal Minds' and ‘Lucifer' to name a few. In this interview we chat to them about their latest role as Jim in the HBO Max show ‘Our Flag Means Death' which is vaguely inspired by the life of 18th century aristocrat turned pirate Stede Bonnet. One of the minds behind the series is Oscar winner Taika Waititi (JoJo Rabbit, 2019). We also ask Vico about non-binary representation and the importance of non-binary actors playing non-binary roles. Find out more about Vico: http://imdb.me/vico-ortiz 

Akiva joins us for a second podcast appearance to talk about his new book ‘The Magnus and the Fool' which has been described as a ‘modern, queer and trans-positive retelling of The Great Gatsby'. Akiva's first book ‘Boy In The Hole' was released to mark National Coming Out Day in 2019. We also get Akiva's thoughts on anti-LGBTQ legislation in the United States, and he has a few choice words for some of our elected officials! More information on Akiva: http://akivahersh.com 

Jill Gutowitz is a lesbian writer from New Jersey (now living in LA) and has been published in the likes of 'The New Yorker' and 'Vanity Fair' and she joins us to talk about her first book 'Girls Can Kiss Now' which is a collection of personal essays which focus on identity, desire and self-worth. In this episode Jill talks about the book, self-worth in the LGBTQ community, the influence of popular culture on how we see ourselves and how 'Orange Is The New Black' changed everything for her.Find out more about Jill: http://www.jillgutowitz.com 

In our second LGBTQ Elders episode Sam interviews Ken Pinkela who is a U.S. military veteran and served as a Lieutenant Colonel. Ken began serving when being gay in the military was illegal as well as during the 'don't ask, don't tell' days. Ken's story is one of a man who wanted to serve only to face discrimination and a grave injustice. Since 'leaving' the military Ken has went on to advocate for people living with HIV and wants to get rid of outdated HIV criminal laws that have not caught up with science. 

Jonathan Larkin is a writer for the British TV soap 'Hollyoaks' writing a number of high impact stories including on LGBTQ storylines. Now he's back with his first stage play in 10 years 'Cherry Jezebel' which follows three drag queens in Liverpool. The play has been described as 'hilarious and heart-breaking' and looks beyond the glitter and the makeup of drag. Sam chats to Jonathan about the play, writing for TV, homophobia in the UK and more.

Transgender author Emme Lund joins us to talk about her new book 'The Boy With A Bird In His Chest', a novel which follows Owen Tanner who literally has a bird in his chest and is forced to flee home and live with his Uncle and Cousin in Washington. Emme currently lives in Portland, Oregon and has an MFA from Mills College. In 2019 Emme was awarded an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship in Fiction. 

Ukrainian LGBTQ activist Maxim Potapovich joins us to give an LGBTQ perspective on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Maxim is based in the suburbs of Kyiv and represents 'Kyiv Pride' and says the Ukrainian spirit is pulling them through and giving them hope. Maxim shares his story, how he thinks the international community are dealing with the war, LGBTQ rights and more.

Gay underwear model Alex Gede joins us to talk about going from believing he had turned himself straight to embracing his true self. Alex moved to the U.K. from Nigeria to study and then got married and had two children, four years later Alex came out as gay and found himself a boyfriend. Sam chats to Alex about his coming out process, what it's like for LGBTQ people in Nigeria and founding his 'Club Seven Menswear' underwear brand for gay and bisexual men. 

In the first of our 'LGBTQ Elders Series' we talk to the CEO of LGBTQ elder organisation SAGE, Michael Adams about the organisation which was founded in 1978. SAGE is dedicated to improving the lives of older LGBTQ people. Sam chats to Michael about his early life as a gay man, the challenges faced by elders today including ageism and discrimination in care, the importance of remembering the past and much more.

To mark LGBTQ History Month in the U.K. we are joined by Head of Policy and Research at the LGBT Foundation Ibtisam Ahmed to discuss this years theme 'Politics in Art', in particular LGBTQ representation in superhero media from graphic novels to TV and movies. As a big superhero fan Ibtisam felt he never saw himself represented growing up and there was always a set image of what a superhero should look and act like. Also - Ibtisam reflects on the LGBT Foundation's response to recent anti-transgender sentiment from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. 

Rachel Krantz joins Sam to talk about her new deeply personal and honest memoir ‘Open: An Uncensored Memoir of Love, Liberation and Non-Monogamy'. A former senior features editor at Bustle, Rachel's book explores polyamory and has been praised as a ‘smart original, ambitious, and deeply absorbing memoir' which focuses on when Rachel met and fell for Adam looking for a committed partnership, but one that did not include exclusivity.

Award winning author and speaker Jenn T Grace joins us to talk about her life experience including founding 'Publish Your Purpose' which is a hybrid publishing company that gives first-time authors the secrets to getting their books out there. Jenn chats to Sam about the importance of LGBTQ stories, being successful despite childhood trauma and facing homophobia in a corporate work environment. 

Filmmaker Kieron Moore talks about his latest project ‘Secrets Of A Wallaby Boy' which is due to be filmed in Manchester in Spring 2022. The film from ‘Weird Rainbow' follows Tim who becomes a courier for the delivery app Wallaby. Tim is a gay man, and the film has been described as ‘Black Mirror-esque' with a satirical twist. Kieron joins us to talk about why people should get behind the film, the need for better transgender representation in film and more. Kieron is currently crowdfunding on ‘Green Lit' to get the project off the ground. http://greenlit.com/project/secrets-wallaby-boy

Brian McComak is founder and CEO of Hummingbird Humanity which focuses on helping organisations create ‘human-centred workplace cultures' through embracing diversity, equity and inclusion. Brian is also an established speaker and author with a master's degree in human resources and change management from the University of South Florida. Brian joins us to discuss the importance of diversity, living with disability, how we all make mistakes and how to engage everyone in the equality discussion.

Matt Bishop is an established journalist with 20 years in motorsport, he has worked and edited a number of racing publications including GP Racing and Sporting Life as an openly gay man. In recent years Matt has worked for McLaren where he worked with world champion Lewis Hamilton for a number of years and is now chief communications officer for the Aston Martin Formula One team. Matt joins Sam to discuss LGBTQ initiatives within F1, the importance of allyship from drivers including Sebastian Vettel, being a founding ambassador for Racing Pride, as well as his novel, released in 2020 which focusses on the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 80's and early 90's.

‘OutLoud' are the boyband we all needed growing up and they join Sam to discuss their new aptly named EP ‘*NTWINK'. The band, based in Manhattan, New York is made up of Danny, Cameron, Daniel and Sean and describe their sound as ‘gay pop disco' and ‘One Direction on poppers'. OutLoud talk about why they formed, being an all-queer boyband, allyship and much more.

Tacoma, Washington based author Marcus James joins us to talk about his writing and being a survivor of so called ‘conversion therapy'. Marcus explains knowing he was gay from a young age and being proud but then facing being put through ‘conversion therapy' based on his family's religious background mainly by his grandfather. Marcus is concerned that religious freedom legislation may prevent a total ban of the abusive practice being possible.Find out more about Marcus' work: http://www.marcusjamesbooks.com

Author Celia Laskey talks about her debut novel ‘Under The Rainbow' set in the fictional town of Big Burr, Kansas which is named the most homophobic town in the U.S. The novel focusses on a national non-profit organisation which sends in a ‘queer task force' to live in the town for 2 years. Celia has an MFA from the University of New Mexico and was a finalist in the Glimmer Train's Short Story Award for New Writers. Find out more about Celia: http://www.celialaskey.com

Welcome to 2022 and another year of Being LGBTQ. Sam is joined by gay author David Eugene Perry whose latest book ‘Upon This Rock' has been described as a ‘twisty thriller' and even the ‘gay Da Vinci Code'. Set in Orvieto, Italy David believes the book could be the first gay, holiday, mystery, thriller! So far ‘Upon This Rock' has won at the San Francisco Book Festival and won the silver medal at the Ben Franklin Awards from the Book Publishers Association. David discusses the book and his previous work as one of the founders of the Rainbow Walk of Fame in San Francisco.Find out more about David and the book: https://www.davidperry.com/

Originally born in Brooklyn and raised in New Milford, Connecticut queer female artist Abby Nissenbaum joins us to discuss her new track ‘Glass Half Full' and the barriers she has faced being a queer female artist due to queerphobia and sexism. Abby talks about her career so far, the role mental health plays in her music, sexism she has experienced and the need for more LGBTQ representation in mainstream music.Find out more about Abby: http://direct.me/abbynissenbaum 

Bisexual podcaster Hannah Rae Leach chats to us about her many projects and vast CV when it comes to podcasting. Based in Cleveland, Ohio Hannah's work includes the audible series ‘Wholehearted' as well as ‘Sleepover Cinema' a podcast she presents with her sister analysing movies from their childhood in the late 90's and early 00's. In this interview Hannah discusses her podcasting career, being part of the band ‘The Prom Queens' and bisexuality.More information about Hannah: http://www.hannahraeleach.com