South Dakota: Uncloseted

In today's episode our hosts met to recap what we've done this season and discuss the future of South Dakota Uncloseted. Consider this the season finale and take a listen to what may be in store for future seasons!Follow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

This week we had the pleasure to meet with Todd Anderson (bisexual, he/him, 25 years old) of Box Elder, SD. Todd shares on the unique experiences and challenges associated with growing up as a bisexual individual. He helps us clarify and dispel stigmas and stereotypes surrounding the bisexual community. Todd is a wealth of knowledge and helped us define some different terms/labels utilized within the queer community. VoQUEERbulary Words:-Beard-CompHet-Unicorn-OmnisexualFollow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

This week we met with Kameron Nelson (he/him), born and raised in Rapid City, SD but currently residing in Sioux Falls, SD. Kameron shares his coming out story, and how his life experiences have shaped his current worldview. Kameron also shares on finding his “safe spaces” in school and extracurricular activities, and the road that led him to his current campaign for SD Legislature in District 10. Kameron tells of the importance of local government and his stance of “if you don't like something, help to change it.” To volunteer or contribute to Kam's campaign for the South Dakota House, visit his website at https://www.kameronnelson.com/ or his Instagram page at @kamnelsonsd.VoQUEERbulary:*discreet Follow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

On this week's episode we meet with Quincy Stevens (27 years old) from Sioux Falls who identifies as a trans man.  His story starts with him initially coming out as a lesbian before setting out to start his collegiate athletic career; and it concludes with him beginning his transition at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quincy opens up to us about the interesting differences between presenting as each gender, as well as how he feels about finally living as his most authentic self. VoQUEERbulary*MTF*FTM Follow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

This week we met virtually with our guest Jenny English (asexual, she/her, 41 years old) of Salem, SD. Jenny shares on her understanding of sexuality, intimacy, and the unique experiences of identifying as an asexual person. Jenny also tells us of her relocating from a larger city to Sale, SD (population 1,183). She discusses the ways she has adapted and fostered an online community to feel see, heard, and connect with her community from a distance. VoQUEERbulary words:*Asexual*DemisexualFollow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

Meagan and Ana traveled to the state capital this weekend to celebrate Pierre Area Pride! Check out the mini interviews we were able to conduct! Check out these resources mentioned in the interviews:-Pierre Area Center for Equality:  https://www.facebook.com/pierreequality/-Lost & Found:  https://resilienttoday.org/-988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 for 24 hour suicide and mental health crisis supportFollow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

In today's episode we interview Toni Diamond of Rapid City, (she/her, lesbian/trans woman, 53y/o). Toni is an ex-Marine, the vice president  for the Black Hills Center for Equality, the first transgendered person to run for the SD  state legislature, and one of Advocate Magazine's 2021 Champions of Pride. She talks about the upcoming Black Hills Pride Festival from July 8-10 in Rapid City.  Toni also discusses how she persevered through out the many challenges in her life to finally come out at 50 years old and start living as who she was truly meant to be.Please note that today's episode mentions sexual assault and child abuse. If you wish to skip these parts, they are discussed from 10:20-11:23 and 21:35-21:50.To check out more about the Black Hills Center for Equality and their upcoming Black Hills Pride, please visit www.bhcfe.org.Follow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

Today we sit down with Tess Amen (29 y/o, lesbian, she/her). She is a recent transplant to South Dakota from Seattle, WA. She discusses finding her place under the queer umbrella and second guessing whether she was worthy of identifying as queer. Follow Tess on Instagram at @tessamen. And watch her and her partner, Marlo, as they remodel their trailer by following them on Instagram at @littletrailerontheprairie.VoQUEERbulary*Queer*Fruit FlyFollow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

On today, June 27th, we are recognizing National HIV Testing Day! Ana got the chance to sit down with Jessica and Alf at Volunteers of America - Northern Rockies in Rapid City to briefly discuss the HIV prevention, testing and Ryan White Program services they offer. For more information on HIV services provided by Volunteers of America, please check out https://voahiv.org/. If you are interested in free HIV testing, please contact VOA at 605-341-8336. For more free HIV and other testing for sexually transmitted infections please contact the South Dakota Department of Health at 1-800-592-1861 or visit https://doh.sd.gov/local-offices/hiv-std-testing/.-Centers for Disease Control Basic Statistics on HIV: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html-South Dakota 2021 HIV Surveillance Report: https://doh.sd.gov/documents/diseases/infectious/HIVSurveillanceReport.pdfFollow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

On today's episode we visit with Marlo Kapsa (29 y/o, lesbian, she/her). Marlo hails from Belle Fourche. She moved away after high school to attend college in Montana and then started her career in Seattle, WA.  Ten years later the open spaces, easy access to recreation, and a slower paced life in South Dakota called her back home.  Today she is helping to give back to the queer community by serving on the board and as a mentor for the South Dakota Women and Trans Musicians Network. Check them out at https://www.womenandtransmusicians.org/ and to donate to the cause check out their Go Fund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-women-and-trans-musicians-in-south-dakota.  Enjoy the episode!Follow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

In this episode we hung out at Midwest Pridefest in Rapid City and had the chance to interview some of the attendees. We played a word game, so there's a lot of voQUEERbulary terms to hear in this episode! Sit back and enjoy!Follow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

On today's episode we got a chance to speak with Matt Neufeld, the president of Sioux Falls Pride. Matt, 47, identifies as a gay male and uses he/him pronouns. He discusses growing up within the Mennonite community in Freeman and then moving away from South Dakota to gain more life experience. After coming out at age 30, Matt eventually made his way back to South Dakota where he was recruited to be part of Sioux Falls Pride. Take a listen while he shares with us all the fun-filled events they have planned for the 2022 Sioux Falls Pride Festival and Parade.VoQUEERbulary Words:*Daddy/Zaddy*FireplugCheck out Sioux Falls Pride at www.siouxfallspride.org or on social media!-Facebook: Sioux Falls Pride-Instagram & Twitter: @sufuprideFollow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

On today's episode we got a chance to speak with Sarah Adam from Rapid City, SD. Sarah identifies as gay and non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. During the interview we got the chance to touch on the differences between sex vs. gender vs. sexual orientation. Sarah also discusses coming out twice - initially with their sexual orientation and then years down the road, after coming to understand their gender identity and making the switch from she/her to they/them pronouns.VoQUEERbulary Words:*Non-binary*Gender Queer*Gender Fluid *100 Foot GayFollow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

In today's episode we get a chance to hear from the last of our cohosts, Meagan Mettler (she/her).  Meagan shares her story about growing up in Timberlake on the Cheyenne River Reservation. She talks about how she could never relate to the the lesbian stereotypes portrayed in the movies and TV shows she saw as a kid. With only those stereotypes influencing how she thought about sexual orientation, it wasn't until she went to college that she started to see herself in the queer friends she had made. Once she gained the courage to come out to a few of her friends, she was able to start growing into her most authentic self. After college, she had to readjust to living back in her hometown - a place where she says she felt “stuck,” but learned some life lessons. Now, she is back living in Spearfish and feeling more like herself than ever. Follow Meagan on Instagram at @meagjm.VoQUEERbulary Lesson:*Dyke*Hey Mamas*Small Town LesbianFollow us on social media:-Facebook - South Dakota: Uncloseted-Instagram - @sduncloseted

In today's episode we talk with Josh Penrod from Pierre, SD. He and his fellow queer friends in the Pierre area held the very first Pierre Area Pride event out of spite for the hate they saw a member of the community experiencing on a Facebook post. Josh tells us more about it in today's episode. He also shares what it was like growing up and living in Pierre as someone who identifies as non-binary. Part of his story even includes a family plot twist that us hosts never saw coming! Check out Josh's Instagram at @605unicorn.Here are some other cool things to check out!-Midwest Pridefest will be held June 9-11th at Aby's in Rapid City. Find out more on Instagram at @midwestpridefest. To donate to the event check out their Go Fund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/safer-spaces-support-for-midwest-pridefest-Today's guest is a founding member of the Pierre Area Center for Equality or PACE for short. Check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pierreequality/. To support the organization, check out their merch at https://www.bonfire.com/pierre-pride160/.-Finally, don't forget to check us out on Facebook at South Dakota: Uncloseted and Instagram at @sduncloseted.

Another one of our hosts steps up to the plate to share her coming out story.  Ana Nemec talks about growing up in the rural community of Holabird, the epiphany she had once she moved out of South Dakota and made her first queer friends, and finally what brought her back to The Mt. Rushmore State.  Check out Ana, her family, and her dogs on Instagram at @aenemec.VoQUEERbulary Lesson of the Day:"Top""Bottom""Switch""Pillow Princess"Follow us on Instagram at @sduncloseted or like our Facebook page, South Dakota: Uncloseted.Shout out to Dani Torpey for the new logos and banners you can see on our social media. Check out her social media creation and copywriting business at https://sites.google.com/view/daniellelynn/home

In this episode, cohost Seth Courtney gets the chance to tell his story. He covers his home-schooled religious upbringing, dealing with internalized homophobia, and how his college group of friends gave him the confidence to come out and live his most authentic life. Follow Seth on Instagram at @gentlesasquatch to check out how he likes spending his time in South Dakota. Queer Words of the Day: "Goldstar Gay""Platinum Gay""Demisexual"Follow us on Instagram at @sduncloseted

Welcome to the pregame episode of South Dakota: Uncloseted! Ana sits down with gay besties, Meagan and Seth, to discuss starting a podcast that highlights the South Dakota LGBTQ+ community.