Podcasts about lgbt community center

Last month, billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott announced she was gifting $640 million to 361 small nonprofits out of 6,000 that responded to an open call for applications. It was another round of jaw-dropping and transformative gifts that Scott pledged to dole out "until the safe is empty" following her divorce from Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos.rnrnOn the receiving end are four Cleveland nonprofit organizations--providing a catalyst for high-impact equitable community change right here in our neighborhoods. Each of these organizations shares a mission that aligns with Scott's goal to "advance the voices and opportunities of individuals and families of meager or modest means, and groups who have met with discrimination and other systemic obstacles."rnrnBirthing Beautiful Communities, the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, and Towards Employment each received $2 million in gifts; and Fairfax Renaissance Development Corp. received $1 million of the latest round of Scott's donations.

On episode 79 of the Modern Day Overthinker podcast, I dive deep into a variety of topics with another great guest: Adam Peters. Adam Peters is the Director of Operations at Clock, Inc. LGBT+ Community Center in the Quad Cities, a Show Choir Coach, Runner, and Political Campaign Organizer. Join us as we explore his journey through sobriety, working on political campaigns, coming out, his experience of being adopted, his self-care practices, therapy, managing anxiety, and practicing gratitude. Don't forget to subscribe to the Modern Day Overthinker podcast for more thought-provoking discussions. Leave your thoughts and questions in the comments below, and be sure to share this episode with your friends! Instead of social links, Adam has asked I provide the following link for you to support Clock, Inc. https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/YeIG6g?vid=12ymso Keep up with Modern Day Overthinker here: https://www.facebook.com/mdoverthinker https://www.instagram.com/mdoverthinker/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mdoverthinker https://twitter.com/mdoverthinker https://moderndayoverthinker.com/

Hailing from El Centro, CA, Cara Dessert has always been an organizer and powerful galvanizer of community and equality. She has nearly two decades of experience in non-profit and social justice work, making her the ideal CEO of the San Diego LGBT Community Center.  In this episode of Stop and Talk, Cara discusses the history and role the LGBT Community Center plays in the San Diego community, the power a sense of belonging brings to not just herself but also those who feel they have no place and much more.    Hosted by Grant Oliphant Co-produced by Crystal Grant & Adam Greenfield Engineered by Adam Greenfield Recorded in the Voice of San Diego Studio  

Join us and special guest Eugene Lovendusky where we discuss end-of-planning considerations unique to the LGBTQIA+ community, why legacy planning and planned giving matter, and easy, not-so-scary ways to get started writing your last Will and Testament. Eugene Lovendusky is the Individual and Planned Giving Manager at The LGBT Community Center (also known as The Center) in New York—serving all LGBTQ New Yorkers through advocacy, health and wellness programs, arts and cultural events, and recovery, youth, and career support services. Learn more at GayCenter.org/Legacy and connect with The Center on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Learn even more during National Estate Planning Awareness Week, October 17-23, 2022. This podcast is an extension of The 20-20 Grief Project, started in 2018 in response to Diane's desire to understand grief's lasting effects on our lives. Inspired by the phrase, “hindsight is 20-20,” this project features real people, real stories, and real grief. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/diane-brennan/message

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Chase Norris, LPC, founder of Clock, Inc, a LGBT+ Community Center in Rock Island, Illinois. Chase earned his Masters in Counselor Education with an emphasis on Clinical/Community Mental Health Counseling at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities in December 2018. Chase has both personal experience with the LGBT+ community, as well as professional experience. He has worked with people in both individual and group counseling settings, who experience depression, anxiety, gender dysphoria, self-harming, suicidal ideation, family conflict, relationship issues, life transitions, and self- esteem issues. Connect with Chase online at: Web: https://www.clockinc.org/ Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3vMIoC0-2g&t=782s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clock.inc.qc Instagram: instagram.com/clockinclgbt/ To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa, call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. Connect with Heart and Solutions online at: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/ Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

Welcome to Valley Talks! Join Abby Stoudt as she meets with people around the Lehigh Valley to figure out what makes her hometown, well… her hometown! Abby is a Public Relations student at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and a summer intern with Lehigh Valley with Love Media. This show is recorded as a summer-long segment of the Lehigh Valley with Love podcast. Partner with Lehigh Valley with Love! Thank you to our Partners! Made Possible in Lehigh Valley Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate Molly's Irish Grille & Sports Pub Welcome to the first episode of Valley Talks! I'm Abby Stoudt, a soon-to-be senior Public Relations student at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and Lehigh Valley with Love's newest intern! I've lived in the Lehigh Valley my entire life and I'm super excited to get to share the stories I explore with the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast's listeners! In this episode, I got to speak with Stephen Jiwanmall, Director of Communications and Marketing, and Eric Yoak, Major Events Manager, at the Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown! We got to talk about a lot of great events that they host including Lehigh Valley Pride, Allentown's first-ever drag brunch, and some of the behind-the-scenes stuff that happens behind all of this. Enjoy! GUESTS Stephen Jiwanmall, Director of Communications and Marketing Eric Yoak, Major Events Manager Links Pride Lehigh Valley Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center The Lehigh Valley is rich with possibilities. A proud heritage and bright future that has long attracted makers, innovators, and those with great vision. Everything you need to create the life you want… on your terms. Vibrant downtowns. Charming Main Streets with surprises around every corner. And lots of open spaces to explore. Live, work, learn, play. Discover all that's Made Possible in Lehigh Valley at lehighvalleymadepossible.com.

After the racist attack in Buffalo, and a recent stabbing of a Black teen in Lakeside, San Diego residents held a vigil on Monday standing up against racist hate. Also, the LGBT Community Center in Hillcrest has reopened after shutting its doors at the start of the pandemic. Plus, carbon capture technology has gained status with the United Nations and in California's plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But not all climate activists are convinced it'll help.

Half of all high school students surveyed reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day and no longer do their usual activities, while 47 percent of lesbian, gay and bisexual teens said they had seriously considered committing suicide. But there is a thread of hope. Teens who feel a genuine connection to other people report better levels of mental health. The pandemic is putting in full view that our kids are not OK. Joining to talk about this problem and solutions are Robyn Hill of Robyn Hill Counseling & Professional Development Services, a speaker, author, licensed therapist and personal growth teacher with a personal focus on emotional wellness and soul-care; and Amy Mansfield, Facilitator of the Queer Youth Initiative at the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, a safe and affirming place for LGBTQ plus youth ages 11-20. It provides youth with a network of support and opportunities to express themselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you were asked to write a note of gratitude to one person in your life, who would it be? What would you say? Today's guest Brian Doyle talks all about his passion for bringing more gratitude in all it's nuanced beauty to the world. Brian is a lover of storytelling with a deep background in the TED community and as an event producer for vital organizations like the LGBT Community Center in NYC and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Brian and Nikki dive into the dynamics of privilege and power that interplay across the various aspects of our identity. They talk about the intersections and hierarchy within non-dominant identity groups and the importance of shining a light on the often unspoken, yet pervasive, influences and barriers of whiteness.  We want to hear from you! What is your relationship with gratitude? Is it something you feel comfortable with or does it make you squirm a little bit? Are there difficult conversations or situations you've been through in the last 18 months that you are grateful for in hindsight? www.nikkiinnocent.com/jointheconversation  Resources:  Website: Nikkiinnnocent.com Own Your Career Mastermind: nikkiinnocent.com/oyc  Instagram: @nikkiinnocent 

Fear of failure, a classic symptom of 'imposter syndrome,' is more common than you might think, and it strikes all types of people, regardless of your individual level of success. This week on the 3 Things to Know with Stephanie Haney podcast, Cleveland Clinic psychologist Dr. Adam Borland, PsyD explains where imposter syndrome comes from, and how to overcome it. Plus, Stephanie shares what you Need to Know in NEO to find the "Dream Big" mural by artist Lisa Quine, and why Arianna Huffington's 'Thrive Global' is A Good Follow on Instagram. Connect with Dr. Adam Borland, PsyD here: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/18540-adam-borland Need to Know in NEO: Lisa Quine's 'Dream Big' mural Find it at 6805 Detroit Avenue, on the building where the Love Threading Bar is, and right next to the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. https://lisaquine.com A Good Follow: Arianna Huffington's 'Thrive Global' page http://instagram.com/thrive Connect with Stephanie here: http://twitter.com/_StephanieHaney http://instagram.com/_StephanieHaney http://facebook.com/thestephaniehaney

Website: https://lgbtcleveland.org Eliana J. Turan Email: eturan@lgbtcleveland.org Matthew Diemer for Congress OH16 Diemerforconress.com  Donate to My Campaign https://secure.actblue.com/donate/diemer-personal ------------------------------ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn_UPAB7sXgsyos8lfic0Uw Podcast iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-matthew-aaron-show/id1502735602x Podcast Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/5KifWW0JXQQi3vxIcFulpM?si=VObhs_QQRK2qopv94SHPRw ------------------------------ Follow us on : FB: https://www.facebook.com/MatthewADiemer IG: matthewadiemer TW: @MatthewDiemer ------------------------------- Reach out to us at: Email: Matthew@MatthewAaronShow.com © Copyright 2021 Matthew Aaron Podcasts LLC All Rights Reserved

Join us for this special Pride Month episode in celebration of the power of community, hope, and recovery. George Costanzo of The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland and NAMI volunteer Jon Epstein join NAMI GC Program Director, Megan Rochford & mental health advocate Portia Booker to talk about LGBT mental health.

June 1, 2021: Yes, there are billions in unclaimed savings bonds, and the site to search for them is legitimate. Plus, a Parma man is charged with stealing $80,000 in unemployment benefits, the cost, coverage and legal concerns as egg freezing is on the rise during the pandemic, Ohio State’s hopes for the 2012 season, and more on 3News Now with Stephanie Haney. Need a break from bad news? Watch It’s All Good (News!) with Stephanie Haney, every Wednesday: https://youtu.be/qweqm_342cU Like this show? Check out the 3 Things to Know with Stephanie Haney podcast: http://wkyc.com/3thingstoknow Connect with Stephanie here: http://twitter.com/_StephanieHaney http://instagram.com/_StephanieHaney http://facebook.com/thestephaniehaney Read more here: LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland partners with WKYC Studios to announce plans for Pride in the CLE 2021 https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/plans-for-pride-in-the-cle-2021-announced/95-73117782-c57a-4768-9d9e-ff6c1435a30d VERIFY: Billions of dollars of unclaimed savings bonds. Here's what we learned https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/verify/there-are-more-than-75-million-unclaimed-savings-bonds-could-some-be-yours/65-00855d2c-d7ac-4ece-948b-c37dd45952ca How much does egg freezing cost, insurance coverage and legal concerns, with fertility lawyer Molly O'Brien: 3 Things to Know with Stephanie Haney https://www.wkyc.com/article/syndication/podcasts/3-things-to-know/money-long-term-legal-concerns-that-come-with-egg-freezing-with-fertility-lawyer-molly-obrien-3-things-to-know-with-stephanie-haney-podcast/95-c905931b-ba9a-4b7f-a1fc-34a0ac98debc Parma man charged with stealing more than $80,000 in unemployment and income assistance https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/parma-man-charged-with-stealing-ohio-funds/95-246c157e-3010-456a-b504-f5e8918c29fb The latest on the number of COVID-19 cases in Ohio https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-ohio-updates/95-e2faeb56-d02a-443a-bcdb-141f2c7fafe8 https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/timeline-of-coronavirus-cases-ohio/95-c97c228d-c6c7-4949-b12b-4324d7ed8bb5 Second winner pulled for Ohio’s Vax-a-Million lottery https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/ohio-vax-a-million-covid-vaccine-lottery/95-6cf4b539-05e4-4479-902d-8342efde3354 ENTER NOW | Ohio's COVID vaccine lottery registration: How to enter the $1 million Vax-a-Million drawings https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/ohio-covid-19-vaccine-lottery-one-million-dollars-governor-mike-dewine/95-988fed80-a9b9-419e-a7b1-5de325010467 Ohio State hopes to fill Ohio Stadium for 2021 football season https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/football/ohio-state-football/ohio-state-hopes-to-fill-ohio-stadium-for-2021-football-season/530-0833009a-fa75-492a-976b-4e9a9a4d8141 Opening day bulletin board material for Cleveland Browns? Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes eying perfect record in 2021 https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nfl/opening-day-bulletin-board-material-cleveland-browns-kansas-city-chiefs-qb-patrick-mahomes-wants-to-go-20-0-in-2021/95-a59b7747-9e65-4f02-b064-b36a3249cf62 Honoring Cleveland Indians legend Rocky Colavito: Groundbreaking for new statue going up in Little Italy https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/mlb/indians/rocky-colavito-cleveland-indians-statue-little-italy/95-20f0385b-27ea-4717-9c0d-be9b9e202eda

Stephanie Battaglino talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about her new memoir “Reflections From Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My True Self in Corporate America” published by L’Oste Vineyard Press. After many years in the corporate world struggling to find her true self Battaglino went on to become New York Life’s first transgender officer. Her memoir delves into her journey to fulfillment both personally and professionally highlighting her efforts in fighting for gender equality and calling to attention the work that still needs to be accomplished. Stephanie now leads Diversity & Inclusion workshops, presentations and trainings sharing over 40 years of professional experience working with and within Fortune 100 companies. Retiring in 2019 from her position as Corporate Vice President at New York Life Insurance Company she is well versed in the ways of corporate America and has become a leader in the conversation surrounding workplace equality for transgender and non-binary people. Unfortunately the reality still remains that many of our LGBTQ community must make a choice between coming out in the workplace and assuring their job security. “Reflections From Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My Authentic Self in Corporate America” is part memoir and also part cautionary tale of what it is like to experience a career on both sides of the gender divide. Stephanie's honest and vulnerable storytelling paints a vivid picture of what the intersection of gender and gender identity looks like from a decidedly unique point of view. We talked to Stephanie about her inspiration for writing this book and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Stephanie Battaglino is a major voice in the LGBTQ workplace equality movement focusing specifically on transgender and non-binary individuals. She currently sits on the Board of PFLAG National and is the Chair of their Business Advisory Council. Actually Brian K. Bond PFLAG National Executive Director wrote the forward to “Reflections From Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My Authentic Self in Corporate America”. Battaglino has proudly served on the boards of the LGBT Community Center of New York and the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF). She is also a past member of the Transgender Advisory Committee of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. Stephanie resides in Palm Desert, California with her wife Mari. For More Info... LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES 

sent $$$ this week to the Lavender Library in Sacramento.lavenderlibrary.com“The Lavender Library was founded by a core group of 17 local community members in 1998 as a research and information institution for Sacramento’s LGBTQI community. The founding took place during a tumultuous time for the LGBT Community Center (then the Lambda Community Center) as it struggled to stay open. Fearing imminent closure (luckily that did not happen!), community members moved the small library from the Center to its first location at the B Street Theater. The founders considered several other names before settling on the Lavender Library, including: River City Community Library, Sacramento Alternative Library, Capital Library Archive Project (CLAP), and Sacramento Library and Archive Project (SLAP). Two years later in 2000, the Library moved to its current space at N at 21st Streets. One of the original primary champions of the Library, Gail Lang, was a beloved member of Sacramento’s local LGBTQ community. When she passed in 2003, she left the Library funds that have helped it stay open over the years. Today, the Library lives on as an important site for community, knowledge, and engagement.”DOWNLOAD RECORDINGsubscribe to the podcast here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/5432fun(intro by omar)SiLM “EVENT HORIZON” PAST FORMS DWELL / EVENT HORIZONSwiftumz “Game Six” Game SixNIGHTSHADES “Sola” NightshadesDick Diver “Lonely Life” New Name BluesAdam Balbo “Someday” The JesterFun Fact “Three” Live TapeSKULL CULT “Hey hey my my” s/tVACATION “Cooking” Cooking EPQWAM “Doggie Door” Feed MeOdd Hope “We Belong” Odd HopePerren “A Niece and Two Nephews” Apples and Peanut ButterOvlov “I Got Well” Greatest Hits Vol. II (2008-2012)Rip Room “Conceded” MonstersPiano Movers “Downtown 2Day” Girlfriend’s LoverTough Comfort “Patterns” Here’s HowOught “Disgraced in America” Room Inside the WorldDARK MTNS “Calm and Light” Up Above This CloudFLUSHED “Big Heart” Care LessAway Game “Misery Was Simpler” Demoqueen bee dream “this time” queen bee dreamTYPHOON “Remember” Offerings

In this episode Celia Coughlin-Surridge speaks with Lanz Nalagan of the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. You are sure to be inspired by hearing about how the center started, the vast array of services it provides, and how much growth it has experienced over the years. Though COVID-19 created a need to pivot, (as with so many other nonprofits) it’s obvious that the Center made smart decisions and found ways to keep the community engaged and supported during 2020. It’s also quite evident that the Center has emerged even stronger in spite of the pandemic.   Find out more about the Sacramento LGBT Community Center at https://saccenter.org/To donate, go to https://saccenter.org/donate---The Rooted in Community Podcast is available to listen to on any major podcast platform. Find out more on our website at www.RICPodcast.com or www.ModernRootsMarketing.com. Follow Modern Roots Marketing on Instagram at @modernrootsmktg. 

Charles Huff... A Volunteer & Outreach Manager for the LGBT Community Center of the Desert shares what it takes to run the Food Bank. The numbers they serve more than doubled since covid19 began. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/signaturewest)

December 1st is World AIDS Day, a day to unite in the fight to end the HIV epidemic, support people living with HIV, and honor those who have lost their life.One of the most most famous AIDS-related icons is the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Conceived in 1985 by Cleave Jones and then co-founded as the NAMES Project with Mike Smith in 1987, the quilt has blossomed into a 48,000 panel memorial. Smith joins me to talk about the how the quilt began, the struggle to maintain a memorial made of spangles and cloth, and how the busiest quilt in American history went virtual. Like, subscribe, and listen!Ren Morrill (Host) - Ren is The Three Letter Podcast’s creator and host. He is a Maine native with a life long passion for HIV. He works for Frannie Peabody Center as the prevention program coordinator. He also serves as the co-chair of Pride Portland’s HIV Advisory Board.Mike Smith- Today is World AIDS day and my guest is Mike Smith. Mike is the co-founder of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and served as managing director there from 1987 to 1989. He returned in 1996 to produce the last full-scale display of the Quilt in Washington DC that year. Mike was executive director of the LGBT Community Center of Colorado from 1997 to 2001 and then, from 2002 to 2015, he led AIDS Emergency Fund & Breast Cancer Emergency Fund (AEF & BCEF), agencies that annually help more than 3,000 people disabled by HIV/AIDS or breast cancer pay their bills while too sick to work. He has recently rejoined the Quilt team as a consultant to the National AIDS Memorial, the new stewards of the Quilt.Mike’s undergraduate degree is from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He received his MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.•NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt •Pride Portland’s HIV Advisory Board Virtual Hosting Of 8 Panels

On this week's episode of TSAM, J.Mix is joined by NOLA's beloved showgirl, Ariana Amour, to discuss this month's ongoing conversation about implicit biases behind sexual preferences towards transness. They give their praises to the Black Trans Lives Matter movement and Ariana enlightens J.Mix with a detailed summary of her astrology birth chart. Other topics covered: Self-accountability, Female vs. Woman, Dick obsession, Astrology popularity amongst Millennials, Elder black community's implicit biases towards the LGBTQ+ community, and much more!--Follow my special guest Ariana @lovejustlied and her practice, Divine Literacy, @divine.iteracy on IG --Support House of Tulip by following them on IG @HouseOfTulipNOand Explore their Linktr.ee for more insight on how to get involved and support their mission.--Qween Amor has begun a petition called the LGBTQ Protections Act. Follow her IG @qweenamor and sign her petition so that all acts of violence against lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer men and women will be federally considered hate crimes and punishable by law under local hate crime statutes.--For more info about the LGBT Community Center of New Orleans visit https://lgbtccneworleans.org/--If you are all caught up on TSAM and want to explore more bonus and exclusive content:Subscribe to TSAM's Patreon! www.patreon.com/theselfawaremillennial--Follow The Self-Aware Millennial on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube!--Contact theselfawaremillennial@gmail.com with suggestions, advice and business inquiries. Compliments welcome as well :)--Song(s): "The Self-Aware Millennial Theme" + "Venturing" by J.Mix (Patreon Promo)--www.tsampodcast.comSupport the show

In this episode, Ashley and Casey speak with Phyllis “Seven” Harris – the Director of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland – who shares with us the ways in which the Center has risen to the challenge of providing safe spaces and a supportive and affirmative community during the pandemic. Additional information about the center can be found here: https://lgbtcleveland.org

The DRR Podcast crew (Campy, Nancy, and Wade) sit down with Sarah Kelly and Mike Garcia from the SD-based organization Punks 4 Change. We are joined by a very special bonus guest also making their second appearance on the program... Garrett Ficacci from SD's one and only, The Gay Agenda! We are here to promote the QUEER PUNK NIGHT happening March 20th at Til Two Club organized by Punks 4 Change. The bands that are playing that night are: Flaunt/Trap Girl/The Gay Agenda/Sector 7-G/Cochinas Locas and you can bring a donated item (info on flyer) to pay a $10 cover, or show up without and pay $15 (CASH ONLY). Proceeds are to benefit the LGBT Community Center in San Diego. Find more information about the show and our guests at these links! SD QUEER PUNK NIGHT Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/728122827710308/ Punks 4 Change: https://www.instagram.com/punks4change/ https://www.facebook.com/punks4change/ The Gay Agenda: https://www.instagram.com/thegayagendaofficial/ https://www.facebook.com/TheGayAgendaOfficial Find all things DRR here: linktr.ee/defiantrobotrecords

Season 1 was produced as a pilot project of The Source in Visalia CA. TransCisTer Radio is no longer produced in anyway by The Source. It is independently owned by Kelly Denithorne and Dana Galante. We got our first email! Dana and Kelly received an email from a woman in the Midwest, asking our advice to help her friend, who is not currently out to the world as a woman, be comfortable standing as a bridesmaid in her wedding. Needless to say, we have lots of thoughts on this matter! And then... we have another email! That makes 2 in total! This second email comes from Dana's friend Michael who has lots of advice on getting our podcast together, so we are giving producer credits to Michael Roberts-Short today! He also asks us questions about Magic the Gathering and it's somewhat new relation to the trans world. (Thanks Mike!) Trans in the News brings us to Dana's hidden talent - rapping. Rapping a Taylor Swift song, no less! (There's a reason for it, really!) All performance requests for Dana the rapper can be sent to transcister@thesourcelgbt.org :) We discuss artist Jordan Eagle and his transgender art show in the Keith Herring bathroom at the LGBT Community Center. This led us to say - WHAT? Keith Herring has a whole bathroom in NYC??? That's gotta be an expensive bathroom! Surgeries! Who wants them? Do you need them? Does it make you more trans? If you don't have any surgeries, are you LESS trans? This slides us into a brief discussion on how parents can best support their trans kids. Be sure to tune into our next podcast about Parenting Trans Kids, with our special guest Anthony, Dana's husband. Sorry boys, you can't see him on a podcast... We love you!!! Dana & Kelly Transcister Radio is made in conjunction with the Source LGBT+ Center. If you'd like to help out the LGBT+ population of rural CA, visit http://www.thesourcelgbt.org/donate (www.thesourcelgbt.org/donate) email: transcister@thesourcelgbt.org voicemail: 559.343.6646

The second episode of Then There's Cleveland features special guests Phyllis Seven Harris, Executive Director of Cleveland’s LGBT Community Center, and Kerry McCormack, Ward 3 Cleveland City Councilman. Hosts Lauren and Michael ask our guests to share their expertise and experiences on the subjects of diversity and inclusion, what sets Cleveland apart from other major cities, and ways we can do better. Both Phyllis and Kerry talk about the equitable work being done and ways Cleveland can improve to attract and retain the best talent.

Lynn McGee is a poet with many fine publications and accolades.  Listen to us discuss our childhood experiences growing up as military brats, her reading some of her fabulous poems and find out where and how she gets her ideas for her poetry collections.  http://yourartsygirlpodcast.com/episodes http://lynnmcgee.com  Order her book:  http://broadstonebooks.com/Lynn_McGee.html Bio:  Lynn McGee is the author of the poetry collection, "Tracks"(Broadstone Books, 2019);  Sober Cooking (Spuyten Duyvil Press, 2016), and two award-winning poetry chapbooks: Heirloom Bulldog (Bright Hill Press, 2015) and Bonanza (Slapering Hol Press, 1997).  Lynn earned an MFA in Poetry at Columbia University, where she held teaching and merit fellowships. She was awarded a MacDowell fellowship, is a winner of the Judith's Room Emerging Writers Award, and taught writing at private and public colleges (George Washington University, Columbia University, Southern Methodist University, Brooklyn College/CUNY and others) as well as having led poetry workshops in public schools in New York City as an artist-in-residence with Teachers and Writers Collaborative. A 2015 Nominee for the Best of the Net award, Lynn was also a nominee for the McGovern Prize and the Pushcart Prize, and was a semi-finalist for the Dana Award. She is a recipient of the NYC Literacy Center's Recognition Award for her work in adult literacy, and received the Heart of the Center Award from the LGBT Community Center in New York City. Today she is a communications manager at Borough of Manhattan Community College, The City University of New York. She lives in the Bronx, New York.

On the brink of Stonewall’s 50th Anniversary, this year's Pride is historic. In the Thick's, New York Women’s Foundation Ignite Fellow, Nour Saudi, reports on the significance of pride and how the LGBTQ community of color is continuing to organize, in the city where the Stonewall rebellion originally took place. Despite commemorating Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera’s accomplishments for the LGBTQ community, targeted violence has been on the rise since the election of Donald Trump. This year has devastated the community with at least ten murders of trans women of color. In addition, the deaths of the trans women of color, Layleen Polanco and Johana Medina, are of grave concern and answers are being demanded. As New York City prepares to host Worldwide Pride Day, the community grieves the losses and demands justice for all the fallen lives. ITT Staff Picks:NYC’s LGBT Community Center’s documentary, Stonewall Forever, directed by Ro HaberOut Magazine’s tribute to Sylvia Rivera for being an OG on transgender organizingData Maps about LGBT laws throughout the country, via USA TodayFor information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this 28 minute long episode of Artblog Radio, Wit López interviews Gabe Martinez about his two exhibitions at the William way LGBT Community Center.

In this 28 minute long episode of Artblog Radio, Wit López interviews Gabe Martinez about his two exhibitions at the William way LGBT Community Center.

In this episode the gurls discuss the passing of Aretha Franklin and are joined by Shijuade and Trevon from the LGBT Community Center and singer Montea.

Employee of the Day: Amber Anderson of MOREReceipts:G&A Parters: Working Parents & The American WorkforceSlate: Rethinking Work-life Balance for Woman of ColorBios:Shijuade Kadree is the Chief Advocacy Officer at the LGBT Community Center in NYC. Since her tenure, Shijuade is responsible for creating, implementing and managing the annual lobbying strategy on city and state levels to support the powerful programs of The Center, as well as managing two of The Center’s government-funded initiatives related to health and human services provision, raising more than $7M. Prior to joining The Center, Shijuade represented indigent clients, zealously advocating on behalf of parents entrapped in NYC’s child welfare system. This work lead her to creative legislative and policy advocacy at the New York City Council as a legislative counsel. In that role, she served as a liaison between Council members and the Council’s central staff, drafting and negotiating legislation in a variety of subject areas with a particular focus on government operations, housing, buildings and construction. Shijuade has also served as a Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow, working on access to financial education, products and services for low-income families, federal and state anti-hunger programs, as well as publishing a manual for state legislators, “Bringing Legislators to the Table: Addressing Hunger and Nutrition in America.” During graduate school, she received the ABA Fellowship for Minorities in Environmental Law and was named a Georgia Association Of Black Women Attorney scholar. Currently a Women in Power fellow with the 92nd St Y and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Service at NYU Wagner Graduate School. Shijuade is an alumna Of Emory University, with a joint Law and Public Health degree. Tiyale Hayes is the Senior Vice President, Strategic Insights & Research, for BET Networks, a division of Viacom. For over a decade, Tiyale has worked on some of the worlds biggest and best brands. A 1998 graduate of Hampton University with armed with a Marketing degree, Tiyale started his career in sales at Johnson & Johnson. After learning the fundamentals of how consumers shop in store, he attended business school and earned an MBA in Marketing from Purdue University. After a serendipitous moment, he began a career in Market Research at Proctor & Gamble. In his time at P&G he helped create insights that led to business winning ideas for brands like Folgers, Pringles, Crest, Gillette and Old Spice. He left P&G to head back tk Johnson & Johnson, where he led insight development for a number of brands, including Tylenol, Motrin and Listerine. He traveled the world learning from consumers about what makes them tick and how to create products that meet their needs. In 2016, he was tapped to lead insight development for BET where he leads a team developing insights for the BET brand and new show development. For a decade, Tiyale has been a strong advocate for the consumer and has helped shape the strategies of some of the worlds prominent brands. He has developed a solid track record of creating deep and rich insights that have been used to bring products to consumers around the globe. Tiyale is the President of the North Jersey Chapter of the Hampton University Alumni Association, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., National Black MBA Association, and the Development committee for Live Out Loud. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cecilia Gentili currently serves as the Director of Policy at GMHC, the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. Originally from Argentina, Cecilia found her passion for advocacy and community service when she started working as an intern at the LGBT Community Center in New York City several years ago. Cecilia is also a contributor to Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community, and is a board member for Transcend Legal and Translatina Network. For fun, she loves performing at storytelling and stand-up comedy events where she talks about her life experiences. Cecilia is very passionate about advocating for her community, especially Latina transgender women who may have a history of sex work, drug use and incarceration.

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD Guest: Elijah Nealy, PhD These days, it is practically impossible not to hear about some aspect of transgender life, and kids are coming out as trans at younger and younger ages. But what resources are available to parents, teachers, and mental health professionals who need to support these children? Host Dr. Maurice Pickard chats with Elijah C. Nealy, therapist and former deputy executive director of New York City’s LGBT Community Center. Mr. Nealy is the author of Transgender Children and Youth: Cultivating Pride and Joy with Families in Transition, which provides insights about the physical, social, and emotional aspects of transition and the best practices to support trans kids.

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD Guest: Elijah Nealy, PhD These days, it is practically impossible not to hear about some aspect of transgender life, and kids are coming out as trans at younger and younger ages. But what resources are available to parents, teachers, and mental health professionals who need to support these children? Host Dr. Maurice Pickard chats with Elijah C. Nealy, therapist and former deputy executive director of New York City’s LGBT Community Center. Mr. Nealy is the author of Transgender Children and Youth: Cultivating Pride and Joy with Families in Transition, which provides insights about the physical, social, and emotional aspects of transition and the best practices to support trans kids.

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD Guest: Elijah Nealy, PhD These days, it is practically impossible not to hear about some aspect of transgender life, and kids are coming out as trans at younger and younger ages. But what resources are available to parents, teachers, and mental health professionals who need to support these children? Host Dr. Maurice Pickard chats with Elijah C. Nealy, therapist and former deputy executive director of New York City’s LGBT Community Center. Mr. Nealy is the author of Transgender Children and Youth: Cultivating Pride and Joy with Families in Transition, which provides insights about the physical, social, and emotional aspects of transition and the best practices to support trans kids.

ORDINARY SOULSby K. M. Szpara“This is a bad idea, Callum.” The sorceress rolled a colorful concoction of dried plants in a thin piece of cigarette paper and balanced it between her lips. “You know that, right?” The end smoldered on its own.“Probably.” If Ethan didn’t know, would he forgive me?I picked at a chunk of yellow foam exploding from my chair’s upholstery. She wouldn’t notice. Her whole apartment was crumbling slowly around her altar—chipped paint, smoke glazed walls, mysterious splatter on the floor. Serena was a ‘non-profit’ sorceress, one of the few who didn’t whore over-inflated skills in the private sector.A full transcript appears under the cut.----more----[Music Plays]Hello! Welcome to GlitterShip episode four for April 23rd, 2015. I’m your host, Keffy, and I’m super excited to be sharing this story with you.Well, we’ve made it through the first month of GlitterShip. It’s been a bit of a learning curve on my end, but I think we’re off to a good start. As a head’s up, since GlitterShip only publishes four fiction episodes a month, we’re going to have a week off next week, although I may put up a short question and answer session about the podcast if anyone has any questions. I made a short Google form, which I’ll link in the transcript, or you can email me at kehrli at gmail dot com if you have anything you’d like me to talk about next week.One of the Kickstarter stretch goals that we reached right at the end of the campaign was an original fiction goal. What this means is that I’m going to start putting out one original piece of fiction per month. I thought that I’d be able to start doing that in May, but the first original story will come out in June, since I have to buy some stories first!If you’re a writer, submissions for original stories will be open starting on May 1st. This is an open call, so no previous publishing experience is necessary, just send me your best work. For more information about GlitterShip submissions, please check out our Submission Guidelines on the website.This does mean, however, that since we’re starting two months late with original stories, there will be two original episodes in both June and July to catch up.One last update about GlitterShip in general: I’ve started to send out Kickstarter backer surveys. Right now the $5 and $10 levels have been sent out, and the others will be coming. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to make this podcast.I’ve mentioned the Vitality Kickstarter before. Vitality is a queer SF/F print and ezine that is funding its second issue. The Kickstarter ends on April 30th, so if you’re interested in more queer SF/F fiction, check it out. And, I will of course have links in the transcript.Alright! Today’s story is “Ordinary Souls” by K.M. Szpara.K.M. Szpara lives in Baltimore, MD, with a black cat and miniature poodle. He has a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, which he totally uses at his day job as a legal secretary. On nights and weekends, he advances his queer agenda at the local LGBT Community Center and writes speculative fiction novels. His short fiction appears or is forthcoming in Lightspeed's Queers Destroy Science Fiction! and Shimmer Magazine. You can find him on Twitter @KMSzpara.A quick note before we get into the story: this is another sad one, sorry! I’m such a goth at heart, everything is sadness and doom with me. More importantly, though, this story does contain a sex scene, so if that’s going to embarrass you, you might want to listen to it with headphones.  Ordinary SoulsBy K.M. Szpara  “This is a bad idea, Callum.” The sorceress rolled a colorful concoction of dried plants in a thin piece of cigarette paper and balanced it between her lips. “You know that, right?” The end smoldered on its own.“Probably.” If Ethan didn’t know, would he forgive me?I picked at a chunk of yellow foam exploding from my chair’s upholstery. She wouldn’t notice. Her whole apartment was crumbling slowly around her altar—chipped paint, smoke glazed walls, mysterious splatter on the floor. Serena was a ‘non-profit’ sorceress, one of the few who didn’t whore over-inflated skills in the private sector.“This won’t be like the little spells I give you for headaches and—”“I haven’t felt anything for a week.”“Figured as much,” she said. “I won’t stop you. Just want you to know what you’re getting into.”“I know.”I didn’t know, really, but I didn’t care. “Where are we going now?” Ethan said. He clutched a bouquet of asphodel in one hand as I tugged him off the beach. His nose disappeared into the little white flowers; the orange-tipped spires tickled his nose and his lips tightened in a smile.We were going to be late for our reservation. It was already 8:15.His hand fit inside mine. It was smaller and hardened from years of operating the same lever at the spice mill. I rubbed a finger over his calluses and he smiled up at me.“You’re not going to tell,” he said.“Of course not.” I winked; Ethan hated surprises. He still tried to find his Christmas present every year. I had to remind him he was almost thirty, but he always brushed me off.I corralled him into my car and threw it into gear before he could fasten his seatbelt.He struggled with it as I took off. “I know you think speed limits don’t apply to you, Callum, so can you at least wait till I’m buckled in? I’d rather not die tonight.”At his words, I slowed a sudden twenty miles per hour. “Sorry,” I said.Ethan lurched and then clicked his belt in place. “It’s fine.” He kissed my cheek. “I’d just rather tomorrow’s headlines not read, Tragic Car Crash Kills—” He paused, picking at the bouquet in his hands. “—Attractive Young Machinist and His Sugar Daddy.”I risked our lives to glare at Ethan. “I hate it when people call me that.”“Right.” He angled my head back to the road. “Which is why you need to slow down and pay attention.” Ethan smirked at his own wit.He rolled down the window and a few pink pinstriped petals twirled into the night. The flowers’ light-honey musk filled the car. Ethan stared out the window, entranced by the sight. Then, I took our exit and his gaze turned to the streets.I pulled into a parking space. “This is our stop,” I said, waiting for him to notice and remember.Through high windows, candles glowed on black silk tablecloths. Ethan’s jaw unhinged when I opened his door. The familiar scent of hickory-smoked turkey and herbed bread reached us even outside.“Fernando’s? This is where—”“We had our first date,” I said, helping him out of the car. “The only time you ever let me treat you to dinner.” I gave his hand a playful squeeze. “Well, you ordered us filet mignon.” Ethan was no good at keeping a straight face. “I couldn’t—”I curled my arms around him and stopped his stammers with a kiss. He inched onto his toes and laced his fingers behind my neck.“Happy anniversary,” I said. “Take this while I prepare. Little something for the nerves, free of charge. Open up.” Serena blew rose-colored smoke at my face and I breathed it all in.“Better?” A green plastic ashtray sat neglected as Serena flicked the ash onto the linoleum.I nodded as the magic settled into my bloodstream. “Thanks,” I said. “So, what do I owe you for the...”We’d never talked about the dark side of her business. Some clients just never reemerged from her apartment. Serena assured me the results were worth the price. I’d never believed her until now.“I don’t want your money, Callum, not for this.” She held another cloud of smoke in her lungs, longer this time, then puffed it out slowly. Her remedy fixed to my heart like a scab. “But I do have a trade in mind.” We spilled into our apartment, half-drunk from dinner. The duck confit had done little to soak up the two bottles of vintage white we’d ordered. Ethan threw his keys; they slid across the counter and clanged to the floor. I couldn’t help but stare as he bent to retrieve them. He laughed and tugged unsuccessfully at my shirt. I humored him, closing the gap between us.“You look hot in blue,” he said.“Did you want me to leave my clothes on?” I asked, but he was already fingering the buttons.“Fuck me,” he whispered. His tongue grazed his lips.I leaned in and caught the bottom lip between my teeth. A soft moan escaped him as I sucked. How could I not give in to such a demand?“In bed?” I nudged his chin aside and kissed his throat. My hand brushed his crotch. His pulse throbbed against my cheek. “Or here, against the counter?” I waved at the growing fog of honey-sweet incense. You would have thought my lungs were hard-wired for essence of asphodel. Tears stung my eyes; Serena lit three black candles and I tried to blink away the irritation.“You’re sure you don’t want the anti-anxiety smokes instead?” she asked. “They’ll go down easier. You know I’ll give you a good—”“Don’t you think I’m past anxiety?” I said.She straightened to a formidable height. “Before we start, the contract.” She left the issue behind and held out an empty palm, like I might spit gum into it. “Breathe here.”A small yellow crystal materialized from my breath. Serena dropped it into a leather pouch, which she reattached to her hip. No turning back, now.She set a small cage on the altar. A dove poked his head between the bars and watched Serena grind herbs and flowers into crumbs. She picked up the knife and the dove beat his wings against the bars.“Quiet, little bird. This isn’t for you,” she said and the creature stilled. “Callum, your hand.” She’d never performed a blood-spell on me before. They were high-stakes but felt like a small price now. I flexed my fingers and offered my palm.Serena slammed it down against the table and sliced the blade across the soft flesh of my wrist. I screamed and the dove fluttered in its cage. Every muscle in my body flexed but she held me still with unnatural strength.“Gods, Serena!” My heart quickened as blood leaked down my hand and onto the altar cloth. I’d known a sacrifice had to be made, but this much? The room twisted around me, colors wrung out like water from a dirty rag.I could barely make out her words over the high-pitched buzz in my ears. “These aren’t the gods you’re used to, Callum.” Ethan threw his leather shoes off like they hadn’t cost him a week’s salary. Five days of sorting out magic plants from mundane. Forty hours of the same motion, picking and sniffing seeds, then grinding them to powder.Guilt turned in my stomach as I ran my manicured hands up Ethan’s sides. It’d taken months to convince him to move in with me. He couldn’t afford half the rent; I didn’t care.“You coming?” He smiled—somehow Ethan was always smiling.I pulled at my tie, kicked off my shoes. “Bet your ass I am.”Ethan ran into our bedroom, shirt unbuttoned, pants twisted around his ankles. He danced around, trying to get them off. “Well if my ass is on the line—” I rushed over as he fell in a fit of giggles. “I hope you win.”I grabbed the cuffs of his pants and pulled them off. “I haven’t even had a chance to play yet.” Serena held me still until my blood soaked the altar cloth. “Relax, you’re still alive,” she said. “Would you rather I’d pricked your finger and wasted an hour while we waited?”I dug my fingernails into my palm, shaking my head. I’d have let her slit my throat if it would’ve given me more time with Ethan.“Don’t move.”I slouched in my chair as she released me. Her hand disappeared into a wooden box, and returned with coarse brown thread. She steadied my arm while her needle pierced my skin."Asphodel root."My lip burned as I bit down on it. Serena stitched the gash with the root-thread until a jagged brown line remained. I wriggled my fingers as their feeling returned.She traced its length, whispering.I grunted and yanked my arm free, examining the stitches. They'd melded into my skin.Serena spread three pinches of her plant mixture across cigarette paper and rolled it. One end glowed orange as the other touched her lips. “Human blood. Always gives it a metallic tinge. Open up, birdie.”The dove cooed as the sorceress drew a deep breath and released it. Smoke enveloped the cage."You're not going to—""Kill it?" When she dosed it again, the bird twitched. "What kind of business do you think I run here?"And then it keeled over. "Please!" Ethan arched up as I pushed my fingers inside him again.Our bodies slid against one another, slick with sweat and saliva. I'd held off as long as I could, but the way he panted now, I knew he wouldn't let me wait.But I relished the remaining moments. "Please what?" My lips grazed his chest as I spoke. He tasted like salt and smelled like cinnamon.A little growl rumbled in his throat. "You're killing me, Callum."His words prickled over my skin. "Don't talk like that.""I wouldn't have to if my boyfriend would get inside me." He squirmed beneath me.“Right,” I said, loosening my grip on his arms. “Sorry.”We were lost: words reduced to syllables, the world to this bed, his warmth, my thrusts. He was a writhing, sweaty, beautiful mess of a man. Ethan’s fingers wrapped around his own cock and my eyes screwed shut. Moans and grunts surfaced like bubbles in champagne.Then—“Callum!”I held on as his body bucked beneath mine. My orgasm hit as his subsided. It was more of a spasm—a body out of control. My hips jerked and ground against his, stretching the pleasure as long as I could. Ethan’s lips were there as the room focused again. His calm washed over me like one of Serena’s remedies.“What if we just stayed like this forever?” he said. “Connected.”But I pulled away, ending his fantasy. Why did he have to say these things now?“What if we could stop time, drain oceans, fly through space...” I said.“I was trying to be romantic.”I nudged him and flopped onto the pillows. “Goodnight, Ethan.”“Night, Callum.” He curled against me, resting his head in the crook of my neck, and kissed my shoulder. This was where I wanted to stay forever. Serena grabbed a blanket from the cupboard and tossed it at me. "I hope you brought another set of clothes.""I did." I picked at a piece of dried blood."Over the sink. This is my workplace, not your bathroom."No, my bathroom was much cleaner. But I obeyed. Warm water spewed from her rusting faucet, loosening the mess on my arm."Change behind the curtain. Be quick. The night doesn't wait."I pulled on the black pants and sapphire blue shirt I'd packed—Ethan’s favorite. Serena flung the curtain open as I finished tying my shoes. "You look nice. Going someplace fancy later?"“Fernando’s. It was our first date.”“How’d you manage those reservations?” she asked, somewhere between impressed and mocking.“I know the hostess. What's in the basket?"A black cloth covered the contents. Sorcerers never disclosed all their ingredients. “Get the bird. Time to go.” My alarm blared like it was on red-alert.“Ugh, shut up.” Ethan swatted around, missing completely. “Callum, your alarm.”I reached over him and slapped it right onto the floor.“I hate that thing,” he said.“I know, you’ve told me a million times.”He snuggled up against me, eyes still closed. “Couldn’t you get one that plays light jazz or nature sounds?”“Nothing says ‘time to wake up’ like light jazz,” I mumbled and tightened the covers around us.The snooze alarm sounded its revenge.“Gods, what time is it?” Ethan yanked the plug right from the socket, but I knew:5:00. My stomach dropped. Morning.“You know,” he said, voice groggy. “I took off work so that we could sleep in, make penis-shaped pancakes, then maybe lick maple syrup off one another.” Ethan buried his face in my chest, eyes still closed.“There’s nothing else I’d rather do.” I squeezed him in my arms, trying to memorize exactly how his body felt, how his fingers grazed my back, and toes poked mine. “But we have to go. There’s something I have to show you.”He rolled onto his stomach and watched me pull on a pair of shorts. Concern showed on his face. “What happened to your arm?”I quickly covered the stitches with long sleeves. “Nothing.”“Have you been going to Serena again?”I reached into his drawer and grabbed a white tee shirt. “Maybe.”“Do I even want to know why?” His lips tightened while he watched me get dressed.I didn’t answer—couldn’t answer. He’d know a lie, and the truth? Not yet. I still had time.Ethan sighed. "Come back to bed.”I threw the shirt and it landed on his head.“Get dressed. We’re leaving in five.” The water looked different just after sunset, black almost. Serena sat cross-legged in the middle of a circle. She’d traced intricate patterns in the sand in preparation for the spell. I’d set up my charade, laying out a blanket with bare dishes and a half-empty bottle of wine. Now, I dug my feet into the sand to keep from running.If the week without Ethan had felt like a lifetime, how was a lifetime going to feel?I closed my eyes and tried to drown out Serena’s chanting. But I could still smell the incense: asphodel, again. She’d given me a small bouquet of the pink and white flowers. They rested on the blanket, waiting.Just like me. “I take back everything I said earlier about staying in bed,” Ethan said. “I’ll never get tired of this beach.”“Me neither,” I whispered. I didn’t trust myself to speak any louder.“And now I will have seen the sun set and rise here during the same night. Morning—technically, it’s morning, but you know what I mean.”I nodded and wrapped my arms around him as we stared out at the sea. It seemed to rise with the sun in orange, red, and purple.“Do you remember the first time we came here?” I said and cleared my throat. My voice had begun to waver.“Yes. It was barely spring and the water was freezing. You threw me in. I don’t think I returned your calls for a week.” He laughed and leaned his head on my shoulder. “And if you’re thinking about a repeat performance, stop. I know where you sleep.”Then, in the distance, I saw Serena coming with the unconscious white dove in its little cage. I wanted to run—wanted to scoop Ethan up in my arms and just go. There wasn’t enough time. How could she possibly think I was ready?“Ethan,” I said. “There’s something I have to tell you.” “He’s coming!” Serena said. I sat up on the picnic blanket and looked around.“Where?”She didn’t have time to answer my question. Little flecks of ash rose from the sand and the sea. At first they were too tiny to notice. But then, they joined and grew, forming his familiar shape.“Remember not to treat him differently. For him, it will be like he was never gone,” the sorceress said. “The dead don’t remember.”I nodded, only half-paying attention to her instructions.“Then he’s yours again...until sunrise. Use your time wisely and meet me back here.”“Or else?”“I will kill you both.” She showed no hint of a smile.When the last of the ashes fell into place, they flashed white like the center of a flame. The form was no longer ash; it was flesh. I reached out and ran my fingers over the soft pink skin of his cheek.“Ethan?”“What?”I threw my body against his, knocking us both to the sand. There weren’t enough kisses in the world. How could I possibly fit them all into one night?“Nothing, I just”—missed you—“love you.”“Someone’s had too much celebratory wine. Aren’t we supposed to be going somewhere real for dinner? Not that the sunset wasn’t beautiful, but those crackers and cheese won’t hold me over for long.”“Yes, we are,” I said. “We’re going to have an unforgettable night.” Serena was too close to ignore and the sun poured over the horizon. How could I tell Ethan? How could I even form the words? It was going to crush him. Serena was right. Letting him go a second time already hurt worse.“Tonight, it—it wasn’t...” I tried to say it.“Wasn’t what?”“It wasn’t real. And I’m so sorry for doing this to you.”“Doing what? Callum, you’re scaring me.” He gripped my shoulders and stared at me with those deep brown eyes.“Last week there was an accident. At the spice mill.”“I think I would have known—”I pushed my lips against his, pressed our foreheads together, squeezed my hands against the sides of his face.I shook my head.“No.” His fingers dug into my sides, lips quivered against my neck. “Stop it. Why are you doing this?”“It’s time.” Serena stopped beside us. The dove stirred in its cage.“What’s she doing here?” Ethan said, recognizing the sorceress.“I’ve come to send you back.” She said what I couldn’t. “You can’t stay with the living.”He stilled when she touched his forehead. Realization hit him like a bomb.“No!” Ethan screamed and I unleashed the sob I’d been holding in since we’d woken up. “No, Callum. Don’t let her take me, please!” I hugged him until my arms hurt, kissed him until my lips slid through our tears.“Don’t worry,” Serena said. “You can’t hurt when you don’t exist.”Slowly, little flecks of his hair and skin turned a dark gray. He started to fade as they blew away in the breeze.“I love you,” I said. “So much.”“I love you too,” he whispered.And then, all I could hear were his gasps and the terrifying cries of a person who’d just realized he wasn’t even dying. He had already died.The dove cooed and righted itself in the cage. “Can’t we just kill the fucking bird?” I shouted over Ethan’s shoulder. Why did it get to rise again? I’d strangle the thing if its death would give Ethan the rest of his life back.Ash flew into the morning breeze. I was barely holding him anymore.“Please don’t let me go,” he whispered, and then to Serena. “I’d rather hurt.”“Sorry, sweetie,” she said.It took all my strength to look into Ethan’s translucent eyes.“Remember me.” His lips continued to move soundlessly.“Always,” I said.The last of him swept off into the wind. Ethan was gone. The door to my apartment swung open. I hadn’t answered the knocks; I knew who it was. “You can’t hide forever, Callum.”Serena pulled up a chair beside the bed, where I huddled under a pile of blankets. It had been ten days. I’d barely moved.“Time to pay up.”It’d sounded like a fair trade when she’d suggested it. Better, even, than living with the pain. Ethan didn’t have to, why should I?But I couldn’t lie in bed forever, staring at the empty space beside me, reliving that night.“You gathered his belongings?”I glanced at a black bag on the floor. There was no use trying to keep anything of Ethan’s. Serena would sense it. She promised to hold onto the possessions I couldn’t bear to destroy—photographs, letters, the engraved watch I’d bought him for our one-year anniversary. We couldn’t risk me finding ‘strange’ things around the apartment.“Just get it over with,” I said.“You’ll feel better afterwards.” She plucked a cigarette from inside her cloak and put it to her lips. “You don’t really want to think about him all the time anyway. He’s dead. Non-existent. Ash.”“I get it. What are you going to do with them?”“Your memories of Ethan are very potent,” she said. “Perfect for love spells and collectors. I already have a prospective client lined up.”“You’re not taking any other memories. Just him?” Tears flowed down familiar paths on my cheeks. I’d promised I’d always remember him.“I’m a woman of my word.” She shrugged. “Now, open up. Time for your medicine.”She breathed the enchanted smoke into my lungs and I breathed Ethan out of my life. “That wasn’t so bad,” Serena said.I coughed and waved at the cloud of smoke that hung in my bedroom. “What was that?” My head pounded.“Just a little something for your aches.” She patted my forehead and then stood, gathering her black bag of supplies. The magic must have made me doze off. It’d happened before.“Thanks, I guess.”She set a tin on the end table before opening the front door. “Smoke one every night before bed for a week. Start tonight and you’ll be good as new.”The door banged closed behind her. I flipped the tin open and a soft honey scent wafted out. It smelled strangely familiar, but from where and when? It would come to me in an hour when I least expected it, I was sure.But it was only 7:30. If I left now, I could still grab a table for one at Fernando’s and be back in time for Serena’s remedy. END  “Ordinary Souls” was first published in Shimmer issue 16 in January 2013.This recording is a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license, which means you can share it with anyone you’d like, but please don’t change or sell it. Our theme is “Aurora Borealis” by Bird Creek, available through the  Google Audio Library.Thanks for listening, and I’ll have another story for you on May 7th![Music Plays Out]

PrideCast 17: Mandy Taylor, Sacramento LGBT Community Center’s Director of Programs Feb. 12, 2014 – Mandy Taylor is the new Director of Programs at Sacramento’s LGBT Community Center. Tune in to hear what they’re up to and how to get … Continue reading →