Podcasts about queer identity

Long before becoming an award-winning educator, public speaker, and podcaster (of BFF: Black, Fat, Femme), Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins (aka Doctor Jon Paul) was just a kid sneaking movies while mom was at work. One of those films, 1993's This Boy's Life, became one of their favorites. That was in large part thanks to the aspirational friendship of main character Tobias "Jack" Wolff (Leonardo DiCaprio) and the closeted but undeniable Arthur Gayle. Doctor Jon Paul and Jordan discuss the film, the new book Black. Fat. Femme: Revealing the Power of Visibly Queer Voices in Media and Learning to Love Yourself, and transformational power of intersectional friendship and storytelling.Speaking of intersectional storytelling, Jordan has one quick thing about the new Ryan Coogler heater, SINNERS.***With Jordan Crucchiola and Dr Jon Paul Higgins Feeling Seen is hosted by Jordan Crucchiola and is a production Maximum Fun.Need more Feeling Seen? Keep up with the show on Instagram and Bluesky.

I'd love to hear from you drop me a text!Welcome to The Scrumptious WomanIn this powerful episode, I sit down with Nikki Wetherell, a somatic sexologist and trainee counsellor, for an intimate conversation about trauma, healing, sexuality, and the journey to authenticity. Nikki shares her deeply personal story of navigating sexual trauma, birth trauma, coming out later in life, and exploring polyamory while maintaining a loving marriage and family life.Episode Summary: Nikki opens up about her path to becoming a somatic sexologist and her belief in the power of combining traditional therapy with bodywork. We discuss the importance of safe touch, the wisdom of the body, and how trauma can resurface during significant life events like childbirth. Nikki bravely shares her experience of remembering and processing sexual trauma, and how feeling truly safe for the first time allowed her to explore and acknowledge her queer identity in her late 30s.Key Takeaways:The vital importance of trusting your body's wisdom and finding practitioners who will listen to and honour that wisdomHow feeling safe can unlock deeper understanding of ourselves and our authentic identitiesThe complex journey of coming out later in life while maintaining existing relationships and family dynamicsThe challenges of navigating polyamory when partners are monogamousThe significance of having proper support and poly-informed therapists when exploring non-traditional relationship structuresNikki reminds us that healing isn't linear - it's more like an infinity sign where we revisit similar themes but with greater awareness each time. Her story beautifully illustrates how authenticity, though challenging, is worth pursuing despite societal conditioning and expectations.Resources: Connect with Nikki:Instagram: @CelestialSoulCoachWebsite: celestialsoul.co.ukIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with anyone who might benefit from hearing this powerful conversation about healing, authenticity, and embracing all parts of ourselves. Join me next time, for another taboo-breaking, boundary-pushing episode of The Scrumptious Woman.Much LoveJuliette x  Find out more about Juliette Karaman here: https://feelfullyyou.com Follow Juliette on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/juliettekaraman/ Follow Juliette on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/juliette.karamanvanschaardenburg Don't forget to Rate and leave a review so more people can tune in and the ripple effect spreads further.

Lara hates fantasy fiction throat bobbing, Makena's on meds, and Douglas turns 3. Is this 2025? The girls also get into shiny object syndrome, how to explore your queer identity, and why we need to make friends with our brains. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt If you loooove (or even just like) F*ck Wellness, please leave us a rating and review! We will love u forever. Promise.Follow us on Instagram at @fckwellness for snarky commentary and pictures of our faces!!Personal instas:Mallory: @mallorycmwLara: @laravander22Makena: @makenasherwood

This is an episode from Clarisse and Zofia's podcast series, Thoughts that Bug Me.

In this episode, Lane White, a transgender individual and a former BJU student, shares his journey of self-discovery. Lane recounts his upbringing in a Baptist household, his experiences at BJU, and the challenges of conforming to its strict rules. He discusses navigating gender identity, coming to terms with his sexuality, and facing expulsion. Lane's story sheds light on the impact of fundamentalism on personal identity, his quest for authenticity, and his resilience in reconciling faith with being LGBTQ.Jacob's Ladder (SC LGBTQ+ Resource List) https://www.qrcodechimp.com/page/jacobsladder?v=chk1719766347Read Lane's story in BJU and Me: https://www.amazon.com/BJU-Me-Voices-Christian-University/dp/0820361593JOIN MY PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/ My Substack: https://speakingupandrewpledger.substack.com/ Linktree: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links -Music: https://www.purple-planet.com*Some audio is regenerated by AI because of mispronunciations and/or recording issues Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Modern Gays, Daniel and Garet open up about insecurities, plastic surgery, and how unsolicited advice can derail our self-confidence. From Garet's experience with a recent surgical procedure to Daniel's vulnerability about thinning hair, they explore the weight of personal insecurities and the judgment we often feel from others. Why do we care so much about what people think? They dive deep into the ways technology and social media amplify this pressure, while also challenging the instinct to offer advice when it's not asked for. Can we truly walk in someone else's shoes, or is it time we all learned to trust ourselves more? Listen in for laughs, raw truths, and some hard-earned wisdom. Key HighlightsPlastic Surgery Stories: Garet shares his recent experience getting surgery and how it affected his self-image.The Unsolicited Advice Club: The hosts discuss the pitfalls of giving advice when it's not wanted, particularly in LGBTQ+ spaces.Social Media Pressure: They examine how public routines and online life invite judgment and curiosity, even when nothing's changed.Empathy vs. Relatability: A conversation about when sharing your own story doesn't help someone going through their own experience. ___SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONJoin our Patreon! Get access to deeper dives and juicier content around every episode! Move into the Modern Gayborhood for only $5 USD/month and help us produce Modern Gays. Your support pays for our hosting, audio production and episode research. Please check it out and sign up here!What's included:Exclusive content, stories and behind-the-scenesCommunity chats with Daniel and GaretExclusive voting power on episode topics/guestsDaniel and Garet's personal journal updates___SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:Modern Gays is published every week. If you love the show and can support us, please subscribe and write a review wherever you get your podcasts! Thanks for listening! Daniel and GaretCo-Hosts of Modern Gayshttps://www.moderngays.co

In Dinner for Shoes episode 46, George M Johnson on Flamboyants, Fashion + Identity, host Sarah Wasilak chats with the New York Times bestselling author about their new book Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known. They also discuss George's memoir-manifesto All Boys Aren't Blue, which has been banned under federal law and has empowered George to fight for the freedom to read in court. George shares the ways in which they're continuously inspired by fashion and how they use clothing to portray their style and identity to the outside world. Sarah also tries George's favorite food, crab cakes, as part of a new approach to involving special guests and their go-to meal in her episodes.  THIS DINNER Crab Cake Appetizer from Hamilton Inn in Jersey City, NJ THESE SHOES  Zara Curved Heel Pump THIS OUTFIT  AFRM Sammie Polo Shirt via Rent the Runway AFRM Peta Cargo Skirt via Rent the Runway Vintage BaubleBar earrings THESE CHAPTERS 4:52 - THE OUTFIT BEHIND THE SHOES 8:19 - ALL BOYS AREN'T BLUE 9:27 - READINGS FROM FLAMBOYANTS 14:06 - GEORGE M JOHNSON INTERVIEW 38:46 - CRAB CAKES FROM HAMILTON INN THIS PRODUCTION is created, written, hosted, and produced by Sarah Wasilak. is creative directed and executive produced by Megan Kai. is tech supervised by Nick Zanetis. includes photos and videos in chronological order by George M Johnson, Amazon, Sarah Wasilak, Define Chique, and Shannon Stokes. references All Boys Aren't Blue and Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known. is made with love. Dinner for Shoes is a podcast hosted by Sarah Wasilak, a fashion and food enthusiast with her mouth full. With appearances by her cats, Trish and Kit, and agendas that almost always go to shit, we aim to dive into a discussion about fashion and style and break some bread in each episode.  Dinner for Shoes podcast episodes are released weekly on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple. You can follow along for updates, teasers, and more on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. If there are any fashion topics you've been pondering or good eats you think Sarah should try, don't hesitate to send a DM or an email. Dinner for Shoes is an original by The Kai Productions. Follow Dinner for Shoes: @dinnerforshoes on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube  Follow host Sarah Wasilak: @slwasz on Instagram  Follow producer Megan Kai: @megankaii on Instagram  Get in touch: dinnerforshoes@gmail.comTo make this video more accessible, check out YouDescribe, a web-based platform that offers a free audio description tool for viewers who are blind or visually impaired.

Should your friends be worried if you only want to date married men? How much say should your kids have in who you date? Is opening up your relationship the key to expressing your queer identity? Join Jeff and returning fan-favorite Claire Perelman, LCSW as they tackle these listener questions about relationships, romance, and connection.Claire recommends: The Anxious Person's Guide to Non-MonogamyListen to Jeff's podcast Big Dating Energy: https://wavepodcastnetwork.com/More from Claire: https://linktr.ee/sexclarifiedFollow Claire on Instagram @sexclarified and Tiktok @sexclarifiedClaire's Substack: https://sexclarified.substack.com/Head to FACTORMEALS.com/solved50 and use code solved50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month. Order your copy of Big Dating Energy Out now!Subscribe to Jeff's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyjeffJeff's TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/therapyjeff/Jeff's Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@therapyjeffDISCLAIMER: The insights shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only, and should not be seen as a substitute for professional therapy. The guidance is general in nature, and does not equate to the personalized care provided by a licensed therapist. The callers are not therapy clients.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Since the 1890s, the term queer was initially used as a derogatory slur against gay men until it was later reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community as a symbol of empowerment and inclusivity. Today, it's used non-offensively as an inclusive term that embraces a wide spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities within the community.In this episode, we're taking a look into the etymology of the word queer, tracing its origins as a slur, and examining the pivotal moments and motivations behind the LGBTQ+ community's powerful reclamation of the term.Related Episodes:Listen to Bonus 12. Spooky StorytimeListen to Episode 03. Surviving Another PandemicListen to Episode 23. Let's Talk About the F WordListen to Episode 51. ACT UP: Silence = DeathAdditional Resources:Queer (Etymology)Queer (Definition)How the Word ‘Queer' was Adopted by the LGBTQ CommunityMarquess of Queensberry‘Queer' History: A History of QueerOscar Wilde TrialReviled, Reclaimed and Respected: The History of the Word 'Queer'Come Out!Support the showGet Your Merch

How to Charge Like a Six Figure Therapist Live Event  https://learn.leaninmakebank.com/how-to-charge-like-a-six-figure-therapist-live/ In this live online training event, you'll get crystal clear about how to talk fees ethically and fairly - in a way that honors you and your clients - as we head into your Fall Fee Raise conversations.  In this episode, we're speaking with Lauren Pass Erickson, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Dance/Movement Therapist out of Colorado. After receiving a financial wake-up call, she was left with no choice but to get crystal clear about her financial situation and reevaluate her fee structure. By becoming very honest about her financial needs, Lauren not only improved her therapy practice but also set better boundaries in her clinical work and personal relationships.  Stay until the end because Lauren and Tiffany stumbled upon an insight that gave both of them goosebumps. In this episode, Lauren will share: How she went from charging as low as $30 per session to $260 per session; Getting hit with an unexpected $10,000 tax penalty forced her to take a reality based look at her fee structure; How it felt to charge premium fees for the first time; Her clinical work becoming exponentially better as she addressed her own  money mindset; Three pieces of strategic advice that will help you go from struggling to set your fees to confidently charging premium fees.   Resources mentioned: The Lean In. MAKE BANK. Academy The Fun with Fees Calculator Lauren's Website: www.naturalembodiment.org  More about Lauren:  Lauren Pass Erickson MA, LPC, R-DMT (she/her) is a somatic and dance/movement therapist who has been in private practice in Boulder, CO since 2020. Specializing in Complex PTSD and Queer Identity, Lauren helps LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse adults reconnect with their bodies after trauma, and embrace their most authentic selves with joy and confidence. 

Send us a textIn this episode, Sober Steve celebrates 1,186 days of sobriety and welcomes Melinda Dixon, the first member from Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA) to join the show. Melinda shares her powerful journey toward emotional sobriety, shedding light on how ACA has profoundly shaped her life. The conversation explores the importance of emotional regulation through human connection, the power of community, and the impact of understanding one's core wounds on maintaining healthy relationships. Steve and Melinda also discuss the evolution of their queer identities in sobriety and the pride they've found in their unique personal journeys.- Celebrating Sobriety: Steve marks 1,186 days of sobriety and introduces Melinda as the first ACA guest.- Emotional Sobriety: Melinda's journey to emotional regulation through connection and ACA meetings.- Understanding Core Wounds: How this understanding has helped Melinda establish healthy boundaries and relationships.- Queer Identity in Sobriety: The pride Steve and Melinda have found in their unique queer identities within and apart from the LGBT+ community.- Self-Care Practices: Exploring the role of gratitude lists, exercise, and fine dining in maintaining recovery.Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on emotional sobriety, queer identity, and personal growth in recovery, and leave a rating and review to pay it forward for the next person who might find the show!**Where to Find Us:**- More Information on ACA- gAy A on IG

Send us a textIn this episode, Sober Steve celebrates 1,186 days of sobriety and welcomes Melinda Dixon, the first member from Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA) to join the show. Melinda shares her powerful journey toward emotional sobriety, shedding light on how ACA has profoundly shaped her life. The conversation explores the importance of emotional regulation through human connection, the power of community, and the impact of understanding one's core wounds on maintaining healthy relationships. Steve and Melinda also discuss the evolution of their queer identities in sobriety and the pride they've found in their unique personal journeys.- Celebrating Sobriety: Steve marks 1,186 days of sobriety and introduces Melinda as the first ACA guest.- Emotional Sobriety: Melinda's journey to emotional regulation through connection and ACA meetings.- Understanding Core Wounds: How this understanding has helped Melinda establish healthy boundaries and relationships.- Queer Identity in Sobriety: The pride Steve and Melinda have found in their unique queer identities within and apart from the LGBT+ community.- Self-Care Practices: Exploring the role of gratitude lists, exercise, and fine dining in maintaining recovery.Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on emotional sobriety, queer identity, and personal growth in recovery, and leave a rating and review to pay it forward for the next person who might find the show!**Where to Find Us:**- More Information on ACA- gAy A on IG

Brandon Rothrock joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast to discuss the intersection of the environment and LGBTQ+ identities, and emerging climate and health issues in Appalachia.

In this episode, co-hosts Lizzy and Rya, alongside guest Amber, a midwife in the army, discuss various aspects of midwifery, queer health, and vaginal health. Amber shares her journey to becoming a midwife and the discussion revolves queer and AFAB health.Amber's Added Note: Everyone, regardless of gender assigned at birth, should get the three-shot series of the HPV vaccine. It is the #1 to prevent cervical cancer!Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thatqueerfitnesspodcast/   Follow us on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@thatqueerfitnesspodcast  Music by: Kelsi CreekWebsite: https://kelsimusic.com/  Instagram: www.instagram.com/kelsicreek  Music mixing and mastering by: www.fiverr.com/onedayclint  Logo by: www.fiverr.com/juugend  00:00 Introduction00:43 Amber's Journey to Midwifery03:46 Understanding the Role of a Midwife08:36 Queer Identity in Midwifery13:14 Challenges and Progress in Queer Healthcare19:36 Pap Smears and Sexual Health Education30:16 All Things Midwives38:46 The History and Evolution of Midwifery43:31 Listener Q&A: Vaginal Health Tips52:08 Pelvic Floor Health: Exercises and Tips54:03 Postpartum Vaginal Health: Recovery Tips56:39 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Send us a Text Message.Actor, vocalist, and advocate Jacob Wilson joins us for a heartfelt exploration into the world of addiction within the entertainment industry. From his roots in Visalia, California, to his relentless pursuit of the arts under top-notch coaches, Jacob opens up about the tension between the industry's glamorous facade and the often harsh reality behind the scenes. This conversation touches on the challenges of identifying as queer, especially within the metal music scene, and the significant impact addiction has had on his life and the lives of those around him. Jacob's raw and poignant reflections on facing rejection and battling addiction reveal the complexities of self-worth and coping mechanisms that many in the industry grapple with. He shares how growing up with same-sex attraction in a conservative environment led to internal turmoil and harmful habits. Together, we discuss the arduous journey of recovery, the emotional toll of relapse, and the importance of finding healthier ways to manage emotions while striving for a meaningful career in acting and music.Throughout the episode, we emphasize the power of self-reflection and the courage needed to question cultural norms. Jacob's journey highlights the transformative impact of vulnerability and genuine connections, whether through the support of close friends or the gradual shift from unhealthy habits. We aim to offer hope and inspiration, shedding light on the importance of authenticity and resilience in making the world a kinder, more inclusive place. Join us to hear Jacob's powerful story and gain insights into the ongoing fight for sobriety and self-discovery.Support the Show.#thetruthaboutaddiction#sobriety#the12steps#recovery#therapy#mentalhealth#podcasts#emotionalsobriety#soberliving#sobermindset#spirituality#spiritualgrowth#aa#soberlife#mindfulness#wellness#wellnessjourney#personalgrowth#personaldevelopment#sobermovement#recoveroutloud#sobercurious#sobermoms#soberwomen#author#soberauthor#purpose#passion#perspective

Actor (and director, writer, producer) Devery Jacobs might be most familiar to folks from her role on RESERVATION DOGS, but she's carving out her own space in Hollywood with projects like the new movie BACKSPOT (executive produced by Elliot Page and directed by D.W. Waterson). And even as she's playing her part in making sure Native actors feel seen on screens, she's still battling to be herself on screen in projects that aren't centered around the Rez. Hear about all that, plus (of course) the many varied (and variably queer-coded) faces she's seen herself in on screen.Then, Jordan has one quick thing about LONGLEGS.Harriet the SpyKiki's Delivery ServiceThe Watermelon WomanLady BirdRhymes for Young GhoulsJordan's interview with Jeff Barnaby***With Jordan Crucchiola and Devery Jacobs 

In this episode of "Queer Story Time," Stevie interviews Alyy Patel, a queer South Asian gender-fluid individual, about their experiences and perspectives on identity, culture, and spirituality.Key Points Discussed:Navigating Dual Identities:Alyy shares their journey of discovering and embracing both their queerness and South Asian identity, rejecting the idea that they must compromise one for the other.Impact of Colonialism:They discuss how colonialism influenced their family's perspectives on queerness, emphasizing that resistance to queerness in their community often stems from colonial history.Spirituality and Queerness:Alyy finds peace through spirituality, noting that their religion inherently includes queer elements.Queer Community Visibility:Alyy stresses the importance of queer South Asian visibility and encourages others to protect themselves while living authentically, even if it means living a double life.Policy and Lawmakers:Alyy criticizes lawmakers who create anti-queer legislation, urging them to use research and engage with queer communities to make informed decisions.Coming Out Advice for Queer Youth:Alyy advises queer and trans South Asian youth to prioritize safety and financial security, challenging the Western narrative that coming out is necessary for queer validity.Future Aspirations:Alyy hopes to continue advocating for queer South Asian visibility and to speak on larger platforms to share their message.Connect with Alyy:Instagram @alyypatelVisit their website - www.alyypatel.comAnnouncements:Queer Story Time Community Facebook Group: Now live and free to join! Connect with our vibrant community here: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/JCiyGgCnpX7gPbfU/?mibextid=K35XfQueer Story Time Email List: Stay updated with QST episodes, news, events, and future opportunities Email List: http://eepurl.com/iSc-HQLeave A Review & Follow QST:I encourage QST listeners to leave a review on the podcast platform of your choice and to share the podcast with friends and family! This helps QST expand to an even bigger audience globally.Be sure to follow your host Stevie on Instagram @queertransthriving and the QST YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsV_UVohIXCZkSXExp8aYkA  Support QST & Buy Me A Coffee:If you'd like to support my work as your QST host, please consider buying me a coffee at this link and check-out my additional offerings: https://buymeacoffee.com/queertransthriving  Get In-Touch with Stevie via E-Mail: queerstorytimethepodcast@gmail.comHost: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (they/them or she/her)

On today's episode of Get Hired, LinkedIn Senior Editor Andrew Seaman speaks with Dr. Sarah Moon, a psychologist specializing in LGBTQIA+ mental health. They discuss how employers can support their LGBTQIA+ employees and how employees can spot inclusive employers. Dr. Moon also shares advice for confronting anti-LGBTQ biases at work and showing up as an ally on the job. Follow Andrew on LinkedIn to join the Get Hired community by clicking here. Follow Sarah Moon on LinkedIn by clicking here.

Send us a Text Message.When they find out that their child is somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, parents are often forced to examine their faith in entirely new ways, and it's hard stuff–earth shifting, ground shaking, life changing, relationship destroying sort of hard. Today's In the Den guest is an expert at courageous conversations in the religious realm, because it isn't just the individuals that are wrestling with the topic of religion and spirituality, but many religious organizations themselves. Special guest Bishop Karen Oliveto talks with Jen about the intersection of religion and LGBTQ+ identities. Special Guest: Bishop Karen P. OlivetoKaren Oliveto was consecrated as a bishop of The United Methodist Church on July 16, 2016 in Scottsdale, Ariz., and assigned for the 2016-2020 quadrennium to the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area, which includes 320 congregations in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and a small section of Idaho. Bishop Oliveto was elected to the episcopacy after serving as the first woman pastor of the 12,000-member Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco, Calif. She is the first woman to serve as senior pastor of one of The United Methodist Church's 100 largest congregations.  Bishop Oliveto is the co-author of Talking About Homosexuality: A Congregational Resource, and the author of Our Strangely Warmed Hearts: Coming Out into God's Call and Together at the Table: Diversity without Division in The United Methodist Church. She has the distinction of being the first openly lesbian bishop in The United Methodist Church. She and her wife, Robin Ridenour, a nurse anesthetist and United Methodist deaconess, met in Junior High Church Camp and have been together for 25 years. They were married in 2014. Bishop Oliveto was named by NBC as one of 30 contemporary LGBTQ change-makers as part of their #Pride50 series. She was also named one of the Faith Leaders to Watch in 2021 by the Center for American Progress. Links from the Show:Learn more about Bishop Oliveto here: https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/person-detail/2463386Bishop Oliveto on FB: https://www.facebook.com/BishopOliveto/Find Bishop Oliveto's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-P.-Oliveto/author/B001KI75ZO?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueJoin Mama Dragons today at www.mamadragons.org In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.   Connect with Mama Dragons:WebsiteInstagramFacebookDonate to this podcast

Celebration of Pride month continues on Flirtations with the "Coming Out" episode! I've got not one, not two, but THREE coming out stories for you as we explore themes of queer identify, gender norms, compulsory heterosexuality, self acceptance, queer dating (of course!), finding community, and MORE! If you are perhaps feeling lost in figuring out your sexuality and who/how you want to date, I highly encourage you to check out the episode! Or maybe you know a friend or family member looking for guidance through this process of discovery and acceptance, I hope you'll share this one with them! If you're an ally and wanna hear what it's like to come out, this is the one to listen to! Finally, let's say you're reading this and are like, Benjamin, I'm here and queer, been out! I'm sure you'll still be able to relate to the stories shared, just like I did! The conversation continues on Swell with bonus clips, extended interviews, and more! After each episode, head on over to Swell and let's keep flirting:  https://www.swellcast.com/BenjaminCamras Then, join me on Flirtstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/benjamincamras/ And Flirttok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@benjamincamras Check out my Flirt Coach offers:  https://stan.store/benjamincamras About our guests:  three of Stonewall Sports finest are on the show. I was beyond happy to talk with Jordan Johnson, K (wishes to remain anonymous), and Gracie Rodgers. Jordan is a dog mom to an adorable Beagle, Lemon, a daughter and sister, earring designer, photographer, social media strategist, and fabulous friend, just to name a few things! K wishes to share that they "are cool, fun, sexy, and a great flirt!" Gracie (all pronouns) is an artist, educator, and LGBTQ community leader in Greensboro, NC.  They identify as queer and genderfluid.  Gracie is involved in organizations such as Stonewall (where they met Benjamin), Out at the Movies, Triad Pride Performing Arts, and the Carolina Aging Alliance. Gracie is passionate about queer storytelling and reconnecting with older generations in the LGBTQ community.  Connect with Gracie on Instagram @FreetobeGracie. For more information on Stonewall Sports, please check out their website: Stonewall Sports Nationals. For local resources and support, please Google or do an internet search for "lgbt life center near me" or "lgbt resource center near me" to find organizations nearest your location. To access the national lgbt hotline and find a directory of resources, please visit the LGBT National Help Center website. Thank you for listening! I couldn't do this without two amazing collaborators! Thank you to Corey Claxton for mixing down and editing each episode to perfection. You can connect with Corey on Instagram and via email coreyclaxton@gmail.com. Thank you to Joey Collins for the original music you hear in each episode. You can connect with Joey on Instagram and Soundcloud! 

2 LIVES - STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION Shawna Beesley, known to most as Adaline, says there's no dopamine hit like saving someone from hell. Today she finds that high performing on stage. She discovered she had to shed her golden child identity and reconcile with her evangelical upbringing to be true to herself and come out to her family. 2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.” 2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions. Become a 2 Lives patron at https://www.patreon.com/2lives Or give a donation at paypal.me/2LivesPodcast Drop us a note on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can learn how to support the show here. Or order merch here. Episode transcripts are posted on our  website. Find out more about Adaline on our website.  

Episode 538 of the ADHD reWired podcast, hosted by Eric Tivers, addresses the complexities and intersections of neurodivergence (ADHD and autism) and LGBTQ identities. The episode features a panel discussion from a NeuroDivergent Pride event, co-hosted by Chris Wang from Shimmer. The panel includes Eric, Nate, and Vida, who share their personal journeys of coming out as queer and neurodivergent. They discuss the challenges of navigating societal expectations, masking, and the importance of supportive communities. The episode also emphasizes the impact of visibility and advocacy in both the ADHD and LGBTQ communities, encouraging listeners to join supportive spaces and take steps to be proud of their identities. 03:24 NeuroDivergent Pride Panel Introduction 09:14 Panelists Share Their Stories 22:34 Exploring Neurodivergent and Queer Identities 31:55 Impact of Heteronormative and Neurotypical Expectations 38:04 High-Level Masking and Personal Experiences 38:50 Coming Out and Family Reactions 40:40 Navigating Identity and Cultural Expectations  43:37 Unmasking and Embracing Neurodivergence 46:06 Challenges of Masking and Survival Strategies 53:30 The Continuous Process of Coming Out 01:04:12 Getting Involved in Neurodivergent and LGBTQ Communities 01:13:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Eris Young is author of the go-to book on everything non-binary. They break down the basics of the gender binary, painting a more expansive, inclusive, and accurate picture of human identity. What is it like to be nonbinary? What challenges do people face? What about healthcare for nonbinary folks? All this and more, as we talk to Eris Young about their book, They/Them/Their: A Guide to Nonbinary and Genderqueer Identities. About the Guest Eris Young is a queer, transgender writer of fiction and nonfiction. Their books They/Them/Their: A guide to nonbinary and genderqueer identities (2019) and Ace Voices: What it means to be asexual, aromantic, demi or gray-ace (2022), are published by Jessica Kingsley. They were the writer-in-residence at Lighthouse, Edinburgh's radical bookshop, from 2019 to 2022, in 2020 received a Scottish Book Trust New Writer Award for fiction, and are a 2023 IPSE Freelancer Award finalist, in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion category. Transcript ERIS YOUNG: When you step away from the norm in any way, it's going to influence the way people interface with you, the way people treat you, the assumptions they make about you when they see you. I think it just made my childhood that much more complicated. BLAIR HODGES: That's Eris Young, and the norm they stepped away from in middle school that caused some difficulty was the gender binary—the idea that there are two discrete genders, boy and girl, man and woman, end of story. Today there's a growing chorus of scientists, biologists, psychologists, and other specialists who are making it clearer than ever that the gender binary doesn't capture the diversity of human experiences. This includes trans people and all who don't fall so neatly into one category or another. In this episode, Eris Young joins us to talk about their book, They/Them/Their: A Guide to Nonbinary and Genderqueer Identities. There's no one right way to be a guy or a girl, or someone else entirely. I'm Blair Hodges, and this is Family Proclamations. REACHING THE AUDIENCE (01:31) BLAIR HODGES: Eris Young, welcome to Family Proclamations. It's great to have you on the show. ERIS YOUNG: Thanks for having me, Blair. I'm really happy to be here. BLAIR HODGES: We're talking about your book, They/Them/Their. These are pronouns obviously, and they are pronouns you use. Your introduction to this book starts off with a glossary of sixteen terms. But you manage to actually keep it interesting! We'll talk about those terms, but I think it says a lot that you had to spend time right off the bat with direct definitions. Talk a little bit about that decision for the book. ERIS YOUNG: It is a bit odd. You don't often start off with a dictionary or a glossary. Because of the nature of the project and when it came out—this book came out in 2019 and I started writing it around 2017—and at that time we were at the very beginning of our understanding, at least in the Anglophone West, of nonbinary and genderqueer identities and trans identity in the mainstream. For the book I wanted to get into the nitty gritty. I wanted to go deep as quickly as possible, but it meant there was a lot of explaining I had to do in a short space of time in order to be able to get past that basic stuff. I'll talk a little bit later how I feel about glossaries and dictionaries and how that's changed over time. It's very much a product of where I was at and where we as a society were at when the book was written. BLAIR HODGES: You say your target audience is people who want to understand but might not have the means yet. This isn't necessarily for people that have already been in all the online discussions about nonbinary and different gender identities, but for people trying to wrap their minds around it. It can be a little intimidating for people that aren't used to those discussions in those spaces, and you identify some of reasons. It might feel like people are afraid of making a mistake so they're afraid to ask questions, or they might feel like they're virtue signaling if they're going overboard and trying to show how knowledgeable they are. Tell me a little bit more about those dynamics because your target audience was for interested and well-meaning people that just want to learn more. ERIS YOUNG: It is funny how much has changed in the time since I wrote the book. It's only been a couple of years, so when I first wrote it I was very much—and I think that's the strength of the book—I was really doing what I could to reach as many people as possible. That meant I had to do a little bit of explaining and a little bit of making sure my readers were on the same page as me from the very beginning. I've seen the book described as “accessible.” I've had a lot of cis people come up to me and enthuse about the way they were able to use the book to get to know the nonbinary people in their life, or to make their workplace more inclusive. I really value having been able to do that for people. BLAIR HODGES: You mentioned cisgender folks. I'm cisgender. For people who aren't familiar with the terminology, that means my gender identity aligns with the sex I was assigned at birth, the assumptions people made based on what my body looked like back then. I fit into a typical male identity and my body aligns with that. The term “cis” is basically trying to get people to think about how cisgender itself is also an identity. To be nonbinary is an identity in the same way being cisgender is an identity, and it's trying to avoid hierarchies of comparison of better than or less than. It seems to serve an equalizing purpose. ERIS YOUNG: It's absolutely an equalizer, and it's absolutely a way of challenging this otherness. Trans and gender non-conforming people, we tend to get placed into this "other" category, but really it's about repositioning cis and trans as categories of being on an equal footing with each other. ERIS GETS PERSONAL (05:54) BLAIR HODGES: We'll expand on definitions as we go, but let's start here with more about your own personal biography. This book explores your own experiences. You're very personal here. You talk about what it was like growing up. You say you realized as a young child there was something different, or something uncomfortable maybe about how you were encouraged to act and dress and speak and play as a child. Tell people a little bit about how that felt, about how you were. ERIS YOUNG: This is something I've thought about a lot over the years. I think in comparison to a lot of genderqueer and nonbinary people I was fairly lucky. My parents are very liberal in the sense of being quite flexible. They weren't very prescriptive. I did karate. I did art lessons. I managed to avoid a lot of the gendered activities—not to say I was very good at karate or art! I dodged a bullet a lot of people in my position don't always manage to avoid, so I'm very grateful to my parents for that. When I was a little kid, especially an adolescent and in high school, I did feel different. This has to do with my sexuality, my gender, my neurodivergent stuff going on. There were a lot of times when if the adults in my life had had the opportunity to read a book or watch a TV program about transgender or about nonbinary identity, that would have helped me a lot. This is what I'm trying to give to the nonbinary children, the trans children of the people reading my book. I don't think it's going to make a huge difference, but I have had quite a few parents reach out to me, and I've had some intense emotional conversations with parents who, as you say, they're really well-meaning and they're trying to understand, but they've been taught their whole lives gender and sex work a certain way. They're finding it difficult to try and engage while trying not to hurt the nonbinary or trans person in their life. PARENTAL APPROACHES (08:20) BLAIR HODGES: That's right. There are a lot of different reactions parents can have, coming from a lot of different places. Some people might have very rigid ideas about sex and gender being inflexible, and gender assigned at birth is paramount, and so any kind of deviation from that is uncomfortable, or even evil or whatever to them. Then you have people who are more open to it but might see social discrimination and might worry for their kids if they're nonbinary or trans, and they worry about discrimination kids would face. Or maybe even the dreams a parent has for their kids, where in theory they're alright with trans identities or nonbinary identities, but they also have built this story of who their kid was going to be and then they have to let go of that story. I think parental anxiety can come from a lot of different directions and it's not limited to "conservative" or traditionalist, anti-trans feelings, but can also come from people who are open and believe and accept trans identities as well. ERIS YOUNG: I think so much of parenthood and family is—you know, we're so close to it. For some people family and parenthood is the most fundamental and personal thing in their life. That means ego plays into it a lot, whether we want it to or not. I see this talking to a lot of asexual and aromantic people as well. We'll have parents who are good, supportive, loving parents, but when they encounter something that disrupts their own ideas of what their family should look like, it can cause a lot of conflict. Something I'm really hoping for, an idea that makes me quite emotional that I'm hoping for the future, is I'd like to see more parents approach their child's gender journey as not a challenge to them as a parent or as not an obstacle to their idea of their child's happy and stable future. Instead, I'd like to see parents approaching their child's gender exploration and potential transition as an adventure you're going on together as a family. I think for a lot of people this practically isn't possible because society right now makes it hard to be trans or nonbinary or genderqueer. I'm hoping we can have incremental social change, such that in ten or twenty or fifty years we can celebrate it when our children decide they're something other than they were assigned at birth. I think that's a beautiful potential future. I'd like to work towards that. SOCIAL PRESSURES (11:23) BLAIRHODGES: In the book you also talk about some of the ways you felt anxiety, even though your parents were generally supportive and, it seems, flexible and open to different things. You also felt anxiety around public restrooms or different social situations. What were the pressures? Did you feel pressure to conform to the gender binary that you had to resist? What did that pressure look like? ERIS YOUNG: No matter who you are, there's a lot of pressure on you to conform to the sex assignment you were given at birth. Restrooms is a thing. We talk about it a lot. I still have to navigate that, although nowadays when you're an adult you can get away with pretty much anything by walking in and looking like you know what you're doing. But as a kid I was—I don't want to say a little weirdo, but I was quite a shy child. [laughter] I was a nervous little kid. Not really knowing anything about the community that I would later enter, it added this extra layer of complication. I had a good childhood, but I was a funny little guy. I've definitely had some anxiety throughout my life, a lot to do with being neurodivergent. What did it really look like? It kind of really started to come to the fore when I was in middle and high school, so in my early to mid-teens in California, in Orange County. We didn't have strict dress codes or anything. I was dressing in boy's clothes from high school. I think it more influenced the way people treated me and looked at me. When you step away from the norm in any way, it's going to influence the way people interface with you, the way people treat you, the assumptions they make about you when they see you. I think it just made my childhood that much more complicated. BLAIR HODGES: This speaks to the idea of nonbinary people being thought of as egocentric or self-obsessed in presentation and stuff, and what interests me about you is you were not like that. It seems like you didn't want attention. And you also needed to express your gender identity in a way that made you feel comfortable in your body and in yourself. But you weren't going for attention. It seems like if anything, you wanted to not get extra attention. ERIS YOUNG: It's funny because that is the stereotype, isn't it? Pretty much all of the trans and gender non-conforming people I know, myself included, we're just trying to live our lives and because we're now able to be visible and open in a way we never were before, going from invisible to visible is now being transformed into this perception of us being attention-seeking. When you look at the ways some cis people act out and perform their gender, like don't even get me started! It's very funny we do get painted with this paintbrush and it all has to do with visibility and change. It's not that we're visible or trying to be obnoxious about it, it's that we exist and our existence challenges the status quo and makes people think about things they haven't had to think about before. BIOLOGICAL SEX AND GENDER (15:12) BLAIR HODGES: Your book also drills down on gender, sex, and the binary. For people who aren't familiar with this way of thinking about sex and gender your explanation is really helpful. The most common understanding of sex and gender is a binary understanding. The idea is gender is determined by a person's physical body parts, their body morphology, maybe chromosomes, or whatever. That's also supposed to determine sexual orientation as well. Gender identity, sexual orientation, and sex are all thought to be one singular thing. In your book you talk about how humans are loosely a “sexually dimorphic” species. There is a general view of a sex male, a sex female, and so it's easy to understand how we've arrived at these assumptions about sex and gender. But you complicate that for us. Talk about why that binary understanding is problematic. ERIS YOUNG: This is a fun question with a lot of deep potential. One of the things that happened for me, while I was writing They/Them/Their the more research I did, the more it complicated that understanding. I was a twenty-year-old starting to write this book and I approached it with an understanding of: There is biological sex and some people feel they are not whatever they were assigned at birth. In reality, the more you look at it and the more research you do, and the more you look at history and actually biology, that rigid, contiguous binary we've constructed and we've put on this pedestal in our society, it starts to crumble really quickly. It kind of broke my brain and put it back together, and that's part of why I'm so pleased I was able to write this book when I did because it made a lot of things make much more sense to me very quickly. For example, I'm picturing three boxes with arrows between them, and you've got biological sex equals gender equals sexuality. Well, a good hundred years ago we started to disrupt this idea of gender equals sexuality. There are all sorts of different kinds of historical categorizations of homosexual people—as inverts, hermaphrodites. These are the quite pathological words placed onto us or claimed by us at different times. We've pretty much disrupted that connection. We've also managed to start—with some setbacks, there's still backlash against homosexuality, but we're starting to be able to decouple this idea of biological sex equals gender. We've got trans people, we've got nonbinary people, all sorts of people who aren't cis. We're also starting to come to understand biological sex is not as much a scientific reality as we're taught to believe, or as some people would want us to believe. This was something revelatory for me as I was writing the book, is it turns out that intersex conditions—so people who are born with what we might call ambiguous genitalia, or secondary sex characteristics that develop differently from how we would expect them to based on that person's assigned sex, those ways of being, and there's actually dozens of different ways a person can be intersex—they're way, way, way more common than we're led to believe. I didn't know a person could be intersex. I didn't know that was a thing until my late teens. Mid to late teens. BLAIR HODGES: Me too. It may have even been my twenties. ERIS YOUNG: No one talks about it. The only way I was able to learn about it is through the trans community because historically trans and intersex communities have been allied and we share a lot of lived experiences, though we're not always overlapping Venn diagram circles. Intersex people exist and are around and we know them. It's not a marginal experience by any means. BLAIR HODGES: That's even on a chromosomal level, right? It's not the case that it's a simple XX, XY. There are different combinations. ERIS YOUNG: There are women who would present as cis women and who would never be seen as anything other than a cis woman who have a Y chromosome. THE BINARY IMPULSE TO CLOCK (20:30) BLAIR HODGES: Alright, so I think one of the reasons this can be hard for people to grasp is, I think humans in general need these shortcut ways to sum each other up. We want to be able to look at each other, we want visual cues, and just to be able to get a picture of who a person is. Perhaps even a lot of transgender folks, I think, want to present on one end of the binary or another. There's still a lot of social pressure or social expectations or social conditioning. To transition kind of happens on a scale, some people really want to transition in a way that helps them present as female, very female, feminine, femme. Other people want to present as masc, masculine, more male. But nonbinary folks don't always really feel comfortable at either end of that pole. Here's a quote from you: "A genderqueer person will most likely have been raised as either male or female, and most likely will have either a penis or vagina and attendant chromosomes and hormones, but will not feel that either of these labels suits them wholly. They might feel that both or neither of those labels applies." So even with many trans folks the binary is strong, and we have genderqueer or nonbinary folks that challenged that polarity. ERIS YOUNG: That's why we're here, isn't it? We do like categories. We like binaries. As people, we like to be able to make quick assumptions. I don't know if that's an inherent thing for human brains, or if it's something we're taught, but it does take a lot of work to get beyond. For me, I had to do a lot of thinking, a lot of research, a lot of writing and talking to people. I had to be on Tumblr for quite a long time before I could get my brain out of these rigid categories I had been thinking in. In a way that's a privilege, but the more you do it, it's a skill. It's critical thinking. This way of being able to question the categories you're given. As a nonbinary person, I'm quite grateful I'm able to exist in between. I feel like it gives me a lot of freedom to play, to question, to challenge. BLAIR HODGES: I think the more nonbinary and genderqueer folks we get to know, the more automatic it can become. I think even with pronouns. I have a coworker, they/them pronouns, and they're the second person I've spent a lot of time with. It took a little while to be able to automatically think—instead of “translating” it, instead of looking at them and having to decide to use their preferred pronoun—to it becoming automatic. I also found that using they/them more generally helped do that as well. Referring to people as they/them more broadly. Familiarity helps a lot, but also it can be challenging because we don't necessarily know we're running into people who might be nonbinary all the time. As you say in the book, it's hard to even get estimates of how many people identify as nonbinary. That's part of the challenge. ERIS YOUNG: I agree. That's one of the problems. That's why it's so hard to be genderqueer or nonbinary, or one of the reasons is a lot of our social systems are built around these very rigid categories. When you break them, you stop being intelligible to the system you exist in. If I am nonbinary, but I have to choose M or F on a form, I get erased as a person. BLAIR HODGES: That's right. You're facing this on forms, you're facing this as people are interacting with you, and from my perspective as a cisgendered person encountering a nonbinary person, my impulse has been to think, “What are they really?” Basically still thinking in terms of what gender they were assigned at birth and then triangulating from that. So I think people are tempted to ask invasive questions about that. It's not my business what gender you or anyone else was assigned at birth, and the more I've been familiar with actual nonbinary folks and hanging out with them, the less that impulse exists to try to see them initially as "What are they really?" Or where's their transness? Where are they transitioning away from, instead of just seeing them as they are. ERIS YOUNG: When you were taught that binary gender is the only thing, your brain is naturally going to go and try and fit the person you're talking to into one or the other category. The only way to do it, the easiest way, is to get to know people and talk to people, as you say. BLAIR HODGES: Do you have to resist that, too? Does the impulse I'm talking about sound familiar to you? When you see someone and as they present your brain starts to automatically do this processing of what their gender identity is. Because we're in such a cisgender-heavy society, it seems that would be a default. I'm just guessing. I'm interested in your thoughts, maybe even for genderqueer folks, that they might have that same kind of impulse. What do you think? ERIS YOUNG: We're subject to the same social conditioning everyone else is. It's different from individual to individual, but I had to do a lot of, I guess you would call it unlearning, as I was writing the book and as I was getting to know myself. I had to let go of all those impulses. I can't even say I did let go of them because it's an ongoing process. I had to do a lot of unlearning and I have a lot of these harmful or unproductive instincts of trying to once I've clocked someone, my brain automatically wants me to try and wonder their sex assignment at birth. It's quite a harmful instinct and a hard one to get rid of. I have managed to get rid of that instinct by being myself and being with other people in my community. I also wanted to loop back to the instinct of thinking what is the person's sex assignment at birth. That instinct to try and wonder about a person's sex assignment at birth, a lot of that comes from, or at least I think it comes from the way our society as a whole is really obsessed with bodies and specifically with categorizing bodies and medicalizing bodies and pathologizing difference. This is an instinct that exists on a lot of different levels, most often in the medical system, but it permeates throughout society. It feels like a very Western, very Anglophone instinct to seek some kind of essential truth about a person. I use that phrase “essential truth” not on its face value, but what we're seeking is what we're taught to think as the truth of a person, when in reality the truth of a person doesn't have to have anything to do with what's in their pants. I think there's this deep historical process that's kind of still ongoing, that contributes to this instinct we have to clock people. IGNORING VERSUS EMBRACING (28:24) BLAIR HODGES: Yeah, I find myself in such a strange position about it, because there's this weird tension of, it shouldn't matter all that much, but it also should matter because I also want to support folks, especially marginalized folks. I want to understand their experiences. There are legal issues, social pressures. I would shy away from a “gender blindness,” I guess. Or a way of erasing gender identity. ERIS YOUNG: Right. I was at university for undergrad in mid-2010s, I guess, I don't know. There was a lot of discourse around, can you be race blind? Can you be post-racial? I mean, no, because you're a person who exists now. Regardless of whether biological sex or gender or even race, regardless of whether those things are actual "scientific realities," they affect the lived experience of real life people today. It's not possible to be gender blind. I think you're right to shy away from that impulse because I don't think it's necessarily a productive one. That's kind of like saying, "Oh, can't we all just get along?" when you're talking about social inequality. At the same time, I don't want to be gender blind. I want to celebrate people's genders. I want to celebrate a trans woman's ability to joyfully embrace femininity and womanhood. I want to celebrate my own in-betweenness and my own playful way I live my gender. I think there is a well-meaning impulse to "not see gender." I don't think that's necessarily the most productive thing to do, because rather I think we should be trying to celebrate difference. BLAIR HODGES: I think the idea of ignoring it is probably coming from a place of privilege. What it really means is I'm not comfortable with it and so let's just not talk about it-- ERIS YOUNG: I think you've hit the nail on the head. LANGUAGE NERD (30:49) BLAIR HODGES: Yeah, when other people don't have that luxury of ignoring it. Okay, so Eris you're also kind of a language nerd. You have a chapter in here about your linguistics I wanted to talk about, because this is a huge consideration. Language itself can be one of the biggest obstacles to social and legal acceptance of nonbinary and genderqueer identities. Let's talk a little bit about that, including the ways different languages are structured. Sometimes gender is literally baked into language. ERIS YOUNG: When I wrote the book, my publisher sent me a list of topics they wanted to cover and I think pronouns were on the list. But then I rubbed my hands together like, "Something about language, you say?" [laughter] I am a big language nerd. Any chance I get to talk about it I will take. We've had the pronouns debate. I think we're coming to the end of that debate, maybe? I guess my political instinct would be, can we stop talking about pronouns and start talking about suicide statistics? Obviously we can talk about both. But I think this "debate" around, "Oh, is it okay to use they/them pronouns?" Like, whatever. But language does have a huge effect on our lived realities. Anyone who's studied any other languages knows this can be totally different depending on what language you're speaking. Your ability to maintain your own autonomy when it comes to gender presentation—what does it mean for someone to be genderqueer or nonbinary in a language like Spanish, where if you speak about someone else you basically have to assign them a binary gender? That was the kind of question I had been trying to get at. There's other languages like Japanese, for example, and obviously there are caveats here because Japanese society—I'm not an expert—but it's not a wonderful place to be trans or nonbinary or queer, but the language itself just taken in a vacuum, you are allowed to basically claim gender for yourself based on the personal pronouns you use because you refer to yourself with a gender. You can use different forms of the word "I" based on how you see your own gender. I haven't studied it in a while, but it's broadly gendered. That's something you can exercise autonomy in. I could use boku if I wanted to be slightly more masculine, but not as masculine as saying ore, for example. BLAIR HODGES: That's interesting because these Japanese words could be seen as over-gendering things, but it also gives people the opportunity to play with language or to identify themselves in their gender identity more on the fly and more subtly than having to say, "My gender pronouns are this." You can just refer to yourself. ERIS YOUNG: You can signal to people on the fly. BLAIR HODGES: If I was saying “I'm glad to meet you,” I could say that in a way that says “I being a cis person…” They would look at me and what I look like and I can give them gender clues just by saying, "I'm glad to meet you”? ERIS YOUNG: It comes down to a part of gender presentation. One of the people I spoke to in writing They/Them/Their is Japanese and I asked them what their pronouns were, and they use they/them in English and boku in Japanese. Depending on the language you're speaking, the way language shapes gender experience is different. I think a lot of the ways we ourselves use language is so gendered. There's a lot of ways, at least in English, a person is able to signal their own gender in the language they use. BLAIR HODGES: You talk about “natural gender” in language, which is the basic meaning of a word, like "woman," "man," and different languages have these natural gender words. And then there's “grammatical gender—all the ways gender is embedded in language arbitrarily. Like in Spanish, there's your ways of signaling male and femaleness and there's also, as you said, in Japanese this way of signaling gender associated to other words, and even in phrases you might use. And you say there are some “social convention” phrases that are more coded as masculine or feminine. I can't think of any examples, but I guess it might be like, let's say in English saying "holy cow" would be like, "Oh, that's kind of like a boy thing to say. Girls don't really say that." There's coded ways of even sending signals about your gender identity and phrases you use. ERIS YOUNG: You're absolutely right. When I'm saying I don't think we need to have the pronouns debate anymore, I mean I don't think we need to debate about whether it's grammatical anymore. PRONOUN GO ROUND (35:36) BLAIR HODGES: I guess even swearing in English. It used to be more so in the past, but it was not "ladylike" to use certain words. In English too. You mentioned the pronoun debate, I do think it's important to talk about why that is important. Why that does matter to people. There's a quote here I highlighted from the book: "The question at the heart of the pronoun debate is really fundamentally one about autonomy, the ability of a demographic, especially a marginalized one, to name itself and to claim agency or control over how it's referred to, and by extension treated." I think this is what makes some opponents and critics so uncomfortable with the pronoun debate. They don't want to give up control over defining other people. They perhaps feel it's some sort of indictment even of themselves. It's really a control issue and a dignity issue. You talk a little bit about that history too, because they/them/their for a singular, people say, "Oh, ‘they,' that's plural. It's not right to use that singularly." Your book is like, "Well, actually." [laughs] ERIS YOUNG: I do a bit of "well, actually." English has actually had neutral pronouns in it. Old English had them and various times throughout history. People may not know this, but language changes a lot over time. English has had neutral pronouns at various times. I think Shakespeare used them. Jane Austen used them. So to say it's ungrammatical and it's a newfangled thing is pretty disingenuous. BLAIR HODGES: People should note "they" as a singular pronoun actually is older than "you" as a singular pronoun. It was being used earlier than "you." Let's talk about neopronouns too. This is where I feel I have to resist being the old man on the porch shaking my fist at the youths, because when I start seeing all the differences, people might see pronouns like ze and xe and ve, I'm not even a hundred percent sure how to pronounce a lot of these, but so it's easy for me to be the old man on the porch. Give us some info about these newer pronouns. ERIS YOUNG: At the time I wrote the book, there were and still are people who use pronouns like ze/zir, ze/hir, which is a combination of him and her. They get conjugated, or they declined any other set of pronouns. But truth be told, I don't personally know many people that use neopronouns, and I wonder if that is because it's quite difficult to assert that. We're barely able to get people to not mis-gender us and to use they/them. BLAIR HODGES: Like you said, there was a learning curve in being able to learn how to use they/them/their in the way I can now. It's a bigger lift when we're completely unfamiliar with new pronouns. I see the utility of them. I think it's cool. I like how language changes to adapt to new realities. Maybe a hundred years from now someone will be like, "You didn't know? These pronouns have now carried the day." That'd be cool. But I feel that future would be a long way off. ERIS YOUNG: It does feel a long way off. I'll probably talk a little bit later about backlash we're experiencing, especially here in the UK, and I wonder if a lot of people who would otherwise be using neopronouns because they feel that most accurately reflects who they are, are just sort of like, "I can't fight with people anymore. I'll just use they/them." MISGENDERING MISTAKES (40:01) BLAIR HODGES: This speaks to a broader issue of the kind of fights people are willing to have, and the rights that are at the forefront at the moment. That's a political calculation, which also means some people get hurt in the meantime, and pain exists in the meantime. But there are priorities that are set and there are imbalances of power. People get to kind of decide, "Let's rally together. What are we going for right now?" Choices have to be made. I think that can be tricky, but it speaks to the fact that language is a power game. All of this is wrapped up in power. Not that everybody is even necessarily trying to exercise mean power over others, but sometimes we make mistakes. Now I'm looking for tips from you about how people can handle accidentally misgendering somebody, for example, what's a good approach when that happens? ERIS YOUNG: Going back to this idea of we're not really trying to be the center of attention, even just because being the center of attention is quite dangerous, the best advice is to approach the interaction with good faith, understand you may be hurting someone more than you personally can empathize with, and there are certain situations where it's no one's fault. I guess my advice would be if you accidentally misgender someone or deadname someone, you don't need to make a big deal out of it. Make sure the person knows you're sorry and you're trying, but you don't need to necessarily go, "Oh, God, I'm the worst! Oh no, I f*cked up so bad!" Don't make it about you, but also don't put them in the spotlight. You can correct yourself, say sorry, and then move on with the conversation. Maybe you can check in with that person later and say, "Are you okay?" We're all adults here and there are ways of doing it sensitively just as long as you're being as respectful as you can be. BLAIR HODGES: One thing I've been encouraged to resist is to say something like, "I hope you can be patient with me as I learn." Because again, that's making it about me and putting an obligation on that person to police their own feelings or to maybe even feel shame if they feel angry or upset about it. ERIS YOUNG: Because sometimes I can't be patient with someone. I just need to step away. That's a good point. BLAIR HODGES: I love this in your book where you talk about that, how does it feel to get misgendered? And you're like, "Well, it depends on the day. There are some days when I'm feeling fine and I see that as an annoyance and it's like, okay that's not really cool but I can move on." Then you can be in a different space at a different time when it hurts more. And it depends on your relationship to the person who's doing it, or the situation. There's no one way it's received when someone gets misgendered. It really depends. I liked what you said of just being subtle about it, of being straightforward, apologizing, and not making too big of a deal out of it either. That otherwise puts more labor on a nonbinary or nongender conforming person. ERIS YOUNG: I guess understand also you can apologize, and you should apologize, but the other person doesn't owe you forgiveness. BLAIR HODGES: And don't feel resentful if they don't. They have a whole backlog of experiences that your one comment one day can be added to. I think that's all about not making it about me again. I would be making it about me if I was like, "Well, they should forgive me and if they don't then that's a problem," or “they're a bad person,” or whatever. That would be centering myself. I've been working at not centering myself as much, especially coming from a more privileged position, being cis-het, being a white male. I'm perceived as the default or with all the privilege that brings. It's helpful to keep in mind that misgendering can be really hurtful, and other times it can just be annoying. I think being attuned to that is helpful. I want to remind people Eris Young is our guest and we're talking about the book They/Them/Their: A Guide to Nonbinary and Queer Identities. This is a great book. Eris, I'm so glad we're able to sit down and talk with you about it today. And we've got more stuff to cover.  NEGOTIATING UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY (44:28) BLAIR HODGES: I want to talk about the community aspect. It's Pride Month, by the way. Happy Pride, Eris! ERIS YOUNG: Happy Pride! BLAIR HODGES: Let's look at this acronym: LGBTQ. I've also seen it expanded to LGBTQIA+. There are different iterations of it. It didn't occur to me until pretty recently the way the acronym breaks down, the first few letters pertain more to sexual orientation, lesbian, gay, bi, and then we start to get to gender identity. Trans, queer, the T and Q, and I is intersex, A, asexuality, the plus means it can extend to pansexual and aromantic. There's all sorts of things. But it's interesting to me that it's not fully distinguishing between sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and so on. It's all kind of lumped together as these marginalized identities. What that means is the LGB part of it can be really binary and even transphobic as well, even though the letter T appears in the bigger acronym. Let's talk about the LGBTQ community, and how you address that in the book, and some of the nuances people miss who aren't really in those communities. ERIS YOUNG: LGBTQ+, etc. It's an umbrella term. It is an expression of a shared experience of marginalization in terms of sex, gender, and sexuality. Naturally that means it's not a monolith. There are always going to be conflicts within the community. What do I want to say about this? — BLAIR HODGES: It can be a touchy subject. The fact that you paused a little bit, what is that coming from? Just trying to organize your thoughts? Or are there some anxieties about unpacking this stuff? ERIS YOUNG: There definitely is a little bit of anxiety there in terms of, as you mentioned earlier, we're under a lot of pressure, especially right now, to present a unified front to the rest of the world. We have to act in solidarity with each other. The same people who are trying to take rights away from transgender people, if they succeed in five years, they'll be coming after gays and lesbians who only recently managed to secure any kind of real legal or social security. We all need to be acting in solidarity with each other, but that's not always possible. There is a lot of conflict. When you see LGB, and then you go T, and then you go Q, and queer sort of articulates a division within the community that I can see, which is you have assimilationist, usually LGB people, most often cis, and then you've got queer, trans, ace people who are more often likely, at least from my view, to be anti-assimilationist, who are more likely to want to reject the entire institution of marriage because of an understanding that marriage is a part of a heteronormative system. It can't be decoupled from that. I think there are divisions within the community and a lot of the communities I belong to, the genderqueer and trans communities, I do consider myself to be queer. I think that's a more capacious term a lot of us use to describe ourselves. I'm trans, and I'm also asexual. I'm a triple threat of anti-assimilationist queerness because those are the identities that don't really slot in easily into the existing system. There's been a lot of campaigning historically for gays and lesbians to be able to marry, though there is "marriage equality" in a lot of countries now, nonbinary people who don't have one or the other gender marker, often we are excluded from those so-called equal marriages. I think it's inherent to some identities, and obviously these identities don't have firm boundaries between them, but there's a lot of types of ways of being, of lived experience that don't have the luxury or the privilege of being able to assimilate. You see a lot of corporations getting involved with Pride now because the corporations have realized the gays have money now, and a lot of us don't have money yet. The T, that's the poorest subgroup within the LGBTQIA+. BLAIR HODGES: Economically speaking you can see lower incomes, more difficult job opportunities, education, violence committed against— ERIS YOUNG: —Housing, incarceration. BLAIR HODGES: I think there's been some temptation by old school LGB to throw that under the bus a little bit. They would say, I've heard this, "We fought for certain rights and we've got to protect those. We don't really get this other thing and don't feel obligated to it." They want to separate that out and even maybe display blatant transphobia. It's not the case that just because someone identifies as lesbian, gay, or bi they're going to be an ally of trans folks. That's just not a guarantee. ERIS YOUNG: I think that's something that at least I, maybe naively, have been quite surprised and disappointed at. I come in good faith to the community and then I find some people don't want me there. It can be quite frustrating. It undermines the solidarity we're going to need in order to survive the next ten, twenty, fifty years. It's quite disappointing to see. I do want to say at this point I think the handful of gays, lesbians, and “question mark” bisexuals—I think it's mainly cis gays and lesbians who are exhibiting transphobia. That's a very vocal, very limited minority. I think the vast majority of cis gays and lesbians are wholly supportive of the trans community and fully understanding our rights and our rights to dignity, health care, stability, security, they're all interconnected. I think most people within the community do understand that and are working alongside us. But there is a vocal and influential minority within the LGBTQ+ community working against full equality, the full equality of the umbrella as a whole. It's quite hard to see. BLAIR HODGES: These are folks who are going to get platformed, too. One of the dangers is there's a kind of extra credibility in the eyes of transphobic folks. ERIS YOUNG: “We have a gay we can wheel out who hates trans people, that means the whole community does.” BLAIR HODGES: Exactly. This happens with people who have detransitioned. A very small number of folks who transition and detransition in some way for any number of reasons, and then an even smaller subset of that then become spokespeople against trans rights and are platformed and given huge audiences. ERIS YOUNG: Simply because they are able to pander to that transphobic ideology. BLAIR HODGES: It's heartening to hear that solidarity continues, and is more prominent. Your book does a good job of talking about the necessary community building that has to happen if people are going to advance rights and protections. And celebrations too. It's not just about protection. It's also about celebration and embracing and acceptance and curiosity and exploring. That's important as well. ON MENTAL HEALTH (52:45) BLAIR HODGES: As your book talks about mental health issues, I think that's a good transition into that topic, your chapter on mental health is especially careful because some people believe identifying beyond the binary or outside of it, is itself a mental health problem. This has been pathologized even in scientific Enlightenment thinking, as scientists in the late 1800s are trying to classify things and start seeing nonbinary and trans identities as pathological. Talk about the trickiness of mental health. Because on the one hand, it's been pathologized in negative ways. On the other hand, mental health issues do exist within the trans and nonbinary communities, in part because of the pressures that surround it. Mental health is a real concern, but it can also be deployed in really negative ways. ERIS YOUNG: I think you pretty much said it. The mental health chapter in my book—that was one of the topics I knew from the beginning I wanted to talk about, because I wanted to know what was going on. I think that chapter for me was all about trying to pick apart where these negative mental health outcomes actually come from. On the surface we've got these two facts that seem to contradict each other. We have on the one hand documented, disproportionate experiences of mental illness within the trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer communities. On the other side you have this understanding—and this was intuitive for me—this understanding that there is nothing wrong with being trans or being nonbinary. It's not an illness, it's just another way of being in the world. I really wanted in while writing that chapter, to try and dig a little deeper and get at what was really going on. What I basically found was it's a combination of gender dysphoria and marginalization stress, which is this experience, this way of describing the negative mental health outcomes—anxiety, depression—that come when a person is living as a marginalized person. Any kind of minority might experience this. It's the stresses of dealing with microaggressions. The everyday stress of being misgendered, of feeling like you don't fit and that society isn't built for you. BLAIR HODGES: These are physical things that happen. You talk about blood pressure elevation, more stress hormones being released, which is hard on the body, and it impacts mental and physical health. When people feel these marginalized stressors it has physical impacts. As you said, if you were to set a group of nonbinary folks or trans folks and a group of cis het folks next to each other, you're going to see a disproportionate amount of marginalized folks with depression, anxiety, and other things. It would be easy to say those people are broken people and their gender identity issues are because they have mental problems, or they're depressed, or it's part of all that. Instead of saying there's nothing wrong with who they are, but what they experience causes these negative outcomes. That's a crucial distinction to make. ERIS YOUNG: It's a really crucial distinction, but it's also quite a pernicious assumption. I can easily see where it comes from. When you have someone whose existence challenges people in positions of power, I can see why it was very convenient for people in medical institutions to be able to say “It's an illness, look how depressed they are,” and just in that way sort of brush queers, trans people under the rug. ON MEDICAL APPROACHES (56:38) BLAIR HODGES: There's also a chapter here specifically about medical issues, which is another touchy subject. As you've already hinted at, there's some distrust between genderqueer folks, trans folks, and medical resources and medical practitioners because of a history of diagnosis, this history of assuming these identities are disorders, and a history of attempts to cure them. We think of conversion therapy today as a religiously grounded thing, and obviously there are religious groups still trying to practice it, but it also grew out of the medical industry and out of psychology. It wasn't just religious fundamentalists who wanted to fix gay people or trans people, but rather medical industry saying, "Is there a way we can fix this problem for them so their gender aligns with their sex?" That's a long history— ERIS YOUNG: So they reintegrate into society. BLAIR HODGES: Exactly. This is where it's tricky because medical advances have helped, with hormone blockers and helping people medically transition, whether it be through hormones, whether it be through surgical procedures, but behind all of that is a lot of baggage and ongoing distrust. ERIS YOUNG: I think trans people who decide they want to transition medically, whatever that means for them, are put in this contradictory position where you are forced to rely on a system that has consistently dehumanized and pathologized you and people like you. That can create a lot of trauma. It's like being in a position where someone has hurt you and you have to see that person every day. It can be quite harmful. That really does come down to this post-European enlightenment shift in mindset that made us start to see biological sex as a kind of scientific reality and to uphold that as the most important thing. It also comes down to the way we have this system of capitalism that exploded after the Industrial Revolution, and you had men and women's social roles become more and more divergent from each other. Women were increasingly relegated to the home and men were increasingly placed in positions of economic power that were now outside the home. What that meant was, for men in power, it was very convenient for them to use this new scientific knowledge to make claims about the people they wanted to exclude from power. Usually this was women, but it's been weaponized against trans people, colonized people, queer people, generally since that time. BLAIR HODGES: As though there's something inherently inferior about them. ERIS YOUNG: Inferior, broken, and somehow being unwilling or unable or refusing to conform to a very specific norm is a moral failing and an illness. BLAIR HODGES: And hey, we can fix it! Using science. ERIS YOUNG: That's why in the community we have these assimilationist and anti-assimilationist groups getting in conflict with each other, because society offers you a way to re-enter society. Come back to the bosom of society. All you have to do is promise not to challenge the people in power anymore. It's really tempting and I can see why people fall into that. BLAIR HODGES: That can even happen in the process of transitioning too. We're staring down the barrel of all these new laws people are trying to pass that prevent gender affirming medical care, especially for young people. It's at a critical time. The idea of puberty blockers is to prolong a time when a young person can come to terms with who they are. ERIS YOUNG: Just some breathing space. To get to know yourself a bit better. BLAIR HODGES: They want to be like, "That's too dangerous. Let's just cut that completely off and then they can decide when they're older." But that means a body has undergone changes it didn't necessarily have to to begin with. The medical community is offering options now for people to take more control over their identities and their presentation in ways that alleviate suicidality. This part fascinated me where you talked about, for example, a care provider you had who thought you were transitioning to male and was prescribing testosterone and was like, "Your levels aren't where they should be." You're like, "Oh, interesting," but you also felt like you couldn't say like, "They're where I want them to be." ERIS YOUNG: It puts you in this position of having to misrepresent yourself. I think this is not as common anymore. Here in the UK we do have gender identity clinics, for how much longer we'll have those I do not know, but I do know a few people I've spoken to have accessed those services. There are people who are being very open about their nonbinary identity and their desire to transition in a way that isn't strictly from one end of the pole to another. BLAIR HODGES: I'm pausing the interview for a quick second with an update because Eris's words about care being under threat were prescient. Since we recorded the interview months ago, the UK has paused the prescription of puberty blockers for minors, under the advice of a partisan report produced by Dr. Hilary Cass, who other reporters say has worked with anti-trans activist groups and conversion therapists. To get a better sense about why prescriptions are being paused, I suggest following independent reporters who've been covering these stories. Erin Reed and Evan Urquhart are two of my favorite resources to go to. I hope to cover more about these recent studies and these laws later on the show. Back to Eris Young. TRANSITION OPTIONS (1:02:30) BLAIR HODGES: Give us a sixty second snapshot of what the process generally looks like for a young person who, let's say from a very young age they've talked about not being a boy or a girl, or maybe they've talked about being a gender they weren't assigned at birth. What does the process look like to transition? There are many ways to transition, so just give us a snapshot of what people go through. ERIS YOUNG: It varies a lot between the US and the UK and from state to state, obviously, and country to country, region to region. I think rural trans people will experience, for example, using gender identity services in the UK a lot differently than someone who's based in a city. If they're very young they might be able to access puberty blockers. That would only be for a short period of time they would be prescribed. They are not generally prescribed longer than a few years from my understanding. That would just give them a little bit of breathing space, because generally at the point of access of the first point of entry into the gender identity medical system, that's the moment at which a child is able to declare there's something going on with me and I want to explore it in more depth. At the point of being prescribed puberty blockers, that would just give them a little bit of breathing room to talk to people, hopefully. I'm of two minds about speaking to a cis therapist about gender stuff, but explore the community, explore their options, think about what kind of gender presentation feels right for them, think long and hard about what kind of medical transition they might want to undergo or not undergo at all. Then after a few years, they would then in an ideal world access hormone replacement therapy, so either and/or testosterone or estrogen, while this whole time they'll be transitioning socially, ideally, if it's safe to do so, exploring different names, different pronouns. I actually don't know if this is the lived reality of people right now. I'm sure in very progressive cities it probably is. The reality I'm sure is much more difficult than I'm making it out to be. BLAIR HODGES: This is the impression I think opponents have, is this idea that it's super easy and these kids are being manipulated, or the word people use is “groomed.” This term that has been rightly used to talk about adults pressuring children into sexual situations or conversion therapy, but they're trying to use it as though these people are trying to brainwash kids into thinking they're different. ERIS YOUNG: That's the same kind of bullsh*t that was said about gay people back in the eighties or nineties. “They're grooming our children and making them gay.” No. No, we aren't. BLAIR HODGES: Opponents of gay marriage would say, “we can't have gay men in particular father children because what they really want to do is abuse kids” or whatever. We're seeing those exact same arguments play out here. For anyone who has spent any time with a kid who identifies as trans, good luck trying to convince them of something else. I can barely get my kid to brush his teeth every night. There's the claim that it's way too easy, that it's coercive, that kids aren't interested in this really. ERIS YOUNG: It's the reverse. It's the kids that are educating themselves and coming to this with clear eyes and letting go of the social programming they've had. The kids are so much more conversant with all of this stuff than I was at their age. They should be supported in that. BLAIR HODGES: The parents I see are involved. There's nervousness, there's anxiety, and fear and love and all kinds of emotions they're dealing with. It's not this simple process. Your book is helpful in laying out why these processes are necessary and helpful, and also some of the downsides. It's clear eyed about some changes that could improve the system, more patient-centered informed consent models, where medical professionals are laying out options and talking about drawbacks and talking about side effects and talking about possibilities. ERIS YOUNG: I think the biggest change that needs to happen within the medical community is to understand or to acknowledge trans people are the experts on their own lived experience and are capable of making informed decisions for themselves and are best placed to make informed decisions for themselves. Not some faceless gender recognition panel of old cis people. I think that's the biggest change I'd like to see in the medical system. I have no idea if we'll ever get there. LEGAL ISSUES (1:07:19) BLAIR HODGES: Speaking of changes, let's also talk about legal issues. So you say nonbinary folks are most concerned with two factors. First, they need basic legal recognition of their identities, especially on official documents, birth certificates, and other things. Then second, with greater visibility will come a greater need for legal protection from discrimination, from violence. Those are the big things. Tell us what legal protections exist now, and what legal protections you'd really like to see happen that don't exist mostly. ERIS YOUNG: It's a little tricky. These things are changing all the time. They vary by country, they vary over time, they walk forward and get knocked back. Just last year in the UK, we saw Scotland vote by a pretty solid majority to reform the Gender Recognition Act in Scotland. This was the Scottish people voting in favor of making the legal process and medical process for transitioning easier and more humane. It would allow people to start the process younger, and it would eliminate some of the more dehumanizing and traumatic aspects of the current UK gender recognition system. Then what we saw was that Westminster, so the overarching government in the UK, which is a conservative government run by the Tory Party, Boris Johnson or whoever they've got down there now, they simply decided to ignore it. They saw that Scotland had voted, exercised the democratic process, and they decided not to uphold it. The Gender Recognition Act has not been reformed, even though Scotland voted to do it. We've seen even in the course of one year massive progress and massive walking back of that progress because of a transphobic government the UK has. It really varies a lot and it's all extremely in flux right now. I'm pretty excited that I've now been able to, I think at the beginning of last year, I applied for a passport just at the time Joe Biden announced you can now get an X on your gender marker, so I got that which was very cool. I filled out my application and then had to come back to the UK but in my mom's house right now there's a driver's license for me with an X gender marker on it that I have to go and get. I've got these nonbinary friendly, inclusive gender markers on my driver's license. In California, literally all I had to do was fill out a gender declaration form. It took a minute to fill it out. It was super easy. I'm grateful my family is based in California. We have a lot of rights other queers in other states don't. Something I'm wondering is, the more we see progress being made in one area, for example in legal documentation, what then does that mean, for example, to the criminal justice system? Or I should say, the quote-unquote "justice system"? This is all theoretical. What happens to somebody with an X gender marker on their documentation if they get arrested, if they become incarcerated? BLAIR HODGES: If they're incarcerated, where do they go? If prisons are separated by binary where would they go? ERIS YOUNG: Is it possible to change your birth certificate right now? I'm not sure. I haven't looked into it. If it is, how much longer will we have that privilege, or that right of being able to do that? But the more we change things, the more we start to see how entrenched binary gender is throughout the entire system. Obviously, what passes for a criminal justice system in the United States is fundamentally broken and needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. Part of that is going to be, how is sex and gender treated within that system. I don't know if anyone has done any formal study of people with nonbinary legal documentation or just of nonbinary people within the criminal justice system in the States. I'd be very interested to see what they're finding because it would be another layer of complication on an already horrific experience. BLAIR HODGES: We're also seeing general access to care being affected in places. Utah, where I'm meeting you from, has passed legislation to prevent gender affirming care for minors. It's causing so much pain and damage. Hopefully the courts can help address that, but that remains to be seen. Legally it feels like we have a long way to go, and I think it's going to be a heavier lift in some ways than gay marriage because cis het people could more easily wrap our heads around gay marriage. It was just like, oh, these people want to get married. Cool. ERIS YOUNG: This is us asking for a separate thing. It's not an assimilation. We're asking for actual change, not just to access something existing. IS THERE REASON TO HOPE? (1:12:54) BLAIR HODGES: To be yourselves. Let us be us, not let us be like you. ERIS YOUNG: Yes.  BLAIR HODGES: With that in mind, are you generally optimistic? Let's close on that. What are some reasons for optimism, some things to keep our eyes on? ERIS YOUNG: Something I find reassuring is, it's not the same all over the world right now. We are seeing backlash, but it's not the same. One of my friends here in Scotland, they're nonbinary and their son is trans. They just went to Canada and stayed there for a few weeks. They said they felt safer and more seen and more understood than they had in years of living in the UK. It wasn't just that there are legal recognitions over there. It's the way they were treated in the day-to-day by normal everyday cis people. Just regular people treated them with respect and understanding. They didn't want to leave. In a way, it is cause for optimism because it makes me think it's not this way everywhere and it doesn't have to be. At the same time, it's quite depressing because we can't all move to Canada. There's space there, but you know. [laughter] I want to believe it won't be like it is in the UK or certain parts of the USA forever. I have to hope, but at the same time, and I think directly correlated with the increase in visibility that trans and nonbinary people have had in recent years, we've become really visible or we've been really visible and uncompromising when it comes to claiming space and claiming language for ourselves. What that means is there are a lot of people, especially people in power, who are made upset by that, who are afraid of it because it makes them think about themselves and think about their own position in the world. If they acknowledge us then they have to question a lot of the things they've based their whole lives around. Because they're people in power they've applied an equal and opposite pressure to our own attempts to demand rights and equality. I think the next ten years is going to be difficult. BLAIR HODGES: From where I sit—this is complete theory, there's no study backing this theory I have—but I have a theory that there are more people who would be supportive of nonbinary identities, that there are more people who could come to easily understand trans folks and their experiences, and the opposition is a very dedicated, vocal, and powerful minority of voices who have a disproportionate impact on what policies are passed, on how people are treated. What that means to me is if that's true, that puts more onus on me to use my voice and my position to advocate for equality and for greater understanding. It really becomes the sort of middle grounders or folks who are like, "Yeah, that sounds fine to me. But I'm also living my life over here." That's who I want to start paying attention. Because most queer folks are already in the fight. They kind of have to be. Some take breaks here and there or want to hop out because otherwise they might end their lives or something. For me, I want these folks who are interested, maybe kindly curious, to be more

This week, Diana chats with Sil Chen about exploring queer identity across cultures. Sil shares her personal journey growing up in Taiwan and the cultural adjustments she faced after immigrating to the U.S. She opens up about what shifted her from a career in biotechnology to social work, and how her family reacted. Diana and Sil delve into cultural norms and expectations around queerness and coming out between Taiwan and the U.S. They also discuss how beauty standards, public displays of affection like hand-holding, and dating—especially for Asian men—differ between these two cultures.Sil Si-Wei Chen (she/her), MA, LCSW-R, is a non-binary, queer Taiwanese psychotherapist and emotional wellness coach offering teletherapy in New York and coaching services worldwide. A certified Gestalt therapist integrating Internal Family Systems and Buddhist Psychology in her practice, Sil specializes in working with creatives and engineers in the Asian-American and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as with queer and interracial couples. Connect with Sil at silchentherapy.com Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

Want to learn more about the LGBTQ+ experience and allyship at Booz Allen? Check out:We Say Gay: Celebrating Pride, with Melody Stachour.A Discussion on Intersectionality and Allyship between host Jennie Brooks and Natasha Christensen, Lianna Newman, and Craig Wainner.How To Be an Activist & Work for a Corporation, with Dominique Chamely.  Host: Jennie Brooks, Executive Vice President, Navy Marine Corps TeamWriting, Editing, & Production:- Erin Prah, DEI Program Manager- Enrico E. Manalo, DEI Content StrategistGuest Scheduling:Bridget BunningFor more Unstoppable Together, check out Unstoppable Together Magazine: https://BAH.dcatalog.com/r/DEI-Quarterly

This week Zach is joined by Caroline Palmer, author of the middle grade graphic novel, Camp Prodigy to take about their brand new graphic novel, their process, and the things that inspired them to become a creator!Camp Prodigy: After attending an incredible concert, Tate Seong is inspired to become a professional violist. There's just one problem: they're the worst musician at their school.Tate doesn't even have enough confidence to assert themself with their friends or come out as nonbinary to their family, let alone attempt a solo anytime soon. Things start to look up when Tate attends a summer orchestra camp—Camp Prodigy—and runs into Eli, the remarkable violist who inspired Tate to play in the first place.But Eli has been hiding their skills ever since their time in the spotlight gave them a nervous breakdown. Together, can they figure out how to turn Tate into a star and have Eli overcome their performance anxieties? Or will the pressure take them both down?---------------------------------------------------Follow Caroline and find out more about what they're up to! Pre-order Camp Prodigy while you're at it!---------------------------------------------------GoFundMe to help my wife's family in VietnamAny help is appreciated. We also understand if you can't. A share would also be nice!---------------------------------------------------Check out Dreampass and all their killer tracks on Spotify!---------------------------------------------------Join the Patreon to help us keep the lights on, and internet connected! https://www.patreon.com/tctwl---------------------------------------------------Listen to my other podcast!TFD: NerdcastAnd I am also part of the team over at...I Read Comic Books!---------------------------------------------------Want to try out all the sweet gigs over on Fiverr.com? Click on the link below and sign up!https://go.fiverr.com/visit/?bta=323533&brand=fiverrcpa---------------------------------------------------Follow on Instagram!The Comics That We LoveFollow on Tiktok!The Comics that We LoveFollow on Twitter!@Z_Irish_Red

Trigger Warning: Mention of sexual assault & violence. Resources below - Queer Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.tnlr.org/en/24-hour-hotline/ National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ Helen and Jack talk about Netflix's Heartstopper - how the show offers a glimpse into the innocence and unadulterated love that many queer adults never experienced in their teenage years. Takeaways Heartstopper highlights the importance of patience and self-discovery in navigating identity and coming out. Heartstopper addresses the impact of trauma and the struggle to believe in one's worthiness of love and support. The series provides a space for empathy, understanding, and healing. Heartstopper provides a rare portrayal of healthy queer relationships in a world full of rejection and violence. Therapy should encourage clients to discuss intersectionality and explore the complexities of their identities. Cultivating imagination is crucial for fostering hopefulness and envisioning a life worth living. Self-expression and authenticity require support and patience. The ability to make it through each day and trust oneself is a significant accomplishment. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Excitement for Heartstopper 09:36 Addressing Trauma and Self-Worth 32:53 Exploring Intersectionality and Representation 40:12 Encouraging Intersectionality in Therapy 48:09 The Power of Imagination in Fostering Hopefulness

Join Dr. Stephanie J. Wong as she hosts an enlightening conversation with Justinian Huang, the author of the groundbreaking novel "The Emperor and the Endless Palace." In this episode of the Color of Success Podcast, we dive deep into the layers of intersectionality in identity, culture, and love through the lens of Justinian's personal and professional experiences. About Justinian Huang: Justinian Huang, a former film executive turned novelist, shares his journey from shaping stories in animation to penning his debut novel. Born to Taiwanese immigrants and having spent significant time in China, Justinian's rich cultural heritage deeply influences his writing. His experiences as a queer Asian man bring a vibrant authenticity to his characters and stories, exploring themes of love, identity, and acceptance. Episode Highlights: 1. Justinian discusses his personal challenges and triumphs as a queer Asian man, reflecting on family reactions and societal expectations. The inspiration behind his novel, rooted in a historic love story from the Han dynasty, highlights the universal themes of love and acceptance. From Film to Fiction: 2. Insights into Justinian's transition from a successful career in animation at companies like Sony Pictures Animation and DreamWorks, to writing his novel. 3. How storytelling in animation influenced his approach to writing fiction, focusing on universal themes with culturally specific narratives. 4. Justinian opens up about the therapeutic aspects of writing and the mental health implications of living between cultures. The discussion also covers how his novel serves as a medium for exploring personal and collective identities. 5. A look at the "spiciness" of his novel, delving into its erotic elements and how it challenges and redefines perceptions of Asian masculinity. 6. Justinian reflects on his experiences with social media post-publication, the pressures of public perception, and the importance of authentic representation. Justinian Huang's "The Emperor and the Endless Palace" is available for purchase on major book-selling platforms and as an audiobook featuring talented AAPI actors. https://a.co/d/cQRhRTm Subscribe to the Color of Success Podcast on your favorite platform, and don't forget to check out Dr. Stephanie J. Wong's memoir, "Cancel the Filter," available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Share your own "cancel the filter" moments with us! https://a.co/d/a9RJEMM

Join me as I welcome back Connor and Gray to share an intimate look at the emotions and gratitude surrounding my book's journey, a heartfelt narrative that's been a labor of love and vulnerability. We discuss the mix of panic and excitement that comes with releasing a story so close to our hearts, and the significance of our unique friendship that has provided a foundation of support through it all. Connor and Gray weigh in with pride and curiosity, revealing their thoughts on their portrayal in the book and the impact it may have on its readers. Listen in as we reflect on the intricate dance of personal storytelling and the nuances of representation, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. I open up about the anticipation of sharing our stories through the book and this podcast, the vulnerability it entails, and the surprising responses we've received. The conversation underscores the transformative power of authentic narratives and the importance of visibility for marginalized groups, illustrated by touching feedback from a gay volleyball league member. This is a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics, personal growth, and the journey of self-discovery. We delve into the profound changes in family communication, the shift from rigid beliefs to open spirituality, and the courage it takes to embrace one's true identity. Our discussion celebrates the progress we've made as a family, the essential role of support during moments of independence, and the empowering process of coming to terms with LGBTQ+ identity. Connect with Heather:Get Your Ally Toolkit Now, including a free primer! https://toolkit.chrysalismama.com/ally-free-giftYouTube: @chrysalismama9499TikTok: @chrysalismamaLearn how you can make an impact: https://linktr.ee/chrysalismamaSolutions listed on her website: https://chrysalismama.com/solutionsPlease subscribe to, rate, and review Just Breathe. And, as always, please share with anyone who needs to know they are not alone!Mentioned in this episode:Get your Free "Pronouns Made Simple" download now: https://learnwith.chrysalismama.com/optinPre-order Parenting with Pride Now: https://chrysalismama.com/book

Drag superstar Latrice Royale has been in the game since before Ru Paul's Drag Race was a phenomenon. She won Miss Congeniality on her season of that show, and went on to appear on All-Stars and Drag U. An actor and performer, Latrice is one of the co-hosts of the just-launched Season 4 of HBO's We're Here. And if you know anything about Latrice, just a few moments with Della Reese's character, Vera Walker, in the Eddie Murphy-directed dramedy Harlem Nights  will show you how Latrice's persona may have been shaped by Vera's no-nonsense power and heart of gold.Then, Jordan has one quick think about Humane, directed the latest Cronenberg to join the family business, Caitlin.***With Jordan Crucchiola and Latrice Royale

Anna shares insights into her upbringing and the influences that led to the creation of Second Sunday, providing a glimpse into the world of black Lutheran and missionary Baptist churches. Tune in to learn more about Anna's journey and the significance of Second Sunday in addressing important narratives within the church community. She emphasized that religion is often associated with control and power, historically being used as a system to control people and exclude marginalized groups.  About Second Sunday: Second Sunday is a podcast about Black queer people finding, keeping, and sometimes losing faith in the Black church. Join hosts Darren and Esther, as they take turns exploring the journey of each guest as they navigate religion, spirituality, culture, and identity.   Guest Spotlight:  Anna DeShawn is a Chicago-born social entrepreneur who builds digital media platforms that center & celebrate BIPOC & QTPOC creatives. She received her bachelor's in radio/television production from Drake University and then went on to receive her master's in communications from Ithaca College. Anna spent 12 years in the digital media space producing webinars and virtual events for government and corporate clients alike. Media has always been Anna's passion so she turned her passion into a reality when she founded E3 Radio, LLC. E3 Radio is an online radio station playing queer music & reporting on queer news in high rotation with an intersectional lens. Most recently, she co-founded The Qube, a curated app of music & podcasts by BIPOC & QTPOC creatives. Anna is determined to ride media into its next era by utilizing online radio streams to play the music & tell the stories that deserve to be heard. How to connect with Anna: Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn Learn more about The Qube Listen to Second Sunday   -MORE: Connect: www.bewellsis.com Follows us on Instagram! Be Well, Sis Partners: Athletic Greens (AG1)– Redeem your offer for 1 year of high-quality Vitamin D + 5 free travel packs  

On this latest episode we get vulnerable with the one and only Luis Cornejo (He, Him, They, Them) a Queer, Indigenous, Latinx(e), Licensed Marriage & Family/Sex Therapist, a model and host of the podcast, Queer Magic. Luis shares his journey towards embracing his queer expression, and how being authentic impacted his private practice serving the QTBIPOC community. He also discusses the importance of healthy relationships in personal growth, and how being honest about your personal experience can help you heal through trauma.  We hope this episode brings you closer to YOU queer kittens!  EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Embracing Radical Acceptance and Self-Care 00:53 Introducing the Hosts: Stories of Queer Identity and Empowerment 02:49 Journey to Self-Discovery: Moving Away and Finding Oneself 04:10 The Transformative Power of College and Embracing Queerness 12:37 Unpacking Religious Trauma and Embracing Queer Identity 15:33 The Journey of Self-Acceptance and Launching a Private Practice 33:43 Overcoming People Pleasing and Embracing Authenticity 36:19 Unlearning People Pleasing: A Journey to Self-Love 36:57 The Roots of People Pleasing: Trauma and Survival 38:32 Personal Growth: From Self-Neglect to Self-Care 40:20 The Power of Supportive Relationships 41:07 Love and Learning in a Long-Term Partnership 42:55 Embracing Differences: The Dynamics of a Complementary Relationship 44:16 Navigating Love, Self-Discovery, and Therapy Together 46:11 The Importance of Communication and Empathy in Relationships 49:37 Green Flags and Red Flags in Connections 59:49 Radical Acceptance and Self-Care: Closing Thoughts WELLNESS RESOURCES: Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here THE TEAM: ♊ Host: V (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@lovenessmonsta⁠ ♑ Executive Producer: Stevie Cua (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@steviesees⁠ ♋ Producer: Leah Jackson (She/Her) ⁠@djmsjackson⁠ ♈ Associate Producer: Raphaella Landestoy (She/Her) ⁠@la.vida.bruja14⁠ CONNECT: Follow us on Instagram ⁠@questwellnesspod⁠ Be a guest on the pod ⁠questwellnesspod@gmail.com⁠ Podcast produced by ⁠pukapuka. Cover photo by Niko Storment. Music produced and composed by ⁠BASK⁠ aka Eric Guizar Vasquez (He/Him). Episode transcripts available by request⁠. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/questwellnesspod/message

In this episode of That Queer Fitness Podcast, cohosts Lizzy and Rya explore the multifaceted experience of being LGBTQ+ in gym environments and coming out at the gym. They discuss whether it's necessary to formally come out in these spaces, sharing personal experiences and highlighting the additional layers of complexity for non-binary and trans individuals. They conclude by emphasizing the importance of navigating gym spaces in ways that feel safest for queer individuals.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatqueerfitnesspodcast/   Follow us on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatqueerfitnesspodcast  Music by: Kelsi CreekWebsite: https://kelsimusic.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsicreek  Music mixing and mastering by: https://www.fiverr.com/onedayclint  Logo by: https://www.fiverr.com/juugend 00:18 - Introduction01:11 - Icebreaker: Favorite day at the gym06:19 - Coming Out at the Gym: Experiences and Perspectives20:00 - Navigating Gender Identity and Pronouns in Fitness Spaces26:12 - Coming Out at the Gym: Passive Existence and Active Choices30:37 - Addressing Misgendering and Safety in Gym Environments34:26 - The Decision to Come Out at the Gym: Necessity vs. Preference37:34 - Personal Experiences and Final Thoughts on Queer Identity in Fitness Spaces

This episode of the Queer Fitness Podcast features cohosts Rya and Lizzy, and their first guest, queer personal trainer Livia Nieves! They discuss various aspects of fitness and health from queer perspectives. Livia shares her journey from a dancer to pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy while juggling being a certified trainer. They delve into the challenges of balance, the pressures of social media, and the unique experiences of navigating fitness spaces as queer individuals. Discussions also cover the importance of fostering inclusive and accepting fitness environments, accessibility in fitness, supplements, and strength training paired with running. Livia emphasizes the subjective nature of fitness, advocating for personalized approaches and scrutinizing the source of fitness advice.Find Livia: https://linktr.ee/livianieveshttps://www.instagram.com/livianieves/# Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatqueerfitnesspodcast/   Follow us on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatqueerfitnesspodcast  Music by: Kelsi CreekWebsite: https://kelsimusic.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsicreek  Music mixing and mastering by: https://www.fiverr.com/onedayclint  Logo by: https://www.fiverr.com/juugend  Timestamps00:19 Introduction00:53 TLDR: Livia's Fitness Journey02:58 Balancing School, Fitness, and Social Media04:29 Social Media vs. Real Life07:54 Navigating Queer Identity in Fitness Spaces12:42 The Challenges of Being Queer in Fitness and Education Spaces15:56 Navigating the Gym as a Queer Individual23:24 Positives of Coming Out in Fitness Spaces26:03 Queerness, Personal Training, and the Gym34:59 Accessibility and Inclusivity in Fitness Spaces36:47 Final Thoughts on Queerness at the Gym38:16 Q&A: Supplements 40:42 Q&A: Fitness for Longevity 42:14 Q&A: All Things Running 47:17 Final Questions50:07 Closing Thoughts

Imagine the courage it takes to forge a path as a black queer woman in a world where your identity intersects with a rich tapestry of culture, tradition, and belief systems. This is the life of Anna DeShawn, a social entrepreneur from Chicago. who came out in a religious household and went on to create spaces where queer voices can echo and resonate.In an intimate exchange, Anna and Emma navigate the  complexities of family acceptance in the black community, revealing both the struggles and the victories and the evolution of her identity through terms like 'queer', 'gay', and 'lesbian'. We learn about Anna's father's journey from disbelief, to becoming a beacon of support,  demonstrating how love can transcend even the most rigid of barriers.Anna also educated us on the queer media landscape, where she is carving out her legacy. She unveils the motivations behind E3 Radio and the Qube app, platforms that amplify marginalized voices and create a symphony of black and brown queer narratives. Her ambition mirrors that of icons like Robin Roberts, who have laid the groundwork for visibility and representation. Connect with Anna on Instagram  X or TikTokPresented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

We're speaking with Willow Scarlet about South Asian fashion in the goth scene, the need for diversity in goth music, their experience as a goth in India and more.  If you enjoy the show, please support us on Patreon! Intro 00:00 Cultural Influence in Goth Music 6:30 South Asian Goth Aesthetic 16:40 What is Goth Music 33:10 Queer Identity 37:30 What is Goth 42:37 Pishach 51:30 Fast Fashion 55:33 Cultural Appropriation 1:03:10 State of Goth Music 1:21:45 Outro 1:38:30   References: -Alt Culture is not Original -Cultural Appropriation -Ghosting - Lion King

We're speaking with Willow Scarlet about South Asian fashion in the goth scene, the need for diversity in goth music, their experience as a goth in India and more.  If you enjoy the show, please support us on Patreon! Intro 00:00 Cultural Influence in Goth Music 6:30 South Asian Goth Aesthetic 16:40 What is Goth Music 33:10 Queer Identity 37:30 What is Goth 42:37 Pishach 51:30 Fast Fashion 55:33 Cultural Appropriation 1:03:10 State of Goth Music 1:21:45 Outro 1:38:30   References: -Alt Culture is not Original -Cultural Appropriation -Ghosting - Lion King

In this podcast episode, guest Riona discusses her transformative journey. Featuring the exploration of her queer identity, the dynamic shift from her previous marriage and life as 'Megan', and her spiritual awakening.  She emphasizes the importance of leaning into intuition and trusting individual paths, referring to her Saturn Return astrological phase as a significant catalyst for her evolution. Riona also introduces her practice with the Akashic Records and psychic abilities, shedding light on how they feed into her one-on-one client work.  Moreover, she shares insights on daily practices, balancing masculine and feminine energies, and the power of community.  Riona's legacy is rooted in her voice and its impact on others. In this conversation, she introduces her partnership with the Luminous Lifestyle Dharma Glow membership community and discusses its benefits and offerings.  The community provides a space for individuals to explore and deepen their spiritual practices. Riona highlights the importance of activations and practices in the community, which help members connect with their inner selves and find peace and clarity.  She also explains how to access the community and invites listeners to join and experience the transformative power of the Luminous Lifestyle Dharma Glow community. ------------- 00:00 Introduction to Saturn Return 00:20 The Impact of Saturn Return on Personal Life 00:49 The Spiritual Path and Life's Unfolding 01:36 The Dharma Glow Podcast Begins 02:11 Rionna's Journey of Transformation 03:40 The Power of Alchemy Journey 04:19 The Inflection Point in Rionna's Life 04:42 The Role of Saturn Return in Rionna's Life 06:27 The Importance of Discernment and Choice 07:02 Rionna's Experience of Saturn Return Journey 08:01 The Challenge of Letting Go 09:29 Rionna's Transformation and New Identity 10:29 The Power of Integrity and Intention 11:01 Rionna's Queer Identity and Its Impact 11:32 The Importance of Embracing All Aspects of Self 11:56 Rionna's Relationship with Family and Community 13:06 The Unfolding of Rionna's Psychic Abilities 15:43 The Power of Intuition and Trust 14:20 Rionna's Daily Practices and Rituals 33:26 Rionna's Gifts and Offerings 41:29 Rionna's Legacy and Future Vision 43:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts -------------- Join the community at www.dharmaglow.com Connect on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@dharmaglow333 Connect with Riona If you enjoyed today's episode, please: post a screenshot & key takeaways on your IG story and tag @dharmaglow Leave a 5-star review on https://ratethispodcast.com/dharmaglow Subscribe for new episodes every Monday Join Luminous Lifestyle to get bonus episodes

podcast camp last chance sign up here! all things Kela Rose + join the soul in progress app here! Teo Marcella

In this episode, we learn why a game that unites people from around the Bay Area is becoming harder to organize. It's a story from our series Culture Keepers about who keeps pickup soccer games going. Then, teenagers share their perspectives on gender identity. It's an award winning story from our podcast, tbh, our podcast by, about and for teenagers.

Follow the Labyrinth of the First Gen on InstagramSign Up for the Quarterly Labyrinth of the First Gen Newsletter on the bottom of our websiteIn this episode, we have a conversation with Jae  (he, him; they, them), Bobby(he, him, his), and Jamal (he, him, his) who are the president, social media manager, and board members of One L.U.V (which stands for Love, Unity, and Victory). One L.U.V is an organization focusing on activism, visibility, and allyship education for the black LGBTQ+ community based in St Croix, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean. Through their work, One L.U.V challenges perceptions of the LGBTQ+ community as foreign to the Caribbean culture while acknowledging the complexity of their U.S. territory status. The organization also conducts community activities with a focus on a black and brown LGBTQ+ audience, including educational panels and family-friendly events to foster inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Despite facing barriers, Jamal, Bobby, and Jae highlight that many steps have been made to foster acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ+ population in the Caribbean, however, the work must continue."We decided that we needed to be a part of not only the parade but the movement that was growing in the Virgin Islands so that we can represent our people and show that We have always been here. We were born here. We're raised here.  We give back to our community, not just in tax dollars, but, you know,  in brain power, you know, we contribute to the development of the Virgin Islands. So that's our reason for being to for existing and being here and serving our population and doing the work that we do. " ~ Jae, One L.U.V's PresidentFor More Information on One L.U.V follow the One Luz Facebook page here00:00 Introduction to One L.U.V Team02:58 Origins of One L.U.V: The Founding Story06:35 Challenges and Controversies: The First Parade09:32 Confronting Perceptions: Being Gay in the Caribbean12:06 The Intersection of Race and Queerness21:35 Community Activities and Education Initiatives28:25 Conclusion: The Impact and Future of One L.U.V The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is hereSchedule 30 minutes to chat with me during my open office hours

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sacredtension.substack.comTake advantage of my Black Friday Sale! You will get 40% off a 12-month subscription and join a growing community of like-minded and curious people. You will also get access to the rest of this podcast, as well as a ton of other paid content. Use this link to get the discount. It expires on Sunday 25th. https://sacredtension.substack.com/2023blackfridayIn this episode of House of Heretics, Timothy and I…

Welsh comedian Steffan Alun joins us to get really serious about a movie that rarely gets the philosophical treatment: 2004's coming-of-age romcom 13 Going on 30. He's seen the movie countless times, and relates not only to Jennifer Garner's Jenna Rink, but also her boss at Poise magazine, Richard, as played by Andy Serkis (!).Then, Jordan has one quick thing about a new indie crime thriller called Your Lucky Day, featuring the late Angus Cloud in one if his final roles.***with Jordan Crucchiola and Steffan Alun

Lalin St. Juste has been a staple in the Bay Area music scene for a decade with her genre-bending band The Seshen. In this episode, Lalin takes us on a transformative journey of healing and reclamation of her Haitian heritage through her solo music. As a Haitian American, Lalin has felt a deep connection to her roots, but also struggled with issues of identity and the negative stereotypes associated with Haiti. Through her music, she aims to unlearn these misconceptions and show the true richness and beauty of Haitian culture. Lalin's musical journey started as a means of expressing herself as a shy and quiet child. But it was her bond with her maternal grandmother that truly influenced her path. As Lalin coped with the loss of her grandmother, singing became a source of solace and healing. Her music celebrates and reclaims her matrilineal bloodline and Haitian heritage, in turn leading to a reaffirmation of her sense of belonging as a Haitian AmericanDon't forget to go to my website and leave me YOUR story of belonging to feature on a future episode!Buy Me a Coffee!Episode Highlights [00:02:15] LA-raised musician connects with Haitian heritage.  [00:05:51] Shy child found solace in music. Strong bond with maternal grandmother. Sang to cope with mother's passing. Healing and self-expression through music.  [00:08:18] Influenced by Little Dragon, our Electronic session incorporates genre-bending sounds, dance production, and elements of traditional Haitian music. My solo work is constantly evolving with an ethereal, cosmic, and spiritual aesthetic.  [00:10:16] Daughter of Haitian immigrants embraces cultural heritage.  [00:14:59] Powerful connection to Haiti through song.  [00:20:13] Creating a unique home, exploring identity, inclusion.  [00:21:24] First song I wrote from EP after Jamaica trip, connecting with Jamaica in absence of Haiti. Fresh off Caribbean essence, thinking about family and their lives.  [00:27:59] "Art Heals All Wounds - Lalaine Saint Juste shares her story and upcoming performances in the Bay Area. Connect with her and listen to her work on Bandcamp. Leave a voicemail on arthealsallwoundspodcast.com to share your story of belonging." Guest Info:WebsiteInstagramBandcamp Follow Me:●      My Instagram ●      My LinkedIn●      Art Heals All Wounds Website●      Art Heals All Wounds Instagram●      Art Heals All Wounds Facebook●      Art Heals All Wounds Newsletter   

I interviewed Queer Utopia: Act I Cruising director Lui Avallos at Venice Immersive 2023. See more context in the rough transcript below. This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

A new film directed by Roger Ross Williams tells the true story of luchador Saúl Armendáriz, who was determined to fight and win on his own terms as Cassandro…and made (gay) history in the process. Then, we'll take a look at some other documentary-to-drama story arcs.What's GoodAlonso - Ava DuVernay's “Lights, Caramel, Action”Drea - “Body's choice” weekend in Palm SpringsIfy - Talking Heads Q&AITIDICThe Union Solidarity Coalition Put on a Quirky Auction to Support Film Crew WorkersA Wave of Latino Biopics is widening the scope on whose stories get told for posterityRegal Has Reportedly Discontinued Its Infamous “Movie Quotes” Pre-RollStaff PicksAlonso - Bad EducationDrea - No One Will Save You, Life AnimatedIfy - Le SamouraïLeave a message for the Hotline!With:Ify NwadiweDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeProducer Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

NOTE: Since the date of recording this episode, our guest for this week has embarked on her gender transition. While you'll hear her referred to by her previous name (often called a ‘deadname') in the episode, we've updated the show notes to reflect this. Her name is Hana Leyland and she uses She/Her pronouns. What happens when you face your darkest fears and emerge stronger on the other side? We're thrilled to welcome the extraordinarily resilient Hana Leland to the show, who's about to unfold an absorbing narrative of personal transformation, navigating a queer identity, and dealing with a mother's mental health battle. Hana's life-changing journey saw her grappling with addiction and trauma, yet she found an unexpected superpower in the midst of these darkest hours. On today's episode, Duane and Hana unravel the complex layers of her identity, and how she navigated through her queer identity in an ever-evolving world. The discussion takes a deep dive into the concept of Peter Pan Syndrome and its link with addiction, a rampant issue within the queer community. Hana's story is a testament to the power of self-exploration guided by therapy and internal family systems. She shines a light on the importance of mentors within the LGBTQ+ community and how they play a pivotal role in shaping identity. Moving forward, we explore the transformative journey toward authenticity. Hana highlights the role of sobriety in illuminating her own identity, and how harnessing the power of storytelling has been instrumental in reclaiming her authenticity. Not shying away from vulnerability, she emphasizes the need for support and mentorship on one's journey to self-discovery. Hana's narrative is an inspiring reminder that embracing our unique values and identities can lead to profound transformation and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but strength. Tune in and let this heartfelt story inspire your own journey toward self-actualization. In this episode, you will hear: Overcoming addiction and finding grace Navigating LGBTQ+ identity and trauma Exploring identity and overcoming dark parts Asking for help and authenticity Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why would a scientist brave the stench of a car full of rotting meat on a 120-degree day? What can a unique whistling language teach us about humans' connection to the natural world? And how does queer identity shape the research of National Geographic Explorers? In this episode celebrating Pride, we hand the mic to two Explorers: Christine Wilkinson, who studies hyenas and other large carnivores and created the TikTok series “Queer is Natural,” and Rüdiger Ortiz-Álvarez, whose soundscapes from the Canary Islands encourage us to slow down and listen to the world around us. For more information on this episode, visit natgeo.com/overheard. Want more? Why do some people prefer LGBTQIA+ instead of LGBT? See how society's understanding of diverse sexual identities and gender expressions has grown more inclusive—and so has the acronym used to describe them. Before the Nazis rose to power, a German institute cemented itself as gay liberation's epicenter. Discover the great hunt for the world's first LGBTQ archive. Although a large group of LGBTQ people celebrating their sexual orientation in public had been unthinkable just a few years before, the first Pride parades began in 1970 as marches commemorating the 1969 Stonewall uprising. See more National Geographic coverage of Pride at natgeo.com/Pride.  Also explore: Learn more about spotted hyenas, which live in female-led clans of up to 80 individuals. Practice your whistling and head to La Gomera in the Canary Islands, home to the Silbo Gomero whistling language and Garajonay National Park. Find Christine Wilkinson's “Queer is Natural” series on her TikTok, @scrappynaturalist. And follow along with Rüdiger Ortiz-Álvarez on his Instagram, @rudigerortiz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices