In this episode of the Better Together Arizona podcast, ONE Community President and Co-Founder, Angela Hughey is joined by CEO of one-n-ten and 2024 UNITY Agent, Nate Rhoton. 

Together, they discuss anxieties surrounding the incoming presidential administration's potential impact on the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of education and open dialogue to foster understanding. 

Nate shares his personal journey, including how he got into non-profit work. He highlights the crucial need for services, especially in rural areas, emphasizing the vital role of community in supporting LGBTQ+ youth. 

The conversation touches on the importance of storytelling and advocating for non-discrimination legislation, promoting the idea that LGBTQ+ rights should not be partisan issues. We need collaboration between organizations like one-n-ten and ONE Community to achieve greater progress. 

About Better Together Arizona: Better Together Arizona podcast shares stories that teach us how to value one another as neighbors, to value people who live differently than us, and to seek unity over division. The Better Together Arizona podcast includes people from all walks of life, working in often surprising ways to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Better Together Arizona is supported by ONE Community and filmed at the Full Swing Studios podcast studio in Midtown Phoenix.  

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In this episode of the Better Together Arizona podcast, ONE Community President and Co-Founder, Angela Hughey is joined by Bishop Jennifer Reddall of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. Bishop Reddall is the first woman to hold that title. 

The conversation explores the evolution of the Episcopal Church regarding LGBTQ+ issues, from being a church with "closeted relationships" to becoming more openly inclusive. Key moments include the ordination of the first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in 2003, and the church's move towards same-sex blessings and marriage equality. 

Bishop Reddall speaks about the church's commitment to welcoming all people, highlighting that the church is not just welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community, but that the community is part of the church. She shares the story of St. Stephen’s Episopal Church in Douglas,AZ–a church that was the subject of an arson hate crime because of its support for LGBTQ+ inclusion and women's ordination–and the subsequent rebuilding effort as a symbol of resilience and faith.

This discussion offers hope and emphasizes that the core of Christianity is about love and the image of God that is in every person. Bishop Reddall reminds us that Christmas in particular is about the celebration of humanity. 

Bishop Reddall was named one of the 2024 Local Heroes by ONE Community at our annual Spotlight on Success Awards. See her honoree video here. 

About Better Together Arizona: Better Together Arizona podcast shares stories that teach us how to value one another as neighbors, to value people who live differently than us, and to seek unity over division. The Better Together Arizona podcast includes people from all walks of life, working in often surprising ways to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Better Together Arizona is supported by ONE Community and filmed at the Full Swing Studios podcast studio in Midtown Phoenix.  

#LGBTQPodcasts #BestLGBTQPodcasts #LGBTQPodcast #GoodLGBTQPodcast #EpiscopalChurchLGBTQ #DoesEpiscopalChurchSupportLGBTQ #EpiscopalChurchLGBTQFriendly

In this episode of the Better Together Arizona podcast, ONE Community Co-Founder and President Angela Hughey is joined by founder of Phoenix Body Positive (now Southwest Center), Kirk Baxter,  CEO of Maricopa County Community Colleges Foundation, Brian Spicker, and CEO of Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, Jessyca Leach. 

Angela and her guests focus on HIV/AIDS awareness, including the history of activism and care in the Phoenix area. 

Kirk and Brian share their experiences with Phoenix Body Positive, highlighting the evolution from grassroots activism towards a comprehensive healthcare model. The conversation also addresses challenges like decreased sex education and the potential impact of future political changes on LGBTQ+ healthcare access. 

The conversation highlights milestones in the local HIV/AIDS awareness movement like the establishment of Phoenix Body Positive, the development of large-scale clinical trials, and the ongoing need for community support and advocacy. 

As a collective, we are hopeful for a future with increased acceptance, equitable healthcare access, and continued community resilience.

December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month and is meant to raise awareness and honor those affected by HIV/AIDS and recognize the progress that has been made in medical research and treatment. This is also a time to reflect on the impact HIV/AIDS has had and continues to have on communities worldwide. 

About Better Together Arizona: Better Together Arizona podcast shares stories that teach us how to value one another as neighbors, to value people who live differently than us, and to seek unity over division. The Better Together Arizona podcast includes people from all walks of life, working in often surprising ways to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Better Together Arizona is supported by ONE Community and filmed at the Full Swing Studios podcast studio in Midtown Phoenix.  

#HIVAIDSAwareness #HIV/AIDSAwareness Month #AwarenessForHIVAids #SouthwestCenterForHIVAids #BodyPositivePhoenix

In this episode of the Better Together Arizona podcast, ONE Community Co-Founder and President Angela Hughey is joined by President of Equality of Arizona, Michael Soto. 

86% of the LGBTQ community voted for the democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, as reported in an NBC Exit poll, showing a spike from 2020 when Donald Trump received 27% of the LGBTQ vote. 

Angela and Michael discuss Project 2025 and what lies ahead for the LGBTQ community with the upcoming Trump presidency, including expected legislation targeting transgender community members. A transgender military ban will all but certainly be introduced, and Medicare and Medicaid funding restrictions for transgender healthcare are anticipated as a start. 

Fears are that the Trump administration will choose to interpret the Bostock decision differently than the Biden administration, therefore creating vulnerabilities for LGBTQ employees in the workplace. Additionally, an ongoing case–United States v. Skrmetti–could have significant implications for transgender rights nationwide including medical treatments for transgender minors.  

In efforts to protect the right for marriage in the event the Supreme Court elects to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, states across the country are are working to approve ballot proposals to protect same-sex marriage in their state. 

• Learn more about Project 2025’s impact on the LGBTQ community.
• NBC Exit poll. 
• Learn more about how the Trump administration may affect marriage equality nationwide. 

About Better Together Arizona: Better Together Arizona podcast shares stories that teach us how to value one another as neighbors, to value people who live differently than us, and to seek unity over division. The Better Together Arizona podcast includes people from all walks of life, working in often surprising ways to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Better Together Arizona is supported by ONE Community and filmed at the Full Swing Studios podcast studio in Midtown Phoenix.    

#Project2025 #WhatIsProject2025 #Project2025LGBTQ #Project2025LGBTQRights #Project2025AndLGBTQ #WhatDoesProject2025SayAboutLGBTQ #WhatIsProject2025LGBTQ #HowWillProject2025AffectLGBTQ #DoesProject2025AffectLGBTQ #WillProject2025AffectLGBTQ #ObergefellVHodges #UnitedStatesVSkrmetti #BostockDecision

This podcast episode of Better Together Arizona focuses on Native American Heritage Month, featuring interviews with three community leaders–Kristine Firethunder, Executive Director of the American Indian Chamber, Jolyana Begay Kroupa, CEO of the Phoenix Indian Center, and Na'vi Ho, a drag queen artist–as they share perspectives on the month's significance. 

The conversation explores the importance of cultural awareness and the unique experiences of two-spirit individuals within both Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities. They also discuss the impact of the upcoming political administration on Indigenous communities and strategies for combating misinformation. The episode highlights the significance of community building and collaboration to foster understanding and support.

About Better Together Arizona: Better Together Arizona podcast shares stories that teach us how to value one another as neighbors, to value people who live differently than us, and to seek unity over division. The Better Together Arizona podcast includes people from all walks of life, working in often surprising ways to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Better Together Arizona is supported by ONE Community and filmed at the Full Swing Studios podcast studio in Midtown Phoenix.  

#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #TwoSpirit #TwoSpiritMeaning #WhatIsTwoSpirit #IndigenousCommunities #LGBTQPodcasts