This week we talk with Jae, a mental health provider and unapologetic queer human! We talk about how the caretaking of black women impacts their role in mental health treatment, what it is like thriving after losing her family unit, and changing paths after being in ministry. She also tells us about the impacts that mental health stigma in church had on her connection with her sexual orientation.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @beyondqueerstories and on Twitter @beyondqueerpod. Look for links on our profiles to submit to be featured on Beyond Queer Stories. You can also email us at [email protected]. Podcast music by DC queer artist Be Steadwell. Check out her music at www.besteadwell.com

This week we talk with Jas is a genderqueer advice columnist, influencer and activist. They are also a parent and self-proclaimed BLERD, or Black Nerd. Jas has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and is working toward a master’s in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire. This week we talk with them about connecting brown queer femmes, creating a support group for queer youth, and what it's like being queer and raising a queer kid. We also hear about the children's book they wrote and their love for D&D and LARPing! Also be sure to check them out on Facebook and Instagram at ask a brown feminem.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @beyondqueerstories and on Twitter @beyondqueerpod. Look for links on our profiles to submit to be featured on Beyond Queer Stories. You can also email us at [email protected]. Podcast music by DC queer artist Be Steadwell. Check out her music at www.besteadwell.com

This wee we talk with Morgan, a musician in the band Sparkletears, law student, and Marvel enthusiast! They also happen to have went to high school with Ashabi! We talk with them about what Ashabi was really like in high school, the culture of touch, and queer representation (or lack thereof) in Marvel movies. *WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS END GAME SPOILERS*

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @beyondqueerstories and on Twitter @beyondqueerpod. Look for links on our profiles to submit to be featured on Beyond Queer Stories. You can also email us at [email protected]. Podcast music by DC queer artist Be Steadwell. Check out her music at www.besteadwell.com

This week we talk to Patrick who grew up identifying as straight but always felt different from the other boys. He liked Project Runway, secretly dancing in his basement to So You Think You Can Dance, painting his toenails so no one would see, and looking at pictures of dudes in tuxedos. We talk with him about what it was like working in the hyper-masculine environment at an oil field and what it is like teaching during the day and performing as a drag queen at night.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @beyondqueerstories and on Twitter @beyondqueerpod. Look for links on our profiles to submit to be featured on Beyond Queer Stories. You can also email us at [email protected]. Podcast music by DC queer artist Be Steadwell. Check out her music at www.besteadwell.com

This week we talk with Season 1 returning guest Rory! Yes they had a name change. Check back on S1 E18 for their premiere episode. This time we talked with them about their name change, trying to navigate non-sexual connections and relationships, and platonic cuddling. We also all chime in about trash things cis men do. Don't be that guy! And of course we wrap up with part 2 of our universe creation.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @beyondqueerstories and on Twitter @beyondqueerpod. Look for links on our profiles to submit to be featured on Beyond Queer Stories. You can also email us at [email protected]. Podcast music by DC queer artist Be Steadwell. Check out her music at www.besteadwell.com

This week we talk with Cari, a college student studying elementary and special education. Cari talks with us about how Criminal Minds helped her come to terms with her sexuality and her love of the show The OA. We also discuss her journey of falling for one of her friends and finding her queer identity and community. She also talks about her hope to be able to promote diversity and acceptance among her future students.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @beyondqueerstories and on Twitter @beyondqueerpod. Look for links on our profiles to submit to be featured on Beyond Queer Stories. You can also email us at [email protected]. Podcast music by DC queer artist Be Steadwell. Check out her music at www.besteadwell.com

This week we talk with Riley, a gay transgender man who is a chemistry major at UW-Platteville. Join us as we talk with him about being trans and in the STEM field, connecting with LGBTQ scientists, and his talents as a percussionist. He also tells us about his experiences with "achievement addiction" and impostor syndrome.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @beyondqueerstories and on Twitter @beyondqueerpod. Look for links on our profiles to submit to be featured on Beyond Queer Stories. You can also email us at [email protected].

Podcast music by DC queer artist Be Steadwell. Check out her music at www.besteadwell.com

This week we have our first returning guest, Kay! We catch up with them about their new job and what it is like to have a positive and affirming workspace. We also discuss how life challenges can lead to positivity and we hear more about their podcast, The Baldwin Kids.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @beyondqueerstories and on Twitter @beyondqueerpod. Look for links on our profiles to submit to be featured on Beyond Queer Stories. You can also email us at [email protected].

Podcast music by DC queer artist Be Steadwell. Check out her music at www.besteadwell.com

This week we talk with Sé Sullivan, an adjunct professor at UC Berkeley and Mills College and a child participant of the UCLA gender identity research clinic from 1963-1994 who discovered their personal file and turned it into a fascinating dissertation. Sé discusses with us the history of the word queer, living in the AIDS era, being a part of the pro-sex movement, and the importance of decentering whiteness in the queer community and queer dialogue.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @beyondqueerstories and on Twitter @beyondqueerpod. Look for links on our profiles to submit to be featured on Beyond Queer Stories. You can also email us at [email protected].

Podcast music by DC queer artist Be Steadwell. Check out her music at www.besteadwell.com

This week we're joined by Riley, a non-binary trans guy who aspires to work in organ donation or trans healthcare and vulnerably shares with us his journey of ups and downs with mental health. We also get to hear about his homestead and methods of sustainable living and what it's like having a nosey turkey!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @beyondqueerstories and on Twitter @beyondqueerpod. Look for links on our profiles to submit to be featured on Beyond Queer Stories. You can also email us at [email protected].

Podcast music by DC queer artist Be Steadwell. Check out her music at www.besteadwell.com