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Brandon Wolf: Pulse Survivor, Activist, and the Promise to Never Stop Fighting
In this episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with Brandon Wolf — survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting, national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, and one of the most powerful voices for LGBTQ+ equality in the United States.
Brandon shares his journey from growing up in a small conservative town, to finding chosen family and queer spaces that gave him the courage to be unapologetically himself. He opens up about his best friend Drew, the night of the Pulse tragedy, and the promise he made to keep fighting for a world Drew would be proud of.
From the desecration of sacred memorials to the resilience of a community that refuses to be erased, Brandon speaks candidly about grief, advocacy, and the work still to be done. He also reminds us of the joy, hope, and humanity at the heart of queer liberation — and why giving up is never an option.
This is a conversation about loss, resilience, and the fight for a future where everyone can live unapologetically and authentically.
Chapters
00:00 Queer Panic: A Fun Introduction
04:27 Exploring Identity and Safe Spaces
07:33 The Impact of Community and Chosen Family
10:31 Reflections on Family and Early Influences
13:34 Awakening to Queerness: Media and Real Life Experiences
16:16 Finding Authenticity and Belonging
19:26 Life Before Pulse: Dreams and Aspirations
22:34 The Significance of Pulse Nightclub
25:12 Community Resilience After Tragedy
30:07 Refusing to be Erased: The Resilience of the Queer Community
31:44 Historical Context: Lessons from the Past
34:25 Building a Movement: The Power of Persistence
35:27 Remembering Drew and Juan: Stories of Friendship
39:58 A Promise to Fight: Creating a World of Pride
43:51 Finding Balance: Self-Care in Advocacy
48:42 Community Engagement: The Power of Connection
52:29 Gun Safety: Progress and Challenges
56:59 Political Aspirations: Impact Over Title
58:53 Advice for the Younger Generation: Be Unapologetically You
Connect with Ben Cicchetti:
Website - https://www.queertalker.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BenCicchetti
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti
View all episodes
By Ben CicchettiIn this episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with Brandon Wolf — survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting, national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, and one of the most powerful voices for LGBTQ+ equality in the United States.
Brandon shares his journey from growing up in a small conservative town, to finding chosen family and queer spaces that gave him the courage to be unapologetically himself. He opens up about his best friend Drew, the night of the Pulse tragedy, and the promise he made to keep fighting for a world Drew would be proud of.
From the desecration of sacred memorials to the resilience of a community that refuses to be erased, Brandon speaks candidly about grief, advocacy, and the work still to be done. He also reminds us of the joy, hope, and humanity at the heart of queer liberation — and why giving up is never an option.
This is a conversation about loss, resilience, and the fight for a future where everyone can live unapologetically and authentically.
Chapters
00:00 Queer Panic: A Fun Introduction
04:27 Exploring Identity and Safe Spaces
07:33 The Impact of Community and Chosen Family
10:31 Reflections on Family and Early Influences
13:34 Awakening to Queerness: Media and Real Life Experiences
16:16 Finding Authenticity and Belonging
19:26 Life Before Pulse: Dreams and Aspirations
22:34 The Significance of Pulse Nightclub
25:12 Community Resilience After Tragedy
30:07 Refusing to be Erased: The Resilience of the Queer Community
31:44 Historical Context: Lessons from the Past
34:25 Building a Movement: The Power of Persistence
35:27 Remembering Drew and Juan: Stories of Friendship
39:58 A Promise to Fight: Creating a World of Pride
43:51 Finding Balance: Self-Care in Advocacy
48:42 Community Engagement: The Power of Connection
52:29 Gun Safety: Progress and Challenges
56:59 Political Aspirations: Impact Over Title
58:53 Advice for the Younger Generation: Be Unapologetically You
Connect with Ben Cicchetti:
Website - https://www.queertalker.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BenCicchetti
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti