In this 1st episode of 7, meet your hosts Allison Kenny and Lynn Johnson, co-founders of High Desert Playback, an Albuquerque-based company that makes theater for social change in New Mexico and beyond.

We introduce you to Queer Futures Now: An Alien Play, our original play written from the real life stories of 25 queer and trans youth from across New Mexico. Their stories revealed to us what gives them joy, where they feel the most safe, and what they need their parents, families, and adult allies to know.

Queer and trans youth need you…now.

They need you to know that they are not aliens. They are human beings who are proud and afraid and suffering and celebrating.

They need you to know that they are different from you and just like you. They understand that you will make mistakes, and they need you to keep trying anyway. They need you to get over yourself and get what you need to be able to show up.

You have a mission and it’s clear. You must do what it takes to listen, understand, support, and advocate for the queer and trans youth you love.

Here’s your first assignment:

* Subscribe to Queer Futures Now on Substack. When you do, you become part of the Queer Futures Now Network, a virtual support community facilitated by our partners at HEAL Plus New Mexico. The Queer Futures Now Network is for parents, families, educators and the rest of us who are ready to show up on behalf of queer and trans youth…now.

* Each week, you will receive an email with new information and tools to add to your ally toolbox.

* Over the next month—between now and next podcast episode—we will focus on information and tools to help you better understand, support, and advocate for the mental and physical health of queer and trans youth.

PODCAST CREDITS:

The Queer Futures Now Podcast

* Produced and Edited by: Lynn Johnson

* Hosted by: Lynn Johnson and Allison Kenny

* Original Music by: Jessie Lane

* Actors Featured In This Episode: Dalilah Naranjo, Danielle Simone, Jessie Lane, Lynn Johnson and Allison Kenny

* Sponsored by: HEAL Plus New Mexico, a grassroots organization that uses community art to co-create communities where all people can thrive and queer and trans people are cherished. Queer Futures Now was originally made possible under the leadership of Alex Ross-Reed. Since December 2025, HEAL Plus New Mexico has been led by Gracielx Sedillo-Lopez.

QueerFuturesNow.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.queerfuturesnow.com