In Episode 2 of 7, hosts Lynn Johnson and Allison Kenny reflect on what they learned from 25 LGBTQ+ youth across New Mexico whose stories inspired Queer Futures Now: An Alien Play and this podcast.

Together, they explore how concepts and language around gender and sexuality has evolved across generations, why today’s youth claim their identities with nuance and fluidity, and what adults can learn from listening more closely.

Through clips and moments from the play, including metaphors of rivers, bodies of water, and questions of being “queer enough,” this episode centers a simple truth: young people are the experts on their own experience. Their identities are allowed to shift, deepen, and expand over time.

Trust them. Believe them. Cheer them on as they evolve.

The LGBTQ+ youth in your life are so many beautiful things.

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 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 identity formation in LGBTQ+ 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: Lasha Helena Kirker, Danielle Simone, John Olesen, 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 Queer Futures Now was originally made possible under the leadership of Alex Ross-Reed.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