This episode is sponsored by Bumble, a dating app that is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for its community of over 95 million users.

Bumble has partnered with experts at a range of LGBTQIA+ advocacy organisations to provide a space where people from across the gender platform feel safe and seen.

With guidance from the community Bumble has created an extensive list of gender options for both new and existing users to choose from. When setting up their profile users can select a binary choice or tap "more options" to expand the list - and your choice can be updated at any time. Users can also choose if they'd like to show their gender identity to potential matches, which appears alongside profile badges.

On Bumble, how you identify is up to you. Download Bumble today and make the first move. One app, three modes, one mission.

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Growing up different is tough no matter who you are or where you’re from.

Each of us journeys through some type of identity discovery, whether it be because of our culture, ethnicity, how we look or what our sexuality is.

As a heteronormative, cis gendered person myself, the pressure and obstacles I faced in my adolescence around justifying my Aboriginal identity everyday was exhausting enough, I couldn’t even imagine the extra layers of difficulty that come with that, for mob who are queer too.

Courtney Hagen and Matika Little are black, gay and proud.

These incredible women, who connected online through their common experiences of being Aboriginal and identifying as lesbian, have built an incredibly vital platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

‘Coming Out Blak’ is their podcast which they use to share their own experiences, discuss the issues that matter the most to them and provide a safe space for other people who are struggling with their sexual identity.

Intersectionality and the representation of diverse voices within the black community is so incredibly important - and a broader, more accurate picture of who we are as one mob, is also beautiful.

There’s no one way to be black and our differences make us stronger together.

I’m so excited to share this chat with you today with Courtney and Matika. They’re such kind and passionate tiddas who have a lot to share and a lot we can all learn from.

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Thank you so much Courtney and Matika for making the time to yarn with me today! Make sure you check out their podcast ‘Coming Out Blak’ wherever you get your pods or follow them on instagram @comingoutblak.

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Thank you also to Bumble for sponsoring today’s episode and celebrating and elevating the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models.

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Always Was, Always Will Be Our Stories is Written, Hosted and Edited by Marlee Silva and now produced with help of Keely Silva, on the unceded lands of the Dharrawal people. We pay our deepest respects to those people and their Elders past and present, whose connection to this place has remained unbroken for over 60 thousand years.

Follow us on Instagram @alwaysourstories

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Theme Music: 'Run' by Tristan Barton

Podcast Artwork: @wuruhi.auaha