In this episode of the Pod-Tone 292 series “Fake Names, Real Love,” host Natalie Goldberg interviews “Sarah,” a junior at Barnard, about the particular difficulties of feeling unwelcome in queer spaces as a result her relationship with her current boyfriend. They delve into topics like internal versus external validation, how unique it is that Columbia can feel like a place where being gay is the norm, and whether or not straight people belong in queer spaces. In listening to Sarah’s story, we seek to understand the complicated social and cultural dynamics that lead to acceptance, both from oneself and from one’s community. This episode was produced by Matthew Schwitzer with music by Obi Okoli.