Drake and Kamrah are trans masculine belly dancers who are paving a new path forward in the world of belly dancing – one that is more inclusive and that honors the historical accommodation of men in this dance discipline. 

I’m talking to them about their origins in dance and their findings from research in this space. We’re also talking about some of the challenges that come from dealing with gender norms and expectations in dance, including how they deal with toxic masculinity on social media, or trans-exclusionary radical feminists, abbreviated as TERFS.

It’s a fabulous episode for anyone interested in making belly dancing more inclusive and for anyone from a traditionally underrepresented group in this space who is interested in jumping in and moving the environment forward towards a much richer and more supportive space. 

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Writer, actress and activist Mariah  Darling joins us to talk about her experience as a black trans woman, the layers of privilege and intersectionality that exist within this community, and her work to give trans and gender non-conforming communities a voice. Whether you’re trans or enby yourself and need guidance or resources in the LA area, or a healthcare provider looking to provide more inclusive services for your patients on the gender spectrum, you’ll be sure to find some practical pearls of wisdom in this episode. It’s a fun conversation that gave me a window into some key pioneers and figures in the trans community that inspire Mariah – and even hearing about Mariah’s work with the only unionized strippers in America itself is inspiring and shows just how far you can go when you have the self-confidence and drive to make a meaningful impact. 

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Dr. Alexandra Hill joins this episode to discuss inclusive and gender-affirming healthcare for trans and non-binary folks. We discuss the unique needs of trans and non-binary people beyond sexual health and how healthcare professionals can start providing care that is person-centered for this population. Dr. Hill even shares some practical tips and resources for both healthcare professionals and trans and enby folks.

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Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠

Nastya Valentine talks about her upcoming book “Cyberhorny: Navigating A Sexual Dystopia.” We talk about the inspiration for this book and how it supports a much-needed academic discourse of sex work and sex theory. It ties in nicely to our discussion about shadow bans on social media, stigma towards sex work, and the bias in AI, all of which continue to make the digital space frustratingly anti-feminist.

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Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠

Nastya Valentine joins me to talk about a broad range of health topics as they relate to sex work. Nastya talks about how she sets boundaries to protect herself and her mental health while at work. We also talk about the overlap between spirituality and sex work, plus the drastically changing landscape of digital sex work. Nastya doesn’t hold back in this episode, sharing how sex work empowers her to reclaim her sexual autonomy and heal trauma.

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Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠

Photographer and performance artist Sheree Rose is best known for her collaborative work with performance artist Bob Flanagan and her photography documenting a wide range of Los Angeles subcultures, especially in relation to BDSM and body modification. I sat down with Sheree to hear her takes on new anti-feminist policies emerging in government, her own liberation and deprogramming from the patriarchy, and the fascinating experiences with sex and dating that followed. The conversation covers the full, beautiful arc of her life–from her discovery of BDSM with a life partner of 16 years, to her hopes for the next chapter.

Guest bio:

Sheree Rose is American photographer and performance artist. She is best known for her collaborative work with performance artist Bob Flanagan, and her photography documenting a wide range of Los Angeles subcultures, especially in relation to BDSM and body modification. Rose was raised in a Jewish family in Los Angeles. She was married in 1964, and she and her first husband both worked as teachers. In the 1970s, after divorcing, she earned a master's degree at California State University, Northridge and became active in socialist feminism, consciousness-raising groups, and the punk scene.

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Songe Riddle is a multidisciplinary visual artist who has  taught me so much about Tourettes syndrome. He joins us to give a quick rundown of his experience living with Tourettes, but to also share his experience as a black man with Tourettes. The intersectionality of all our identities can be so consequential in our lived experience and my conversation with Songe really highlights this. We’re also talking about his amazing art, his artsy family origins, and his early experiences in the punk scene.

Guest bio: 

Songe Riddle is a multidisciplinary visual artist, working in fine art, illustration, and animation, with the occasional toe dipped into screenwriting.

He studied at Parsons school of Design in New York City, earning a BFA in illustration n 2000, and has worked primarily in film and television since, providing animation, motion graphics,and visual effects.

Bills gotta get paid.  

If he was independently wealthy, he’d spend his time painting, swimming in the ocean, and reading comic books. 

 Oh, and watching General Hospital.  He’s so sick of Carly and Josselyn right now.

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Zoë Nissen (she/they) is a fellow belly dancer who identifies as genderqueer and pan-aromantic grey-asexual. She joins the show today to talk about her orientation as a grey-asexual, her experiences dating as she came to recognize her orientation on the asexual spectrum, and how some of the harmful stereotypes of asexuals she saw in the media influenced her perception early on. It’s a fun discussion where we find a lot of common ground, including the lessons learned in intimacy beyond sexual intimacy, though I’ll keep it sexy by including a few funny tales from my youth. Zoe and I also both have a deep love for horses and belly dancing, so we’re also talking about our time as horse girls and our belly dancing origin stories and the joy and pleasure we get out of it. 

Guest bio: 

Zoë Nissen (she/they) is a multi-hyphenate in every sense of the word. By day she works as a metadata librarian, but after hours she is a bellydancer, musician, and writer. They identify as genderqueer and pan-aromantic grey-asexual, but that's a mouthful so they're fine if you just say "queer." Zoë is also a tattoo enthusiast, eating disorder recovery advocate, voracious reader, forever horse girl at heart, and she believes that community is the most important resource that we have. You can check out their dancing at @zoederose_dance on Instagram or read their writing in LIS, Interrupted, an anthology of mental health narratives by library workers.

Links and Resources:

#healthqueery #queerhealth #divinefeminine #gaylosangeles #sexualorientation #lgbtqiawellness #lgbtwellness #pride2023 #AsexualityExplained #DatingWithoutDesire #QueerDating #UnderstandingAsexuals #NavigatingAsexuality #AsexualityAndIntimacy #AsexualDatingAdvice #DemystifyingAsexuality #AsexualVisibility #AsexualityInModernDating #BreakingAsexualStigmas #ExploringAsexualAttraction #AsexualityAwareness #AsexualityIsValid #AsexualAndHappy #DiverseLoveStories #pelvicsanctuary #pelvichealth #LGBTQIA+health #Lgbtqhealth #lgbthealth #LGBTQLosAngeles #LGBTLosangeles #LGBTLA #LgbtqLA #gaylosangeles  #queerla #queerlosangeles #sexwitch #pelvichealthforeverybody #sexeducation

Peter Dewitt joins us to talk about Gay Wellness and Gaywellnes.com, a platform that brings together LGBTQ+ practitioners and specialists to help LGBTQIA+ folks access health, healing, and growth that fit their needs. Peter shares how building this community was Inspired by his many years of experience in his own healing and wellness journey, in addition to 18 years of practicing various forms of wellness modalities, including yoga, meditation, somatic therapy, nutrition, and massage. 

We also delve into the stereotypes and tropes perpetuated by the media that have shaped the gay identity,  the impact this has on performing sexuality, and how we can begin to live authentically by returning to self. This dovetails into the importance of embracing the divine feminine within all of us—a part of self that can be honored to create beauty and harmony in the world. And of course our talk discusses pelvic floor health and how it intersects with somatic therapy, highlighting how healing and reconnecting with our bodies can profoundly transform our overall well-being. We’re also briefly talking about sex magic and how you can tap into a practice of your own to improve pelvic health, or even to manifest changes you seek.

Guest bio: Peter grew up in Mexico City, Nashville, and California, and Spain, and has dedicated the last 18 years to practicing various forms of wellness modalities: yoga, meditation, somatic therapy, nutrition, and massage. He came out as a gay man in his mid-20’s, and sought out gay mentors, therapists, and wellness providers of all kinds on his own healing journey. He knows firsthand how important it is that gay men have access to other gay practitioners, as he’s experienced his share of anxiety around his queer identity.

This has been fuel that motivated him to create Gay Wellness – that all gay people all over the world could benefit from the same. He loves connecting with all kinds of people and loves being of service to the LGBTQ+ community!

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