How do queer youth deal with mental health struggles and how do they practice self-care? This episode explores the tools of therapy, finding at least one supportive adult to advocate for you and how, despite the current attacks on their community, LGBTQ+ remain hopeful and resilient.

Contents & Content Warnings…

Please expect to hear “queer” used as an identity term throughout this episode & series. 

Please expect to hear mental health discussed throughout this episode. 

00:00 - Sonyamia: What would you say to your younger self?

1:30 - Introduction with Eric & Sonyamia

• 2:11-2:49 - Statistics on suicide & mental health 

4:17 - Queer Youth Animated: Will 

• 4:57-5:26 - Mentions of slurs & bullying

7:15 - Sonyamia & Cindy 

14:48 - Two with Trudy Poux: Zorian & Jax

• 17:32-18:03 - Instance of homophobia (hate speech)

26:26 - Queer Crushes: Sonyamia

30:31 - Outro 

30:59 - Coming up next

31:25 - Show notes & resources

31:58 - Credits

References

thetrevorproject.org/survey-2023/

Crisis Resources

Please be aware that the following resources are accessible only within the U.S. & are catered to English speakers UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. A star (*) indicates a resource that is not LGBTQ+ specific. These resources are not affiliated with The Future Perfect Project. 

• *The suicide and crisis lifeline 24/7 at 988. Counseling available in English & Spanish. Text HOME to 741741, or head to crisistextline.org. If you are a young person of color in crisis, text STEVE to 741741. 
• *For international suicide hotlines, head to suicide.org
• Reach the Trevor Project in the U.S. and Mexico 24/7 via chat, call, or text. Call (866)488-7386, text START to 678-678, or head to thetrevorproject.org for more info. TrevorSpace, a community for LGBTQ people aged 13-24 worldwide: trevorspace.org
• The LGBT National Center hotlines serving the U.S. and Canada. (888)843-4564.
• Trans Lifeline: In the US, dial (877)565-8860. In Canada, dial (877)330-6366. translifeline.org

Find a practitioner

• *On psychologytoday.com, you can filter results to specifically find therapists & providers who work with LGBTQ+ patients. There may also be an LGBTQ+ focused practice or center near you. One example are the Phoenix Rising Centers, a network of therapists & providers across the U.S. - you can explore their services at phoenixrisingcenters.org
• Local LGBTQ+ centers or organizations may also offer counseling services and support groups, often free of charge or at low cost. Search Centerlink’s network of LGBTQ+ centers near you at lgbtqcenters.org/LGBTCenters -
• To search the directory of The Association of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists, head to aglp.memberclicks.net/aglp-referral. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Eric and Lily explore the lack of representation of queer characters in mainstream media, and how the LGBTQ+ community has had to rely on creating our own media to accurately tell our diverse array of stories.

Contents & Content Warnings…

Please expect to hear “queer” used as an identity term throughout this episode & series. 

00:00 - Frankie & Ari: What Was Your Favorite Queer-Coded TV Character? 

2:20 - Introduction with Eric & Lily: What do we mean when we say “Queer-Coded?”

4:13 - Zines! With Alex & Claire

17:18 - 1-Minute Trivia: Queer Love Edition, with Trudy, Sonyamia & Sam

30:15 - Hesperus

• 30:30-30:55 - Discussions of homophobia 

35:16 - Outro 

35:35 - Coming up next

35:49 - Show notes & resources

36:27 - Credits

FPP Information…

To learn more about The Future Perfect Project and all of our free arts programming for LGBTQIA+ youth, visit thefutureperfectproject.org or find us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and bandcamp @thefutureperfectproject

Crisis Resources… 

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+-specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386.

Mentions… 

• The Watermelon Woman, a Cheryl Dunye film, is available to stream through multiple platforms, and may be free to watch through universities or your local library. 
• Looking for more queer zine content? Visit the Queer Zine Archive Project at gittings.qzap.org, the Digital Transgender Archive at digitaltransgenderarchive.net or Instagram @digitaltransarc, and the Queer Zine Library at queerzinelibrary.com or on Instagram @queerzinelibrary - also consider checking out your local library, local queer bookstores, community & LGBTQ+ centers, and even museums & physical archives.
• Interested in the movie & musical that inspired Hesperus? You can stream the movie adaptation of The Prom on Netflix, and find the musical & movie soundtracks on your favorite movie streaming platforms. Also available is a book of the same name, written by Saundra Mitchell with Bob Martin, Chad Beguelin, and Matthew Skylar. 
• More information on poet Andrea Gibson & their poem, First Love, is available on their website, andreagibson.org or on Instagram @andreagibson - you can also find them performing many of their poems on YouTube, or keep up with their day to day writings at andreagibson.substack.com

Credits…

I’m Feeling Queer Today is produced by The Future Perfect Project with support from Radio Kingston, WKNY AM1490, FM1079, Kingston, NY.

Episode four of I’m Feeling Queer Today was produced by Eric Eubank, Lily Mueller, Trudy Poux, and Alex Masse, and features Claire Florence, Sonyamia Blanco, Samuel Smalls Jr., and Hesperus. Special thanks to executive producers and mentors, Julie Novak and Celeste Lecesne, as well as Future Perfect Project team members Ryan Amador, Jon Wan, and Aliya Jamil. 

The I’m Feeling Queer Today theme was composed and performed by Alex Masse & produced by Emma Jayne Seslowsky. Additional music was composed by Alex Masse, Frankie Gunn, and Epidemic Sound. 

Mixing & mastering for I’m Feeling Queer Today by Julie Novak, with assistance from Emma Jayne Seslowsky.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, 18-year-old Sam and 16-year-old Wallace explore the topic of intersectionality within the spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, and their own perspectives as Black and mixed-race teenagers, respectively.

Contents & Content Warnings…

Please expect to hear “queer” used as an identity term throughout this episode & series. 

00:00 - Introduction from Samuel Smalls Jr./What’s your hope for this podcast?

1:36 - Episode intro with Wallace & Samuel Smalls Jr. 

2:57 - Samuel Smalls Jr. & Z Cosby -

• Please expect to hear discussions of trans misogynoir throughout this segment. 
• 10:15-11:00 - Mentions of grooming (stereotype,) book bans & school district restrictions which limit teachings on slavery & other topics. 

16:13 - Journaling with Trudy Poux & Samuel Smalls Jr. 

21:46 - Adam

• Please expect to hear discussions of religion (Christianity) and related homophobia throughout this segment. 
• 22:15-22:22 - Mention of abuse 

25:05 - Coming up next 

25:17 - Show notes & resources

26:09 - Credits 

FPP Information…

To learn more about The Future Perfect Project and all of our free arts programming for LGBTQIA+ youth, visit thefutureperfectproject.org or find us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and bandcamp  @thefutureperfectproject

For more information on Future Perfect Records, one of The Future Perfect Project’s programs, check out our website or bandcamp, Stream Not What You Pictured or Divinity on your favorite music streaming platform, or find them @futureperfectrecords on Instagram.

Crisis Resources… 

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+-specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386.

Mentions… 

Interested in following Z or their band, Gooseflesh? Check Z out on Instagram @zjcosby and look for their band @gooseflesh1312

Credits…

I’m Feeling Queer Today is produced by The Future Perfect Project with support from Radio Kingston, WKNY AM1490, FM1079, Kingston, NY.

Episode three of I’m Feeling Queer Today was produced by Samuel Smalls Jr. and Wallace, and features Z Cosby, Trudy Poux, and Adam. Special thanks to executive producers and mentors, Julie Novak and Celeste Lecesne, as well as Future Perfect Project team members Ryan Amador, Jon Wan, and Aliya Jamil. 

The I’m Feeling Queer Today theme was composed and performed by Alex Masse & produced by Emma Jayne Seslowsky. Additional music was composed by Alex Masse, Frankie Gunn, and Epidemic Sound. 

Mixing & mastering for I’m Feeling Queer Today by Julie Novak, with assistance from Emma Jayne Seslowsky.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex and Lily unpack the roles that labels play within queer identities and how they serve (or don’t serve) queer young people as they explore who they are, who they love, and who they hope to become.

Contents & Content Warnings…

00:00 - Introduction from Eric Eubank/What’s your hope for this podcast?

1:35 - Episode intro with Lily & Alex, All About Labels

3:21 - Labels with Eric Eubank & Wallace

• 10:15-10:21 - Mentions of homophobia and transphobia 

11:20 - Benny 

13:55 - Coming out between generations/commentary 

14:52 - Queer Crushes with Zorian

• 15:40-15:56 - Instances of homophobia (invalidation)

18:08 - My Queer Identity Journey: Frankie

21:55 - Coming up next 

22:12 - Show notes & resources

22:52 - Credits 

FPP Information…

To learn more about The Future Perfect Project and all of our free arts programming for LGBTQIA+ youth, visit thefutureperfectproject.org or find us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and bandcamp @thefutureperfectproject

For more information on Future Perfect Records, one of The Future Perfect Project’s programs, check out our website or bandcamp, Stream Not What You Pictured or Divinity on your favorite music streaming platform, or find them @futureperfectrecords on Instagram.

Crisis Resources… 

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+-specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386.

Mentions… 

Interested in Mady G. and Jules Zuckerberg’s A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities? Head to your favorite bookseller or local library, or support its creators on Instagram @madygcomics and @juleszuckerberg

Credits…

I’m Feeling Queer Today is produced by The Future Perfect Project with support from Radio Kingston, WKNY AM1490, FM1079, Kingston, NY.

Episode two of I’m Feeling Queer Today was produced by Alex Masse, Lily Mueller, Frankie Gunn, and Wallace, and features Benny, Eric Eubank, & Zorian Edwards. Special thanks to executive producers and mentors, Julie Novak and Celeste Lecesne, as well as Future Perfect Project team members Ryan Amador, Jon Wan, and Aliya Jamil. 

The I’m Feeling Queer Today theme was composed and performed by Alex Masse & produced by Emma Jayne Seslowsky. Additional music was composed by Alex Masse, Frankie Gunn, and Epidemic Sound. 

Mixing & mastering for I’m Feeling Queer Today by Julie Novak, with assistance from Emma Jayne Seslowsky.

For more information and episode transcript, visit the show page at http://www.thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Alex discovers the labels that work best in describing who they are. Frankie tells the story of their first queer crush, Claire interviews queer elders at New York City Pride 2023, and members of the podcast production team tell us what pride means to them.

Contents & Content Warnings…

Please expect to hear “queer” used as an identity term throughout this episode & series. 

00:00 - Introduction from Frankie/What’s your hope for this podcast?

1:07 - Meet Alex Masse & Lily Mueller; Episode Intro; what do we mean when we say “Queer?”

• 2:03 - Mention of the history of the word “queer” as a slur
• 2:57-3:23 - Mentions of attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights

4:10 - My Queer Identity Journey: Alex

• 5:00-5:14 - Mention of homophobic “predator” trope 
• 6:40-6:55 Use of the word “d*ke” as an identity term.

7:45 - Let’s talk about the word D*ke

• 7:58- 9:50 - discussions of lesbophobic language, including the word “d*ke,” and usage of the word “d*ke” as a reclaimed identity term. 

10:37 - Queer Crushes: Frankie

• 12:25-12:50 Mention of homophobic “predator” trope 

14:06 - My First Pride/NYC Pride 2023: Claire 

• 16:10-16:25 - Discussions on the history of “queer” and other historically pejorative terms
• 16:50-17:05 - Brief overview of the Stonewall Riots 
• 17:35-18:20 - Overview of the AIDS crisis
• 20:45-20:50 - Use of the word “d*ke” as an identity term 
• 21:53-22:00 - Mention of Catholicism 

22:30 - What Pride Means to Me

25:00 - Outro 

25:30 - Coming up next

25:48 - Show notes & resources

26:30 - Credits

FPP Information…

To learn more about The Future Perfect Project and all of our free arts programming for LGBTQIA+ youth, visit thefutureperfectproject.org or find us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Bandcamp @thefutureperfectproject

Crisis Resources… 

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+-specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386.

Mentions… 

Alison Bechdel’s Dykes to Watch Out For? Head to dykestowatchoutfor.com

Credits…

I’m Feeling Queer Today is produced by The Future Perfect Project with support from Radio Kingston, WKNY AM1490, FM1079, Kingston, NY.

Episode one of I’m Feeling Queer Today was produced by Claire Florence, Frankie Gunn, Alex Masse, Lily Mueller, and Wallace, and features Sonyamia Blanco, Ariella Brodie-Weisberg, Jax Gervasio, Ovo Oshobe, and Trudy Poux. Special thanks to executive producers and mentors, Julie Novak and Celeste Lecesne, as well as Future Perfect Project team members Ryan Amador, Jon Wan, and Aliya Jamil. 

The I’m Feeling Queer Today theme was composed and performed by Alex Masse & produced by Emma Jayne Seslowsky. Additional music was composed by Alex Masse, Frankie Gunn, and Epidemic Sound. 

Mixing & mastering for I’m Feeling Queer Today by Julie Novak, with assistance from Emma Jayne Seslowsky.

Special thanks to Lindsay Feldherr, who co-wrote the segment about New York City Pride 2023.

For more information and transcripts, visit the show page at http://www.thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.