Isn't It Queer

In the front half of the show, Jonny curates several stories about the threats facing public gatherings for Pride and Juneteenth. He leads with a tragic story about a Juneteenth mass shooting in Willowbrook, IL. He then reviews the impacts of enhanced security and sponsor caution on Pride. In the back half of the show, he updates the LA saga about the Dodgers honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. He notes the success of the event despite the over 2000 Catholic/Christian protestors outside of it. He speaks back to one YouTube Christan citizen "journalist" who ambushed Sister Unity at a Pride event in West Hollywood.

Jonny interviews Heather O'Malley about the release of her new novel, Transitioning Home. They spend the bulk of the show talking about the novel, which chronicles the gender transition of an Iraq War veteran after transitioning out of the Army due to battle injuries. Heather and Jonny also discuss the recent SI PrideFest, how Heather and her wife Kaye come to live in Carbondale, her own experiences as an Army veteran, and her future novels about to hit the shelves.

Jonny talkes with Tara Bell about the weekend lineup of PrideFest events in Carbondale, IL. In the back half of the show, he reviews why the activism in Pride is even more important this year as the LGBTQ community faces challenges and pushback across the country. We remember that Prid is a riot, in origin. We honor that legacy even as we plan for a weekend of festive events.

Jonny talks with Tara Bell of Pride in Action, Southern Illinois about the pre-Pride festivities this coming weekend (6/2-6/3). Events include a gallery showing of art titled "Seen" at The Varsity Center on Friday at 5:00, the County-to-County Pride Run starting at 8 am Saturday at the Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, and the Pride Kickoff Fundraiser trio of bands at Hangar 9 at 9 pm on Saturday (doors open at 8). In the back half of the show, Jonny reviews likely Supreme Court decisions that are likely to fall during Pride, noting how the recent decision re: EPA sets precendents of concern for all of us.

Jonny interviews Sister Unity of the LA Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence about recent interactions with the LA Dodgers and their off-again, on-again recognition by the team as community heroes for 27 years of community service. In the back half of the show, Jonny talks with Alexia Stallon, the director of OUT Mt. Vernon about this weekend's (5/27) "Pride Kick-Off" in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Jonny interviews Cassandra, Mitchell, and Keri of the Carbondale Assembly for Radical Equity, a collection of groups welcoming trans and queer people relocating to Illinois from states that do not recognize or affirm them. In the back half of the show, he reviews how Illinoisans responded to a visit from Florida govvernor Rhonda Santis as well as Missourians' pushback against anti-trans legislation. Sister Mothra Stewart closes the show with a welcome delivered for the Lavender Graduation at Southern Illinois University.

Jonny talks with Tara Bell of Pride In Action Southern Illinois about the upcoming PrideFest in Carbondale (June 9-11). They focus their talk on varois pre-Pride fundraisers and events including the "Southern IL PrideFest Royalty Pageant" this weekend (5/13) at The Varsity Center in Carbondale. In the back half of the show, Jonny interviews Sandy Pensoneau-Conway about the Rainbow Cafe, now fully relocated into its downtown Carbondale space. The Rainbow Cafe is also doing some fundraising to support its myriad programs as the region's preeminant community LGBTQ+ Resource Center

Jonny talks with his former co-host, Caleb McKinley-Portee, and O.J. Duncan about some of the staffing issues for the Student Multicultural Resource Center, including the LGBTQ Resource Center, on the Southern Illinois University campus. Both are officers in the Graduate and Professional Student Council and are involved in working with campus administrators to address student concerns. Both are also out, queer advocates for the community. Together, they work with other students on campus to push for better representation for the LGBTQ community and its inclusion in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. They detail challenges and obstructions they are facing in doing this work. In short, they bring receipts.

Jonny shares highlights from the SIU "Rally for Diversity," a student protest concerning staffing changes at the Student Multicultural Resource Center (SMRC). Students and others expressed a variety of concerns, including the sudden departure of the LGBTQ Resource Center Coordinator, Dr. Angela Towne. The Vice Chancellor of Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dr. Paul Frazier, attended the rally and addressed student concerns. Jonny then interviews the SMRC's Executive Director, Dr. Renada Greer, and Dr. Frazier about services provided by their programs, the process for restaffing the LGBTQ RC, and how SIU might be poised to be an open and affirming university, recruiting and retainng minority students from surrounding states legislatively enacting bans and restrictions on higher education.

Jonny covers the Rally for Expression, including SOIL Sister Marjorie Arcana's wonderful address to the crowd about the power of joy as resistance (special thanks to Sister Jewnita Hug for the recording!). Jonny marks the distinction between drag and trans while also showing why Anti-Trans legislators target drag, arguing that the anti-trans, anti-drag, anti-CRT, anti-sex eductation, anti-LGBTQ, book banners, and representation deniers are all playing from the same set of anxieties. In the back half of the show, Jonny shows a variety of places where anti-trans folks are contradicting themselves in their rhetoric and policy promotion.