Isn't It Queer

Jonny covers the blowback of the NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo scandal and resignation back onto HRC President Alphonso David. He also interviews local queer YouTuber and podcaster, Ky Chameleon, about his experiences with drug addiction, spirituality, and mediumship. You can follow Ky’s work on the podcast Through the Matrix.

Jonny covers several stories, good and bad, of increased queer visibility at the 2020 Olympics now going on in Tokyo, Japan. Particular focus given to New Zealand's Lauren Hubbard, Canada's Quinn, and the UK's Tom Daley. He offers a rundown of the LGBTQIA+ athletes who have won metals so far. He closes out with coverage of Pro-LGBTQIA+ legislation signed into Illinois law by Governor Pritzker last week (including decriminalizing HIV) and announces the upcoming Rainbow Camp in Du Bois, IL.

Jonny interviews Todd Brown about his experiences being in and ultimately leaving a local Sufi organization as a gay man. Todd has a You Tube channel, "Quit Your Cult," where he shares his stories on a regular basis: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnqB030coG1f5i9-XUTuAyA

Jonny shares a presentation from the inaugural meeting of GRIS (Golden Rainbows of Illinois South), a group dedicated to meeting the needs of those in the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Illinois who are 50+ years old. He then covers stories from Illinois and California about discrimination (homophobia and transphobia) in nursing homes. Finally, he offers a eulogy for lesbian activist and educator, Sally Miller Gearhart.

Jonny talks with OJ Duncan, a.k.a. Novice Sister Ferda Boyce, about plans to bring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to Carbondale and Southern Illinois, establishing a mission house in the area. He then reviews news of enhanced LGBTQ visibility in The Emmy's and the Olympics.

Jonny heads off to a meditation retreat and turns the show over to local Ky Chameleon's (a.k.a. Ky McClosky) podcast, "Through the Matrix." First, Ky interviews Angie Sun, a spiritual medium and shaman. Second, Ky interviews Grant Harris of Southern Illinois Flow about fire walking, fire handling, and other tools he uses in his motivational retreats. You can find other interviews on "Through the Matrix" over on You Tube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWNNjTzPhs7pyDbdI5sVBGQ) and also available on Spotify.

Jonny condenses the live coverage of the SI Pride Care-avan covered by Nathan Colombo and De'Traveus. He then reviews the White House meeting with LGBTQ Leaders, the SCOTUS decision to not take up the appeal of Gavin Grimm's case, and a recent study that shows there are more non-binary people in the US than perhaps previously thought.

Jonny talks with Clare Killman about an upcoming local pride event raising funds for the Conversion Therapy Dropout Network. He then reviews the recent SCOTUS decision allowing Catholic foster care services in Philadelphia to discriminate against LGBTQ families,. He then does a brief roundup of good news about the advancement of LGBTQ rights in the US and around the world.

Jonny talks with Tara about the wonderful events planned for SU Pridefest (June 25-27). He then discusses with Bre McMillan the dropped lighting of a footbridge in Mt. Vernon with rainbow colored lights and the ways the LGBTQIA+ community is organizing to push back.

Jonny shares some out queer politicians Pride commemorations. He also reviews the change of historic Boystown in Chicago to a more inclusive North Halstead, including the unique outdoor LGBTQ+ history museum of the Legacy Walk. He then turns to report on the paltry showing of ex-gay advocates in Washington. He ends with a story of sweet karma as LGBTQ+ recognition is again waged over baked goods in a small Texas bakery.