Isn't It Queer

Jonny and Danette are joined by Beth Malone of Indivisible Carbondale and SheVotes to discuss a planned protest rally for President Trump's visit to Granite City IL, an open forum on August 4th to discuss healthcare and other policy issues with local political candidates, and chronicling the myriad ways the Trump-Pence administration is actively thwarting LGBTQ rights and communities. https://shevotesil.org/ https://www.facebook.com/IndivisibleCarbondale/

Jonny and Danette discuss the local shake-up in upper administration for the SIU system, President Trump's constantly shifting positions during his overseas trip, the problematic use of homophobic/homoerotic imagery to criticize the Trump/Putin relationship, the (mis)use of HIV/AIDS funds to reunite families separated at the border, and a Congressional amendment that allows adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ families.

Jonny and Danette discuss the FX summer series "Pose," the most recent controversy of cishet actors playing trans/queer roles (Scarlett Johansson!), TERF lesbians disrupting the London Pride parade, and renewing our efforts to push back against homophobia, transphobia, and racism within LGBTQ communities.

Jonny is joined by Craig to discuss, in the wake of the announced retirement of Supreme Court Justice Kennedy, two court cases that demonstrate the persistent and systemic vulnerability of LGBTQ+ people in the legal system. Case 1: the SCOTUS refusal to hear the appeal of Charles Rhines, who was sentenced to death because the jury felt as a gay man prison wouldn't be enough of a punishment. Case 2: the murder of 10 year old Anthony Avalos by his parents after he told them he "liked boys."

Jonny and Danette discuss recent SCOTUS decisions, protests at Pride festivities and how we deal with them, when it is okay to kick people you disagree with out of your place of business, and confronting queer versions of respectability politics.

Jonny and Danette play a clip of voices from SI Pride, discuss how challenging the norms of decorum and civil discourse is sometimes necessary, respond to the excuse acrobatics of those supporting current Trump Administration immigration policy, and search for hope in a political landscape that feels increasingly dystopian.

Jonny and Danette review Southern Illinois Pride Fest and check in on Pride festivities around the country. They also discuss the status of the IL Inclusive Curriculum bill, the SCOTUS decision on Masterpiece Cake Company v. Oregon Civil Rights Commission, an Australian study showing a correlation between low intelligence and homophobia, more conservative pastors challenging LGBTQ people and events, and how our current immigration policies demonstrate the lie of "family values" on the right.

Jonny and Danette are joined in the studio by Tara Bell, Julie (a.k.a. "Family Jewels"), and Dane, Jake & Tyler of the band "Sleeping Tapes" to discuss and share information about the incredibly line up of entertainment for this weekend's Southern Illinois Pride Fest, June 1-3. Danette also conducts a phone interview with Jodie Santara, the emcee for the Saturday night benefit drag show. A complete schedule for the festivities can be found at http://rainbowcafe.org/

Jonny and Danette are joined by Vince and Beth to talk about the upcoming Southern Illinois Pride Fest on June 2 (technically, June 1-3, though the bulk of activities are on June 2). Vince covers youth activities and entertainment. Beth offers a glimpse at the political side of the festviities. We also check in on the status of SB 3249, the LGBTQ Inclusive Curriculum, that *might* pass the IL House in time to be awaiting the Governor's signature by the time we gather for Pride. For more information on S.I.Pride, check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SouthernIllinoisPride/

Jonny and Danette celebrate the arrival of summer and the end of the Spring semester with a call out to resist State Totalitarianism by not being complicit with with prejudice and clear systemic bias against certain people. In the process, we remind folks about the upcoming Carbondale Pride festivities, celebrate the arrival of transgender civil rights in Pakistan, lament President Trump rolling back protections for trans inmates in prison, and remind everyone about the importance of using preferred pronouns.

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