More Than Friends - A Podcast for WLW

For the last episode of Season 2, I’m back to interviewing a couple, the super lovely and hilarious Steph and Lisa. 

Together since 2017, Lisa and Steph share their story, from their first meeting at a pride party, Lisa’s romantic proposal in Italy, and their unique COVID wedding. We also talk about their decision to foster children, the emotional challenges they’ve overcome together and their plans for starting a family.

In this episode, Beverley Abela, a lecturer and social worker specialising in gender and sexual diversity, discusses her experience teaching students about complex topics related to sexuality and gender.

Beverly also reflects on her own journey and her role in the establishment of Rainbow Support Services.

In our conversation, we highlights the existing challenges and discrimination within the LGBTQ+ community in Malta, despite legal advancements. Beverley also shares insights from her current PhD research on gender studies, focusing on the diversity within the label of 'woman' and the importance of representation and support services for LGBTQ+ individuals.

In this insightful episode, Diane interviews Olivia, a warranted family therapist, about her dissertation on the lived experiences of same-sex couples and how societal factors such as religion and being an island nation affect these relationships.

We talk about the challenges same-sex couples face, including public affection, assumptions by straight people, and religious barriers. Olivia shares findings from her interviews on topics like marriage, household roles, and societal acceptance, concluding that while relationships are fundamentally similar regardless of sexual orientation, same-sex couples face additional societal layers and pressures.

This episode was recording in June 2023 while Olivia was concluding her studies. The participants mentioned took part in a controlled qualitative study and shall remain anonymous.

In this episode, Tina shares her remarkable journey from a young tomboy with a love for sports to becoming a trailblazing coach in Malta.

Tina discusses her personal style and image, her passion for basketball and other sports, and the pivotal role these played in boosting her confidence. She reflects on her experiences studying and living abroad, navigating her identity as a queer woman, and the challenges of setting up a sports career in Malta.

Tina also talks about building a supportive gym community and her ongoing journey to elevate sports in Malta - in fact this episode was recorded while Tina was coaching Malta’s team for the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe.

In this episode, Mina Jack Tolu, a dynamic activist in green politics, shares their journey from being an LGBTQI activist to their current role with the European Green Party.

Mina Jack discusses the importance of representation in politics, the intersectionality of various social issues, and their work advocating for LGBTQI rights across Europe.

They also reflect on their personal experiences, challenges in activism, and the need for inclusive and diverse perspectives in political spaces.

Our conversation dives deep into the overlap of LGBTQI issues with other societal struggles, with a thoughtful discussion on the implications of underrepresentation and the potential for more inclusive policies.

This episode was originally recorded in June 2023.

Welcome back to another episode of "More Than Friends," the podcast that delves into the vibrant lives within the LGBTQ+ community.

We're strapping on our skates and rolling into the exciting world of roller derby with Malta's first and only team—the Honey Island Rollers.

In this jam-packed episode, I sit down with four fierce members of the Honey Island Rollers—Morina, Calypso, Spyro, and Swiffer. Did you know that in roller derby, every player goes by a unique derby name? We'll spill the beans on that quirky tradition later in the show.

But first, we rewind to the Honey Island Rollers' grassroots beginnings, exploring how they've shattered stereotypes and created a space of inclusivity that goes beyond the rink. Roller derby is more than just a game for these athletes; it's a platform for breaking barriers and fostering diversity.

As we lace up our skates and glide through the conversation, we also get the inside scoop on the Honey Island Rollers' upcoming rookies intake for the 2024 season. Did they manage to convince me to join their ranks? Well, you'll have to stick around until the end to find out.

So, whether you're a seasoned derby enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of roller skates, join us as we hit the rink with the Honey Island Rollers.

We're kicking off season two with an exclusive interview with Maria Azzopardi, the newly appointed president of ARC, one of the foremost LGBTQ+ NGOs, also known as Allied Rainbow Communities.

In this episode Maria and I talk about her trajectory from local volunteer to ARC president, the pros and cons of living in top most gay friendly country in the world and the long-awaited Europride programme. 

It is with great excitement and queerness that I present to you season two of More Than Friends.

This season I’ll be chatting not just to couples but to individuals and groups where the focus is going to be spread out across all facets of life and not just love. 

The line up for season 2 features a fantastic range of queer women and non-binary people who will be sharing their unique experiences and achievements in sports, activism, social work, politics and of course relationships.

Whether it’s holding hands in public, watching a gay romance on tv, or listening to your favourite podcast, seeing yourself mirrored in representation is incredibly empowering. In this special Valentine's episode, guest host Jo Caruana interviews Diane and Louise about how this podcast came to be, coping with "gay panic", who wears the pants in the relationship, and how online fandoms helped them get to know themselves better.

In a MTF first, this our first episode that is entirely in Maltese! In today’s episode I sat down with Marie Claire and Raelene and they are, what I like to call, a tinder success story. After years of admiring each other from a distance, the online dating app finally brought them together when they both swiped right. Now set to be married in a few months, Marie Claire and Raelene talk about finding love on tinder, restoring relationships after a tough coming out and combatting the constraints of heteronormativity.