Today I'm sharing with you an experience I had earlier this week when I went back to my hometown in rural Wisconsin to speak at the school board meeting where they were holding a public hearing to determine if they were going to "allow" the creation of a GSA - which they called the Pride/Ally Club!

In the episode I'm going to share with you my thought process in deciding to go back and speak, the emotional roller coaster that is being fully authentic in a place where I learned to protect myself at all costs, and the power of a collective effort to advocate for what is right in a community where I never thought I'd see a day that I'd stand up, at a microphone, and share my true self.

Watch the recording of the meeting here: https://youtu.be/C5Q7tSg39ZQ

Notable timestamps:
3:40 - Opening the Public Hearing re: club creation

5:30 - Proposed club advisor shares a student-created presentation re: Pride/Ally Club

13:00 - Floor is opened for public comment (Warning: many of the public comments cite religious texts, weaponize the bible, and include inflammatory statements. There are also several references to suicide throughout. Please take care of yourself.)

31:30 - I speak. There are SEVERAL folks who spoke in favor throughout - almost too many to list!

2:14:45 - Board Discussion and vote on creation of Pride/Ally club

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Today, parents of LGBTQ+ youth today are no longer worried about the other kids at school, this year we’re way more concerned about the other adults in the room with our children every day.  Will my child be ridiculed by a teacher or staff member?  Will their pronouns be respected? Will they be told they can’t dress a certain way or not allowed to use restrooms? So, how can we support our vulnerable kids legally, emotionally, and physically? My guest, Elena Joy Thurston (she/her), is here to share how you can find this knowledge and support.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Elena addresses barriers to information access for parents of LGBTQ+ youth
• One of the most impactful strategies for holding adults accountable in schools
• Three different types of energy that we feel when we want to speak up 
• The difference between Gen X and Gen Z in the workplace

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you over on Instagram! @megstheconnector

SHOW NOTES: http://www.megsthebrand.com/episode85

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People who only observe the LGBTQ community from afar might glean that going to the club is the primary way that queer folks experience happiness, but queer joy comes in many forms! My guest today, Abi Mallick (he/she/they), teaches about the psychology of happiness with a queer lens along with talking about boundaries, self-expression, building community, and social activism.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the difference is between over- and under-boundaries
• How Abi became comfortable sharing their agender & nonbinary identity with others
• The four things that lead to long-term happiness according to psychology
• Joining a queer embroidery group and other ways Abi finds community

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you over on Instagram! @megstheconnector

Are you an LGBTQ-identifying human looking for the ultimate community building space? Join the Queer Impact Collective!

SHOW NOTES: http://www.megsthebrand.com/episode83

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Fear of their parents’ or loved ones’ reactions is what holds many teens back from coming out and sharing their identity. So how can you support an LGBTQ teen in your life? Find out in my conversation with Dr. Lulu (she/her), a certified life coach who currently works with parents of LGBTQ+ kids, helping them create safe spaces through self love, self acceptance, affirmation and support of their children. If you’re a parent, this episode is for you!

In this episode, we cover:

• How Dr. Lulu pivoted from a pediatrician to a life coach for parents of queer youth
• What your LGBTQ child wants from you today
• How long it takes for parents of queer kids to overcome their initial hesitations
• Common misconceptions about bisexuality and the LGBTQ community

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you over on Instagram! @megstheconnector

Are you an LGBTQ-identifying human looking for the ultimate community building space? Join the Queer Impact Collective!

SHOW NOTES: http://www.megsthebrand.com/episode82

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One of my earliest and most popular guests on the show, Amy Cannava (she/her) is joining us again to talk about her own queer experience and her current work with LGBTQ+ youth. Amy has a breadth of experience supporting LGBTQ+ students in schools, and you can listen to our earlier conversation about why you should care about this issue in Season 1, Episode 7. 

In this episode, we cover:

• How Publix grocery store is important to Amy’s coming out journey
• Planning the regional pride prom that garnered national attention
• Navigating the politics of the school system as an LGBTQ advocate

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you over on Instagram! @megstheconnector

Are you an LGBTQ-identifying human looking for the ultimate community building space? Join the Queer Impact Collective!

SHOW NOTES: http://www.megsthebrand.com/episode81

Today I am chatting with the Micah Allen (he/him), a queer and transgender man who left the Jehovah’s Witness a year ago in order to come out and transition. Trans experiences vary so much and Micah kindly shares his individual experience along with his experience being raised as a Jehovah’s Witness and the challenges in leaving.  

In this episode, we cover:

• Micah’s experience as a Jehovah’s Witness and what it’s like leaving
• Two pieces of advice Micah would give to those in the early stages of a transition
• Why a legal name change is necessary and even a matter of safety
• What has felt the most affirming in Micah’s transition so far

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you over on Instagram! @megstheconnector

Are you an LGBTQ-identifying human looking for the ultimate community building space? Join the Queer Impact Collective!

SHOW NOTES: http://www.megsthebrand.com/episode80

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Today, we’re closing out pride month talking about how we can put more queer folks on the map–no literally. That is exactly what my guest, Charlie Sprinkman (he/they) is on a mission to do! In 2019, he took a road trip across 42 states for his job at the time and after looking for different queer hangouts and coming up empty, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

In this episode, we cover:

• Charlie’s coming out story and what advice he’d give to his younger self
• The inspiration for starting the digital map, Everywhere is Queer
• Which business Charlie would like to see more of on the map

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you over on Instagram! @megstheconnector

Are you an LGBTQ-identifying human looking for the ultimate community building space? Join the Queer Impact Collective!

SHOW NOTES: http://www.megsthebrand.com/episode79

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Another June, another Pride which means visibility & representation are the talk of the town. When it comes to representation, we see queer folks in some areas but not in others–like the business community. Fortunately, this week’s guest, Travers Johnson (he/him) is on a mission to amplify the stories and accomplishments of queer entrepreneurs with his media company, Queerency. 

In this episode, we cover:

• What Travers does to fight “news fatigue” 
• The immense power of visibility & representation in the business community
• How companies can support pride without pinkwashing

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you over on Instagram! @megstheconnector

Find resources to support your journey to quit smoking, vaping, or chewing at QuitPartnerMN.com or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW today!

Are you an LGBTQ-identifying human looking for the ultimate community building space? Join the Queer Impact Collective!

SHOW NOTES: http://www.megsthebrand.com/episode78

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Today, I’m joined by another awesome and inspiring queer human, the fabulous Manny Mac (he/they). I really think you’re going to enjoy this conversation and resonate with some of the topics. We’re diving into healing religious trauma, coming to terms with a trans identity, “adding the spiritual back to the sexual,” and so much more! 

In this episode, we cover:

• Being inspired by trans & nonbinary creators on TikTok and having chest crushes
• Manny’s journey from releasing Christian shame to embracing spirituality
• The difference between “coming out” and “coming into”
• Healing from the “you’re going to hell” rhetoric & other religious trauma
• The powerful connection between sexuality and spirituality

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you over on Instagram! @megstheconnector

Are you an LGBTQ-identifying human looking for the ultimate community building space? Join the Queer Impact Collective!

SHOW NOTES: https://www.megsthebrand.com/episode77