Outspoken Voices - a Podcast for LGBTQ+ Families

Running for elected office is exhausting, vulnerable, exhilarating, and unpaid. Two transgender parents who ran for local office in 2018 share their experiences of hitting the campaign trail, families in tow. They'll make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even get involved in your community. 

LGBTQ+ families are formed in many different ways. Parents Jeff and Mayeti were friends who decided to conceive and raise a family together, as co-parents. As a multi-racial family sharing time and homes, they know a thing or two about communication, honesty, and centering their kids. Co-parents, alternative/intentional families have a lot to teach us all. 

Some queerspawn carry with them generations of LGBTQ+ identities – their own, their parents, grandparents, and beyond. These second, third, and even fourth generation queerspawn often carry a beautiful lineage of pride, love, and trauma. What does it mean to come from a direct line of LGBTQ+ people over generations? How can inter-generational dialogues and support change our community?

As people are able to come out earlier and technology catches up with LGBTQ+ families, more people are becoming parents after transitioning or coming out as trans or gender nonbinary. Two activists and trans dads talk about their experiences, finding community, and falling in love with their kids. Kris is a brand new dad with a three-week old and Robbie is the veteran dad with a three and one-year-old. Dad jokes are kept to a minimum, we promise. 

Divorce and separation with LGBTQ+ families is complicated and contains so many extra layers of bias, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, and social expectations. And it impacts the kids, not matter their age. Three queerspawn who have experienced divorce in their families talk about the experience and why we're still fighting to normalize it.   

Sometimes our parents come out and transition after children are part of a family. The impact that a parent's transition and/or gender identity has on a family can be profound. And it can be a powerful moment of love and truth. Two people with transgender parents (PTP) share their stories and experiences of having parents who transitioned while they middle schoolers. Get ready to learn and be inspired. 

As Family Week in Provincetown is celebrating 25 years, there are a growing number of LGBTQ+ family summer camp weeks and weekends around the country. Why are LGBTQ+ family spaces important? Are spaces like camps made queer just by us being there? Two parents and attendees of Camp OUT in Michigan join the host for a conversation about how we form LGBTQ+ family spaces and how they are changing. 

Being a parent can be hard. Being LGBTQ+ can be hard. Dating can be hard. For single LGBTQ+ parents, combing all three is a whole other thing entirely. The whole process of dating, becoming a step-parent, and blending a family is hard to navigate. LGBTQ+ families can feel like they're in uncharted waters. How did one family weave their own path? 

Retired U.S. Women's National Soccer Team player Lori Lindsey joins our host to talk about the politics of coming out in professional sports, growing up with LGBTQ and straight parents, and being second-generation queer. Next time you cheer on your favorite athlete, you may be rooting for an Olympic queerspawn like Lori!

There has been a surge of public activism over the past several years. From Black Lives Matter to the Women's March, people are taking to the street across the country. How do families fit into these mass movements? We discuss how and why protesting must be a LGBTQ+ family affair.