Welcome to Over the Rainbow, an LGBTQ+ podcast dedicated to queer education and queer representation. Hosted by Rachel Keighley (she/her).

Episode 19: A hierarchy of identity with Joseph Rees (he/him):

Joe is the founder and owner of Homojo, an not-for-profit brand aiming to challenge bullying within the LGBTQ+ community, create meaningful connections and celebrate identity.

In today’s episode we are talking more about the existence of a hierarchy of identity within the LGBTQ+ community. Joe and I discuss the existence of Hate, bullying and marginalisation from within the LGBTQ+ community and the effects this has on folk exploring their identities.

Joe shares his experiences with this and we begin to explore some of the reasons this hierarchy exists and in doing so challenge the idea that there’s one way to be. 

We also talk about the repercussions this hierarchy has on fighting for equality, and the need to bring every person’s experiences and identity to the forefront to create equal spaces across society.

All of this underpins Joe’s motivations for starting Homojo so please do go support him and this amazing inclusive brand.

Together we can break down these hierarchies and build a fully inclusive, equal, LGBTQ+ community where every single gender and sexual identity is celebrated.

More information on Joe and Homojo:

• Instagram: @homojo_official

Information, support and resources:

• Just Like Us:

• Instagram: @justlikeusuk

More information on this podcast:

• Instagram: @_overtherainbowpodcast
  • https://www.instagram.com/_overtherainbowpodcast/

Music: Find Your Way Beat by Nana Kwabena

Episode 18: Gatekeeping in the LGBTQ+ community with Jenna Slaughter (they/them):

Jenna is a self-love coach and host of The Unlearning Podcast. Jenna helps LGBTQ+ folk sort through emotional baggage, get clear with what feels authentic to you, and empower people to take inspired action.

In today’s episode, we talk about gatekeeping in the LGBTQ+ community. Within this topic we discuss what LGBTQ+ gatekeeping is, including distinguishing between good and bad gatekeeping. Predominantly, we aim to challenge thinking around the idea that there’s one way to be and open our minds to the idea that there should be no caveats on identity and belonging.

Each person’s identity within the LGBTQ+ community is perfectly valid, and we need to start challenging those who attempt to devalue folk for not being ‘queer’ enough.

Join us on this journey as we dismantle marginalising structures and foster a world of growth, fluidity and acceptance of all identities

More information on Jenna:

• Instagram: @itsjennaslaughter https://www.instagram.com/itsjennaslaughter/

Information, support and resources:

• LGBTQ+ Rainbow Conversations with Richard Dunbar and Rachel Keighley: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CLpaHD0lRVt/

More information on this podcast:

• Instagram: @_overtherainbowpodcast
  • https://www.instagram.com/_overtherainbowpodcast/

Music: Find Your Way Beat by Nana Kwabena

Welcome to Over the Rainbow, an LGBTQ+ podcast dedicated to queer education and queer representation. Hosted by Rachel Keighley (she/her).

Episode 17: Can you be LGBTQ+ and Christian? with Hannah Strenger (she/her):

Hannah is a queer quide, helping LGBTQ+ folk navigate their coming out journeys.

In today’s episode Hannah and I talk about being religious and LGBTQ+. Hannah grew up Catholic, so we share some of the influences the Catholic Church (and wider religious denominations) can have on a person discovering their queer identity.

We share a bit about the process of reconciling your relationship with God, particularly when there is this idea that the two are irreconcilable.

More information on Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahstrenger https://www.instagram.com/hannahstrenger/

Information, support and resources:

• Stonewall's LGBTQ+ inclusive education: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/lgbt-inclusive-education-everything-you-need-know

More information on this podcast:

• https://twitter.com/overrainbowpod

Music: Find Your Way Beat by Nana Kwabena

Welcome to Over the Rainbow, an LGBTQ+ podcast dedicated to queer education and queer representation. Hosted by Rachel Keighley (she/her).

Episode 16: Exploring LGBTQ+ identity, sex and inclusivity with Nicholas Moran (they/them):

In today’s episode we talk about all the incredible work Nicholas does regarding mental health, sex positivity and inclusivity.

First we discuss exploring your gender and sexuality and the challenges and barriers some individuals may face. Nicholas uses their experiences growing up and discovering their identities in conservative America to empower individuals to safely explore their identity free from judgement.

Within this topic we discuss some of the barriers LGBTQ+ people face when accessing mental health services and the lack of inclusive LGBTQ+ sex education. Finally, we discuss some of the important consultation work Nicholas does to amplify the messages and teachings of Queer, TGNC, & BIPOC communities to create inclusive and affirming practices/policies in the workplace.

More information on Nicholas:

• Instagram: @nicholas.moran.lmhc https://www.instagram.com/nicholas.moran.lmhc/

Information, support and resources:

• Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org

More information on this podcast:

• https://twitter.com/overrainbowpod

Music: Find Your Way Beat by Nana Kwabena

Welcome to Over the Rainbow, an LGBTQ+ podcast dedicated to queer education and queer representation. Hosted by Rachel Keighley (she/her).

Episode 15: Mental health, queer visibility and coming out with Chloe Beth (she/her):

In today’s episode Chloe shares her story with depression. Her raw honesty is something we don’t get a lot with mental health and her story highlights the importance of normalising talking about mental health and accessing support.

We also talk about internalised homophobia, and the pressures of wondering if you’ll fit into the queer community, and the stereotypical expectations around how LGBTQ+ women present, act and interact in their worlds.

Finally, Chloe shares some of the amazing work she does today helping queer folk come out, explore their sexuality, and create spaces where queerness is visible and represented. 

More information on Chloe:

• Instagram: @thechloebeth https://www.instagram.com/thechloebeth/

Information, support and resources:

• Chloe's tips for coming out: https://chloebeth.ca/blog/tips-for-coming-out-to-your-family

More information on this podcast:

• https://twitter.com/overrainbowpod

Music: Find Your Way Beat by Nana Kwabena

Welcome to Over the Rainbow, an LGBTQ+ podcast dedicated to queer education and queer representation. Hosted by Rachel Keighley (she/her).

Episode 14: Queer, transgender and intersex people of colour, intersectionality and representation with Justy (she/her):

In today’s episode Justy talks about growing up as a queer person of colour, the intersectionality of identity and finding representation of yourself in the world.

As an artist, Justy uses her platform and voice to be visible for queer people and people of colour, and those trying to reconcile their spirituality with their LGBTQ+ identity.

We talk about the value of transparency in talking about mental health struggles as well as the power of accepting your identity through building a foundation of self-love against those who try chip away and target aspects of your identity.

More information on Justy:

• Instagram: @justymusic

Information, support and resources:

• http://www.qwoc.org

Books by black, queer people:

• https://www.instagram.com/p/CLzPYr_heIO/

More information on this podcast:

• https://twitter.com/overrainbowpod

Music: Find Your Way Beat by Nana Kwabena

Welcome to Over the Rainbow, an LGBTQ+ podcast dedicated to queer education and queer representation. Hosted by Rachel Keighley (she/her).

Episode 13: Gender, activism and allyship with Eva Echo (she/her):

In this episode we talk about gender, hate crime, activism and allyship. Eva shares her journey discovering she is trans and using her knowledge and platform for activism.

Within that, Eva created the Pass It On Campaign, is an ambassador to London trans clinic and is an advisor to the CPS hate crime panel, where she specialises in hate targeted at transgender people.

We talk about what activism looks like in a Covid world, where our activism is predominantly online and the importance of thinking about how you approach activism to effectively share your message. Effective activism must also be inclusive, and we need to involve all that identity encompasses. 

Information, support and resources:

• London Trans Clinic: https://www.instagram.com/londontransclinic/

Hate Crime information, support and resources:

• GALOP: http://www.galop.org.uk/hatecrime/

More about Eva:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evaech0/

More information on this podcast:

• https://twitter.com/overrainbowpod

Music: Find Your Way Beat by Nana Kwabena

Welcome to Over the Rainbow, an LGBTQ+ podcast dedicated to queer education and queer representation. Hosted by Rachel Keighley (she/her).

Episode 12: Trans Youth and broken healthcare systems with Jack Lopez (he/they):

In this episode Jack and I are talk about trans youth and their access to healthcare.

In December 2020, a High court ruling against the Tavistock and Portman Trust here in the UK resulted in a withdrawal of important services for trans youth including access to puberty blockers.

Jack talks us through this high court ruling and how it is impinging on trans youth rights through access to healthcare. It is embedded in wrongly held beliefs that affect consent, bodily autonomy and wider issues of identity and choice.

Finally, we also talk about dysphoria and activism around lived topics that are so personal to you and your identity. Therefore it’s important that as you engage in activism you look after yourself and make sure you’re in the best play to show up and perform your allyship.

Information, support and resources:

• GIDs (Gender Identity Development Services for young people): https://gids.nhs.uk

People you should follow:

• Jack Lopez: https://twitter.com/anthroLopez

Podcasts to listen to:

• Busy Being Black

More information on this podcast:

• https://twitter.com/overrainbowpod

Music: Find Your Way Beat by Nana Kwabena

Welcome to Over the Rainbow, an LGBTQ+ podcast dedicated to queer education and queer representation. Hosted by Rachel Keighley (she/her).

Episode 11: Trans representation on TV with Julie Hesmondhalgh (she/her) and Annie Wallace (she/her):

In this episode Julie and Annie Wallace talk about trans representation on TV. Julie was the first person to play a trans character on a British soap and shares her story playing Hayley Cropper on Coronation Street.

Annie is the first trans person to play a trans character on a British Soap and currently plays Sally St. Claire on Hollyoaks.

They share their stories and really delve into the progress we have made over the last 20 years or so, in terms of trans representation and trans visibility both in the media and wider society. We talk about the shift we see in authentic representation and the amazing opportunities for trans people to tell their stories through the medium of art.

However, this journey is far from over, so we also talk about where this representation needs to go in the future, and the parts Julie and Annie play in that journey through their characters and real life activism.

Information, support and resources:

• Press for Change: http://www.pfc.org.uk

People you should follow:

• Annie Wallace: https://twitter.com/anniewallace

More information on this podcast:

Music: Find Your Way Beat by Nana Kwabena

Welcome to Over the Rainbow, an LGBTQ+ podcast dedicated to queer education and queer representation. Hosted by Rachel Keighley (she/her).

Episode 10: Reclaiming Queer with Susie Blenkhorn (she/her):

In this episode Susie talks about her own sexuality, and discovering she was queer at a time when to use the word queer was to be derogatory. We talk a little about the history of gay representation, reclaiming the label queer, and how gay rights progressed, including navigating a time when there were those trying to finding a gay gene, and explain away what being gay is.

Finally, we discuss some of the advantages of living outside the heteronormative binary of mainstream society and not having the pressure of certain societal roles.

Information, support and resources:

• Sex Ed: A belated guide for adults by Ruby Rare

More information on this podcast:

Music: Find Your Way Beat by Nana Kwabena