Queer & A

In this episode I speak with Rabbi Naj and Pam Rocker. Rabbi Naj is a second-generation Holocaust survivor, a rabbi, as well as a board certified interfaith chaplain and registered social worker and trained mediator. Pam Rocker is an atypical activist, consultant, and writer. From Pride to politics, she advocates for the full inclusion of 2SLGBTQ+ people in every area of society.

The three of us talk about the Queer Interfaith Coalition and the ways it is reclaiming the religious voice from those who have sought to weaponize faith against 2SLGBTQIA+ folks.

Permissions:The instrumental of the song “Bones” by OKNaledi is used with permission. Check out the full version here.Resources (shared by Pam Rocker and Rabbi Naj)1. Open Letter from The Queer Interfaith Coalition

2. https://pieday.ca/

* https://affirmingconnections.com/interfaith-coalition

* https://affirmingconnections.com/draganswers

* https://www.pamrocker.com/

* https://tanenbaum.org/about-us/tanenbaum-resources/shared-visions/

In this episode I speak with psychedelic researcher and community organizer Amy Bartlett. Amy draws on her doctoral research at the University of Ottawa where she explores how psychedelics are used as part of people's healing journey, including for the healing of PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, and other experiences and states. One thing Amy brings to light is the fact that most clinical trials (USA/CAN-based) have not included participants from different identity groups, meaning that 2SLGBTQIA+ folks are notably absent from the clinical trial. If you're familiar with human-cenetered design principles, you know that this means that the needs and unique experiences of queer folks never get designed into the clinical trial process. This is a sad loss for queer folks for many reasons that Amy and I get into. But Amy makes another great point: queer folks are effectively experts when it comes to the ability to embrace multiplicities...which is a sort of fundamental part of the integration process following a psychedelic journey. It's truly a loss that we do not have queer voices shaping the clinical trial experiences.

This isn't just about "queer trauma" it's about queer wisdom.

While Amy and I talk about psychedelic healing and the potential this has for queer folks in particular, we also explore some of ramifications of religion in all this. As we've heard in other episodes, queer people are unfortunately at a higher likelihood to experience religious trauma f, due to the ways that some people weaponize religion against queer people. But thankfully the relationship between religion, queerness, and psychedelic healing isn't all shadows and dark--there's also some "light" there, and Amy and I explore this in our chat together.

Permissions:The instrumental of the song “Bones” by OKNaledi is used with permission. Check out the full version here.

In this episode I speak with Mackenzie Kolton, who is currently the Director of Learning of Egale Canada. Mackenzie is passionate about working in 2SLGBTQI advocacy and education and prior to Egale she was the Manager of Program Innovation at Big Brothers Big Sisters, co-developing Manitoba’s first Queer Lens Mental Health Training and overseeing their 2SLGBTQI department and staff. In this interview, we hear from some of the ways that Mackenzie's time with Big Brothers Big Sisters set her up to focus on concepts like joy and love and capability and inner strength when it comes to developing resources for queer folx.

As a Queer woman, Mackenzie is dedicated to working in collaboration with communities to build innovative programming and curriculum to address intersectional challenges. Mackenzie was awarded CBC’s Proud to Shine award in 2020 and 2021 to honour her work in advocacy and was named in the “Top 100 Fascinating Manitobans” in 2022. In the show, we talk about the current political and educational environment in Canada and the affect this has on 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. We explore topics including transphobia in and out of schools, the resources that exist for students, teachers, and parents/family, what the role of religion is in all of this. You'll hear more about it in the episode, but one of the things we talk about is how core teachings of so many religious traditions (like the call to love and respect others) can be brought into the conversation when we talk about queer acceptance and the acceptance of queer love. We finish the conversation by chatting about what it means to be an ally, and some of the various ways that people can practice allyship in their daily lives.

Permissions:The instrumental of the song “Bones” by OKNaledi is used with permission. Check out the full version here.Additional Resources (Egale)

RESEARCH:

* "Speak Out: Addressing 2SLGBTQ Youth Dating Violence. Lessons on how to support 2SLGBTQ youth who face dating violence in Canada." July 2022. https://egale.ca/awareness/speak-out-addressing-2slgbtq-youth-dating-violence/

* Peter, T., Campbell, C.P., & Taylor, C. (2021). Still in every class in every school: Final report on the second climate survey on homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in Canadian schools. Key Takeaways. Toronto, ON: Egale Canada Human Rights Trust. https://egale.ca/awareness/still-in-every-class/

* "What 2SLGBTQI Youth in Esports Want" September 2021. https://egale.ca/awareness/esports-report/

* "2SLGBTQI Suicide Prevention Research in Canada: Evidence, Gaps, and Priorities. PHAC Suicide and its Prevention Final Report," October 2021. https://egale.ca/awareness/2slgbtqi-suicide-prevention-research-in-canada-evidence-gaps-and-priorities/

* "Playing “Safe” and Troubling Youth: An Esports Literature Review", June 2021. https://egale.ca/awareness/esports-literature-review/

* "Every Class in Every School: The first national climate survey (2011) on homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in Canadian schools." 2011. https://egale.ca/awareness/every-class/

* "Guide for the Development of an LGBTQ Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy. Conference Paper: LGBTQ Youth Suicide Prevention Summit" 2012. https://egale.ca/awareness/guide-for-the-development-of-an-lgbtq-youth-suicide-prevention-strategy/

* "Youth Speak Up About Homophobia and Transphobia, The First National Climate Survey on Homophobia in Canadian Schools, Phase One Report."  March 2009. https://egale.ca/awareness/phase1/

RESOURCES:

* Adults Supporting 2SLGBTQI Youth. https://egale.ca/awareness/adults-supporting-2slgbtqi-youth/

* Faith and 2SLGBTQI Youth. https://egale.ca/awareness/faith-and-2slgbtqi-youth/

* Additional Resources: Trans and Nonbinary Youth Webinar.  https://egale.ca/awareness/trans-and-nonbinary-youth-resources/

* Preparing Students for the Transition of a Trans or Gender Diverse Peer. https://egale.ca/awareness/preparing-students/

* Tackling Anti-2SLGBTQI Cyberbullying in Schools. https://egale.ca/awareness/tackling-anti-2slgbtqi-cyberbullying-in-schools/

* What to do when your child comes out to you. https://egale.ca/awareness/what-to-do-when-your-child-comes-out-to-you/

* Draw-The-Line — Against Transphobic Violence in Schools. https://egale.ca/awareness/draw-the-line-atv/ 

* Stuck in quarantine with your homophobic or transphobic family?. https://egale.ca/awareness/stuck-in-quarantine-with-your-homophobic-or-transphobic-family/

* Pronoun Resource for Teachers. https://egale.ca/awareness/pronoun-resource-for-teachers/

* Supporting Your Intersex Child. https://egale.ca/awareness/supporting-your-intersex-child/

* Supporting Your Gender Diverse Child. https://egale.ca/awareness/supporting-gender-diverse-child/

* 10 Faith-Based Reasons to Support 2SLGBTQI-Inclusive Education. https://egale.ca/awareness/10-faith-based-reasons-to-support-lgbtq-inclusive-education/

In this episode I speak with Charley Bouchard. Charley is an athlete, versatile artist, and passionate about volunteering for youth work in the community.  Charley considers themself to be a mystic Christian, ready and open to questioning and discussing big ideas that affect our culture and shape our lives. 

As we talk about their story with queerness and Christianity, Charley shares openly and honestly about the pain they experienced in their mid 20s when they attended an evangelical Christian church. I'll let Charley share their story of pain and rejection because of their queerness, but allow me to set up some broader context. Leading up to this episode, I found myself thinking a lot about the value of anger. In the Christian circles I grew up in, anger is often pushed aside--we're encouraged to forgive rather than to be angry when wrong is done. And, as an adult, I often struggle with feeling my own anger. But I'm learning that anger is an expression of my authenticity, and authenticity, at least for me, is a big component of my own queer identity. I am true to who I am--that includes all parts of me. That includes the angry parts. Anger is different than hatred--being angry with a person or a system does not mean that we wish them ill-will. In Charley's story, you'll hear them speak candidly about the pain they experienced at the hands of Christian leaders in our church, and you'll hear them get on the verge of angry. I hear this authentic anger as a necessary part of the story of moving out of the choking feeling of pain and into forgiveness or healing or beauty or freedom or whatever descriptor feels right for us.

Charley’s highly empathetic approach to their own story is beautiful, authentic, and eye-opening…and I personally love that, although anger is a part of the story, the story does not end with anger but rather with love and joy and acceptance.

Permissions:The instrumental of the song “Bones” by OKNaledi is used with permission. Check out the full version here.The poem “Signs of Welcome” by Lucy Berry was recorded by Lucy Berry and provided to Queer & A with permission. Check out a written version here.

In this episode I speak with Stéfanie Lacroix. Stef is a Staff Attorney in Immigration Equality’s Pro Bono Program. In this role, she represents immigrants seeking asylum and she provides mentorship for over 170 immigration cases placed with law firms nationwide through Immigration Equality’s pro bono program.

In this episode you hear Stef and I speak about the hardships and realities  that LGBTQIA+ people from all over the world face when they are seeking asylum in the United States. We hear about the shifting legal frameworks that have affected the rights of asylum seekers, and have affected the avenues that lawyers have as they work to secure their asylum, but we also hear about some of the human stories of seeking asylum that Stef has worked in throughout her career as a staff attorney.

We also hear about how religion operates in the sort of “background” of the legal system and social structures. It is not always in the front and centre of people’s mind when they seek asylum, nor is religion always an explicit root cause of social injustice or violence that LGBTQ+ people experience. This episode explores that, and more, pertaining to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.

Resources:www.Immigrationequality.orgwww. Rainbowrailroad.org www.volunteerottawa.ca

Permissions:The instrumental of the song “Bones” by OKNaledi is used with permission. Check out the full version here.

In this interview I speak with Dr. Sandra Noble (PhD, LPC, NCC), who holds a PhD in counsellor education and supervision and a masters in clinical mental health counselling. Sandra is a counselling professor at a grad school in Portland, Oregon and also a licensed professional counsellor in private practice. She’s certified as an eating disorder specialist and a clinical trauma professional, and in the show you’ll hear us talk about her research in embodiment, recovery, and spirituality, and especially how 2SLGBTQ+ individuals experience embodied reactions to the religious traumas of purity culture. In this episode we discuss some of the ways that purity culture (strongly emphasized in evangelical conservative Christian churches and especially to youth) have lasting negative affects on individuals’ sexuality, especially for 2SLGBTQIA+ women and trans people.

One thing to forewarn about: if the topic of eating disorders, and/or being shamed for your sexual desire by authority figures is a sensitive topic for you, I wanted to let you know that you may find some of this content triggering. So a gentle reminder to check in with yourself to see if it’s a good time for you to listen to this kind of content.

Show notes:

Dr. Sandra Noble spoke of a number of resources and concepts related to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).  If you’re interested in learning more about ACT, you can look into the workbook “Get Out Of Your Mind” or any content developed by Dr. Steven Hayes, as well as “Happiness Trap” by Russ Harris. 

To learn more about Sandra’s practice and research or to get in touch, you can contact her via: https://www.georgefox.edu/counseling-programs/faculty/noble.html.

Permissions:The instrumental of the song “Bones” by OKNaledi is used with permission. Check out the full version here.

In this episode I speak with Nik Jovčić-Sas (he/they). Nik is a musician, LGBTQ+ activist, drag queen, and Eastern Orthodox Theologian.  Nik grew up in rural Somerset, England within a Serbian family and attended  King’s College London to study theology, with a particular focus on the intersection of LGBTQ+ relationships and Orthodox Christian Theology and Identity. Nik has published work on this topic, which you can find links to in the show notes. In the show, you’ll hear Nik talk about doing his activism work as both a committed Christian theologian and someone who identifies as queer—some of Nik’s activism in Belgrade has led to them receiving financial lawsuits from the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as death threats. 

I recorded this episode with Nik a couple of months ago, before the current upsurge of anti-LGBTQ+ protests across Canada—where I am currently as I record this intro and summary in September 2023. He and I obviously don’t talk about those specific protests, but as I showed up just days ago to counter the anti-LGBTQ protestors in my city, Ottawa, I was reminded of my thought-provoking conversation that Nik and I had. Doing activist work as someone who has committed theological roots within a Christian community is an interesting and important position to be in, and in this conversation Nik provides thought provoking but also reality checks about what it’s like for them to do that kind of work. 

SHOW NOTES

* Read Nik’s academic published work, entitled “The Tradition of Homophobia: Responses to Same-Sex Relationships in Serbian Orthodoxy from the Nineteenth Century to the Present Day.” 

* Watch Nik’s YouTube video about undergoing “an exoricsm to make him straight” when in Moldova. 

* Reach out to Nik and/or learn more about the drag night called WIG that he runs in Bath, UK.

CREDITThe instrumental version of OK Naledi’s song, Bones, is used with permission. Check out the full song here.

EPISODE SUMMARY:Mike Maeshiro (@mikemaeshiro) is Gay, Christian, and a Pastor. He hosts online communities for 2SLGBTQIA+ people looking for spiritual communities, and offers coaching to post-evangelical Christians in a journey of theological deconstruction.

If you’re curious about the ways that evangelical conservative Christianity have systematically shaped the experiences of queer people weaponizing theology, or if you’ve endured this yourself and are looking for support and understanding, this is the episode for you. 

In this show, we hear about conservative Christian theology like “hate the sin love the sinner”, internalized homophobia, Mike’s own experience of encountering God and experiencing an embodied peace, church leaders’ “discrete censorship” of questioning theological teachings, and ways that Christian theology can be healthily deconstructed to embrace one’s queer identity. 

A gentle reminder for whoever may need it: if content about theology being weaponized against queer people is likely to be triggering for you, take a moment to reflect if now is a good day/time for you to dive into something like this.

SHOW NOTES:

If you want to flip through the podcast, here’s some “chapters” to help you out!

* 5minutes: Mike breaks down some typical conservative evangelical Christian concepts and vocabulary such as “being saved” and how some of these theological concepts affects queer mentalities

* 12minutes: Mike invites us to think about the difference between "Internalized homophobia" vs. "internalized heterosexism”, and highlights how this distinction is a big part of the healing journey for many post-evangelicals.  

* 18 minutes - Mike shares about his own radical experience encountering God in a church service, where God communicated to Mike that they [God] explicitly wanted Mike to be gay.  

* 31 minutes -  We discuss the discrete censorship and stigmatization that happens around critical thinking and asking questions to deconstruct potentially harmful theologies that we are taught 

* 37 mins -  Mike shares options for virtual communities which support queer people who are recovering from Evangelicalism. The Rainbow Room (Mike hosts this online community.) In Nashville, Mike is the Sr. Director of the Online Campus — see www.GracePoint.Net

* 43 mins - We point out that “biblical marriage”, that is, the way that marriage occurs in the Old Testament, has all sorts of models that are far outside of White Evangelical Christianity….so why do certain evangelical Christians continue to attack gay marriage, claiming that they are upholding “biblical marriage”  

Permissions:The instrumental of the song “Bones” by OKNaledi is used with permission. Check out the full version here.

Introduction Episode:- music: "BONES" by OK Naledi. All copyright belongs to OK Naledi and the instrumental version was used with permission. Check out the official music video for INtrlD BONES.- Pastor Zach Lambert’s tweet documents the rise in "anti-LGBTQ+ bills and hateful rhetoric" which have increased in the last few years.- Intersectional lenses are important when understanding individual identity — read more via Myeshia Price (she/they), as they speak about their identity as a Black non binary queer person, and how these three aspects of their identity shapes their experience. - In the 1980s and 1990s the word “queer” appears in several news NPR transcripts, often within people citing insults that they had received. - An activist group Queer Nation was founded in March 1990 in New York. Thought to be part of the reclaiming “queer”.