Queer Goggles

Join Executive Director, Brian Poth (he/they), and Director of Development and Strategy, Nick Vargas (he/him) for an exclusive interview with Caroline Kingsbury (she/her) before her performance at Pride Visalia on October 12th! 

This is an amazing opportunity to hear from Caroline as she discusses her music, the landscape of queer art in the industry, the importance of supportive communities, and more.

You don't want to miss Caroline's performance, so make sure to get your Pride Visalia tickets! October 12, 11:00AM - 4:00PM, Valley Strong Ballpark, Visalia CA. We'll see you there!

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On this episode of Queer Goggles, host Phae Lockwood (they/them) welcomes Executive Director Brian Poth (he/they) and Director of Development and Strategy Nick Vargas (he/him), co-founders of The Source LGBT+ Center.

Earlier in 2024, Brian and Nick were announced as recipients of the esteemed James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. In this conversation, they share the joy they felt accepting the Award in Sacramento, as well as the immense positive impact the Award has had on The Source LGBT+ Center.

Brian and Nick also reveal some exciting details about The Source's biggest annual event, the highly anticipated PRIDE Visalia, including this year's theme, the incredible entertainment offerings, and an art installation the likes of which the Central Valley has never seen.

Get tickets to PRIDE Visalia

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On this episode of Queer Goggles, host Phae Lockwood (they/them) welcomes guest Sarah Marquez (she/her), a Disability Justice Facilitator and Consultant, to discuss Disability Pride Month, disability justice, and its significance to the LGBTQ+ community.

Sarah delves into the history the Disability Rights Movement and shares her journey as a queer, disabled person. This conversation explores the intersectionality of disability and LGBTQ+ identities, highlighting the importance of community-building and the ongoing fight for adequate care and access.

Learn more about The Source

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On this episode of Queer Goggles, join host Phae Lockwood (they/them) and guest Savino Perico (he/him) as they discuss the work of Kings Community Action Organization, which offers over 25 programs and services including childcare, food and nutrition assistance, housing and crisis support, and so much more.

KCAO is one of many like organizations in the Community Action Agency Network, which was initiated by Lyndon B. Johnson 1960s to address poverty in the U.S. To this day, these agencies are a beacon of hope for the communities they serve, offering resources that many people don't know exist until they are in a position to need them.

Join Phae and Savino as they delve into these vital services that impact the lives of so many individuals living in the Central Valley.

Follow KCAO on Instagram: @kingscommunityactionorg
Learn more about KCAO
Become a volunteer

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On this episode of Queer Goggles, join host Phae Lockwood (they/them) and guest M the Myth (they/them) as they dive deep into M's beautiful journey, from childhood dreaming to becoming the revolutionary Queer Pop artist they are today.

M’s accomplishments number many; they are a graduate of the Clinton Global Initiative University, where their project, The Wavy Awards, which aims to celebrate and uplift LGBTQIA+ artists, received special recognition. Their single "Speed of Life" was featured on Billboard's Queer Necessities playlist and they performed on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel. They hold a Master of Music in Music Production and a Master of Arts in Songwriting, both from Berklee College of Music, and they are a graduate of the LA-based production school, Icon Collective.

But this episode goes far beyond the surface, as M touches on the deeper aspects of being queer in the music industry, finding inspiration, the healing power of music, moving through trauma, and transmuting pain into love. Put on your Queer Goggles and tune in - you won’t want to miss this.

Follow M the Myth on Instagram: @mthemyth

Learn more: mthemyth.com & thewavys.org 

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Happy Holidays from The Source LGBT+ Center! On today’s episode, we’re introducing our new host of the Queer Goggles Podcast, Phae Lockwood, who will be taking the Queer Goggles ship over in the coming weeks! I know change is hard but we assure you that the podcast rests in capable hands. We are also excited to speak with The Source’s Programs Manager, Alix Carranza, The Source’s Youth Board President, Giselle, and the Youth Board’s Secretary, Nikolas as part of our first panel episode. We will be discussing the LGBTQ+ experience of the Holiday Season, especially for queer youth, ways to cope with the stresses of the holidays, and our favorite queer holiday books and movies. Spoiler alert: a lot of them are not Christmas-themed!

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It is a new season and we are starting it off by speaking with Jamie Brickhouse! Jamie Brickhouse is a published writer, comedic storyteller, TikTok sensation, podcast host, and public speaker. He's also the author of the critically acclaimed Dangerous When Wet: A Memoir of Booze Sex and My Mother. Come join us as we delve into Jamie’s writing process, his messy journey to recovery, hilarious stories about his mother, and how he became a TikTok celebrity overnight. 

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On this episode of Queer Goggles, we're speaking with Mary Randol; artist, volunteer, and a person with over 37 years of recovery. In our conversation, we talk about Mary's journey through both substance use and mental health recovery, how coming out as Lesbian saved her life,  and the importance of empathy towards oneself and those who society has disregarded. 

This is the last episode of this "Rainbow Recovery" season of Queer Goggles. Join us next season!

If you know someone who is struggling with Substance Use Disorder please access our resources at thesourcelgbt.org/recovery.

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On this episode of Queer Goggles, we're speaking with Dr. Cory Jaques, the Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Training Program. Dr. Jaques is a trained Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and also sits on The Source's board of directors. In our conversation, we talk about his extensive work within the community, how he views the state of LGBTQ+ competent Substance Use care in our region, and his hopes and ambitions for the future of psychiatry and treatment here in the Central Valley, especially as it pertains to adolescents and trans folks.      

If you know someone who is struggling with Substance Use Disorder please access our resources at thesourcelgbt.org/recovery.

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In this episode of Queer Goggles, we're talking with Dean Jackson, the Program Director of HIV Services at The Source LGBT+ Center. In our conversation, we go over the many, many things that the HIV Services Program provides, the misconceptions about HIV, Substance Use Disorder, and how they intersect. And we discuss the importance of having not only LGBTQ+ and HIV-specific supportive programs in place, but also the importance of emphasizing that everyone is welcome through the doors at The Source. "You don't have to be out to come in." 

If you'd like to know more about The Source's HIV Services Program OR sign up for a free testing appointment, you can find out more at thesourcelgbt.org/hiv. If you'd like to reach out to Dean Jackson directly, you can reach him at [email protected]. 

If you know someone who is struggling with Substance Use Disorder please access our resources at thesourcelgbt.org/recovery. 

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