In this episode of Queer Louisiana, hosts Leyla Hekmatdoost and Ruby Porter sit down with realtor Lindsay Keen to explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing LGBTQ+ individuals in the housing market. Lindsay shares her journey from veterinary medicine to real estate, discussing the importance of homeownership as a path to financial stability and community empowerment. The conversation highlights systemic barriers, such as discrimination and financial hurdles, that disproportionately affect queer and BIPOC homebuyers. Lindsay also offers practical advice for aspiring homeowners, from tax tips for service workers to navigating mortgage approval processes. The episode provides a hopeful look at inclusive real estate networks and the power of owning property as a form of self-determination for the LGBTQ+ community.

In the inaugural episode of Queer Louisiana, hosts Leyla Hekmatdoost and Ruby Porter welcome the incredible MyaRay, a Black trans woman in her late twenties who hails from Loranger, Louisiana—a small, rural town with its own unique challenges. MyaRay briefly ventured away to explore life in a bustling city, only to realize that the bonds of family and community were too important to forsake for long.

MyaRay shares her powerful journey, offering insights into her experiences as a trans woman navigating a community that often struggles to embrace her identity. Fearless in her discussions, she sheds light on the treatment of trans individuals within the broader queer community and addresses the complexities of racial dynamics in her acceptance as a Black trans woman. Join us for an enlightening conversation that highlights resilience, connection, and the importance of community in the quest for understanding and acceptance.

Queer Louisiana is a production of 501c3 Nonprofit, Queer Northshore. This episode was produced by Leyla Hekmatdoost and Ruby Porter and edited by Mike Spalt at Flydream Media. Production consultation and management by Jeremy JF Thompson. Additional introductions recorded by Anthony and Shannon Parr.