Queer Queeries

On the Season 2 finale of Queer Queeries, we reflect on what this past season has taught us in terms of creating a foundation for future generations to build on, being an ally v.s being an accomplice, and protecting our joy so that we can continue to fight for true equality.

Follow:
Qween Jean
Sis
Ianne Fields Stewart

Resources for Further Learning:
What's the Difference Between an Ally and Accomplice?

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"What are specific mental health challenges queer people deal with?" "How can we cope?" "How is the field of social work broken?" "How can we, as a community, take care of each other?"

On this final interview of Season 2, I interview healing justice practitioner, licensed clinical social workers and founder and executive director of the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network, Erica Woodland (he/him). Erica and I get into discuss journey of taking care of our mental health and that specific journey for queer people and the challenges we face. Erica shares how he knew form a very young age he wanted to of service to his communities in some capacity. he felt responsible because of the support he got and because he wanted to help correct a system that isn't set up for black folks to succeed. It was through his journey of unlearning outside of his formal schooling, which was taught through a white, cis, heterosexual, ableist lens and recognizing the need to center healing in the journey to repair the relationship between the medical field and Black and Indigenous folks, that led him to see the need for a resource that connected queer and trans folks of color to practitioners in their community. This resource being the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network. In addition to talking about the creation of NQTTCN, Erica shares his own approach to mental health in his practice and with his clients, and we discuss the idea of meaning making and understanding generational trauma, de-centering therapy as the only form of healing, the impact of this past year on all of our mental states, and what we can do moving forward to heal ourselves, community, and world.

Follow Erica:
Instagram
Website

Organization of the Week: NQTTCN
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Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"What is the inspiration for you music?" "How has your queer identity grown through your music?"  "Have you dealt with queer-phobia in the music industry?" "How can we make more space for queer recording artists?"

On this episode, I interview a singer and songwriter in the hip-hop scene, Niambi Ra (she/her). Growing up, Niambi was always exposed to the arts and an array of queer people in it, in her hometown of Washington D.C. Niambi shares specifically how she witnessed positive examples of Queer Black love and how that had a positive impact on her own coming out journey. She shares how her mother was a dancer, and it was inevitable that she would go into some kind of art. She found and fell in love with music and also acting and ended up attending NYU for musical theatre. Niambi then goes on to share how being a musical theatre performer used to be something she would hide but now it's something she owns because she recognizes the strengths it gives her. Niambi shares her own journey as a queer recording artist and how her ownership of her identity evolved as she created more music and showcased her queerness in her music videos, particularly her most recent song "Guidance." Throughout the episode, we discuss many things such as: queerness and camp in the music industry, how the act of queer people being themselves is political, double standards between men and women in the industry, the unsureness the industry has about where to put gender non-conforming folk, and much more.

Follow Niambi:
Instagram
YouTube

Organization of the Week: National Queer Theater
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Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"What is activism?" "What is the intersection of art and activism?" "How has social media affected activism and the spread of information?" "How do we all show up for Black lives?"

On this episode, I interview Marla Louissaint (she/her), a Haitian-born performer, published model, activist, abolitionist, visionary, and life-long student who is also the founder of the non-profit Claim Our Space Now. Marla didn't anticipate being an activist, or "artivist" as she likes to say. She says how it is something the ancestors chose for her because she had many things she wanted to say and people needed to hear them. Marla shares how the lynchings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and far too many black bodies at the beginning of 2020 was "the straw that broke her back." She decided from this moment that she had to do something to get those not just in her communities but all in for the fight for Black lives. Marla shares her 2020 journey: from sending a call out to various Jimmy Awards (The National High School Musical Theatre Awards alum) to call out James Nederlander (who the awards were named after) who had been revealed to have donated significant funds to Donald Trump's campaign. The goal was for him to donate funds to various Black Lives Matter organizations and to stand in solidarity with the black and brown alumni who had gone through his program. Marla shares how this initial spark led her to founding her non-profit Claim Our Space Now, who's mission is to provide resources and aid in the fight for Black lives.

We also discuss:

• The necessity for all to get in on the fight against racism in all fields: medical racism, environmental racism, educational racism, etc.
• Questioning the systems around us and where our funds are actually going.
• The use of social media to spread information and also the racism that keeps Black, Brown, and Queer creators down.
• Claiming space and knowing who you are so you can be intentional with your life.

Follow Marla:
Instagram
Twitter

Resources for Further Learning:
How Marla Louissaint is Making the Revolution Irresistible from Playbill.com
1619 podcast

Organization of the Week: Claim Our Space Now
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Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"When did you first see a trans character in performance?" "Why is there such a lack of inclusion of trans performers in theatre?" "How do we hold institutions who have failed and done harm accountable?" "How can we grow?"

On this episode, I interview singer, actress, producer, director, writer, activist, and winner of the Human Rights Campaign Visibility award in January of 2020, Aneesh Sheth (she/her). Aneesh shares how her first exposure to queerness was when a sari (a garment from the Indian subcontinent traditionally worn by women) was put on her at a young age, and she recalls feeling very comfortable in it.  She also shares how her exposure to Hijra culture made an impression on her as to how society viewed those outside of the gender binary. It was then through her journey of working on the role of Sweetie in the musical Bombay Dreams that she learned about her own gender identity and also how trans characters and actors were viewed in theatrical spaces. Aneesh and I discuss how the theatre has progressed in terms of inclusion, how we can hold institutions accountable for making sure to do this work, the impact this past year has had on artists, and advice for trans and gender non-conforming artists who feel stifled by the inaccessible theatrical industry.

We also discuss: 

• How trans characters have developed in theatre and why there is such little progress
• How to be inclusive of trans, gender non-conforming, actors with disabilities, and many other minorities in revivals of shows.
• How to successfully develop shows with trans characters in them.
• The issue of accessibility in theatre

...and much more.

Follow Aneesh:
Instagram
Website

Resources for Further Learning:
An Open Letter: A Statement to the Public Theatre by Aneesh Sheth
Aneesh Sheth receives HRC's Visibility Award

Organization of the Week: The Next Generation Project
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Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"How did you know you were non-binary?" "How do you explore gender?" "What is the difference between gayness and queerness?" "How can cis people be better allies to trans and gender non-conforming folk?"

On this episode, I interview actor, writer, and a light of a human, Colette March (they/them). Throughout the episode, Colette shares how for the beginning of their time identifying they identified as a gay man to eventually identifying as someone who is non-binary, more so on the trans femme side. We discuss things such as how one's queer identity isn't all we are but how it informs how we live in the world; how cis people can be better allies to trans and gender non-conforming folk; and what advice they have for those wanting to explore their gender but aren't sure how.

We also discuss:

• Growing up in the age of the internet and how that was many of our first introduction to what queerness was.
• Homophobia in the public eye and why it's necessary for celebrities to be visible with they ally ship.
• Microaggresive language towards trans and non-binary people.
• The issue with the ideas of Normalization and Tolerance.

...and much more.

Follow Colette:
Instagram
TikTok

Organization of the Week: The Center
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Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"How do you talk to kids about queerness?" "How can a kid know how they identify gender or sexuality-wise?" "How do you deal with backlash from those who think kids shouldn't know about 'these things'?" “Why is it important for kids to see queerness represented in media?”

On this episode, I interview Lindz Amer (they/them), the creator of Queer Kid Stuff: a web series and media outlet that imagines a kinder and more equal future through highly-accessible education and entertainment for kids ages 3+.  Lindz launched QKS in 2015 with their best stuffed friend Teddy as a way to make seemingly complex subjects like Queerness, Pronouns, Racism, Religion, Homophobia, and many others easy for kids to understand. Lindz says how they did it as a way to not only help kids understand but parents as well. They, ultimately, wanted to create something that they would have loved to have seen when they were a kid. Representation and support from family and friends can make a tremendous impact on a young queer kid. Aside from this show, we also discuss the evolution of representation in kid's media and why the representation needs to be explicitly visible and not just hinted at. As Lindz and I discuss their journey as an activist and creator of QKS, we also talk about the backlash they've faced from those who don't understand the work they do. We talk about why Queerness and LGBTQ+ topics seem to be deemed too sexual or too hard for kids to understand.

Follow Lindz and Queer Kid Stuff:
Lindz on Instagram
Queer Kid Stuff
Queer Kid Stuff Instagram
Queer Kid Stuff YouTube

Organization of the Week: PFLAG
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Donate

Resources for Further Learning:
Activist, You! Podcast
Lindz's TED Talk

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"What made you decide to have kids?" "Did you ever see examples of queer parents with kids growing up?" "What was the process like for having a kid as a same-sex parents?" "What is the best and hardest part about being a mom?"

On this week's episode I interview an award-winning Broadway performer, choreographer, director, educator, and philanthropist, Stephanie Klemons (she/her). Growing up, Stephanie always knew she wanted to have kids. However, until recently, having kids didn't always seem like an achievable dream for many queer people. This was due to the lack of representation we saw around us, the legislation that made it difficult for queer parents to have or adopt kids, and the fact that we are told kids who are raised by queer parents will end up "troubled" or "messed up." Stephanie says she recalls asking adults who were her age who had been raised by queer parents if they were "okay." This, due to all of the lies we as queer people are fed from an oppressive religious hierarchy. However, that didn't stop her from pursuing this dream and eventually having, now, not one, but two kids. Stephanie talks about how it was important to raise her kids around other kids like them, hence raising them in a community with other same-sex parents. We also discuss her and her wife's process to get pregnant, the importance of kids seeing themselves in media, the proudest moments she has had as a parent, and much more.

Follow Stephanie:
Instagram
Website
Katie’s Art Project

Organization of the Week: Queer Art
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Donate

Resources for Further Learning:
Same Sex Parenting - Birth Certificate FAQ's
How expensive is it for Queer couples to have kids?

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"How are queer people shamed from expressing ourselves authentically?" "How do we rediscover our authentic voice and self?" "Is there ever a time where code-switching is good?" "How can finding community help us pursue our dreams?"

On this episode, I interview business coach and entrepreneur Jacob Ratliff (he/him). Through his business, Jacob aims to "work with committed entrepreneurs who want to create a positive impact on other people’s lives and on the world…who want to change lives and make money doing it." He also markets himself as a coach who specifically works with aspiring LGBTQ+ and allied entrepreneurs. Through the episode, we discuss Jacob's journey from being bullied in middle school for his more "effeminate" qualities and to feeling ashamed of his queer identity to being the proud queer person he is now. He hopes to inspire others to live their truth's, follow their dreams, and learn how to monetize them as well. Jacob shares how it was inspired by his mom who returned to medical school after undergrad and then raising two kids to take charge of his own career and start his own business. He also shares how initially he wasn't attracting the clientele that aligned with his morals. However, once he started identifying as a queer and queer specializing coach, he began to see a shift in not only the clients he began attracting but also himself and his own journey.

We also discuss:

• Code-switching: the positives and negatives about it
• The journey Queer people go on to rediscover our voices.
• The impact of colonialism on society, gender expression, the binary, sexuality
• How one's sexuality went from being something they did to being a part of their identity and the problem White, Christian society had with that.

...and much more.

Follow Jacob:
Website
Instagram
Facebook group for LGBTQ+ Coaches and Leaders

Organization of the Week: StartOut
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Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"What's the deal with Animal Crossing?" "Why do so many queer people love this game?" "What are some examples of queerness in gaming and animation?" "How has Animal Crossing helped us this past year?"

On this week's episode, we are talking about one of my favorite subjects, and something that truly came through over this past year: Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I'm joined by special guests Angie (she/her) and Luca (they/them) (Angie of Mokoto and Frankie of Lothorien in the game) of the LGBTQ+ Animal Crossing Facebook group. I chose to talk about Animal Crossing on the show because as I was exposed to it over the past year, I started to see the giant community it brought together. It allowed many of us any outlet to connect and socialize with each other during a type when we had to be physically distant. It allowed for a beautiful, virtual escape where we could create the island paradise of our dreams and express ourselves in ways we may not feel comfortable doing in real life. Through the episode, we discuss why this game has such a significant LGBTQIA+ following, how do we express our Queerness in the game, Queer icons from the game, and why we think everyone needs to get into this game.

Organization of the Week: Queer Cultural Center
Learn
Donate

Resources for Further Learning:
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Helps Queer Players Express Themselves
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has subtle nods to LGBT relationships

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón