Queer We Are

"Giving voice to the voiceless and covering those stories is incredibly important - there are people who have died doing that." - Miguel Marquez

Miguel Marquez is a CNN senior national correspondent that has worked in broadcast journalism for 25 years. He and Brad discuss covering difficult stories from around the world and if being gay has affected his career. He has covered many difficult stories such as the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, the Bahrain riots, and domestic clashes. Most recently, as a reporter, he documented the heartbreaking stories of the pandemic in hospitals in New York and Texas. Despite the challenges of reporting on such a chaotic and random enemy, Miguel Marquez shares the importance of allowing people to tell their stories and respecting their opinions even if he didn't agree with them.

You will learn:
1. Miguel Marquez's experience reporting on the pandemic in US hospitals
2. Objectivity versus subjectivity in reporting on protests against COVID-19 mandates
3. Coming out in the professional environment and the challenges it poses.

Follow Miguel on Twitter:  @miguelmarquez

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Join commedian ANT as Brad's guest and be inspired to get up and create change with kindness.

"It cost nothing to be kind. And I wasn't always kind. I got wrapped up in fame for a long time. I got wrapped up in money. I got wrapped up in the trappings. And I forgot the cardinal rule that my parents brought me up with, which is kindness is always important."

ANT is an internationally renowned comedian and actor, known for his appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Tyra Bank Show, and NBC's Last Comic Standing. He is passionate about using comedy to bring attention to different perspectives and to help people forget their pain.

ANT shares this story, and reflects on his journey as a comedian addiction, recovery, and how kindness is essential. He emphasizes the importance of laughter. He also encourages people to ask for help if they are struggling with depression or mental illness. In the end, he reminds everyone "It costs nothing to be kind."

In this episode, you will learn the following:
1. The Role of Comedy in Raising Awareness: Explore how comedy can be used to draw attention to difficult topics and how comedians take the "temperature of America".
2. Mental Illness in the Entertainment Industry: Investigate why depression and substance abuse are more common among entertainers, and how to foster a supportive environment.
3. The Power of Kindness: Uncover the importance of kindness and how it can help people overcome difficult times.

Follow ANT:
Twitter @antcomic
Instagram @theofficialant

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The founder of POZ Magazine Sean Strub chats with Brad about The Sero Project, whose mission is to end HIV criminalization and social injustice. Sean also discusses being mayor of a small Pennsylvania town in a conservative area despite years of LGBTQ & HIV activism. And he talks about the rocky, yet fun filled days of the 1970s sexual revolution followed by the AIDS crisis in the 80s and 90s.

The Sero Project Website:
seroproject.com

Sean's Website:
seanstrub.com

Milford, Pennsylvania Website:
milfordboro.org

Twitter: @theseroproject
Instagram: @theseroproject
Facebook: TheSeroProject
YouTube: TheSEROProject

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Rosie Wilby is an award-winning comedian, author and podcaster based in London. Her new book The Breakup Monologues is based on her acclaimed podcast of the same name and is published globally by Bloomsbury.

Rosie discusses with Brad why she gained a strong interest in the breakup process, her comedic career and why it was an easy transition from her earlier music career. Bias against the queer community, especially for lesbians, and much more. Of course, they discuss her novel The Breakup Monologues.

Multiple online options to choose from to buy The Breakup Monologues.
https://geni.us/TheBreakupMonologues

Link to view and purchase Rosie Wilby's book on Amazon
The Breakup Monologues on U.K. Amazon
The Breakup Monologues on U.S. Amazon

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Brian Sims was the first openly gay person elected to the Pennsylvania legislature and served for ten years. He discusses the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in achieving representation in politics and other fields, including the institutionalized marginalization of certain groups. We learn about the importance of young people growing up more authentically in themselves, the impact of empathy in government and the importance of standing firm in one's beliefs.

His story will make you feel optimistic as we see more lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and non-binary people elected to political office on both the local and national level.

Brian shares his experience of fighting for critical issues such as women's and reproductive rights, racial and ethnic justice, and LGBTQ+ equality. We hear how collaboration is important, but there are also times when standing firm and being unequivocal about one's identity and beliefs matters.

Another record for Brian Sims being the first and still only out NCAA team captain. You'll be inspired and find hope in how his team reacted to his news.

Brian is now Managing Director, Public Policy & Government Affairs with Out Leadership!
 

Follow Brian on
Instagram @briansimspa
Twitter @BrianSimsPa
facebook.com/brian.k.sims

Out Leadership website:
outleadership.com

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Husbands, Yuval David and Mark McDermott discuss with Brad the documentary Wonderfully Made - LGBTQ+R(eligion) which was directed by Emmy® winner Yuval and Mark executive produced. "Wonderfully Made" explores the challenges and aspirations of LGBTQ+ Catholics through art. The film is the first of a planned docu-series, which focuses on other faith traditions and LGBTQ+ identities.

You can find more links, and learn more about Yuval, Mark, and Wonderfully Made LGBTQ(R) on the podcast's website, including trailers. https://www.queerweare.com/episode/wonderfully-made

Film's website:
www.wonderfullymadefilm.com

Find Wonderfully Made on social media:
Instagram: @wonderfullymademovie
Twitter: @wonderful_made_
Facebook: WonderfullyMadeLGBTQReligion

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Cathy Renna Talks with Brad about her history of activism, including playing a central role in shaping nearly all major issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, from the beating death of Matthew Shepard in 1998 to the Fight for marriage equality. She also shares the progress we've made, efforts to end violence again trans people, and why voting for Donald Trump was a hate crime.

National LGBTQ Task Force Website
www.thetaskforce.org

Instagram  @cathyrenna   @thetaskforce

Twitter  @cathyrenna    @thetaskforce

TikTok  @cathyrenna

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Robyn Gigl is an attorney, author and activist who has been honored by the
ACLU-NJ and the NJ Pride Network. She and Brad discuss the Transgender Day of Remembrance which honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. They also discuss Robyn's experience transitioning while working as a prominent lawyer with a major firm, how people can support the transgender community, and her outstanding Erin McCabe Thrillers, featuring a criminal defense attorney who is a transgender woman.

Robyn Gigl's Website
robyngigl.com

Robyn's Amazon Author Page

Instagram   @robyngigl

Twitter  @robyngigl

Facebook
facebook.com/robyngigl

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-gigl-39b74816/

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Brian Ruby, a gay professional baseball player and country singer made headlines in 2021 when he publicly became the only out while active player. Bryan made a powerful statement that his identity as a gay man and his love for baseball can coexist. His actions are an example of how knowing someone in the LGBTQ+ community changes one's worldview and diminishes the "them versus us" mentality. He was vulnerable and had much to lose by taking the giant step publicly and you'll find hope and inspiration through his story.

Bryan also discusses the creation of Proud to Be in Baseball, a non-profit organization that supports LGBTQ+ athletes in baseball and creates a sense of community for them.

In addition, as a rising country music artist, Bryan Ruby won Season 7 of the talent-search competition Nashville Rising Song, and his first single, ‘Left Field’, was featured on The TODAY Show and added to rotation on SiriusXM Country Pride, as well as the Academy of Country Music's Ultimate Pride Playlist.

BryanRubyMusic.com
ProudToBeInBaseball.org

Instagram
@bryanrubyofficial     @proudtobeinbaseball

Twitter
@proudbaseball

Facebook
bryanrubyofficial     proudtobeinbaseball

Tik Tok
@bryanrubyofficial     @proudtobeinbaseball

YouTube
bryanrubyofficial

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Iconic drag queen, Miss Coco Peru, known for her ability to be bitter to bring laughter to others, covers her drag career, seeking her authentic self, and her hopes for the future. In addition, she and Brad reminisce about the movie Trick and discuss her new venture on Netflix's groundbreaking animated series Dead End Paranormal Park. Listen in on this entertaining and heartfelt conversation.

Where to find Coco:

Misscocoperu.com

Instagram @misscocoperu

Twitter @themisscocoperu

Facebook.com/miscocoperufans

Transcripts

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