Rainbow Pridecast

Eric Marcus (author, journalist, and creator of the Making Gay History Podcast) joins us to talk about podcasting, LGBTQ+ history, his own personal struggles, and some of the books he's currently reading. *Content Warning - suicide and AIDS are discussed in this episode.

In Episode 27 Lesléa Newman shares her connection to Matthew Shepard and what compelled her to write his story in various forms of poetry for her book, October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard. A literary icon made famous by her frequently challenged picture book Heather Has Two Mommies, Lesléa takes the time to share her experience (including being mentored by Allen Ginsberg) and her advice. 

Storm Hogan shares stories and insights from his own personal journey. He doesn't shy away from sharing tough topics such as dropping out of high school, and struggling with depression and disability. However, he also shares his triumphs such as coming to terms with his own gender, transitioning, and making his way through college. He has found a love of history and now brings LGBTQ+ and disability awareness to the ability and cis/straight community through his work with the Human Library and educational workshops. 

American transgender rights advocate, Dr. Dana Beyer joins us on the Pridecast to discuss her advocacy work in the LGBTQ+ community, her research on endocrine disruptors, intersex and transgender findings, and her thoughts on the past, present, and future of the LGBTQ+ community. A very enlightening episode. If you'd like to learn more, visit our website www.rainbowpridecast.com and click on the Dr. Dana Beyer "learn more" link for a list of resources based on the topics she discusses on the Rainbow Pridecast. 

Olanrele Oni and Justin Fair team up to create a brand new nonprofit called Unmatched Athlete. Through this new organization they hope to eliminate barriers and misconceptions about sports and instead focus on team efforts, strengthening skills, and confidence building, in an environment that is accepting and welcoming to LGBTQ+ students and allies. Have a listen to learn more about their organization and how you can take part as a volunteer or participant. Visit www.unmatchedathlete.com for more information.

Joining Danielle and Uma on the Pridecast are founding members Zen Uzoma, Derek Lindsey, and Jill Franquelli of Queers for Black Lives. In June, they successfully held their first march followed by a celebration of Black lives and Black joy. Proceeds went to support Baltimore Safe Haven. Their second march for justice for Breonna Taylor is happening Saturday, September 19th. Have a listen and learn more about their mission and collaboration to bring together Queers for Black Lives.

Jey shares some of the inspirational projects they've seen in their time at Teaching Tolerance, what resources there are available for educators on tolerance.org, and shares how they have found the reflective practice of meditation.

Episode 21 features Matthew Molyett, District 1 Candidate for HCPSS Board of Education. We address some of Matthew's concerns for the current and future Board of Education as well as discuss his personal reasons for making sure LGBTQ+ awareness is a top priority should he become elected. We also discuss procedures for diversifying school media collections. 

In this episode, Adiba Jaigirdar talks about her debut young adult novel, The Henna Wars and shares about Bengali, Irish, and Brazilian language and culture, why including topics of cultural appropriation and racism were important to the book, and what her plans are for the future. Also, learn how you can take part in a future Pridecast!

In this episode we meet LGBTQ+ college students who have taken on leadership roles as 3 of the founding members of HoCo for Justice, a group of Howard County youth that joined together to mobilize and protest the wrongful deaths and mistreatment of Black men, women, and children in our country and to bring education and awareness to those who are ready to listen and take action. Their involvement in this first protest is just the beginning of what we will be seeing from this youth led organization in the future. Listen in and get inspired.