Room For Us

Alyy Patel is back! This time to grace us with a live poetry reading from their new book, "Don't Tell My Parents: Queer Diasporic Truths". Alyy is a trailblazing LGBTQ+ scholar, activist, and creative and founder of the Queer South Asian Women's Network (QSAW). With the release of their first book of poems, you can add author to the list.

"Don't Tell My Parents" is an unflinchingly honest collection of poetry that follows the author's journey to self-love and self-acceptance as a queer South Asian daughter of Canadian immigrants who reject her sexuality. On this episode, Alyy reads a few of their favourite poems from the book, exploring the key themes of family rejection, lesbian relationships, emotional abuse, and discovering self-love.

Get your copy of Alyy's book here.

Follow Alyy on Instagram and TikTok.

Learn more about Alyy's work here.

We're kicking off a new season with SO. MANY. UPDATES! Sar is back from her trek through South Asia and Pers got herself a cat—and a girlfriend. Join us for this ultimate catch-up, where we explore P's first serious relationship with a woman, how they met, what she learned from her single life, and what she's looking forward to in the future. For anyone who has been listening to the show for a while, you know how big of a deal this is. Let's gossip, Girl on Girlies.

On today's episode, P sits down with her best friend of 21 years (WILD) Cailin Campbell to have the most vulnerable conversation. The two best friends talk about their childhood, growing up in a small town, and how they both navigated their sexuality as teens. Cailin openly identifies as pansexual and has been in a straight passing relationship with her boyfriend for nearly a decade. She dives into how she has struggled to fit in with the LGBTQIA+ community over the years since she got into a relationship at such a young age. However, Cailin has been able to grow and overcome those internal thoughts and is so grateful that she can be open with her partner about her pansexuality. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who identifies as queer but is in a happy and committed heterosexual relationship. Cailin says it many times throughout this episode but she wants everyone to know that your partner does not define your sexuality. If you want to send Cailin a message or keep up with her, you can follow this lil gemini babe below @cailincamps on Instagram.

YA'LL this episode is a special one. P talks to the one and only Lauren Abedini aka @iamkittens. KITTENS is a Persian lesbian DJ based out of Los Angeles. She sits down with P to talk about her experience coming out as a first-generation Iranian American, the first moment she realized she was into women, and how she kickstarted her career as a DJ in a male dominated industry. Her unique DJ sets and eclectic music taste had gained the interest of iconic artists like Kid Cudi, Usher, Skrillex, and A-Trak. Throughout her journey, she's had the opportunity to DJ at some of the world's largest stages like Coachella, EDC, and residencies in Vegas. Lastly, KITTENS talks about how important queer representation is in the media and how a queer playlist she started is what lead to the creation of SHE/HER/THEY, a podcast highlighting queer guests and their stories. Check out the links below to follow KITTENS and keep up with the latest podcast episodes for SHE/HER/THEY.

Instagram

TikTok

Twitter

Website

Alison Brie and Dave Franco ICYMI

Today, P brings on her sister and other half Marshneill to talk about allll the things. In this episode, you’ll get to hear M’s perspective on what it was like growing up in an Indian household while P was navigating her sexuality, their 8 year age gap and its impact on their relationship, how M had ZERO clue P was gay growing up and if she would have been able to pick up on more signs if there was more queer media representation, and her advice for new parents on how they can educate their children on the LGBTQ+ community.

*Spoiler* M is a new parent to baby Celle and a wants to ensure he grows up in a very open and progressive environment. Also, this lil babe has the key to Italy but we will save that story for another pod episode.

We really hope you enjoy this vulnerable conversation between M & P and have the chance to learn more about their relationship as sisters and their family dynamic.

While S is living it up in Thailand, P is riding solo to answer some listener Qs and maybe gush about Hello Fresh a lil (we promise this is not sponsored). In this episode, P gets real about not being fully over someone from her past and how she handles the unresolved feelings, how she felt growing up as a teenager with very minimal queer representation, what this generation of teens can do to find support, and why representation matters. Having LGBTQIA+ representation in books, tv shows, movies and any type of media you can consume is CRUCIAL. Let's never stop speaking out about this. Enjoy this candid episode!

PS: Miss you S.

On this week’s episode, we had the most inspiring conversation with Alexa Rose Vitale. Alexa is a queer actor/director/total boss. She started her career as a model and actor in Punjabi music videos. Soon she was writing and directing her own work, including a queer TV pilot about two girls navigating their sexuality in Vancouver.

Alexa tells us about the complex and frustrating process of shopping a pilot about queer characters—as a queer, feminine creator in a cis-male dominated industry. She navigated through so much pushback, ultimately reclaiming control of her work and standing up for her creative vision.

We're SO grateful to Alexa for this eye-opening conversation. Keep up with Alexa HERE and check out her not-for-profit clothing line Rosebud Apparel. With a firm belief in equitable access to the arts, Rosebud's mission is to provide funds for youth in the arts across Canada. Don't forget to subscribe so you can find out when the first collection drops!

OH HI FRIENDS! 👋🏽

On the very first episode of P's solo journey, we'd like you to meet our very good friend Ayaan Dalal. Ayaan is a Toronto-based South Asian Transgender man and the Director of Operations at The Queer South Asian Women's Network. P sits down with Ayaan to discuss his upbringing in an Indian household while navigating his identity and sexuality, his upcoming medical surgery, the lack of trans representation in the media, his TikTok series Brown Boy Beauty, and how we can all better support the trans community. 🏳️‍⚧️

We hope you enjoy this beautiful and honest conversation with Ayaan. Don't forget to drop a lil rating and review to give us your thoughts on the episode! It would help your girls out a ton.

Want to keep up with Ayaan? Check out these links below. ️

Instagram

TikTok

QSAW Network

It's our last episode of 2022 and your girls are in their feels. Let's talk about cuffing season: what it is, the pressure you might feel during it, and how to find your cuff (if you're looking for one). Plus, our thoughts on 2022 and a special announcement that will cause a *slight* change to the format of the podcast. But don't worry—it's only until next summer. Happy holidays and an even happier new year to our amazing, beautiful, brilliant, passionate, soul-searching listeners. Here's to another year of conversation, allyship, and queer joy. Love, S & P.