Hey everyone! In this episode, I’m excited to introduce two amazing storytellers and writers to the show, Jodie Anders and Eric Rosswood. This week we are discussing their collaboration writing Queer Cheer and why it was so important to them to represent the queer teen community. We discuss identity, book bans, and the difference that teens are making in the queer community. Jodie shares a “News Announcement” from their book Queer Cheer, about two teens who are on a mission to remove a book ban. Tune in for a great episode!  

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [2:02] Eric and Jodie introduce themselves and describe their work.  
• [3:18] Eric describes how he and Jodie came together on their project Queer Cheer.    
• [5:37] Why is representing queer teens important?  
• [8:32] What is causing book bans to be on an all time high? 
• [12:08] Does the uncertainty around being queer and identity change as they get older vs. being a teen?  
• [16:08] Jodie shares what the excerpt is that she will be reading. 
• [18:08] We hear a fictional piece from the book, Queer Cheer.  

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• There is nothing wrong with who you are as a person. You are loved, you are valuable, you are important.  
• By demonstrating differences in race, sexuality, gender identity and sexism, those who are working through their identity can find similarities with others, and realize that they are not alone.  
• It can be eye opening to look at your identity and how you behave around different types of people, from work to school to spending time with friends, seeing who you show up as can help determine who you truly are.  

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free or become a paid subscriber to watch the video version of this episode, to receive the ‘News Announcement’ from the book Queer Cheer, referred to in the fiction section of the podcast, and be eligible to receive other extras such as exclusive content from podcast guests, short stories, exclusive fiction and more! https://substack.com/@reenitahora  

 

Fiction Credits: 

Written by Jodie Anders & Eric Rosswood 

Read by Jodie Anders 

 

GUEST RESOURCES: 

Jodie Anders' Twitter  

Jodie Ander's Website  

Jodie Anders' LinkedIn   

Jodie Ander's Instagram  

Eric Rosswood's Facebook  

Eric Rosswood's Instagram   

Eric Rosswood's Website  

Queer Cheer Book Website  

Students Protecting Education 

HOST RESOURCES 

Website 

LinkedIn  

Tiktok  

Instagram  

Facebook  

Twitter (X)  

Substack  

Threads  

LinkTree  

BIO: 

Jodie is a multi-talented artist whose work spans the mediums of acting, writing, videography, editing, and graphic design. As a Jewish bisexual creator who struggled as a teen, Jodie focuses on celebrating diversity and promoting youth empowerment. She currently serves as the Publicity and Communications Director for the youth non-profit California Rainbow Girls, where she's spent over two decades mentoring and guiding teens in confidence and leadership skills. She is the co-author of Queer Cheer: Activities, Advice, and Affirmations for LGBTQ+ Teens and the producer of "Let's Talk about Leadership, Service and Sisterhood," a podcast by and for teens. 

Eric Rosswood is an author and commentator on LGBTQ+ issues including civil rights, parenting, marriage, and politics. He has led panels on LGBTQ+ parenting issues for organizations such as the Family Equality Council and the Modern Family Alliance. 

His bestselling book, Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood, won numerous awards including the best Parenting/Family/Relationships book in the IAN Book of the Year Awards, the best Parenting book in the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, and the best LGBTQ Non-Fiction book in the International Best Book Awards. His picture book, Strong, won the Stonewall Honor from the American Library Association. 

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