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Season 1 | Episode 1: Robert
Episode transcript available here.
In Episode 1 of Rainbow District, Beth talks to queer activist Robert Rigby Jr. Robert created and is the president of FCPS Pride, and founded what is now the Northern Virginia chapter of a national queer advocacy organization, GLSEN.
Robert grew up in Northwest Florida during the rise of Anita Bryant, a notorious anti-gay activist from the 1970’s who led the first organized opposition to the gay rights movement, the "Save Our Children" campaign. Robert fled to New Hampshire to attend Dartmouth College, where Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham hired a reporter to secretly record and publish tapes of him and other gay students discussing their sexual identities and experiences. For about twenty years, Robert tried to become straight, which included talk therapy, groups, and electroconvulsive (shock) therapy. Now, he has embraced his queer identity and become a fierce advocate for the queer community.
This episode contains brief mentions of a suicide attempt. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for immediate support.
More mental health resources:
My Safety Plan: create a safety plan to use when you're in crisis. Trevor Project: A suicide intervention and crisis prevention for LGBTQIA+ young people. Call 1-866-488-7386, text ‘START’ to 678-678, or click here for immediate support. Open Counseling: Find free and affordable therapy. MoodTools: Free app that provides six evidence-based tools to aid against clinical depression and negative moods. Calm Harm: Free app that helps you manage or resist the urge to self-harm.
If you want to be notified when new episodes of Rainbow District are released, click here to join the mailing list.
Learn more about Rainbow District, queer history, and community resources at rainbowdistrictpodcast.com.
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By Beth CogenEpisode transcript available here.
In Episode 1 of Rainbow District, Beth talks to queer activist Robert Rigby Jr. Robert created and is the president of FCPS Pride, and founded what is now the Northern Virginia chapter of a national queer advocacy organization, GLSEN.
Robert grew up in Northwest Florida during the rise of Anita Bryant, a notorious anti-gay activist from the 1970’s who led the first organized opposition to the gay rights movement, the "Save Our Children" campaign. Robert fled to New Hampshire to attend Dartmouth College, where Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham hired a reporter to secretly record and publish tapes of him and other gay students discussing their sexual identities and experiences. For about twenty years, Robert tried to become straight, which included talk therapy, groups, and electroconvulsive (shock) therapy. Now, he has embraced his queer identity and become a fierce advocate for the queer community.
This episode contains brief mentions of a suicide attempt. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for immediate support.
More mental health resources:
My Safety Plan: create a safety plan to use when you're in crisis. Trevor Project: A suicide intervention and crisis prevention for LGBTQIA+ young people. Call 1-866-488-7386, text ‘START’ to 678-678, or click here for immediate support. Open Counseling: Find free and affordable therapy. MoodTools: Free app that provides six evidence-based tools to aid against clinical depression and negative moods. Calm Harm: Free app that helps you manage or resist the urge to self-harm.
If you want to be notified when new episodes of Rainbow District are released, click here to join the mailing list.
Learn more about Rainbow District, queer history, and community resources at rainbowdistrictpodcast.com.