Tales of the 2SLGBTQ+

Cary Scott and Kelly Schwab  are the creators, directors and producers of ‘The TransCanada Project”.

The Trans Canada Project is in it's infancy. They are making plans to visit Trans-folk across Canada and share their stories of trials and hope. Their  mission is to tell the stories of Trans individuals across Canada, making  the transgender community more visible and relatable to both trans questioning people and those seeking to know them.

Website - https://transcanadaproject.ca/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGyW26yp0Rb0VTyZAPyuN6Q
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TransCanadaProject

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In his memoir, 'My Pursuit of Beauty: A Cosmetic Chemist Reveals The Glitz, The Glam and The Batsh*t Crazy', Vince Spinnato shares the inner workings of the multi-billion-dollar beauty industry with entertaining tales about creating beauty products for megastars like Michael Jordan, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Gwen Stefani, Damone Roberts, and scores more.

His modus operandi was to breeze into famous salons and announce that he would return in the morning to begin his internship. Once he felt he had both the expertise and the financial means, he founded TurnKey Beauty, Inc. specializing in the development of beauty and personal careproducts for celebrities under their own names, as well as brands for entrepreneurs and retail 
companies.

Spinnato has created more than 300 products for retail establishments like Banana Republic, Costco, Johnson & Johnson, Sephora, Victoria’s Secrets, Body Works and others. He recently launched a luxury skincare line, Caviar & Diamond, under his VS Vincenzo brand.

Website - https://vincespinnato.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vincespinnato/?hl=en
Vincenzo - https://vincenzoskincare.com/

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Having lost himself in the corporate world, Brad Shreve discovered the big office and prestigious title were great for the ego but were not great for living a life he found fulfilling. As a grownup he pondered what he wanted to do when he became a bigger grownup, and the answer was obvious. His fingertips have been on the keyboard ever since.  

Brad was thrilled when he discovered LGBTQ mysteries are a thing, and the list of authors who inspired him to write in the subgenre are too numerous to mention. In 2019, he published A Body in a Bathhouse, his first novel in the Mitch O'Reilly mystery series. He is also the host of Queer Writers of Crime, a weekly podcast featuring interviews with LGBTQ authors of mystery, suspense, and thriller fiction.  

Website - https://bradshreve.com/
Podcast - https://www.queerwritersofcrime.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bradshreveauthor/

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The viewpoint and journey of a Mother.  Vicki Finlay has two children who have come out and become part of our Rainbow community. She shares with us her thoughts of where she was when she first learned about this and where she is at now when it comes to her actions.  

The journey has not been easy at times. It was 'easier' when her daughter came out as gay as it always seemed there was something 'missing' when it came to knowing all about her daughter.  It was more difficult when her son came our as Transgender.  Self blame turned to self pity.

In this conversation, we look at all facets of a Mother's Journey and viewers will see themselves in Vicki and (hopefully) take away nuggets of knowledge that will help you as you move forward.

Pride NOT Prejudice.

Vicki lives in Red Deer, Alberta and her business (Junktiques) has become a safe face for LGBTQ+ youth to for help or be open to who they are.

Central Alberta Pride - https://www.centralalbertapride.ca/
Transgender and non-Binary Aid Society - https://www.tanas.org/

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Cheyenne Mihko Kihêw is a 2 Spirit/Indigiqueer powerhouse who is part of the incredible E2S - Edmonton 2 Spirit Society.  She shares her personal story with us in what it means to be 2 Spirit and as an 'Inbetween'.  There is a resurgence within the 2 Spirit community; however, the fight to have their seat at the table faces many obstacles. They share what those obstacles are in this conversation.

When discussing the recent news in regards to Canada and the Residential School system that caused unimaginable pain to the Indigenous community, Cheyenne talks about 'being born into grief'.  The truth will take time to be told and it is on us to be available to listen and to be open to what needs to be heard.

In case you believe the conversation will be too heavy, there were 'technical difficulties' when Douglas' cat decided that a camera was not needed for the interview.  A huge thank you to Cheyenne for your understanding when Bruce (the cat) decided to bring the conversation to a close (in his own way).  :)  The video has been somewhat edited to remove this happening; however, there are mentionings of it at the end.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/edmonton2spiritsociety
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/edmonton_2_spirit_society/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/e2s_2

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Nancy Shadlock is the CEO and founder of Centered life coaching and the host of The Coming Out Chronicles podcast.  "When Nancy finally discovered that she didn’t have to divorce her spirituality to embrace her sexuality she started creating the life she’s always dreamed of." (from her bio)

In this discussion, we talk about what it means to be a Coming Out Coach as well as her life being brought up in a religious household who spent time on a Missionary in Kenya.  Can religion play an important part in the life of someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community?

Nancy found the love of her life soon after coming out and they married. What happens when both of you give birth to a baby within a month of each other? Nancy tells us about this experience!

For more information about Nancy, please check out the following sites. 
https://www.facebook.com/CenteredLife...
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyshad...
https://www.instagram.com/nancyshadlock/

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It has been a 3 week Pride celebration with the love story of Pam and Karen Hofmann.  60 years of knowing each other.  53 years of marriage.  20 years since Karen has been her authentic self. 

In episodes 1 and 2, Karen and Pam spoke individually about their life together.  Considering they met in Grade 10 and Grade 9 ... there was very little time in life before they became entwined forever.  Please check out the previous episodes in this series as it provides a lot of context to the greatest love story that has never been put down on paper.

Today in the very first LIVE episode of 'Tales of the LGBTQ+', Karen and Pam join me to answer followup questions stemming from their previous interviews as well as the feedback they have recieved.

Love is Love!

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Part 2 of a three part series celebrating Pride and how we as a community can (and will) overcome obstacles.  Please watch the interview titled, 'Karen Hofmann - The Route Taken to Achieve Authenticity' before watching this interview (if you can).  That interview can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAwtp... 

Pam Hofmann met a cute boy in grade 9 while in a Debate club on the day of JFK's assassination. It was an instant match. Soul Mates.  Soon her life becomes entwined with this other soul and they became married in 1968.  They have been married for 53 years.

However, this is not a simple story.  The boy she fell in love with was really Karen inside. Pam details their story and the steps that were taken up to and including the time Karen fully transitioned in the early 2000s.  Pam was a rock in the relationship and she speaks openly about the trials and tribulations.  

Both Pam and Karen are now in a place filled with love and surrounded by the love of family.  Blood family and Chosen family.  The two of them together are love personified. 

Part 3 will have Karen and Pam together to continue the telling of what I believe is the Greatest Love Story Ever.  (June 24th, 2021).

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Karen Hofmann shares her story of perseverance, heart and strength on this very special episode of 'Tales of the LGBTQ+'.

Karen's story is told here in Part 1 of 3 episodes that will be released this Pride Month detailing the story of Karen and her wife Pam's journey navigating the world around them. A journey made more difficult due to Karen having to deal (at an early age) the realization that she was born in a body that did not fit with who she really is.  

Having met her future wife in early High School, Karen knew she had met her soul mate but the road ahead would not be an easy one.  At the date of this Podcast release, Karen and Pam have been married for 53 years.  20 of those years, Karen has finally been able to be her true authentic self.  

Part 2 will be released June 17th, 2021 which will be Pam's story
Part 3 will have Karen and Pam together to continue the telling of what I believe is the Greatest Love Story Ever.  (June 24th, 2021). 

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When people apply for a new job, they present a resume. For Rob Browatzke, it is a ‘gay-sume’.

Since coming out in the 1990s, Rob has worked at a variety of gay-owned establishments. From starting work at pubs, bars and bathhouses to today where he is co-owner of Evolution WonderLounge in Edmonton, Alberta.  

He has been a magazine writer and owner and later this year he will publish his 10th book. What's to come with Dan and Mitch?

Today on 'Tales of the LGBTQ+' join me as I chat with Rob about his life, his thoughts and how he went from an everyday homosexual to a professional one.

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