The Forbidden Apple: LGBTQ+ SPIRITUALITY

We delve into her personal experiences with coming out, going back into the closet, and ultimately finding self-acceptance. We also explore our journeys through arranged marriages within Muslim and Jewish communities, examining how these experiences shape our views on intimacy and desire. Together, we discuss the challenge of navigating our identities without traditional guidance and how we’re stepping into the role of becoming the elders we need for ourselves and others.

Tune in to hear how her role as a therapist and her work with clients shape her writing in Kissing Girls on Shabbat.

Learn more about Dr. Glass and her work at drsaraglass.com. Follow her on Instagram @drsaraglass.

In this episode of The Forbidden Apple Podcast, hosts Melissa Weisz and Zahra Ladak discuss navigating family and tradition as queer folks raised in religious homes. Though they come from different faiths—Zahra from a Muslim home and Melissa from a Chasidic Jewish home—their paths are very much aligned. They share how they've become each other's family and explore how to build a home that doesn’t look like the traditional home. 

Melissa Weisz, born and raised a Chasidic Jew welcomes new cohost Zahra Ladak, a Muslim born and raised in the US with deep East African/ Indian roots.  Throughout this season, Melissa and Zahra will discuss the parallels they've discovered in their lives. Expect engaging discussions on the complexities of navigating queerness and religious identity. From the meaning of home to the challenges of living between two worlds, we're here to spark thought-provoking conversations that challenge norms and broaden perspectives. 

In Part II of this Episode, Bishop Tolton talks about his mission of creating Interconnected Justice (ICJ)- a global racial justice movement in which the continent of Africa and its diaspora build an ecosystem of self-defined and determined advocacy.

Bishop Tolton works directly with leaders to build integrated justice movements connecting activists with civil society advocates, media professionals, academics, and political leaders.

Bishop Tolton opens our eyes to the “invisible” influences of the West that jeopardize LGBTQ rights in Africa.

You can contact Bishop Tolton and check out his mission here:

https://icjustice.org/

http://tfamglobal.org/

Bishop Joseph Tolton is a legendary global faith leader and the Founder and President of Interconnected Justice - a global racial justice movement in which the continent of Africa and its diaspora build an ecosystem of self-defined and determined advocacy.

Bishop Tolton shares the complexities of growing up in Harlem as a promising preacher kid with an inner conflict: feeling the devil had planted the seed of homosexuality as part of his spiritual journey.

Bishop Tolton opens about about his journey from going through exoricisms to try to rid himself of the "devil", to coming to a place of self acceptance and embracing his sexuality.   

You can contact Bishop Tolton and check out his mission here:

https://icjustice.org/

http://tfamglobal.org/

The inimitable Dr. Stella Nyanzi is a Ugandan queer feminist activist, human rights advocate, poet, medical anthropologist, and scholar of sexuality, family planning, and public health.

At the time of our recording, Stella speaks to us from Kenya where she is taking refuge due to the current regime in Uganda where she is unsafe as a very vocal opposition.

Stella shares with us about her work being a vocal activist. She talks about her time in prison and using her body and sexuality as a means of protest.

Listen till the end to hear Dr. Stella read a poem that she wrote while in prison.

Mary Muthui is a human rights activist from Kenya. She shares the stigma and violence she faced being noticeably queer, and what gave her the strength and courage to fight for herself and others.

Mary talks to us about the practice of corrective rape- which is unfortunately common practice against LGBTQ individuals specifically lesbians. Mary survived this sexual violence against her and is an outspoken activist trying to end this practice often putting herself at risk to help others.

Mary’s home is open 24/7 to victims of sexual violence and is often the first stop for those needing medical help, food, safety, and support. 

Listen to learn more about the lifesaving work she does singlehandedly. 

You can support Mary by donating here through Paypal:

[email protected]

Coréon Dú is an award-winning Angolan recording artist, creative director, designer, screenwriter and producer. 

Coréon shares how he started creating much-needed entertainment for folks his own age in Angola, and how he became a leading voice on the forefront of change with his revolutionary content.

We discuss the far-reaching impact his work has had on the representation of the LGBTQ community in Angola and beyond.

Listen to hear Coréon share how he incorporates his love of Africa into everything he does. 

Val Kalende is an activist and founding member of Uganda's LGBTQ MOVEMENT. Val helped launch Freedom and Roam Uganda-FARUG. She shares how taking the risk to be visible has paid off in advancing LGBTQ rights in Uganda.

Val opens up about her journey of going back into the closet after being a vocal LGBTQ activist to undergo conversion therapy.

Her journey is one of struggle and hope and finally coming to full acceptance of her queerness. 

Find Val on Fb @Val Kalende

To learn more about Val :

https://76crimes.com/2022/02/02/unchanged-a-lesbian-christians-journey-through-ex-gay-life/

Edafe Okporo is a global gay rights activist, the founder of Refuge America, and one of the most visible voices on the issue of displacement.

Edafe grew up in Nigeria where religion played an important role in his childhood.  Edafe shares how he was guided to pray the gay away and how he became a pentecostal pastor in this effort.  An interaction with an older closeted priest made him realize he was in for a life of suffering and needed to come out to live an authentic life.

Edafe talks about becoming an advocate and getting involved in LGBTQ organizations after losing many friends to AIDS due to homophobic laws and stigmas which prevent many from getting tested and treated.

Due to this work, Edafe was the victim of violence from anti- LGBTQ groups in Nigeria which resulted in him seeking asylum in the US to save his life. 

Edafe tells us more about the asylum seeking process and how and why he created Refuge America to help the many LGBTQ refugees who come to the US to live safely. 

He is the author of ASYLUM, A Memoir & Mainfesto, a poignant memoir and urgent call to action for immigration justice, out June 2022.

https://www.edafeokporo.com/book

https://www.refugeamerica.org/