Together Moving Forward: Embrace Your LGBTQ Identity With Pride Through Self Love

What does true advocacy look like when lived every single day?

In this powerful episode of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, host Stef Vachon sits down with Maria Roman, a leading voice in trans rights and social services at the TransLatina Coalition in Los Angeles.

She shares her journey from survival to leadership, the challenges faced by the trans community today, and the transformative work her organization is doing to create equity and safety for all.

In this inspiring episode, you’ll discover:

1. How advocacy and compassion can drive social transformation in the LGBTQ community.
2. The real impact of organizations like the TransLatina Coalition on the lives of trans and gender-diverse people.
3. Why every voice, including yours, matters in building an inclusive world.

Listen now! This is more than a conversation; it’s a call to unite, uplift, and keep moving forward, together.

New episodes every Monday and Thursday morning, Eastern Time (ET).

The Translatina Coalition website: https://www.translatinacoalition.org

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you turn your pain, humor, and truth into power?

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, host Stef Vachon sits down with Ari Issac, a Toronto-based comedian, entrepreneur, and proud LGBTQ community member whose story will make you laugh, reflect, and feel deeply seen.

From childhood challenges and the loss of her father to navigating identity and building her own business, Ari’s journey is one of courage, creativity, and self-discovery.

In this uplifting conversation, you’ll discover:

1. How authenticity and laughter can become pathways to healing and connection.
2. What it really takes to launch a business rooted in passion and purpose.
3. The importance of community support and vulnerability in living your truth.

Listen now! This is more than an interview, it’s a reminder that growth, purpose, and Pride go hand in hand when we dare to live authentically.

New episodes every Monday and Thursday morning, Eastern Time (ET).

QE TRIVIA website: https://www.qetrivia.io

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if one LGBTQ event could change your life, your sense of belonging, and even your destiny?

In this unforgettable episode of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, host Stef Vachon relives the incredible story of how the Gay Games shaped his identity, his skating career, and his connection to the LGBTQ community, and reunites with someone very special from that journey.

Stef brings listeners back to New York 1994, where he competed in the first-ever same-sex figure skating event, a moment that became a defining milestone for queer visibility in sports.

He’s joined by Charles Sinek, his surprise skating partner who later went on to compete at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett from the Federation of Gay Games, who shares the mission, inclusivity, and cultural impact behind this global celebration of equality.

Together, they reflect on the Games’ powerful message: that everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, or ability, deserves to belong, compete, and be seen.

In this powerful and emotional conversation, you’ll discover:

1. The inspiring history of the Gay Games and why they continue to matter today.
2. How one serendipitous partnership on the ice led to Olympic success, and lifelong friendship.
3. The future of the Gay Games and how they’re transforming inclusivity in sports worldwide.

You’ll also hear personal reflections from Stef about how the Games reignited his passion for skating, and saved his life.

Tune in now to celebrate resilience, visibility, and the unbreakable spirit of the LGBTQ community through sports, unity, and love.

Learn more about the Federation of Gay Games at gaygames.org and join the movement as we look ahead to Gay Games XII in Valencia, Spain (2026).

New episodes every Monday and Thursday morning, Eastern Time (ET).

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to find peace and pride when the world is watching your every move?

In this heartfelt episode of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, host Stef Vachon laces up on the ice with Olympic medalist and World Champion figure skater Eric Radford for an intimate conversation about authenticity, resilience, and living with purpose.

From skating on Olympic ice to composing music and embracing his identity publicly, Eric’s journey is one of courage and grace.

He opens up about the challenges of coming out while competing at the highest level, the misconceptions that come with success, and how self-love keeps him grounded, both as an athlete and as a human being.

In this inspiring and deeply human conversation, you’ll discover:

1. How Eric Radford redefined success through self-acceptance and authenticity.
2. The connection between creativity, emotional expression, and resilience.
3. Why pride, humility, and gratitude are the ultimate foundations for happiness.

Listen now! This episode reminds you that true worth is found in the courage to be yourself and in reconnecting with what truly matters: self-love, pride, and unity.

New episodes every Monday and Thursday morning, Eastern Time (ET).

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does courage and creating safe spaces for Queer Skaters look like?

In this heartfelt episode of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, host Stef Vachon reflects on facing fear, chasing dreams, and stepping into authenticity before welcoming a truly inspiring guest: Violet Lapointe, a trans woman, skateboarder, and community leader.

Violet shares her journey of resilience, from navigating housing insecurity to finding belonging and purpose within the queer skateboarding community. Through her story, she reveals how skateboarding became more than a sport, it became a lifeline, a form of expression, and a space to build visibility and acceptance for trans and queer youth.

In this powerful and uplifting conversation, you’ll discover:

1. How Violet turned personal struggle into leadership and community advocacy.
2. What it means to be authentically yourself in spaces that weren’t built for you, and how to change them.
3. Why resilience, courage, and love are at the heart of every inclusive movement.

This is an episode for anyone who’s ever felt out of place, and anyone who believes in the power of community to heal and empower.

Join Stef and Violet as they celebrate identity, courage, and the joy of being unapologetically yourself.

Listen now and be reminded: your existence is a gift to the world.

New episodes every Monday and Thursday morning, Eastern Time (ET).

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does Pride really mean beyond the parade?

In this empowering episode of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, host Stef Vachon welcomes Messy Margaret, a Toronto-based drag artist and producer who embodies LGBTQ identity, self-expression, and Pride in everything she does.

Messy Margaret opens up about her journey, from navigating childhood insecurities to discovering drag as a transformative space for healing and empowerment. For her, drag isn’t just performance; it’s a declaration of identity, visibility, and LGBTQ Pride.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

1. How drag helps shape LGBTQ identity and builds Pride year-round.
2. The importance of queer representation and community connection.
3. Why embracing your “messy” side can lead to self-acceptance and joy.

Listen now and join us for an honest, heartfelt, and joy-filled conversation that celebrates LGBTQ Pride and identity in its truest form.

Messy Margaret’s Website: messyproductionscanada.com

Instagram: @messymargaretqueen

New episodes every Monday and Thursday morning, Eastern Time (ET).

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does Pride look like when you’ve spent decades fighting for the right to be yourself?

In this heartfelt episode of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, host Stef Vachon sits down with Laura Moore, a 68-year-old lesbian trailblazer whose story celebrates LGBTQ identity, resilience, and Pride, on and off the ice.

From discovering her identity in a time of silence to becoming a visible force in figure skating and queer advocacy, Laura’s story reminds us what courage truly looks like.

She opens up about finding love with her lifelong partner, MaryAnn, embracing authenticity, and living out loud, at any age.

Laura also reflects on her years as a professor and artist, and how she used creativity and sport to push for inclusion and representation in the LGBTQ community.

In this inspiring conversation, you’ll discover:

1. Why there is no love without respect.
2. What Pride means after decades of fighting for equality and respect.
3. Why identity is a lifelong journey, not a one-time revelation.

Listen now! Her story is one of strength, self-love, and the enduring power of community.

If you’ve ever questioned your place, your path, or your purpose, Laura’s story will remind you: It’s never too late to live authentically and with Pride.

The International Gay Figure Skating Union: https://www.igfsu.org

Learn more about the Federation of Gay Games at gaygames.org and join the movement as we look ahead to Gay Games XII in Valencia, Spain (2026).

New episodes every Monday and Thursday morning, Eastern Time (ET).

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you embrace your LGBTQ identity when your cultural background tells you not to?

In this powerful episode of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, host Stef Vachon sits down with MinJun, a young skater who found his Pride and self-worth after coming out in a traditional Asian household.

From childhood challenges to discovering his voice, MinJun opens up about the struggles of balancing family expectations with authenticity.

He shares how figure skating became his safe space, helping him navigate identity, fear, and resilience.

Through raw honesty and reflection, he reveals what it means to live with Pride.

In this deeply moving conversation, you’ll learn:

1. How cultural expectations can shape, and challenge, LGBTQ identity.
2. Why Pride is an act of courage, not rebellion.
3. How love, mentorship, and community help heal old wounds and build confidence.

If you’ve ever felt torn between who you are and what others expect of you, this episode is your reminder: You are worthy, loved, and enough just as you are.

Listen now and celebrate LGBTQ Pride, Identity, and the beauty of living authentically!

MinJun Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/leeminjunnie/

New episodes every Monday and Thursday morning, Eastern Time (ET).

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you learn to love yourself after a lifetime of shame, trauma, and silence?

In this powerful first episode of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, host Stef Vachon, a proud queer man, father, and former professional figure skater, opens up about his personal journey of reclaiming his LGBTQ identity and rediscovering pride through healing, resilience, and community.

From surviving years of bullying and abuse to stepping back onto the ice at 55, Stef’s story is one of courage, transformation, and self-acceptance.

He shares how his return to figure skating and becoming a dad reignited his passion for life, and inspired him to create a safe space for the LGBTQ community  around the world.

In this deeply personal conversation, you’ll discover:

1. How Stef turned pain into purpose through storytelling and solidarity.
2. Why embracing LGBTQ identity and pride is an act of healing.
3. How self-love can transform your life, no matter your age or past.

Join Stef as he builds a global community of connection, compassion, and pride.

Listen now and celebrate LGBTQ Pride, and Identity!

Share this episode and help spread the message that solidarity beats hate.

New episodes every Monday and Thursday morning, Eastern Time (ET).

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Launching soon! April 09-2025

Welcome to the Together Moving Forward Podcast: Embrace Your 2SLGBTQIA+ Identity With Pride Through Self Love

No matter where you stand in the 2SLGBTQIA+ spectrum, we’re all connected and if you’ve ever struggled to fully love and respect yourself, you’re not alone and this podcast is here to help.

Together Moving Forward is a podcast helping 2SLGBTQIA+ people embrace self-love and self-respect, so you can celebrate yourself with pride. Hosted by Stef, a queer French-Canadian who’s walked his own path toward healing and acceptance, this show reminds you that you’re never alone in your journey.

You’ll hear real stories and conversations that leave you with practical tools, fresh perspectives, and the confidence to embrace who you are with pride. This podcast is dedicated to sharing stories of resilience, love, and self-acceptance, empowering each listener to embrace their true selves.

Together, we will foster understanding, celebrate our journeys with pride, and unite in the belief that everyone deserves respect and love.

Each week, you will discover:

1. Practical tools to build resilience and strengthen your self-love and identity.
2. Heartfelt reflections and affirmations that help you heal and celebrate who you are with pride.
3. Real, vulnerable stories from the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and nonbinary community.

Ultimately, we aim to connect with as many people as possible from all around the world, because at the end of the day, we are all equally human.

From shame, guilt, silence, and rejection to pride, freedom, healing, and love. Together Moving Forward.

Join our growing community and start your journey of self-acceptance today!

New episodes every Wednesday morning, Eastern Time (ET).

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.