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

Can love, courage, and authenticity really overcome a lifetime of pain?

In this deeply moving episode, Billie McBride O’Neel, a 62-year-old trans woman, lifelong figure skater, wife, and advocate, opens up about her extraordinary journey of resilience, identity, and Pride. From a difficult childhood to standing proud as a champion on and off the ice, Billie’s story reminds us that healing and happiness are possible, at any age.

Together, we explore what it means to live authentically, advocate with compassion, and embrace every part of who you are, scars and all.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. How Billie transformed trauma into triumph and found joy through her LGBTQ identity.
2. Why visibility and representation are vital for trans youth and their families.
3. How forgiveness, love, and purpose can guide us toward a life of Pride and peace.

Listen now to be inspired by Billie’s wisdom, strength, and her powerful reminder: “Love is the only thing that makes life valuable.”

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.

Veuillez noter : cet épisode est entièrement en français.

Please note: this episode is entirely in French. For the English version, please go to #16 where the interview segment has been translated into English using AI.

La créativité peut-elle vraiment aider à guérir les blessures du rejet et du silence ?

Dans cet épisode émouvant, l’artiste et écrivain Steeve Huet se confie sur son parcours, d’un passé douloureux marqué par l’abandon et l’homophobie, vers une vie ancrée dans l’acceptation de soi, la créativité et la fierté.

Né en Gaspésie, au Québec, Canada, Steeve partage comment il a appris à se reconstruire grâce à l’amour, la résilience et l’écriture, transformant le traumatisme en art et l’obscurité en beauté.

Son histoire nous rappelle que la guérison est possible et qu’être fidèle à soi-même est un véritable acte de courage.

Dans cet épisode, tu apprendras :

1. Comment l’écriture et la créativité peuvent devenir des outils puissants de guérison pour les personnes LGBTQ.
2. Pourquoi l’acceptation de soi est essentielle pour retrouver ta fierté et ton identité.
3. Comment trouver la beauté et la force même après des années de rejet et de silence.

Écoute maintenant pour te laisser inspirer par le parcours de Steeve, une histoire de résilience, de créativité et du pouvoir transformateur de vivre dans l’authenticité.

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.

Please note: This episode was originally recorded in French #17.

The interview segment has been translated into English using AI for a wider audience.

Can creativity really help heal the wounds of rejection and silence?

In this moving episode, artist and writer Steeve Huet opens up about his journey from a painful past marked by abandonment and homophobia to a life grounded in self-acceptance, creativity, and Pride.

Born in Gaspésie, Québec, Canada, Steeve shares how he learned to rebuild himself through love, resilience, and writing, transforming trauma into art and darkness into beauty.

His story reminds us that healing is possible and that being true to who you are is an act of courage.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How writing and creativity can become powerful tools for LGBTQ healing.
2. Why self-acceptance is essential for reclaiming your Pride and identity.
3. How to find beauty and strength even after years of rejection and silence.

Listen now to feel inspired by Steeve’s journey, a story of resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of living authentically.

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.

Have you ever questioned whether Pride still matters, or if your LGBTQ identity is truly seen, respected, and celebrated?

In this heartfelt episode, host Stef Vachon sits down with Ian Catindig, a Filipino-American performer, choreographer, and tech professional, to explore what it really means to live with authenticity. From growing up surrounded by racism and homophobia to finding healing through self-expression and forgiveness, Ian’s story reminds us why Pride is not just an event, it’s an act of courage and self-love.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

1. How reclaiming your LGBTQ identity can lead to deeper self-acceptance and purpose.
2. The role forgiveness plays in healing from internalized shame and past trauma.
3. Why building community and visibility during Pride season can transform both personal and collective empowerment.

Listen now to reignite your sense of Pride, reconnect with your authentic self, and celebrate your LGBTQ identity with strength and love.

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 truly honor your identity, when the world around you tells you not to?

In this powerful episode of Together Moving Forward, host Stef Vachon welcomes Lanzz Trilène, a proud Black, queer, gender nonconforming parent and advocate who shares their transformative journey from Martinique to Montreal, Canada. Lanzz opens up about growing up in silence, breaking free from cultural expectations, and embracing a LGBTQ identity rooted in Pride, love, and resilience.

You’ll discover:

1. How Pride becomes a radical act of survival and self-respect for the LGBTQ community.
2. Why self-love isn’t about perfection, it’s about choosing yourself again and again.
3. The power of representation, visibility, and community in shaping identity and belonging.

Listen now to be inspired by Lanzz’s honesty, courage, and joy, and reignite your own sense of Pride, purpose, and LGBTQ identity.

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

The LGBT+ Family Coalition website: https://familleslgbt.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.

Have you ever wondered how much your LGBTQ identity has shaped your growth, or how Pride shows up in your everyday life beyond the parade?

In this heartfelt solo episode, host Stef Vachon kicks off Season 2 of the Together Moving Forward Podcast with a powerful reflection on everything Season 1 brought to life, the lessons, emotions, and healing moments shared by incredible LGBTQ guests around the world. Stef opens up about his personal journey of self-acceptance, the fear of being “identified,” and how creating this podcast became a key part of his own healing and pride.

In this special recap episode, you’ll discover:

1. How sharing LGBTQ stories helps heal collective shame and build authentic pride.
2. Why self-reflection and community are essential parts of identity and growth.
3. The truth about fear, visibility, and how we can all stand stronger together.

Listen now to reconnect with your own sense of Pride and Identity, and be inspired to keep growing, healing, and celebrating who you are as part of our LGBTQ community.

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.

The journey continues! New voices. Raw truths. Real connection.

In Season 02, join host Stef Vachon, your French-Canadian host based in Montréal, as we continue building a brave, loving and inclusive space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and its allies. This season, we go even deeper, exploring powerful personal stories, unspoken truths and moments of transformation.

From coming out to coming home to ourselves, our guests open their hearts to share the real, raw and beautiful parts of their journeys. No matter where you are in the world, you belong here, this podcast is for you.

Through open dialogue and courageous storytelling, we aim to empower, heal and unite, one conversation at a time. Because when we tell our stories, we remind others (and ourselves) that we are never alone.

Let’s keep moving forward together and see you all on Wednesday July 16!

SUBSCRIBE NOW and SHARE to uplift, empower and make a real difference in our community!

The more we unite, the stronger we become.

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.

What happens when the life you thought you couldn’t have becomes the one that defines your Pride and identity?

In this heartfelt season finale of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, host Stef Vachon welcomes Gary Sutherland, a proud gay father and advocate for minority rights. Gary opens up about coming out in the 1980s, a time when being gay often meant giving up the dream of parenthood. But as the world evolved, and as he did, Gary found not only family, but a renewed sense of purpose and LGBTQ identity through advocacy and love.

In this inspiring conversation, you’ll discover:

1. How embracing LGBTQ Pride can lead to unexpected paths of growth, including parenthood.
2. The vital role of self-acceptance and community support in building identity.
3. Why representation in family and advocacy spaces is essential for true equality.

Listen now to celebrate resilience, Pride, and the power of creating change through love, and be inspired to keep honoring your LGBTQ identity and moving forward together.

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

The LGBT+ Family Coalition website: https://familleslgbt.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.

Can a simple game of football become a revolution for gender equality and LGBTQ Pride?

In Buenos Aires, one powerful project is proving that it can.

In this inspiring bilingual episode, host Stef Vachon speaks with Vanesa López, founder of Salimos Jugando, an Argentinian organization using football to empower women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

Along with translator Maru, Vanesa shares how the organization is breaking stereotypes, creating inclusive spaces, and transforming the field into a place where identity, visibility, and Pride thrive.

In this heartfelt conversation, you’ll hear:

1. How Salimos Jugando began and what inspired Vanesa to take action.
2. The ways LGBTQ identity and Pride intersect with sport and community.
3. Why sports can be a global tool for education, visibility, and social transformation.

Listen now to discover how Salimos Jugando turns football into a movement of love, courage, and collective Pride.

Share this episode to support visibility for LGBTQ people in sports, and help inspire equality across every field, everywhere.

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

Salimos Jugando website: https://salimosjugandofutf.wixsite.com/salimosjugando

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 creativity could heal your heart and help you rediscover who you are?

In this heartfelt conversation, host Stef Vachon welcomes Alan Lessik, a Berlin-based novelist, Zen practitioner, figure skater, and LGBTQ activist, whose life story blends love, loss, and transformation.

Alan opens up about his personal journey: from navigating grief after the death of his partner to finding strength in mindfulness, art, and queer community.

With honesty and grace, he shares how writing, skating, and activism have become his pathways to healing, and how every challenge can be turned into a moment of awakening.

In this powerful and tender episode, you’ll discover:

1. How mindfulness and creativity can help transform pain into peace.
2. Why Pride and identity are ongoing journeys, not fixed destinations.
3. How queer visibility and storytelling connect us across borders and time.

Listen now and let Alan’s journey inspire you to embrace your truth and remind you that you have the power to create your own happiness, no matter where you are in life.

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

Alan Lessik’s website: https://alanlessik.com

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.