In Episode 30 of Queer Storytime, Stevie sits down with Valentina “Vale” Mendoza — a Chicana trans woman, former Wall Street transactional attorney, founder of MeVale, P.C., and a 2026 grassroots congressional candidate running in New Jersey’s 7th District. With a bold platform rooted in economic, racial, and social justice, Vale represents a new generation of political leadership: unapologetically queer, deeply community-grounded, and unwilling to compromise people’s humanity for political convenience.

Stevie opens the episode with a grounding invitation — a reminder to breathe, to reset, and to reconnect with our bodies in a moment when the nation is gripped by fear, fascism, and political instability. From there, this conversation moves between the personal and the political with intention: Vale speaks candidly about growing up the daughter of working-class immigrants, navigating transition, overcoming corporate disillusionment, and finding her purpose through survival, recovery, and community.

Together, Stevie and Vale unpack major questions facing the country today:

• What does liberation actually mean — spiritually, politically, and materially?
• 
  
• Is the U.S. Constitution a living document meant to evolve?
• 
  
• How do we move people out of fight-or-flight long enough to talk about policy?
• 
  
• Where has the Democratic Party abandoned its values — and why is performative allyship a threat?
• 
  
• Why is democratic socialism resonating with new generations of voters?
• 
  
• How can economic, racial, and social justice be pursued as interconnected goals?
• 
  
• What qualifications should be required for elected office?
• 
  
• What does genuine representation look like for queer, trans, disabled, working-class, and immigrant communities?
• 
  

Vale brings forward a vision for systemic change: worker empowerment, class consciousness, dismantling billionaire influence, addressing disability inequities, and building economic systems that honor human dignity rather than extract from it. She also offers sharp reflections on the political center drifting rightward — and why rhetoric from so-called allies harms vulnerable communities as much as overt hate.

As the episode moves into its reflective closing, Vale and Stevie explore purpose, identity, joy, community, and the spiritual dimensions of political work. Vale shares a message for queer and trans youth, a warning for legislators targeting LGBTQ+ lives, and a truth many of us know intimately: trans people become experts at transformation because our survival demands it.

This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating despair in today’s political climate — and for those seeking grounded, intersectional, justice-driven leadership directly from the communities most impacted.

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨  Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

#QueerStorytime #TransInPolitics #VoteValli #QueerLiberation #TransRightsAreHumanRights #DemocraticSocialism #QueerPodcast #LGBTQPolitics #TransVoices #ChicanaPride #SocialJusticeNow #ProtectTransKids #AbolishFascism #GrassrootsPower #QueerLeadership #EconomicJustice #RacialJustice #ClassConsciousness

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Welcome, dolls, gays, & theys; thank you for tuning in to Queer Story Time. In this episode, Stevie sits down with Dakarai Larriett, a proud son of Alabama, entrepreneur, community volunteer, and U.S. Senate candidate whose campaign was born from a traumatic false arrest. Drawing from a lifetime of lived experience, growing up a Jehovah’s Witness, navigating body dysphoria as a teen with gynecomastia, and building a career before returning home. Dakarai shares how his journey through faith, shame, and resilience shaped his mission to fight for justice, healthcare, and dignity for marginalized communities.

Together, Stevie and Dakarai explore how personal harm transforms into political action. Dakarai recounts the racial and homophobic profiling that led to his arrest and how that experience inspired his Motorist Bill of Rights, calling for greater transparency, access to bodycam footage, and fair policing. The conversation also dives into Alabama’s pressing issues from rural hospital closures and maternal health disparities to education, economic opportunity, and voter suppression, all through the lens of lived experience.

This episode blends intimate truth-telling with bold policy vision, asking what it truly takes to represent people who’ve been pushed to the margins, and how compassion, courage, and representation can change the system from within.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Dakarai’s childhood in Alabama and faith journey away from Jehovah’s Witnesses toward a welcoming UMC community.
• The physical and emotional impact of gynecomastia and why body-related shame matters to public health conversations.
• The false arrest: dashcam/bodycam evidence, dehumanizing language by officers, and the broken accountability system.
• Why Dakarai turned trauma into activism and a Senate run, and what justice means to him.
• Concrete policy proposals: Motorist Bill of Rights, healthcare access (Medicare/Medicaid expansion), maternal health, education investment, and voter access.
• A candid conversation about representation, the politics of the South, and how to build coalitions that protect the most vulnerable.

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨  Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

#QueerStorytime #DakaraiLarriett #LGBTQPolitics #CriminalJusticeReform #MotoristBillOfRights #AlabamaPolitics #PoliceAccountability #TransRights #HealthcareJustice #VoteForChange

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In this powerful and deeply moving episode, I’m joined by Renee Thibeau, a devoted mother, passionate advocate, and fierce ally to the transgender community. Renee is the proud mom of three incredible children: her oldest, a 25-year-old cisgender daughter; her 17-year-old son, who is autistic and full of love and light; and her courageous transgender daughter — the reason she has stepped so fully into public advocacy.

Renee’s journey began when her ten-year-old child shared that she was a girl living in a boy’s body and, heartbreakingly, had contemplated ending her own life. Faced with this reality, Renee chose love, acceptance, and action. By affirming her daughter’s truth, advocating for her well-being, and surrounding her with support, Renee helped transform despair into hope and fear into thriving.

Now, Renee speaks out publicly to share their story — not for recognition, but because she knows the stakes. Every child deserves to be seen and accepted for who they truly are, and every parent has the power to save a life with love. Through her writing, speaking, and tireless advocacy, Renee proves that empathy and understanding are life-saving acts, and that true success is measured not by accolades but by the lives we protect.

Together, we dive deep into:

• The myths and false narratives fueling anti-trans rhetoric in politics and religion
• Renee’s personal journey as a parent and the unconditional love that guided her through her daughter’s transition
• Stories of support, including her late Aunt Sylvia—a nun whose unwavering affirmation reminds us of the true meaning of faith
• The dangerous hypocrisy of lawmakers who legislate against the LGBTQ+ community while hiding their own truths
• How complacency and societal blind spots have contributed to the rise of harmful cultural narratives
• Why hormone therapy is reversible, but suicide is not — a stark reality we cannot ignore
• What it means to raise trans kids with joy, love, and dignity, while preparing them for futures full of hope

Renee shares her heart, her advocacy, and her unapologetic truth, reminding us that being an ally isn’t passive — it’s about showing up, speaking out, and protecting the most vulnerable among us.

This is a deeply moving, fiery, and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss.

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Correction: I misspoke at the end, I meant to say that I have congressional *candidates* running in the 2026 campaign joining us here on QST this Fall 2025. Stay tuned!

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome back to Queer Story Time The Podcast where we honor the lived experiences, wisdom, and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals across generations. I’m your host, Stevie, and today’s episode features a very special guest: Wendy Cole (she/her), a 77-year-old transgender woman whose life and voice are a beacon for so many in our community—especially those navigating transition later in life.

Wendy is a transition mentor, public speaker, podcast host, and truth-teller whose work is rooted in compassion, candor, and fierce advocacy. After beginning her transition in her late 60s, Wendy has made it her mission to support and guide other trans people through their own journeys—offering not only practical tools and emotional accountability, but also the kind of lived wisdom that only comes from doing the hard work of becoming your full self.

Wendy co-hosts Demystifying The Transgender Journey Podcast and is a visible presence across social media and public speaking platforms, using her voice to humanize trans experiences, challenge harmful narratives, and affirm that authenticity has no expiration date. Whether she’s speaking to a room full of allies, mentoring one-on-one, or pushing back against legislative attacks, Wendy’s message is clear: we’ve always been here, and we are not going back into hiding.

💬 In This Episode:

• What it’s like to begin your transition in your late 60s—and why it’s never too late
• Wendy’s radical message to lawmakers and anti-trans legislation: “You can’t legislate us out of existence”
• Why trans youth need support, mentorship, and guidance—not fear
• How conditional love from family shapes our journey—and what real love requires
• Humanizing trans experiences: why everyday conversation creates change
• Wendy’s unapologetic take on transition, sexuality, dating, and self-acceptance
• Hormone therapy, blockers, and the double standard for cisgender vs. trans people
• Why “being afraid” is not the problem—but being uncommitted is
• How Wendy went from stuck to fully transitioned in six months
• A vision for the future: TV, dating, public speaking—and whatever comes next

Wendy’s Links: 

• WendyColeGTM.Net 
• Demystifying The Transgender Journey Podcast

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨  Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this deeply moving Pride Month episode of Queer Storytime, we center community voices and the power of storytelling to uplift, reflect, and affirm our shared humanity. Host Stevie, shares five personal messages from queer and trans individuals, and their loved ones. Highlighting the resilience, growth, and connection that define our community.

 

🌈 Featuring messages from:

• Alex – A trans parent of a trans child, sharing a powerful reminder that self-reflection is the most anti-oppressive thing we can do.
• Jackson – A trans man celebrating six years of living as himself, offering a heartfelt message of love and strength for queer and trans youth.
• Jana – A Christian parent whose journey from rejection to unconditional love for her trans son is both sobering and inspiring.
• And more voices affirming that you are not alone.

 

💬 This episode explores:

• Why inward reflection is essential in the fight against oppression
• The deep need for community support—especially for queer and trans youth
• Stories of transformation, survival, and the power of chosen family
• How allies and parents can show up with love and growth

💖 “If there’s one thing we know to be true—not only presently, but historically—it’s this: We take care of our own.”

 

✨ Resources Mentioned:

• Listen to Jackson’s full story in Episode 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1muXT9ORP4c (Feb 2024)
• Listen to Jana’s full story in Episode 9:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at6ttAS5th0 (May 2024)

• Read the essay: What I Know to Be True as a Queer and Trans Podcast Host (linked in the episode description)
• Mutual Aid: Apply for care or support the cause via the Rainbow Care Fund 2025

 

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Support the Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Read the original blog post at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

🌟 Happy Pride, everyone. May this episode remind you that you are seen, you are held, and you are deeply loved.

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy Pride to all the dolls, gays, theys, and beyond! We’re celebrating two major milestones in this episode: Pride 2025 coincides with our 25th episode! Host Stevie Inghram takes the mic solo in this heartfelt reflection, offering eight profound truths learned from over a year of powerful conversations with queer and trans guests from around the world.

Based on a widely loved blog post from her new site www.futuredrstevie.com, this episode explores the resilience, wisdom, and beauty within the LGBTQIA+ community and the healing power of storytelling, science, and chosen family.

From our century old fight for survival and the impact of white supremacy on queer existence to the truth that not all queer people can - or should - come out, Stevie’s words are an invitation to deepen our understanding, reframe pride, and commit to a shared vision of healing and liberation.

✨ Key themes include:

• Why queer and trans people simply want to grow old in peace
• The myth that politicians can erase our existence
• How community transforms trauma
• What respect actually looks like
• The importance of allowing queer folks to choose not to come out
• Why your own inner work supports the liberation of others
• The universal possibility of embodying your true self at any age

💖 Plus, two exciting announcements:

1. The launch of a FREE monthly online QST Community Connection group (open to all, including allies!)
2. The debut of the Rainbow Care Fund by Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective—a new initiative providing holistic, affirming care for LGBTQIA+ folks through a mutual aid model - https://givebutter.com/rainbowcarefund

Join us for this powerful solo episode that celebrates resistance, joy, healing, and collective care because Pride is about so much more than rainbows.

🎉 Whether you’re out and proud, quietly surviving, or somewhere in between, you belong here in the Queer Story Time Community!

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Support the Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Read the original blog post at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🚨 Content Warning: This episode discusses conversion therapy, religious trauma, and anti-LGBTQ+ practices. Listener discretion is advised.

Beautiful queer & trans fam, thank you for your patience with the release of this episode! Join me for this deeply important episode where we hear from a powerful voice who is a queer survivor, activist, and scholar. Today’s guest, Dr. Lucas Wilson (he/him), shares his experience escaping the grips of evangelical “ex-gay” conversion therapy and his ongoing mission to expose how religion — especially the New Christian Right — harms LGBTQ+ folks.

About Today’s Guest

Dr Lucas Wilson is a Canadian academic, author, and proud survivor of a secretive conversion therapy program at Liberty University. He’s now a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto–Mississauga and an outspoken advocate who brings scholarly activism to the conversation around evangelicalism, queerness, and systemic discrimination. His work shines a light on the many harms inflicted on sexual and gender minorities by religious extremism and works to give voice to those lived experiences — all while fighting back through both academic and creative avenues.

What We Talk About

• Lucas’s journey from evangelical faith to living authentically as a gay man
• His complicated feelings around spirituality, identity, and self-acceptance
• The role of evangelicalism in shaping anti-LGBTQ+ prejudice and discrimination
• The pain, trauma, and erasure experienced by queer folks in religious communities
• The importance of exposing conversion therapy and extremist religious politics
• Advice for queer and trans youth on confidence, community, and self-love
• A call to lawmakers and society to stop legislating against queer and trans lives
• Lucas’s upcoming projects highlighting queer experiences in Christian higher education

Key Takeaways

• Identity is complex; for Lucas, “Jesus” once defined him, but now he finds peace without needing to replace that spirituality.
• Evangelicalism can breed rigid, harmful thinking, but breaking free allows authentic living and greater joy.
• Queerness offers freedom from societal “scripts” — an invitation to create your own path.
• Conversion therapy and anti-LGBTQ+ laws inflict real harm, and those responsible should be held accountable.
• Confidence paired with empathy and community can be life-saving for queer and trans youth.
• Scholarly activism is a powerful tool to expose and dismantle oppressive systems from within.

Guest Links/Resources for Dr. Lucas:

• Instagram: @lukeslamdunkwilson
• BlueSky: @lukeslamdunkwilson
• Threads: @lukeslamdunkwilson
• Twitter: @Wilson_fw
• LinkedIn: Lucas Wilson
• Facebook: Luke Wilson
• Submit Your Story: Lucas is collecting stories of queer experiences from Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries for his next project. Reach out to him via social media if you want to share.

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this powerful episode of Queer Storytime, we dive deep into the urgent and historical topic of mutual aid within the LGBTQIA+ community. From the Stonewall era to the HIV/AIDS crisis and today’s escalating attacks on gender and sexually affirming health care, mutual aid has been a lifeline for queer and trans folks.

Stevie lays out the distinction between charity and solidarity, highlighting why institutional approaches often fall short. As mainstream LGBTQIA+ organizations amass wealth, the most vulnerable in our community — Black and Brown trans folks, unhoused queer youth, disabled queer individuals, and those living under oppressive legal systems — are left behind.

This episode announces a groundbreaking new initiative: A Mutual Aid Collective for LGBTQIA+ Health & Wellbeing. This network will provide access to holistic health resources, guidance, and sliding-scale services for queer and trans individuals, especially those living in states where affirming healthcare is under attack.

Listen now to learn about our community’s resilience, why we need to reclaim the true spirit of mutual aid, and how you can support this collective effort. Remember, our survival is the ultimate act of resistance.

Key Topics Covered:

• The historical precedent of mutual aid within the LGBTQIA+ community.
• The distinction between charity and solidarity.
• Criticism of mainstream LGBTQIA+ organizations hoarding wealth.
• Introduction of the Mutual Aid Collective for LGBTQIA+ Health & Wellbeing.
• How listeners can support or access this new initiative.
• Calls for community-based, nonhierarchical, direct aid over bureaucratic charity models.

✨ Get Involved: If you’re in a position to contribute financially, share skills, or simply spread the word, support the Mutual Aid Collective by visiting here - https://givebutter.com/rainbowcarefund

💖 Need Support? If you are queer or trans and need holistic health services, don’t hesitate to reach out. This initiative is designed for you. 

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🧠 How does trauma impact the LGBTQ+ community?

🕉️ What role does Indian spirituality play in acceptance?

🌍 How can we create a more inclusive and compassionate world?

In this powerful episode of Queer Story Time, Host Stevie sits down with Dr. Aninda Sidhana, MD a renowned psychiatrist, LGBTQ+ advocate, and expert in gender, trauma, and mental health. With years of experience working with marginalized communities, Dr. Sidhana is at the forefront of creating safe spaces, combating stigma, and counseling families throughout their child’s coming out process. 

Meet Dr. Aninda Sidhana

🔹 Expert in LGBTQ+ mental health, gender identity, and trauma recovery

🔹 Advocate for gender & sexual equality and human rights on a global scale

🔹 Researcher on the intersection of spirituality, psychotherapy & mental health

🔹 Passionate about ending gender-based violence & creating inclusive policies

🔹 Developing programs to support LGBTQ+ individuals & mental health initiatives

Dr. Sidhana brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to mental health, integrating modern psychiatry with ancient wisdom from Indian spiritual traditions, including yoga, mindfulness, and the Bhagavad Gita. In this conversation, she shares insights from their research and real-world experience in counseling queer and trans individuals through their journeys of healing, self-acceptance, and resilience.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How chronic marginalization creates complex PTSD in queer and trans individuals

✅ The history of gender and sexuality in Indian philosophy & why it matters today

✅ Why yoga is an ancient form of psychotherapy that can help heal trauma

✅ How lawmakers and policymakers can (and should) do better for LGBTQ+ rights

✅ The power of storytelling & community in breaking stigma

✅ The importance of self-love, journaling, and mindfulness in healing

💡 "One negative comment can take someone back into a spiral of trauma. Healing starts with safe spaces, education, and self-acceptance." – Dr. Aninda Sidhana

Resources & Mentions:

📖 Studies on yoga, mental health & trauma recovery (shared by Dr. Aninda Sidhana)

🕉️ Insights from Bhagavad Gita & Indian spiritual texts on gender & identity

💜 How mindfulness & journaling help LGBTQ+ people process their experiences

🏥 The role of hospitals & mental health institutions in LGBTQ+ support

🌍 Why safe spaces in schools, workplaces, and communities are essential

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🚨 Content Warning: This episode discusses conversion therapy, religious trauma, and anti-LGBTQ+ practices. Listener discretion is advised.

In this explosive episode of Queer Story Time, host Stevie sits down with Matt Ashcroft (Matt Ash TV on YouTube) and Wayne Besen (Truth Wins Out), two fierce advocates exposing the pseudoscience and deep harm behind conversion therapy.

This episode doesn’t hold back as Matt and Wayne reveal:

• 🔍 Jayson Graves’ harmful practices and connections to the ex-gay movement
• Matt and Wayne share their firsthand experiences, discuss the global resurgence of ex-gay ministries, and reveal the dangerous influence of right-wing megachurches and authoritarian governments in fueling anti-LGBTQ+ movements.
• They also call out major organizations like The Trevor Project for their questionable role in advocacy and funding, and break down how conversion therapy groups continue to rebrand and infiltrate mainstream society.

If you've ever wondered about the real dangers of conversion therapy, the financial power behind anti-LGBTQ+ movements, or how to fight back and protect queer youth, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.

Topics Covered in This Episode

✔️ The hidden power structures keeping conversion therapy alive

✔️ How wealthy megachurches and right-wing governments fund anti-LGBTQ+ movements

✔️ The false hope & emotional manipulation used by ex-gay ministries

✔️ Why conversion therapy is a fraudulent, harmful practice that never works

✔️ How survivors can reclaim their identity, power, and truth

✔️ The global expansion of conversion therapy, from Hungary to Russia

✔️ What YOU can do to expose, fight, and end these harmful practices

👉 Tune in now and join the fight against conversion therapy!

Key Quotes from This Episode

• 🗣️ "Conversion therapy is built on a house of cards—of lies. It didn’t work in 1998, and it won’t work in 2025." – Wayne Besen
• 🗣️ "The love bombing you’re experiencing is fake. The moment you start being yourself, they will abandon you." – Matt Ashcroft
• 🗣️ "Survivors, we need your voice. The only way we win this is through education, not silence." – Stevie

Where to Find Our Guests

• 📌 Matt Ashcroft (Survivor, Advocate, Content Creator)
• 📺 YouTube: Matt Ash TV
• 📌 Wayne Besen (Founder of Truth Wins Out, LGBTQ+ Advocate)
• 🌎 Website: Truth Wins Out

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Trans On The Road In The Deep South

🚨Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of sensitive topics including sexual abuse, especially between time stamps 13:30-19:00. Listener discretion is advised.

In this heartfelt episode of Queer Story Time, we’re joined by Terence, a 71-year-old trans man, to explore what activism can look like at different stages of life. Terence shares his unique perspective on creating "safe harbors" for others and the role this plays in fostering community and healing. His story is a reminder that activism isn’t limited to marching in the streets—it can take many forms, all equally valid and impactful.

We also dive into the importance of mindfulness, yoga, and other inward practices that allow us to break down societal norms and assumptions around gender and sexuality. By committing to personal growth, we can create positive change both within ourselves and in the world.

Highlights of this episode include:

• Terence’s reflections on activism and why providing a safe space is his way of contributing.
• The need for all of us to do inward work to challenge societal expectations and heal from harmful norms.
• A discussion on the evolving nature of activism and holding space for queer and trans elders who’ve already fought many battles.
• A preview of upcoming episodes that will continue exploring conversion therapy and queer & trans healing.

Announcements:

• Come get a FREE copy of “Your Complete Checklist to Achieving Optimal Health as an LGBTQIA+ Person” by joining the QST Newsletter/Mailing List 
• Subscribe to the Queer Story Time YouTube channel for the new QST Reacts series, featuring Stevie’s take on LGBTQIA+ topics in short, impactful videos.

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🚨 Content Warning: This episode discusses conversion therapy and anti-LGBTQ+ practices. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of Queer Story Time, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil and HH Prince DeAndre, Duke of Hanumanteshwar, share their personal journeys as passionate advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. 

They discuss their struggles with conversion therapy, the fight for marriage equality in India, and the creation of an LGBTQ+ community campus to support and empower our community. They both offer powerful insights into the harm of conversion practices and emphasize the need for change in both medical and legal systems. 

They also highlight the ongoing progress in understanding gender and sexuality, and how their work through retreats, activism, and community-building helps queer and trans youth find their voice and power.

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, the Crown Prince of Rajpipla, hails from the 650-year-old Gohil Dynasty and made history as the first Indian royal to publicly come out as gay. A global icon in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, Prince Manvendra is the chairperson and co-founder of Lakshya Trust, which serves to empower the LGBTQ+ community in India. 

He has been featured on platforms such as Oprah Winfrey and Keeping Up with the Kardashians. A passionate advocate for HIV awareness, he serves as the Brand Ambassador for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation India Cares. Currently, Prince Manvendra is spearheading the development of an LGBTQIA+ community campus in India, a revolutionary project aimed at social and financial empowerment for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Joining him is HH Prince DeAndre, the Duke of Hanumanteshwar. An esteemed author and LGBTQ+ activist, Prince DeAndre is the Creative Director of H1927LLC, blending fashion with philanthropy through the "Fashion for a Cause" initiative. 

He co-authored the memoir A Royal Commitment: Ten Years of Marriage and Activism with Prince Manvendra, documenting their powerful journey of love and advocacy. Prince DeAndre's leadership in wellness is evident through his exclusive retreats, which merge yoga, cultural experiences, and direct engagement with royalty. 

His personal story of resilience, especially as he navigates life with Spondyloarthritis and hidden disabilities, serves as an inspiring reminder of the strength found in transformation and activism.

Together, Prince Manvendra and Prince DeAndre continue to break boundaries and advocate for equality, sharing their insights and experiences in this inspiring episode.

Key Topics Covered: 

• The lasting impacts of conversion therapy and the ongoing fight for marriage equality in India

• Advocacy work and the creation of an LGBTQ+ community campus in India

• Stories of strength, resilience, and the importance of living authentically

• How societal pressures and religious beliefs influence family dynamics and harm LGBTQ+ individuals

• The role of spiritual practices like yoga in healing and self-discovery for the LGBTQ+ community

• The intersection of personal and political journeys: fighting for rights while living authentically

• Activism in both the U.S. and India, and how the two worlds intersect

Special Mentions:

A new line of gender-fluid swimsuits and underwear

Upcoming yoga retreats and spiritual gatherings that focus on queer wellness

The importance of listening to queer and trans elders for wisdom and guidance

Guest Info: Our guests include activists and creators of significant change within the LGBTQ+ community. Stay connected with them on social media:

Instagram:

@princemanvendragohil

@duke.hanumanteshwar

@haumanteshwar1927tm

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this deeply heartfelt and insightful episode, we sit down with Dr. Lulu a queer Nigerian-born pediatrician, former Lt. Col. in the U.S. Air Force, and a mom of a transgender daughter. Her mission centers on youth suicide prevention, particularly among Black gender-diverse youth, and she offers gender-affirming coaching through her practice, Dr. Lulu’s PRIDE Corner. 

Recognized for her advocacy, she has received multiple awards, including the 2021 San Antonio LGBT Chamber Youth Advocate of the Year and the Atlanta Trans Life Award’s Pioneer of the Year. 

In this conversation we explore themes of radical self-love, parenting queer & trans children, and the interconnectedness of community in supporting gender and sexually expansive individuals. Dr. Lulu shares her personal journey, the inspiration behind her work, and actionable insights for parents, educators, and allies alike.

Dr. Lulu emphasizes why the future is queer and why inward work is essential to building a more inclusive and affirming world. From asking, "What if my child is queer?" to the transformative power of radical self-belief, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to expand their understanding and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Key Highlights:

• Dr. Lulu's journey to radical self-love and acceptance.
• The importance of unlearning biases and relearning acceptance.
• Addressing societal fears around queerness: "What if my child is queer?"
• The significance of creating affirming spaces for queer/trans youth.
• The power of the village: collective responsibility in raising and saving children.
• Dr. Lulu’s work with her nonprofit, Lulu’s Angels Haven Inc, providing safe spaces for Black queer youth.
• Insights for parents and allies on building supportive environments.
• Dr. Lulu’s upcoming books and ongoing advocacy work.

Where to Find Dr. Lulu:

• Website: www.dr-lulu.com
• Instagram: @themomatrician
• Facebook: Dr. Lulu Angels Haven
• Nonprofit: Dr. Lulu's Angels Haven Inc.
• Podcast: Moms 4 Trans Kids

📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate all queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to Episode 17 of Queer Storytime! In this deeply moving and enlightening episode, we sit down with the incredible Jemarc Axinto (They/Them) a trauma-informed recovery coach, award-winning consultant, and devoted advocate for queer and trans healing. Together, we explore the profound journeys of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of community in the gender and sexually expansive world. Here’s what you can expect:

Highlights from the Episode:

1. Jemarc’s Journey to Self-Discovery

• Jemarc reflects on what they would tell their younger self about identity: “You’re gay. It’s okay. You don’t have to be perfect. You’re allowed to make mistakes and have difficult emotions.”
• Their touching realization of how societal and personal pressures shaped their journey and the lessons they’ve embraced about self-compassion and non-attachment.

2. Queer Gatekeeping and Harm Within the Community

• Jemarc addresses a critical issue: the harm caused by queer gatekeeping. They share a vulnerable experience of being turned away by their own community, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and healing from internalized heteronormativity.

3. Healing Through a Decolonial Lens

• To Filipino queer and trans youth, Jemarc offers powerful advice rooted in decolonization: “Queerness is innate. Shame tied to colonization is not your responsibility to bear.” They beautifully highlight indigenous traditions that celebrated gender and sexual diversity.

4. What Lawmakers Need to Hear

• In a heartfelt call to global lawmakers targeting the queer and trans community, Jemarc says: “Go to therapy. Heal your trauma. Address why you feel unsafe in yourself and your position. The harm you cause others reflects your unhealed wounds.”

5. Advice for Queer and Trans Youth

• Jemarc reminds queer and trans youth, as well as adults, that self-identity is a journey: “It’s okay to change your mind. Gender and sexuality are fluid. Be gentle with yourself.”

6. Grounding in the Body

• On connection and presence, Jemarc discusses their struggles with technology addiction and the power of grounding through the breath: “You can’t breathe in the past or future. When I’m breathing, I’m here now.”

Jemarc’s Current Projects:

• Consultation and Coaching: Working toward a sustainable balance to make their services more accessible.
• Upcoming Book: I Am My Own Safe Space: Transforming the World Through Trauma Healing (self-publishing soon!).
• YouTube Channel: Teaching wellness through the lens of pop culture. Episodes like “What Star Wars Teaches About Accepting Death” are in the works. Sign up for updates at: jmarkxsanto.com/spiritual-geek-and-newsletter.

Additional Resources:

• Jemarc’s Website: https://www.jemarcaxinto.com/
• Follow Jemarc on Instagram: @Jemarcaxinto
• Connect on LinkedIn: Jemarc Axinto

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode Summary

In this transformative episode of Queer Story Time, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Mojisola Edu, a healer, advocate, and practitioner devoted to creating safe spaces for trauma survivors & marginalized communities. Together, we unpack the intersections of identity, adversity, and healing—exploring how trauma impacts our bodies and the liberatory power of holistic health practices for queer and trans people.

Dr. Mojisola shares her personal journey and the lessons she's learned in creating spaces where others can thrive, while I reflect on my own path, from growing up in a conservative religious environment to finding liberation through yoga, Buddhism, and body-centered therapies.

We dive deep into the importance of community, self-parenting, and tools for cultivating safety in the body, especially for those of us navigating a world rife with discrimination. This episode is packed with insights, compassion, and actionable advice for anyone seeking healing and connection.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The power of listening to and trusting your intuition, especially as a young queer or trans person.
• How to find and create chosen family when biological family isn't a source of support.
• Why music, dance, and art are universal languages of connection and healing.
• The importance of addressing trauma holistically—through both therapy and body-centered practices like yoga, mindfulness, and Ayurveda.
• The science of the nervous system: understanding the parasympathetic "rest, digest, and heal" response versus the chronic stress of the sympathetic "fight, flight, or freeze" mode.
• Practical ways to move toward safety, healing, and embodiment in your daily life.
• How marginalization and systemic discrimination impact queer and trans bodies—and how to begin reclaiming them.

About Dr. Mojisola Idu

Dr. Mojisola Edu is a dedicated advocate for marginalized communities, bringing her expertise in holistic health and intersectionality to her work. With a background in public health, social justice, and healing arts, she offers unique insights into the complexities of healing from trauma while navigating identity and systemic oppression.

Find her online:

• Instagram: @LoveEnergyServices
• Website: www.loveenergyservices.com
• Phone: (240) 468-2571

Resources Mentioned

• Yoga therapy and its role in healing trauma.
• The importance of the parasympathetic nervous system in reducing stress and promoting healing.
• Ayurvedic practices like Abhyanga massage and hydrotherapy.
• Eastern philosophies (Buddhism and yoga) as non-dogmatic paths for liberation from suffering.

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Self-care is more than a buzzword - it’s a revolutionary act. In episode 15 of Queer Story Time we discuss how healing ourselves individually not only transforms our own lives but also strengthens the collective fight for change and transformation globally. Whether you're a healer, teacher, or advocate, you’ll find practical tools to sustain your activism and nourish your well-being. We explore the deep connection between self-care, activism, and community building for queer and trans equity, liberation, and justice. Inspired by leaders like Audre Lorde, Angela Davis, Bell Hooks, and Grace Lee Boggs.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why self-care is vital for sustaining activism.
• The wisdom of Audre Lorde, Angela Davis, Bell Hooks, and Grace Lee Boggs.
• Practices to process emotions, release pain, and connect inwardly, including yoga, meditation, forest bathing, and the Dutch art of "Niksen" (doing nothing).
• Foundational health habits to feel happier, healthier, and more whole.

Takeaway Message:

Caring for yourself is integral to showing up fully in the fight for justice. By healing yourself, you contribute to the healing of our entire community and world at large.

Work with Me:

Feeling stuck in your healing journey? As a yoga & ayurvedic therapist, Buddhist teacher, and soon-to-be naturopathic physician, I offer holistic health coaching to help you thrive.

🌟 Schedule a free 30-minute consultation: Click here

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of Queer Story Time, Stevie is joined by podcast hosts Robin and Chris for a heartfelt exploration of coming out as queer later in life. They delve into the transformative power of self-acceptance and discuss the significance of individual connections and compassionate conversations, particularly with those who may struggle to understand queer and trans issues.

Robin came out at 54 and has since dedicated her work to supporting others in similar situations. Her podcast, COMING OUT LATE, is among the top 1.5% globally, and her private Facebook group boasts over 5,300 members. Robin also runs three weekly support groups, offers 1-on-1 coaching, facilitates in-person retreats, and is preparing to write a guidebook on coming out late for lesbians.

Chris is a 500-hour certified Yoga Teacher and is soon set to become a Certified Yoga Therapist. With a deep commitment to Yoga and recovery, Chris shares their knowledge and tools from Yoga, Ayurveda, and recovery to aid others on their healing journeys.

Tune in for a powerful conversation on embracing oneself, building connections, and fostering understanding within our communities.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Personal Growth and Sobriety: Chris and Robin delve into their recovery journeys, focusing on emotional sobriety and the importance of self-reflection, acceptance, and turning over their will to a higher power.
• Creating Understanding: Chris shares a recent experience helping a woman understand her niece's pronoun change, highlighting the impact of compassionate, one-on-one conversations.
• Grounding and Centering: The importance of being grounded and centered in oneself to navigate challenging conversations.
• Coming Out Later in Life: Conversations on how coming out later can be transformative and the importance of supportive spaces and allies. They share their experiences and insights on navigating this process with others who are in similar situations.
• Grief and Loss: Chris and Robin discuss their personal experiences with grief and loss, including how these experiences have shaped their journey and their work in supporting others.
• Support for Queer and Trans Youth: Tips for queer and trans youth on finding trusted allies and building support systems.
• Global Connections: The role of technology in creating safe spaces for queer and trans individuals globally.
• Future Plans: Upcoming retreats, pop-up events, and collaborations to support the queer community.

Upcoming Events with Chris and Robin:

• Retreats: Portland, Michigan, and Provincetown.
• Support Groups: Messy Middle Monday, Gender Expansive Support Group, and Not Straight Support Group.

Connect with Chris and Robin:

• Robin: comingoutlater@gmail.com
• Chris: cmbml17@gmail.com

Closing Remarks: Sincere gratitude to Chris and Robin for sharing their wisdom and experiences. Stay healthy, vibrant, queer, and well. Join us next time for more inspiring conversations and a special announcement.

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of Queer Story Time, host Stevie interviews Ben Greene (he/him), an international public speaker, transgender man, and author of the book "My Child is Trans, Now What?". As a passionate advocate for transgender youth, Ben strives to meet everyone with compassion, regardless of their starting point. Join us as Ben shares insights on the importance of unconditional parental support, the impact of societal expectations, and his ongoing advocacy work.

Key Points:

1. Parental Support: Ben emphasizes that children exploring their gender identity need unconditional love and support from their parents. Delaying support can lead to feelings of isolation and a desire to leave home as soon as possible.
2. Exploration: Allowing children to explore their gender identity without judgment is crucial. Exploration is a natural part of childhood and should not be restricted by rigid gender norms.
3. Gender Expectations: Parents often impose their own gender expectations on their children. Letting go of these expectations benefits all children, helping them develop into emotionally intelligent and confident adults.
4. Misconceptions: Ben discusses his own fears and misconceptions about hormone therapy, noting that societal narratives often distort the realities of transitioning.
5. Identity: It's important to recognize that trans individuals have multifaceted identities beyond their gender. Trans people lead diverse and fulfilling lives.
6. Advocacy: Ben addresses lawmakers, highlighting that anti-trans laws are unpopular and fail to address pressing societal issues. He urges them to consider the broader impact of their actions.
7. Support Networks: Queer and trans youth should find supportive networks and allies to help them navigate challenges and advocate on their behalf.
8. Storytelling: Sharing personal stories is a profound way to foster connection and understanding. Holding space for each other’s truths is essential.
9. Future Projects: Ben is working on a fantasy novel that explores the magic inherent in the trans experience, aiming to put more positive and diverse narratives into the world.

Connect with Ben:

Instagram: @pseudo.bro

TikTok: @pseudobro

Visit his website: www.bgtranstalks.com 

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of "Queer Story Time," Stevie interviews Alyy Patel, a queer South Asian gender-fluid individual, about their experiences and perspectives on identity, culture, and spirituality.

Key Points Discussed:

Navigating Dual Identities:

Alyy shares their journey of discovering and embracing both their queerness and South Asian identity, rejecting the idea that they must compromise one for the other.

Impact of Colonialism:

They discuss how colonialism influenced their family's perspectives on queerness, emphasizing that resistance to queerness in their community often stems from colonial history.

Spirituality and Queerness:

Alyy finds peace through spirituality, noting that their religion inherently includes queer elements.

Queer Community Visibility:

Alyy stresses the importance of queer South Asian visibility and encourages others to protect themselves while living authentically, even if it means living a double life.

Policy and Lawmakers:

Alyy criticizes lawmakers who create anti-queer legislation, urging them to use research and engage with queer communities to make informed decisions.

Coming Out Advice for Queer Youth:

Alyy advises queer and trans South Asian youth to prioritize safety and financial security, challenging the Western narrative that coming out is necessary for queer validity.

Future Aspirations:

Alyy hopes to continue advocating for queer South Asian visibility and to speak on larger platforms to share their message.

Connect with Alyy:

Instagram @alyypatel

Visit their website - www.alyypatel.com

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode Description:

Join us for the final Pride Month episode of 2024, commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. In this episode, we’ll explore Stonewall and significant moments in global queer and trans history.

Episode Highlights:

Historical Context:

Queer and trans identities have always existed, even if modern terminology did not.

 Institute of Sexual Research (Early 1900s):

Founded by Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld in Berlin, a haven for queer and trans research and clinical care.

 Nazi Suppression:

The destruction of the Institute of Sexual Research by the Nazis in 1933, burning 20,000 books important to queer/trans research & identity. 

World War II:

Queer military personnel found solidarity despite discrimination.

Conversion Therapy:

Establishment medicine wrongly pathologized homosexuality, leading to harmful conversion practices.

 Mattachine Society:

Early LGBTQ+ rights organization advocating for civil rights and dignity.

Stonewall Uprising:

Police raids at the Stonewall Inn led to the historic uprising on June 28, 1969.

Birth of Pride:

The first Pride parade was organized on June 28, 1970, marking the Stonewall anniversary.

Global Decriminalization:

Many countries decriminalized homosexuality in the 1960s and beyond, with ongoing struggles in Asia.

Conclusion: Honoring the contributions of those who fought for LGBTQ+ rights, we celebrate Pride as an ongoing fight for queer & trans equity, equality, and liberation.

🔗 QST Resources & Links:

• Support Queer Trans Thriving Mutual Aid Collective's 2025 Rainbow Care Fund on GiveButter
• Find QSTs Website Home at FutureDrStevie.com

 📣 Spread the Word, Leave A Review, & Follow QST: 

If this episode resonated with you, Stevie encourages you to share it widely! This will also help QST expand to an even bigger audience globally. We would also appreciate you leaving a written/star review to help us build our collective effort to liberate queer and trans people globally. 

✨ Join the QST Podcast Community & Get In-Touch:

Looking to see everything happening in our community? Come reach out, connect, and celebrate queer & trans joy together! You can find all QST resources here: https://beacons.ai/qstpodcast 

Host: Stevie Inghram, M.S., YT, AWC, NMS-4 (She/They)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy