Welcome to our summer interview series. This week Anna DeShawn is joined by Peggy Gillespie, co-founder & Director of Family Diversity Projects. She’s also a journalist and author who has released a new book titled “Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families”. The book is filled with 35 first-person accounts accompanied by beautiful imagery to challenge damaging myths and stereotypes about trans and nonbinary people. In addition to Peggy, I was joined by two people who contributed their stories to the book; Lana & Fresh. All four of us have such a beautiful conversation about why this book is so important right now. I really think you’re going to enjoy this conversation so stay close because after this quick break we’ll be back with Peggy, Lana & Fresh talking about Authentic Selves.

00:00 – Welcome to the Queer News podcast 

2:23 – Top queer news stories 

6:21 – Tap into the mental health services provided by the Cook County Department of Public Health, http://h2hucookcounty.com 

6:55 – Subscribe to Rebound Revolution, https://pod.link/reboundrev 

7:29 – Buy an Ad on the Queer News podcast, https://bit.ly/3ohYXAw 

8:01 – Intro Music by Aina Bre’Yon

8:37 – Meet Peggy Gillespie author of Authentic Selves

17:10 – Lana shares why this book is so monumental

22:31 – Fresh talks about coming out and why Prides are so important

28:24 – Anna’s Got a Word 

34:59 – Get your book today, https://www.familydiversityprojects.org/exhibits/portraits-of-trans-and-nonbinary-people-and-their-families 

41:22 – Anna’s Got a Word

42:33 – Outro

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Order Authentic Selves TODAY – https://www.familydiversityprojects.org/exhibits/portraits-of-trans-and-nonbinary-people-and-their-families 

Follow Lana: https://www.instagram.com/lanapatelxoxo 

Follow Fresh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freshlevwhite/

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More on the Summer Interview Series

The Queer News team is changing it up for the next couple of months so we have a little more time to enjoy the summer, our families, and rest. We hope you enjoy these conversations with some really wonderful queer folks doing good in the world. Those are the stories we want to amplify here on Queer News. 

During the interview series we won’t leave queer news stories on the sidelines either. Anna will provide brief commentary about the top one or two queer news stories happening that we should be following. Not full stories but know we are still closely following the queer news feeds. You can always follow Anna on social media to stay up to date. 

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Things for you to check out

Watch the Brandon Wolf Interview

The Qube Tour! Get your Tickets! 

Watch the Replay: UNAPOLOGETIC: Being Black and Queer in Podcasting

Listen & Subscribe to Rebound Revolution

Watch the full interview

Tre’vell Anderson talks Black Trans Life in TV & Film with Anna DeShawn

Order Tre’vell’s Book Today!

Queer News Pride Specials – Get You An Ad Today

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Listen to Black HIV in the South: How Did We Get Here?

Join the QCrew

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Listen to More Queer News

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The Blog Post by Chat GPT

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Transcript

Family, it’s your favorite queer radio personality Anna DeShawn and this is the Queer News summer interview series. Y’all already know I’ve been changing it up for the summer to take a little break from the research and script writing and avoid the dreaded podfade. As you also know we are not forgetting about our top queer news stories. I’ll be sharing a couple of stories you should know before we jump into the interview for the week. 

Before I get into this week’s episode I’ve got two things. First, I want to officially welcome all of our new listeners. I’m so glad you’re here and now that you are here if you are digging our intersectional take on the weekly, consider joining the QCrew.  The QCrew is our queer news community. 

I started it to help us grow the podcast. You’ll get weekly emails from me which include a recap of top stories and an uncut video from me on the latest happenings with me & queer news. With your monthly support, we can bring you more stories celebrating our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. We have 23 paid subscribers today. Thank you so much for your support. If you want to join these beautiful folks and be part of the QCrew click the link in the show notes today. 

Second, our tour update. Yes, Queer News is on our tour with The Qube. The Qube is your Black & Brown & Queer version of Spotify. Last week we were in Silver Spring, Maryland and it was a whole mood. We had 17 people show up and I only knew 3 of them. That’s what I’m looking to do. I’m looking to meet people and expand our reach. I’ve truly loved that each activation has been a bit different and I’m loving it. Next we head to Denver, Minneapolis, Atlanta and Baltimore. I’m still looking for sponsorship support and if you want to bring our podcast listening experience to your city let me know. There is a link in the show notes with all the details. 

Now for our quick glance at the top queer news stories for this week.  

Sinead O’Connor made her earthly transition this week. She’s of course known for her cover of the Prince song “Nothing Compares 2 U” but also for her beautiful eyes, shaved head done to defy record executives, and for her protest. She was always standing up for what was right and being inclusive as she did it. She lost her 17-year old son last year to suicide and reports say she was simply heartbroken. It feels like she passed from a broken heart. 

In politics, Michigan becomes the 22nd state in the country to ban conversation therapy. Why this isn’t a federal ban I don’t know but I’m glad to see Michigan on board. Governor Whitner said in a tweet, “As a mom of a member of the community and a proud, lifelong ally, I’m grateful that today we’re banning the horrific practice of conversion therapy in Michigan. In doing so, we are taking action to make Michigan a more welcoming, inclusive place.” Yes you are governor. 

In entertainment and culture, Barbie has been everywhere and I think I’ve seen enough pink for a lifetime. But not before out Chicago rapper Kidd Kenn gets in on the moment. In an history making moment, Kid Kenn has become the first male, openly gay rapper to have a doll in partnership with Target. The doll is a limited edition and of course he’s in pink too. Kenn said, “I just embrace my identity unapologetically, and I won’t shy away from it. By being true to who I am, I’m not only amplifying visibility for the LGBTQ+ community, but I’m also showing the world that we don’t need to fit into boxes to make it in this industry.” I love this for him and for us. Target getting some extra points for this one because they’ve been on shaky ground since pride. 

Family, now let’s get into the interview for this week. This week I’m joined by Peggy Gillespie, co-founder & Director of Family Diversity Projects. She’s also a journalist and author who has released a new book titled “Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families”. The book is filled with 35 first-person accounts accompanied by beautiful imagery to challenge damaging myths and stereotypes about trans and nonbinary people. In addition to Peggy, I was joined by two people who contributed their stories to the book; Lana & Fresh. All four of us have such a beautiful conversation about why this book is so important right now. I really think you’re going to enjoy this conversation so stay close because after this quick break we’ll be back with Peggy, Lana & Fresh talking about Authentic Selves. 

I hope y’all enjoyed the interview and I hope you’ll go out and get your copy today. A link to buy is in the show notes. 

Now, let us close out with a word. I think it’s only fitting to close out with the iconic lyrics from the Prince hit that skyrocketed her career. Nothing compares to you. I hope you know that. Only you can do what you’re called to do. No one else and the world is a better place when you’re doing what you’re called to do. Nothing compares to you and never forget it. Till next week, peace. 

Sources

All the ways queer icon Sinéad O’Connor proved she was a fearless LGBTQ+ ally

https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/07/27/sinead-oconnor-lgbtq-ally-irish-singer-dead/

Michigan bans use of conversion therapy on LGBTQ youths

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/michigan-bans-use-conversion-therapy-lgbtq-youth-rcna96521

Kidd Kenn Becomes 1st Rapper to Land Vinyl & Doll Set Target Deal, Announces Exclusive Gaye Giveaway

https://www.gayemagazine.com/post/kidd-kenn-becomes-1st-rapper-to-land-vinyl-doll-set-target-deal-announces-exclusive-gaye-giveaway

New Book! Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families joins Queer News