Garrett and Rebecca's Show

State legislators these days seem to be losing their minds over the gender classification of their fellow citizens. Why? What is the deeper reason they seem hell bent to terrorize transgender citizens and why are legislators so afraid of self-identification?  Our guest Paisley Currah offers insight. In the new book SEX IS AS SEX DOES: Governing Transgender Identity (NYU Press; May 2022), Paisley explains how transgender people struggle to navigate a confusing and contradictory web of legal rules, definitions, and classifications. Paisley shows how government agencies have been far less interested in adhering to a universal idea about what sex is—biological assignment at birth, self-understood gender identity, and so on—than in what sex does for that agency's mission. Officials in prisons, for example, often define sex differently than do officials in the Department of Motor Vehicles, even when those officials work in the same jurisdiction of a single city or state. Today we discuss gender ideology and its core beginnings, issues and effects if it is not understood and managed appropriately.   Paisley is Professor of Political Science and Women’s & Gender Studies at Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. An award-winning author, he is the founding co-editor of the journal Transgender Studies Quarterly and the co-editor of Transgender Right and Corpus: An Interdisciplinary Reader on Bodies and Knowledge.    With co-host Brody Levesque

23 Juni 20221h

Signed by them at 14, Kendrick met resistance from his record label after posting a photo with his then-boyfriend on his social media. He was determined to live authentically, without guilt or shame, however. The record label finally dropped him after he refused to ignore his relationship or sexuality. In his early 20s, he took hold of his mental health issues, and in that process, lost 150 pounds (he has gained back about 35 pounds since). He now deals with and speaks out on body positivity he has acquired during his weight loss journey. During the pandemic, Kendrick grew his Tik Tok followers to 145,000 and used the platform to showcase humor, his incredible singing voice, and his message on accepting one's body.   With co-host Brody Levesque

16 Juni 20221h

Bryan Ruby is a barrier buster. Unlike most heroic LGBTQ activists, who strive to be visible with in a previous "straights only" environment, Bryan is breaking through in TWO previously LGBTQ-unfriendly fronts. He is both the first professional baseball player in any pro-baseball league to come out, AND he is a brilliant country music songwriter singer. He has been featured across mainstream press for his voice in baseball, and he is featured in the documentary "Coming Home" still in production. Today, his debut country single LEFT FIELD launches-- and we will be playing it on air for you! As a songwriter, Bryan has penned songs that have appeared on the Texas Country Top 50 chart and the iTunes Country Top 25 (#16), and songs he has written have been featured on both Huffington Post and People Magazine. As an artist, he won Season 7 of the talent-search competition Nashville Rising Song. Bryan has shown dedication in helping others still accepting themselves. As part of that mission, he founded his first-of-its kind charity, Proud To Be In Baseball, which supports and encourages LGBTQ+ youth in the sport.

9 Juni 20221h

Beverly Hills may have had Real Housewives for years, but it has never had a Pride event. Before Now! On June 2, the first ever Beverly Hills Pride Night takes place! We talk to the man behind this landmark celebration, Benjamin Johnson, Manager of the Arts & Culture Division, Beverly Hills Community Services Department. Beverly Hills Pride consists of three main events: a Pride lighting of City Hall, a live entertainment event on Pride Night June 2 at 7pm, and Pride at Gerystone Mansion and Theater June 8, which will feature a one-night only event by SORORITY Salon celebrating the rich history of Beverly Hills and 1920s art salons. The City of Beverly Hills’ inaugural Pride celebration is part of the City’s Embrace & Celebrate Culture Initiative. Core to spirit of Beverly Hills first Pride is the recognition of the city's identtiy, as they describe it, that they are "home to many important LGBTQIA+ citizens since the City’s early days including prominent artists, celebrities, activists, authors, choreographers, composers, actors and allies." With co-host Brody Levesque.

2 Juni 202259min

Before the start of the current academic year, Minnesota statewide LGBTQ+ rights organization Out Front Minnesota presented to the  Becker School District Board, addressing concerns that LGBTQ+ students had raised regarding equity, equality and inclusion within the district’s schools. Some anti-LGBTQ community members demanded "equal time" and the Board invited the Minnesota Child Protection League (MCPL) , which is listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group, to present the “other side”. The presentation by the MCPL was filled with disproven propaganda, offensive, and not relevant to the school environment. The room was filled with pro-LGBTQ students and adults and drew constant protests as the audience was increasingly offended.  Now the MCPLeague is creating a witch hunt going after teachers who did not discourage students from attending and protesting at the meeting. Staff in all the district’s public schools will be required to turn over a trove of documents related to that event, The Los Angeles Blade has reported . The mandatory request was filed by Chris Klippen, a local attorney who addressed the School Board on March 14 ahead of the representative from MNCPL, echoing many of the group’s lies about LGBTQ+ people and objections to measures designed to protect the community’s youth.. Today we talk to Erin Dearing, a junior at Becker High School and an active Gay Straight Student Alliance participant there, and to Chris Kane of the Los Angeles Blade who is covering the story. With co-host Brody Levesque

19 Maj 20221h

Julia is back with a new album!

12 Maj 20221h

ACT UP was a landmark organization that took LGBTQ rights activism to a new level of in-your-face activism. Do we need to return to that kind of strategy abainst the new wave of homo- and trans-phobia? We talk to author Ron Goldberg today to get his input. We will be discussing the history of ACT UP New York and his upcoming book Boy With The Bullhorn . Boy With The Bullhorn:A Memoir and History of ACT UP New York is Goldberg’s immersive and chronological history of the New York chapter of ACT UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, and a memoir of his coming of age during the darkest years of the AIDS epidemic, told with great energy and surprising humor with an intimate look into ACT UP’s structure, processes, tactics and strategies. The book provides lessons and insights for new generations of activists, highlighting key demonstrations and lesser-known actions as the group successfully battles politicians, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, religious leaders, the media, and an often-uncaring public to change the course of the AIDS epidemic. Ron is a writer and activist. His articles have appeared in OutWeekand POZ magazines, Central Park, and The Visual AIDS Blog. Ron served as a research associate for filmmaker and journalist David France on his award-winning book, How to Survive a Plague, and enjoys speaking at high schools and colleges about the history of AIDS and the lessons and legacy of ACT UP.  With Co-host Brody Levesque

28 Apr 20221h

Young LGBTQ people are finding themselves on the street with nowhere to go, and usually through no fault of their own.  Today we talk to an advocate and activist who is taking on the challenge head on by finding young people homes in her own community. Our special guest is Valerie Arno, Case Manager/LGBTQ Home Host Recruiter of the Bill Wilson Center in Santa Cruz County, California. Homeless youth usuually end up homeless through no fault of their own. Common causes can include aging out of the fostercare system, rejection due to gender identity/sexual orientation and more. These youth are often forced to sleep in the woods, on sidewalks, and in vehicles. We will be discussing these and other LGBTQ homelessness issues, and the Bill Wilson Center's initiative to relieve it.   With co-host Brody Levesque

21 Apr 202259min