Queering Community Health: Recent Episodes
Shift MN
We are a diverse group of young LGBTQIA+/Queer folk centered in Minnesota aiming to uplift and share some of the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+/Queer people in relation to health. We give space to our communities to tell their stories, we share accurate and trustworthy resources and information, and we work to connect young people to new communities. Our podcast is recorded in the Twin Cities on the traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of the Dakota and Anishinaabe/Ojibwe peoples.
Len has been doing photography since they were old enough to handle their mom's camera — and now they're branching out into freelancing, documentary, and maybe even some zine-making. We talked about building communities in new places and the power of media to connect people.
You can check out Len's photo documentary project here. She keeps her Instagram up to date with her current work and freelancing availability.
Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org.
This episode’s music is composed by Bennie, one of our youth interns.
This is also the last episode of this season of the SPNN podcast! We'll be back soon with more conversations. Thanks for tuning in for the last few months!
Earlier this winter, SPNN hosted a series of artist panels: this episode is the first in that series. For this panel, three early-career artists joined us to talk about their work so far and where they're going next. This panel is also available as a video.
Nia Navarro is a community organizer and emerging filmmaker, and they focus their work on queer, Black, and working class stories. Kehinde Olumide Famule is a Nigerian-American filmmaker and photographer telling stories about groups and individuals who are making positive change in their communities. Pa Houa Xiong is a graphic designer looking to inspire curiosity and joy through her art.
Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org.
Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on April 25th and 26th, open to any community members! Learn more here.
This episode’s music is composed by Bennie, one of our youth interns. Bennie and Mai co-hosted this artist panel. Intern Juan Rios co-edited this episode.
Brian Few Jr. is a multitalented filmmaker, graphic designer, and photographer. He joined the podcast to talk about a couple of his projects — and his goals of traveling and expanding his work.
You can find Brian’s work on his Youtube channel. He also works on Georgia Fort’s TV show, “Here’s the Truth,” which airs on the Twin Cities CW channel on Saturdays at 11 a.m. You can catch the old episodes on Youtube, too.
Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org.
Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on April 25th and 26th, open to any community members! Learn more here.
This episode’s music is composed by Bennie, one of our youth interns.
Film Score Fest is pretty unique. The annual festival randomly pairs filmmakers and composers to make a five-minute film and score, and selected films are screened with a live orchestra in downtown St. Paul. This year, five BIPOC creators earned scholarships to make films for the festival. Today, we’re talking to Katherine and Charlie about what it takes to pull off this event — and why it's so cool to have an accessible, collaborative celebration of film and music.
You can keep up with Film Score Fest at their website and Facebook.
Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org.
Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on April 25th and 26th, open to any community members! Learn more here.
This episode’s music is composed by Bennie, one of our youth interns.
Joua Lee Grande is a filmmaker and community educator, and she’s a familiar face at SPNN — she used to work here! On this episode, we’re talking about a documentary she has in the works about shamanism among young Hmong Americans. We also heard about her short film in the works for Film Score Fest, a local challenge that pairs filmmakers with composers.
Joua’s website has the latest updates on her work and all of her completed projects.
Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org.
Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on April 25th and 26th, open to any community members! Learn more here.
This episode is co-hosted by Olivia, one of our youth interns. The music is by Bennie, another youth intern.
Alison Guessou is a local filmmaker with a big variety of work under her belt. She joined the show to talk about her most recent web series about a breakup between best friends, and her upcoming feature film, a very timely sci-fi inspired drama.
You can find Alison’s work through her production company, Djini Productions. Her web series, “It’s Not You,” is available on Youtube.
Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org.
Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on April 25th and 26th, open to any community members! Learn more here.
Music by youth intern Bennie.
Kelly Huang is a Minneapolis-based documentary filmmaker, content creator, and actor. In this episode, she talks about her first feature-length documentary, called My Borrowed Name. It tells her family’s immigration story — a story that she hopes will get people thinking about their own names and identities.
Learn more about Kelly’s work on her website.
Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org.
The music in this episode is by our youth intern Bennie.
Georgia Fort is an independent journalist working in TV, radio, and digital media. She’s on a mission to transform the media landscape, focusing on stories by, about, and for communities of color.
Learn more about Georgia Fort and all her projects at her website. Georgia’s TV show premieres 2/25 at 4:30 on the CW channel.
Find the SPNN podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website. To learn more about SPNN’s programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org.
Interlude music composed by youth intern Bennie.
Want to get involved in the podcast, or learn to make your own? We’re hosting a podcasting class on January 31st and February 1st, open to any community members! Learn more here.
It's time for a new season of the SPNN podcast! Starting now, we're posting new episodes regularly. In each episode, you'll hear from someone in the world of Twin Cities media. Tune in two weeks from today — January 27th — to catch the first episode.
Find the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at our website.
To learn more about SPNN's programs and opportunities, check out spnn.org
Want to get involved in the podcast? We're hosting a podcasting class on January 31st and February 1st, open to any community members! No experience necessary.
Music courtesy of pixabay.com
Saint Paul STRONG hosted an on-air panel discussion about the court decision to identify Right Of Way (ROW) street assessments as property taxes rather than special assessments. The decision impacts all Saint Paul property owners – including non-profits. Panelists include: Robert D. Ebel, Greg Blees, Peter Nelson, Ellen Brown, and Simon Taghioff.
In this episode, Will discusses the social construct and idea of virginity and how the deconstruction of purity is an important step to engaging in safe, consensual sex. Explored within is how sex education often only talks about the physical steps of having sex rather than the social and emotional power it can take to feel ready to make the choice of abstaining or participating. Although abstinence is typically intertwined with religious connotations, this episode focuses on, during, dismantling the social construct of virginity while uncovering new attitudes towards sex in a more fluid and transparent way while removing potential judgment or feelings of guilt. Making the choice to or not to have sex is entirely up to each individual person and regardless of the choice you make can assist in creating a more inclusive, and conversational atmosphere in terms of sex and sex education.
Resources
Annex Teen Clinic - https://annexteenclinic.org/
Family Tree Clinic - https://www.familytreeclinic.org/
Minneapolis School-Based Clinics - https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/school-based-clinics/
Smitten Kitten - https://www.smittenkittenonline.com/
the body org - https://linktr.ee/thebodyorg
LGBTQ+ teens get pregnant at higher rates than other teens in Minnesota. Exploring trans and queer birth, as well as teen pregnancy, sex education, and societal factors is the focus of this episode of Queering Community Health Podcast. Host Emi Gaçaj connects with experts in the field to discuss data driven and experience centered approaches to understanding LGBTQ+ teen pregnancy, drawing strong conclusions on how to create change in this field.
GUESTS
Jill Farris (she/her) MPH is the Director of Adolescent Sexual Health Training and Education at the Healthy Youth Development - Prevention Research Center.
Alison Moore (she/her) is the Health Education Program Manager for the Minneapolis School Based Clinics, where she has worked for the past 11 years.
Sawyer Plotz (he/him) is a sexual health educator at Family Tree Clinic. During the school year, he facilitates presentations for 4th-12th graders on topics related to healthy sexuality. And in the summer, he facilitates KiSS, Family Tree's peer education program for LGBTQ teens & allies.
INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS
@thebirthbutterfly
@thebodyorg
@familytreeclinic
@annexteenclinic
@mplssbc
@doctor_midwife
@matriz_midwife
@supportive.seahorse.doula
ARTICLES
Star Tribune article Gay teens have higher pregnancy rates than their straight peers
CDC About Teen Pregnancy
NBC News Bullying seen as a factor in higher pregnancy rates among lesbian, bisexual teens
LGBT Health Sexual Orientation Disparities in Pregnancy Risk Behaviors and Pregnancy Among Sexually Active Teenage Girls: Updates from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey
2015 Adolescent Sexual Health Report
WEBSITES
Health Youth Development Prevention Research Center
Queer Birth Project
Transcend Psychotherapy
KiSS - Keeping It Safe and Sexy peer educator program
Pregnancy and Post Partem Support MN - resources for LGBTQIA+
This Episode covers some topics of LGBT+ identities and is mostly focused on the personal story experience and lived experience of the speaker Jacques.
Host: Jacques He/They,21 years old, Trans, digital designer & freelance artist.
I share how not having the tools I needed verbally left me feeling lost and confused in my queer youth. I share my experiences learning new terminology and leaving behind some old and outdated words as well.
RESOURCES:
Can I Say That? Labels and Slurs in the LGBTQ+ Community: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjjS_lAFlmI
Find what land you live on: https://native-land.ca/
Trans Student Educational Resources Gender Unicorn
Tracing the Origins of the Word Queer
CREDITS
- Intro/Outro music was made by Rebecca Swing @cowboybecky on Instagram
- Art by Jacques Jones
Sustainability and community both play important roles in the revolution. In this two part episode we introduce our guests and talk about their backgrounds in activism and their experience with giving, sharing, and collecting clothing in their personal lives and at The Peoples Closet.
In Part Two, Mason, Jennie, and Jeanelle go more into depth on our own experiences and opinions on how clothing, gender and community all meet at the intersection of revolution.
HOST:
Mason He/Him - 24, Biracial, Nonbinary Transman, Designer & Activist
GUESTS:
Jennie (She/They) - Fashion designer, activist, and lead organizer of The Peoples Closet in George Floyd Square
Jeanelle (She/Her) - Activist, caretaker at George Floyd Square
Resources/Guest’s Work
- GEORGE FLOYD GLOBAL MEMORIAL
- Jennie Leenay (@jeml_fashions_)
- Community members (@the_peoplescloset_)
Additional resources:
- Design Icon 3
- GEORGE FLOYD GLOBAL MEMORIAL
- The People's Closet makes fashion, political statement | Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
Sustainability and community both play important roles in the revolution. In this two part episode we introduce our guests and talk about their backgrounds in activism and their experience with giving, sharing, and collecting clothing in their personal lives and at The Peoples Closet.
In Part One, Mason, Jennie and Jeanelle go into their backgrounds, how we are all acquainted, and how The Peoples Closet came to be.
HOST:
Mason He/Him - 24, Biracial, Nonbinary Transman, Designer & Activist
GUESTS:
Jennie (She/They) - Fashion designer, activist, and lead organizer of The Peoples Closet in George Floyd Square
Jeanelle (She/Her) - Activist, caretaker at George Floyd Square
Resources/Guest’s Work
- GEORGE FLOYD GLOBAL MEMORIAL
- Jennie Leenay (@jeml_fashions_)
- Community members (@the_peoplescloset_)
Additional resources:
- Design Icon 3
- GEORGE FLOYD GLOBAL MEMORIAL
- The People's Closet makes fashion, political statement | Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
This episode follows the experiences of black and brown communities in the DIY, alt, rock and indie scene. A large focus being the adversaries they share, as well as discussing heavy topics such as: racism, misogyny, violence and performative action.
Our host Becky (she/they) will speak a bit on their own observations and later on our guest, Brian Walker A.K.A A Day Without Love will be joining her. The goal is to shed light on a topic that feels often swept under the rug.
Resources:
- Minneapolis American Indian Center
- Native American Community Development Institute
- Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center
- How The DIY Scene Is Different When You’re Black
- Being Black in a White DIY Scene
Credits:
Intro music and cover art made by Becky @cowboybecky @godslilcow on Instagram.
Outro and background music by A Day Without Love. @adaywithoutlove on Instagram.
What is comprehensive sex ed and why is it important to youth? In this episode of Queering Community Health, Emi and Will explore the push for sex ed that teaches students detailed, accurate information about human development, sexuality, identity, and health. Joined by three wonderful guests, the episode discusses the importance of including queer identities and experiences when learning sex ed, and the impact that comprehensive sex ed can bring to our communities.
RESOURCES:
Instagram Accounts
@thebodyorg
@yasv.mn
@advocatesforyouth
@siecus
@av.actioninitiative
Websites:
Comprehensive sexuality education | United Nations Population Fund
Comprehensive Sexuality Education | ACOG
Sex Education | Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaiʻi, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky
SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change | Sex Education Collaborative Online Portal
Sex Education Collaborative: Minnesota
Articles:
LGBT-Inclusive Sex Education Means Healthier Youth and Safer Schools - Center for American Progress
Meet the Educators Helping Indigenous Communities 'Own Their Pleasure' - Rewire News Group
Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives, Vol. 18, n. 2, 2009: Our Schools Our Selves: Sex Ed and Youth
Education policy committee approves comprehensive sex ed proposal - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives
Youth Lead the Fight for Statewide Comprehensive Sex Education
Healthy Native Youth: Improving Access to Effective, Culturally-Relevant Sexual Health Curricula
Multimedia:
Why sex education will save the world | Rayne Fisher-Quann | TEDxKitchenerED
Queer Sex Ed podcast
CREDITS:
- Intro/Outro music was made by Rebecca Swing @cowboybecky on Instagram
- Art by Emi and Will
This episode of Queering Community Health is about the importance of queer chosen families. Three close friends, Kelly, Maya, and Xochitl express vulnerability by describing their experience living in unsupportive households. Through the process of growing up and embracing queer identities, these friends were able to redefine their concept of family.
Machismo = “Machismo is a socially constructed, learned, and reinforced set of behaviors comprising the content of male gender roles in Latino society” (De La Cancela, 1986, p. 291). In simple terms, machismo is a form of masculine ideology within Latino communities. - Marilyn Valenciano
“Y el novio”= and the boyfriend?
"Mujer”= woman
INDIGENOUS RESOURCES:
- Land Acknowledgements are not just a statement, it is work: tune in to Call her Aunty Podcast episode 77, “What’s in a Land Acknowledgement?” and “Moving beyond Acknowledgements” by Student Affairs NOW
- Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine, Minnesota Native News (spotify, apple, radio public, RSS)
- Native Minnesota with Rebecca Crooks-Stratton (Soundcloud, Spotify)
- Listen to “Indigequeer” by All My Relations Podcast and check out their other episodes!
- “To be Black, Indigenous, and Queer” by Tu-un Dali and check out their other episodes!
- Text your address to 907-312-5085 to find out which Indigenous lands you're living on or visiting or visit https://native-land.ca
HEALTH RESOURCES FOR LGBTQ FOLKS:
Clinic 555: confidential, low-cost health services for adults and teens. 651-266-1255. www.Clinic555.org
Face to Face Health & Counseling: health services for youth 11-24 years old. 651-772-5555. www.Face2face.org
Family Tree Clinic: affordable and respectful sexual health care and education for LGBTQ individuals. 612-473-0800. www.familytreeclinic.org
Rainbow Health: A healthy sex life includes knowing the basics about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Also mental health services for LGBTQ folks. (800) 248-2437. www.rainbowhealth.org
Latitudes: facility designed to meet the specific substance abuse and mental health needs of the LGBTQ community. 612-454-2016
RECLAIM: Mental Health support for queer and trans youth. 612-235-6743. www.reclaim.care
CRISIS RESOURCES:
Trans Lifeline: For any trans person in crisis of any kind, the Trans Lifeline runs a national hotline staffed by trans people for trans people. 877- 565- 8860. www.translifeline.org
The Trevor Project: National crisis line and counseling for LGBTQ youth. 24 hour crisis hotline: 866-488-7386. Text “Trevor” to 202-304-1200 or chat online. www.thetrevorproject.org
HOUSING
Safe Zone: Serves low income youth facing homelessness, lack of preventative healthcare and other challenges. 651-224-9644
Avenues for Youth-GLBT Host Home Program: provides emergency shelter, short-term housing and supportive services in a safe and nurturing environment. 612-968-1672
EDUCATION
Out for Equity: A Saint Paul School District program that strives to maintain a safe and welcoming school environment. 651-603-4972
FAMILY SUPPORT
PFLAG Twin Cities: parents, families, and friends of LGBTQ+ support in the Metro Areas 612-825-1660
We know that things in life can suck. Because we live in a world full of white supremacy, patriarchy, misogyny, and transphobia there are most likely times you feel alone, overwhelmed, afraid, ashamed, confused, or scared. Hopefully you also have times that you feel powerful, loved, connected, joyful, and full of dreams for the future. This episode is all about giving you some organizations, numbers and websites for the times you need support.
Host: Azul (they/them) a queer, nonbinary, Latinx-European adult
HEALTH RESOURCES FOR LGBTQ FOLKS:
Minneapolis School-Based Clinics: offer a range of mental health, physical health, and sexual health services at no cost to students or their parents. Website: https://sites.google.com/view/minneapolisschoolbasedclinic
Health Start Clinics (St. Paul Schools): Website: https://www.spps.org/domain/15098
Clinic 555: confidential, low-cost health services for adults and teens. 651-266-1255. www.Clinic555.org
Face to Face Health & Counseling: health services for youth 11-24 years old. 651-772-5555. www.Face2face.org
Family Tree Clinic: affordable and respectful sexual health care and education for LGBTQ individuals. 612-473-0800. www.familytreeclinic.org
Rainbow Health: Mental health services for LGBTQ folks. (800) 248-2437. www.rainbowhealth.org
RECLAIM: Mental Health support for queer and trans youth. 612-235-6743. www.reclaim.care
CRISIS RESOURCES:
Trans Lifeline: For any trans person in crisis of any kind, a national hotline staffed by trans people. 877- 565- 8860. www.translifeline.org
The Trevor Project: National crisis line and counseling for LGBTQ youth. 24 hour crisis hotline: 866-488-7386. Text “Trevor” to 202-304-1200 or chat online. www.thetrevorproject.org
HOUSING
Youth Services Network (YSNMN): Website and app helping youth in the Twin Cities’ Metro Area connect to shelter and services. Available at the Apple Store and Google Play, search for ysnmn. https://ysnmn.org/
Avenues for Youth-GLBT Host Home Program: emergency shelter, short-term housing and supportive services in a safe and nurturing environment. 612-968-1672
The Bridge for Youth: provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, outreach and support, and weekly LGBTQ+ support groups in their Minneapolis location. Call The Bridge at 612-377-8800 or text 612-400-7233. https://bridgeforyouth.org/youth-faq/
DROP IN CENTERS:
Safe Zone: Serves low income youth facing homelessness, lack of preventative healthcare and other challenges. 651-224-9644
Freeing Ourselves & Finding Community: Free drop-in program for LGBTQ+ teens and young adults. 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Tuesdays. Groups for teens ages 13-17, and young adults ages 18-24. Provides meal, free bus cards and conversations with other LGBTQ+ folks. This program takes place at Family Tree Clinic, and is presented in partnership with Avenues for Youth.
PEER SUPPORT
Q Chat Space: A community for LGBTQ+ Teens. Find and give support, have fun, connect around shared interests and get good information. Chat with like-minded peers in live chats designed for you & by you, facilitated by folks who care. https://www.qchatspace.org/
This podcast delves deep into how queer folks’ personal household experiences has an effect on our mental health and overall wellbeing. We will be hearing the personal stories of young queer people from the Twin Cities that surround discussions of discovering and embracing having a queer identity, coming out, the importance of queer spaces, and growing up in a heteronormative society. We also discuss queer-specific services for those in the Twin Cities that may be struggling with mental or physical health, shelter, or safety.
Host: Lanh (he/him), 19
Biracial half-Asian half-white, bisexual and transgender man residing in the Twin Cities suburbs. He is a painter who loves creating art based around identity, childhood, and culture. He is also passionate about social justice, especially issues surrounding racial justice, trans liberation, and Ethnic Studies.
Guests:
Eva (she/her), 18
Biracial half-black half-white, bisexual woman who is originally from Virginia, Minnesota. She moved to Minneapolis the Summer before her 8th grade year. She has a passion for fashion and is involved in her school’s Model UN and Student Council.
Emi (any pronouns), 18
Albanian, muslim individual. They are the founder of the Body Org. He is also a full-spectrum birth doula. She is extremely passionate about exploring the intersections between sexual and reproductive health, birthwork and birth justice, and the principles of liberation and community.
Dylan (they/them)Queer and genderqueer social worker. Dylan works with RECLAIM as a therapist providing meaningful care for queer individuals all across the Twin Cities. They practice relational, client-centered therapy.
Check out their other Queering Community Health Podcast episode here
Native landhttps://native-land.ca/
https://usdac.us/nativeland
Mental Health
RECLAIM
Rainbow Health
MN Consent and Confidentiality Laws
Telehealth
Crisis helplines
○ Trevor Project
○ Trans Lifeline
Youth Shelters
○ Avenues for Youth
○ The Bridge for Youth
Harm reduction
○ ACT
○ Bystander intervention
Independent Local media
○ Unicorn Riot
○ Georgia Fort
CREDITS:Episode art by: Ly Fastner on Instragram @lyfastlearner or lyfastnerart.carrd.co/
Theme music by Rebecca Swing @cowboybecky
Kaz Kohls (they/them) talks about gender affirming care with Rainbow Health’s Director of Advocacy and Research Phil Duran (he/him). Duran shares the work he has done to advocate for incarcerated trans people, and what still needs to be done to improve the current system.
RESOURCES
native-land.ca
MN Department of Human Services and gender affirming surgery
MN Spokesman Recorder: The transgender experience in prison
Medicaid Policy and Gender-affirming Care for Trans People: An Interview with Advocates
Southwest News Media: Trans inmate in Shakopee talks about why he’s pushing state for hormone therapy
for a transcript of this recording please visit the episode page.
This episode of Queering Community Health is about the process of searching for colleges as an LGBTQ+/queer person, as well as the facilities and policies currently put in place at various colleges. Four guests by the name of Ava, Zoey Haines, MC, and t. aaron hans are interviewed, each having a different perspective on this topic.
Ava (she/her) is a current LGBTQ+ high school senior who is pursuing higher education.
Zoey Haines (she/her) is the College and Career Readiness Coordinator at Central Highschool through a non-profit organization by the name of AchieveMPLS, which is a Minneapolis based organization that focuses on community support and equitable access to different types of post secondary education and career opportunities.
MC (she/they) is another current LGBTQ+ high school senior who is pursuing higher education.
t. aaron hans (he/him/ze/hir) is the Sexualities & Gender Diversity Programs Director and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Hamline University, but also has prior experience within LGBTQ+ spaces as a leader and advocate.
RESOURCES:
-
AchieveMPLS
-
Hamline University’s Sexuality and Gender Diversity Programs
-
Campus Pride Index
-
Niche.com
-
Trans and Non-binary Student Resource Guide
-
Trans Student Education Resources (TSER)
-
Consortium of Higher Education - LGBT Resource Professionals
-
My Life My Quit
FURTHER READINGS
-
LGBTQ Students on Campus - Higher Education Today
-
Why LGBTQ inclusivity still matters in higher education - The Conversation
-
Policy Recommendations to Support LGBTQ Students - GLSEN
-
Transitions Into, and Through, Higher Education: The Lived Experiences of Students Who Identify as LGBTQ+ - Glazzard, Jindal-Snape, Stones
CREDITS
- Intro/Outro music was made by Rebecca Swing @cowboybecky on Instagram
- Cover art and other background music was made by Ruben Hendricks or @spooktrook on Instagram
We’re so excited to welcome you to Season Two of Queering Community Health! Join Azul (they/them) as they hear some of this year’s creators sharing about their episode topics, motivations, advice and more.
RESOURCES
Indigenous land histories, Indigenous voices and work, and land acknowledgements :
- Find out what Indigenous land you are on: https://native-land.ca/
- Learn more about Land Acknowledgements: https://native-land.ca/resources/territory-acknowledgement/, https://nativegov.org/resources/
- Twin Cities’ and Minnesota land histories: Bdote Memory Map, Tribal College Journal history of the Ojibwe and Colonization, the History of White Earth, Mnisota Makoce: The Land of the Dakota by Gwne Westerman and Bruce White, and What Does Justice Look Like: The Struggle for Liberation in Dakota Homeland by Waziyatawin
- Minnesota-based podcasts and audio storytelling centering Indigenous voices: Indigenized Connections on Air, Minnesota Native News, Native Lights, Native Roots Radio Network (AM 950, Weekdays 6-7pm), Niijii Radio (KKWE 89.9FM)
- Support Indigenous-led advocacy work: Dream of Wild Health, Minneapolis American Indian Center, The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, Native American Community Development Institute, White Earth Land Recover Project
For a transcription of this episode, please visit our webpage.
We air the last of three guest episodes - Gender School: Smash the Cis-tem THE FINALE. On this episode, Bisandi, Kai, and Tori dive even deeper into their data and discuss their thoughts on the issues of inclusion, student feedback, and what to do as a team to introduce more gender inclusion into schools. Lastly, they invite the other half of their research team to come onto the show to share a little bit about their process in creating a zine!
Kai (@uncomplacentqueer) hosted this episode and was joersined by fellow researchers Tori Westenberg - @Tori_the_writer and Bisandi (@bisandimahanama).
OutFront Gender Inclusion Project: https://www.outfront.org/educationalequity#gender-inclusion-project
OutFront Youth Instagram: @outfrontyouth
For a transcript of this episode, please visit our episode page.
To take our Queering Community Health listener feedback survey, mentioned in the podcast, click on this survey link.
RESOURCES:
A full zine summarizing the gender inclusion research project
Curated resources and a downloadable action tool kit for students and educators to find support and work towards gender inclusivity in their own districts.
We air the second of three guest episodes from Gender School: Smash the Cis-tem. On this week’s guest episode, All About The Data, Kai has a conversation with their fellow researchers about the survey data they all collected including the results, how they interpreted it and what it suggests we do to make schools truly gender inclusive.
Kai (@uncomplacentqueer) hosted this episode and was joersined by fellow researchers Tori Westenberg - @Tori_the_writer and Bisandi (@bisandimahanama).
OutFront Gender Inclusion Project: https://www.outfront.org/educationalequity#gender-inclusion-project
OutFront Youth Instagram: @outfrontyouth
For a transcript of this episode, visit the episode web page.
To take our Queering Community Health listener feedback survey, mentioned in the podcast, click on this survey link.
We air the first of three guest episodes from Gender School: Smash the Cis-tem. OutFront Youth Researchers Tori, Kai, and Bisandi have a conversation about what they wish we had access to in schools in order to make the spaces more gender inclusive and talk through the question, what is it that actually makes school environments inclusive and safe for Trans and Non-binary students? With the help of Leah Jordan, the Inclusion and Equity Policy Coordinator for Saint Paul Public Schools, they discuss and shed more light on what gender inclusion policies actually are and what they do for students across MN.
RESOURCES:
OutFront Gender Inclusion Project: https://www.outfront.org/educationalequity#gender-inclusion-project
Saint Paul Public Schools: Out for Equity
Also - PLEASE take our listener survey https://tinyurl.com/Survey-qch. We want to hear from you!
What impacts our physical, mental, political, and emotional wellbeing, and shapes the path forward for our LGBTQIA+/Queer communities? Representation.
We know that having healthy, diverse, and accessible queer representation can make a world of a difference for LGBTQIA+/Queer youth, and truly queer communities of all ages. Of course, not all representation is positive and the consequences of poor representation can be devastating. No matter what form it takes, and regardless of its quality, representation (or the lack thereof) is a powerful force that needs to be understood and cultivated.
To discuss representation, host Siena Iwasaki Milbauer (she/her) is joined by Kohana Wilson (they/them) and Nana Aforo (he/him). This trio of queer creatives brings their perspectives as creators and consumers of representation to the table as they discuss the representation that has shaped them, the representation that has let them down, what it feels like to become empowered to create your own representation as an artist, and what kinds of representation they want to see and create in the future.
Follow and support this episode’s guests and their amazing art: Kohana Wilson on Instagram@floralgunk, Nana Aforo on Instagram@nanayawaforoand on soundcloud under the name “Lines of Hour”. You can also follow host Siena Iwasaki Milbauer on Instagram @s_iwasaki_milbauer.
If you are interested in learning more about LGBTQIA+/Queer representation, visit the episode webpage for a list of resources that were the most illuminating and interesting to host Siena Iwasaki Milbauer as she put together this episode.
Episode Credits
Music Credits: Queering Community Health Theme by Becs (on Instagram@beckyfuckingarts), Flavour byWataboi from Pixabay.
In this episode we discuss the harm in biases and how they show up in stereotypes. How they seep into our everyday lives, and the shame and trauma that accompanies them. We hear from a Youth Shelter Care-Taker on how stereotypes and harmful biases affect youth. Learn how they occur, why they are harmful, and how unlearning stereotypes will help heal communities.
Host: Mason, He/Him Socials: linktr.ee
23, nonbinary transman, Designer/modiste & activist
Guest: Judea/Jude, Any Pronoun, 23
Care-taker and youth advocate at 180 Degrees Homeless Prevention Organization
180 Degrees: For 50 years, 180 Degrees has helped Minnesota youth and adults break the cycle of trauma created by poverty, racism, mass incarceration, homelessness and exploitation—offering the tools and support to help build stronger, brighter, more resilient communities
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center: We Are Not A Stereotype
GLAAD: GLAAD works through entertainment, news, and digital media to share stories from the LGBTQ community that accelerate acceptance
Music Credits: Queering Community Health Theme by Becs, on Instagram @beckyfuckingarts
Art Credit: @jacques_persons
Hosted by Elle, this episode centers the two stories of Heidi and Sam, both community members who have been diagnosed with PCOS- polycystic ovarian syndrome. Heidi and Sam share their journeys with getting diagnosed, dealing with that diagnosis, finding supportive doctors, and finding joy in their health conditions. This podcast highlights the interesting relationship between being non-binary or transgender and having PCOS.
RESOURCES:
Interact: Advocates for Intersex Youth
Sean Sifa Wall: Sean Saifa Wall is an intersex activist, visual artist, and public health researcher.
Transgender, Intersex, Gender-Expansive Revolutionary Resources & Services (TIGERRS)
Pidgeon Pagonis: Pidgeon Pagonis has slowly, oftentimes not so quietly risen to visibility as an activist on behalf of intersex people. Whether advancing intersex advocacy as the co-founder of the Intersex Justice Project, producing informational videos that go viral on Buzzfeed, creating art that centers intersex voices, appearing on the cover of National Geographic “Gender Revolution” special issue or being honored as a LGBT Champion of Change in 2015 by the Obama White House, Pidgeon has staked out a place at the fore of debates on intersexuality and otherness.
Hi, hello, hans: I make videos about queer, intersex, and media topics. I'm a white, queer intersex creator and sentient stick of cotton candy, formerly in the PR and non-profit advocacy world. My aim here is to illustrate the expansiveness of the intersex umbrella. We take the good with the bad as we move toward a non-medical and inclusive understanding of human sex variation. Humor, too. :)
In this episode of Queering Community Health, local artist Cedar Thomas (they/them) interviews a panel of local creatives to hear their experiences and advice regarding mental health, creativity, self-care and self-expression.
Guests on this episode (in order of appearance):
- Vanessa McDuffie (she/her), an educator, writer and creator of the upcoming creative art space devoted to the queer BIPOC community of Minneapolis, Nue Bedford. Instagram: @nessa_bess / @nuebedford
- Archie Bongiovanni (they/them), cartoonist, illustrator and author of A Quick & Easy Guide To They/Them Pronouns and Grease Bats . Instagram: @babywrist / Twitter: @grease_bat / Website: archiebongiovanni.com
- heather c. lou (she/her), a mixed media artist and an educator who is passionate about community and promoting creativity. Instagram: @hclou / Website: hclouart.com
Cedar and their guests dive into discussions of what creativity looks like, how it’s connected to self expression, and the numerous ways that letting oneself be creative can challenge the pressures of the world around us. Learn more about Vanessa, Archie and heather as they discuss their respective creative practices, exploring early memories, successes and failures. And don’t miss the advice for young folks who might be struggling with their identities, their queerness, and/or their self-expression.
RESOURCES:
Vanessa’s Instagram: @nessa_bess,Nue Bedford’s Instagram: @nuebedford
Donate to Nue Bedford’s GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-space-for-queer-bipoc-creatives-in-mi?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link-tip
Archie’s Instagram: @babywrist, Archie’s Twitter: @grease_bat, Archie’s Website: archiebongiovanni.com, Other links from Archie: https://linktr.ee/archiebongiovanni
heather’s Instagram: @hclou, heather’s Website: hclouart.com
In this episode of Queering Community Health, we’re talking about how to advocate for yourself and your needs when finding a therapist and we introduce you to a great resource for when you need to find a doctor who is inclusive of LGBTQ+ health and identities. Join this week’s host Azul (they/them) to hear a therapist at Reclaim help explain the process of finding a therapist and building your therapeutic relationship. Keep listening to hear about an exciting project aiming to create a directory of LGBTQ+ competent providers in Minnesota.
GUESTS ON THIS PODCAST:
Dylan Gray (they/them), Project CLEAR Therapist at Reclaim
Dylan Flunker (he/him), Research and Policy Manager at Rainbow Health
You can find a full transcript of this episode on our episode web page.
TIPS FOR VISITING THE DOCTOR AND SELF-ADVOCACY:
The Doctor’s Office Isn’t Always a Safe Space For LGBTQ People. This Advice Could Save a Life” by Jasmine Gomez
Visiting a Care Provider
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:
Aakoma - a resource for BIPOC teenagers and their parents to talk about mental health
Asians For Mental Health - Asians for Mental Health was created to help Asians feel seen, heard, and empowered in their journeys towards better mental health.
BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health)- a collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists and activists committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities.
Inclusive Therapists - We celebrate all identities and abilities in all bodies. All people deserve equal access to quality mental healthcare.
Therapy for Queer People of Color - Therapy for Queer People of Color (QPoC) is a mental health network and group therapy practice based in Atlanta, Georgia. Our goal is to increase access to qualityand inclusive mental healthcare for queer and trans folks of color through empowerment & education.
Native Son - NATIVE SON harnesses the collective power of Black gay men with the goal of ensuring that our voices, visibility, and lived experiences are elevated in all of the communities in which we exist and never again disregarded.
Rainbow Health Therapy and Counseling - Rainbow Health offers mental, chemical, and sexual health services for LGBTQ+ people, people living with HIV, and folks from communities that historically and currently face barriers to behavioral health support. We offer individual, group, couple, and family therapy. We offer in-person sessions and teletherapy options. For appointments call 612-373-9160 or email us at clinic@rainbowhealth.org.
Reclaim - provides financially and culturally accessible care to queer and trans youth and their families in the Twin Cities
In this episode Shift MN interns Mason, Rhea, Siena, and Will discuss various challenges that come with being part of the LGBTQ+/Queer community. Inspiration sparked from a meaningful conversation Will and their friend Reese had; distinctively this interaction included the phrase, “coming to terms'' - implying the struggle with accepting and embracing your own gender identity and or sexual orientation. We wanted to prioritize the importance of talking about internalized queerphobia and the difficulties with figuring out who you are; especially while growing up. Our episode fosters a conversational space with open-ended talk, intended for various ages and backgrounds. Enjoy the episode!
Resources:
Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ folks:
The Trevor Project
MN LGBTQ+ Therapists Network
OutFront AZ Directory
Resources - Twin Cities Pride Magazine
LGBTAgingCenter.org - Resources - In Minnesota
What We Do : Resources for Queer & Trans Youth
Resources — Transforming Families Minnesota
Q-Quest – MINNESOTA SCHOOL OUTREACH COALITION
Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER)
Other podcasts about Coming Out and the LGBTQ+/ Queer Experience
Coming out with Lauren & Nicole: https://www.comingoutpod.com/
AfroQueer: https://afroqueerpodcast.com/
Food 4 Thot: https://food4thotpodcast.com/
Making Gay History: https://makinggayhistory.com/
Queery: https://www.earwolf.com/show/queery/
The Gender Reveal Podcast with Tuck Woodstock (they/them) is an excellent journalism and longer interview resource
Books
A Quick and Easy Guide to Queer and Trans Identities - In this quick and easy guide to queer and trans identities, cartoonists Mady G and JR Zuckerberg guide you through the basics of the LGBT+ world!
Resources for sharing with Parents
Coming Out Handbook from The Trevor Project
Strong Family Alliance and their web page on coming out to your parents
Ash Hardell on YouTube has videos might want to look at with parents and they have some great "A B C's of LGBTQ+" content on their YouTube Channel
The National Center for Transgender Equality
In this episode, our hosts interview three members of the Minnesota LGBTQIA+/Queer community: Logan Sand, a certified sexologist, Lark Lekat, a sex educator and sex worker, and Carise Roatch, a Marriage and Family Therapist who works from a sex positive theoretical background. We discuss healthy relationships, body positivity, and how to use sex to help us find confidence and comfort in our queer identities. Co-hosted by Xochitl and Elle, we hope you listen in to gain a better understanding on the intersections of sex and queer identity.
Listeners will learn...
- How to identify the role sex plays within their lives
- About relationships between sex and gender/sexual identity
- How non-inclusive sexual education is within schools in past years
- That sex isn’t something to be ashamed of
- The importance of knowing your sexual health status and how to communicate that with a partner
- That society has made a predetermined “script” for sex and how it’s suppose to look like
- That in order to advocate for your body's needs, knowing what brings you pleasure by yourself is super important before participating in a sexual act
- The ways mental health can impact decision making when it comes to sexual activity.
- How sexual trauma can affect the stability of the individual.
- And finally, how sex can be used for healing
To learn more about our guests and their work, follow them on social media: @larksgrove on twitter (lark lekat), @misscarise on twitter, and Logan Sand on Facebook.
In this episode of the Queering Community Health Series, you hear from Zaraia Fabunmi the host of Queer Social Health: Going Out and Learning In. Hearing from three special guests: Helena Kouame, Annabelle Niblett, and Anonymous J. Doe. We have conversations of what it means to be a queer person with our outward expression, along with social trends, media, racism, and community. Helena is a 16 year old creative, African American woman, who loves music! Next you hear from Annabelle who is a 17 year old young musician and debater, who takes pride in her artistry and work, and lastly we have J. Doe who is currently working on creating a poetry book and is teaching themselves how to paint.
CREDITS:
Music Credits: Queering Community Health Theme and episode music by Becs, on Instagram @beckyfuckingarts
Episode Art: Faye Carmody, on Instagram @coochieshrooms
This episode of Queering Community Health is about how LGBTQ+/queer youth are treated within the education system and the issues that arise alongside them. Three guests by the names of Jennifer Parker, Ophir Gilad, and Kai Johnson are interviewed, each having differing relations to this topic.
Jennifer Parker (she/her) is an assistant principal who has worked in education for over 20 years. Within the episode, she talks about a slew of topics; such as how policies and opinions on LGBTQ+ issues have changed within the education system over the course of her career and how these kids can find support within their school.
Ophir Gilad (she/they) is the Education Equity Youth Coordinator at Outfront, a non-profit that’s dedicated towards LGBTQ+/queer rights in Minnesota. A few of the things that they talk about during the podcast is how teens can advocate for themselves and how Outfront helps schools to be more inclusive with their policies and curriculum.
Kai Johnson (he/they) is a 10th grader in highschool at the moment, and alongside being a part of a GSA, is an intern at Outfront who works alongside Ophir. During their interview, they talk about what they do when facing issues and what they think can be done to involve more queer stories into the curriculum.
RESOURCES
- OutFront Minnesota and their Youth Resources page
- The Trevor Project
- Reclaim
- GLSEN - working to ensure that every member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression
- https://gsanetwork.org/
- GSA Network
- The Annex Teen Clinic
- St. Paul Public Schools Out for Equity
- Minneapolis Public Schools Out4Good LGBT
CREDITS
- Intro/Outro music was made by @beckyfuckingarts on Instagram
- Cover art and other background music was made by @spooktrook on Instagram
In this episode we go into depth on shelter systems in Downtown St Paul during the pandemic. We hear from a Housing Assistant on the residents’ access to basic needs such as food, clothing, and mental health. Learn the intake process and what makes one eligible for shelter and access to basic needs. Get informed on how people experiencing homelessness get mistreated and support can be hindered by legal limitations.
Host: Mason He/Him @bibbitybobbityboy, 23, Biracial, Nonbinary Transman, Designer & Activist
Guest: Becky She/They @beckyfuckingarts, 21, Biracial, Genderfluid, Artist & Musician, Shelter Assistant in Housing Operations Unit, IG: @beckyfuckingarts
EPISODE CREDITS:
Music Credits: Queering Community Health Theme by Becs, on Instagram @beckyfuckingarts
Art Credits: Jacques on Instagram @jacquesdraws
RESOURCES:
Houle’s GoFundMe: Leonard Houle
Becky’s Instagram: @beckyfuckingarts
Shelters Mentioned:
- Safe Space Shelter
- Higher Ground
- Safe Space Year Round Shelter
Food Support:
- Open Arms
- 2Harvest
- Hallie Q Brown Food Shelf
Mutual Aid:
- Twin Cities Mutual Aid Project
- Twin Cities Mutual Aid
- Don't Call The Police
What does it mean to be young and queer in the time of COVID-19? What challenges are young queer folks facing? What experiences are they having? And what resources are available to them? These are the questions that guide this episode of Queering Community Health.
This episode is hosted by Siena Iwasaki Milbauer (she/her) and features the voices and stories of seven guests:
- Maggie Druschel (they/them) is a therapist with Reclaim! who speaks to the mental health struggles queer youth are dealing with during the pandemic.
- Kathleen (she/her) shares a personal perspective on that same topic, and speaks to the difficulties of being a young college grad and artist during COVID-19.
- Rosie Benser (she/her) is with the homeless advocacy organization Avenues for Youth. She gives her insights into the effects the pandemic is having on unsheltered queer youth.
- Santo Jacobsson (he/him) tells his story of returning to a home that doesn’t always respect his trans identity, and how he has found ways to assert that identity and deepen his self-understanding and self-love.
- Jason Bucklin (he/him) and Ian McGriff (he/him) are part of Minneapolis Public Schools’ queer advocacy program Out4Good. They talk about the difficulties of serving queer students during a pandemic.
- Haruka Yukioka (they/them) shares their experiences with pandemic-connected financial stress, the surprising opportunities remote learning has created for them, and their pride in the resilience and generosity demonstrated by the queer community during this time of crisis.
You can find a transcript of this episode on our website: www.shiftmn.org/podcast
RESOURCES
Reclaim! (mental health support) and specifically the Project Clear program (relationship health support, projectclear@reclaim.care)
Avenues for Youth’s ConneQt program (unsheltered support)
Out4Good (student support in Minneapolis).
Annex Teen Clinic
Bisexual Organizing Project
Bridge for Youth
Face to Face
Family Tree Clinic
Minnesota School Outreach Coalition
Minnesota Transgender Alliance
Trans Lifeline (hotline, 877-565-8860)
Youthlink
Youth Services Network
EPISODE CREDITS:
Music Credits: Queering Community Health Theme (Becs, on Instagram @beckyfuckingarts, The Shining (Mezhdunami from Pixabay)
Art Credits: Santo Jacobsson, on Instagram @santojacobsson and at https://santojacobsson.myportfolio.com/
Welcome to the first episode of Queering Community Health, a show by and for LGBTQIA+/Queer young people that holds space for conversations on topics important to our health and well being. Join today’s host Azul (they/them) to meet some of the amazing creators behind this work and learn about their upcoming episodes.