The Little Bird Told Me: Recent Episodes
John Bird
An LGBTQ+ community with a scouse twist. Coming to you from Liverpool, England, join John Bird in conversation with various members of the LGBTQ+ community in the North West of England - important issues, links with different organisations, and generally an easy listening journey for everyone.
Russell T Davies' It's A Sin, starring Years & Years' Olly Alexander, has taken the UK by storm; and with HBO launching the series in the US shortly, it is set to become a global phenomenon, helping raise awareness of HIV/AIDS as well as the treatment of gay people in the 1980s and 90s, due to the 'gay cancer'.
John talks to Terrence Higgins Trust Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Richard Angell, about the great work the charity does supporting those with HIV, as well as the affect of the TV programme on modern society - everybody is talking about queer culture, Section 28's effect on LGBTQ+ education, and the fact that, today, HIV is no longer a death sentence.
If you wish to find out more information, please head to http://www.tht.org.uk
To watch It's A Sin in the UK, stream on All4: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/its-a-sin
Deputy leader of Knowsley Council talks to John about his early experiences of being LGBTQ+, being a large trade unionist, as well as his journey into politics and what he hopes to achieve as part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Young trans man, Ben Hodge, talks about his journey as a young transgender person, and how he used that journey to educate people through his ever growing comedy routine and presence.
Being a regular member of Liverpool youth group, Gay Youth R Out (GYRO), as well as The Action Youth (TAY), before also attending a local Scout Group, Ben has been able to experience many elements of support through his transition. :)
Liverpool legend, Pete Price, talks to John about the early days of his career, as well as being a gay man throughout that time.
From being the first freelancer at BBC Radio Merseyside, to talking about the danger in frequenting the infamous bar, the Magic Clock, which was in the now Queens Square Bus station. Pete recounts his experiences, and very strongly talks about his wish for young LGBTQ+ people to learn and understand their history and culture.
The Guide Liverpool Founder and Director, Jay Hynd, joins us to talk about his journey into the media industry within Radio City, Juice FM, Capital FM, Bay TV and ultimately setting up The Guide Liverpool, a local platform to focus on local events, local stories and ensure local people know about local goings on!
From working with Pete Price to hosting Pride in Liverpool on a number of occasions, Jay has been a great ally to the LGBTQ+ community in Liverpool.
Caroline Paige is the first openly transgender person to serve the British armed forces, something she did both before and after transitioning.
She was outed by a delightful publication that we won't talk about, and took the fight to the red forces to demonstrate that being transgender has no effect on how she, or any other, does their job.
Emma Miller-McCaffrey guest hosts this special 50th episode of The Little Bird Told Me to speak to John about his journey!
From coming out, to Youtube, to Liverpool Pride and the founding of the LCR Pride Foundation, Emma asks John about his motivations as to why he does what he does!
This is a special longer edition to mark 50 episode uploads!
Creative Producer and Curator, Bev Ayre, joins John to talk about the many, many, many ventures she has been involved in throughout her career.
From being part of the team creatively producing the River Festival and Bordeux Wine Festivals, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Netball World Cup 2019, Sgt. Pepper @ 50, as well as being a key part of the inception of one of the UK's, if not THE largest, LGBTQ+ arts festival, Homotopia.
Bev was also a key player in the early days of Stonewall as an organisation, and has some incredible stories to tell!
Dean Murphy's and Daniel Smythe's lives were turned upside down when they adopted Dean's nephews in a very short time period.
We caught up with them to hear about how there lives changed, and what it was like as same sex parents raising two young boys!
In an Armed Forces Day special (celebrated on 26th June), Chief Petty Officer, Ann Miller-McCaffrey recounts her reasons for joining the army as a woman, who would eventually come out as being in a same sex relationship, and the historical issues associated with being a woman, and LGBTQ+, in the military.
Talking doing our bit during lockdown, Black Lives Matter and the latest attack against the transgender by She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Divina De Campo and I have a good ol' catch up discussing the state of the world today.
Pre-order Gratify NOW on iTunes and Spotify! :)
Liverpool actress, comedienne, singer, you name it, Gillian Hardie, recounts the journey of her career, from being in a tour of the loved musical, Blood Brother, to being part of the original West End cast of Kinky Boots!
Talking about how the Royal Court, Liverpool, played such a big part in her life, and a very cute story about meeting 80s legend, Cyndi Lauper.
Shania Pain, drag idol 2017 runner up, and regular outspoken queen, joins John to talk about her journey in drag, and the various events that have shaped her career - particularly around personal growth as a performer and as a person.
Chairperson of Chester Pride, Warren Allmark, talks to us about his alter ego Wanda, as well as his role working with Chester Pride to be as innovative and groundbreaking an event as possible, particularly when seen as a smaller Pride, 'competing' with much larger cousins around the North West!
Instagram influencer, Kieran Kilby, boasts over 20,000 followers, but was not welcome in his family home after being forced to come out as gay. He since moved away and has rebuilt his life, and continues to be the best self he can be - wanting to tell his story to show how, no matter how bad it can be, it can get better!
The yellow pages of Liverpool, Joan Burnett, takes us down memory lane to reminisce about what queer Liverpool was like back in the 1980s and 90s - a time that most definitely wish I was able to experience from the imagery we are able to see.
Max is a designer who created a selection of print artworks based on conversations between his ex and himself, chronicling how, as an out and proud gay man, he was victim to feeling like someone else's secret, as his partner was not as forthcoming with family and friends.
Max has used sales of these prints to support the charity, LGBT Switchboard.
Darren Suarez is the House Mother of the House of Suarez, and executive producer and creative director of the annual House of Suarez Vogue Ball.
We learn about his journey as part of the Vogue community, understanding some of its routes in UK culture, as well as learning about the history of the annual House of Suarez Vogue Ball, which recently saw it's largest Manchester event to date.
Liverpool Queer Collective was set up in 2016 with the aim to enrich Liverpool's LGBTQ+ community, bringing it together through creative events and online channels, as well as by identifying safe spaces in the city.
It has evolved greatly since its inception, attracting over 200 people to march with the group at 2019's Pride in Liverpool!
John is joined by Mel, Char and Andrew to learn more!
X Factor alumni and Musical Theatre Star, Marcus Collins joins us to discuss diversity in the music industry, as well as his own personal experience of being encouraged to keep his own sexuality quiet, before the show itself revealed the bombshell without informing him first...
Local artist, Sophie Green, is an independent artist, trans activist and overall elder to the community (her words, not ours!) Having recently set up shop and studio and MerseyMade, Sophie is now able to showcase her work for all to see. She has also been involved with many events such as Transgender Day of Remembrance, held annual at Liverpool's Exchange Station.
John is joined by the incredibly Detective Constable Tracy O'Hara, from Merseyside Police.
Tracy is well known within the LGBTQ+ community, being the chair of Merseyside Police's LGBT+ Network, and the deputy chair of the National LGBT+ Network.
We talk about her reasons for joining the police, and what difference she feels she has made to further community cohesion and support.
John catches up with RuPaul's Drag Race UK runner up, Divina De Campo, about her start in drag, her theatre background and the politics surrounding being a drag queen and how it all differs between artists.
LCR Pride Foundation co founder, and now interim CEO, Andi Herring talks about his time in LGBTQ+ activism, starting as a Uni LGBTQ+ Officer, to leading Liverpool's Stanley Street Quarter Initiative, and eventually working with Liverpool Pride and establishing LCR Pride Foundation alongside John.
Kate Reilly and her daughter, Ellie, join John to talk about the beauty and responsibility in raising children to be as accepting and understanding as possible, leading into how Ellie has been a major part of her school's Diversity club, and her discovery of Cosplay - this having an incredible community element to it that supports difference.
Liverpool Councillor, Harry Doyle, talks to John about the reasons why he chose, or fell into, local politics, including his notable motion for Liverpool City Council to declare that they see Transgender women as women, in light of growing anti-trans activity within the City Region.
John talks about the incredible work that young person's charity, Mermaids, does for gender diverse and gender questioning young people, before speaking to one of those young people, Emily, about her involvement.
Emily also recounts how she set up her own LGBTQ+ club in school, where she had to give a talk in the assemblies of all year groups!
We caught up with Exec Director of Museums and Participation at National Museums Liverpool, to talk the importance of cultural history within a city and the different communities within that city, as well as having allies in these positions to support the telling of these stories.
Daniel Smythe grew up in a small rural town, with no knowledge nor understanding of what it meant to be gay, with no role models.
He then upped and moved to London for University and embedded himself within the London gay scene, working in Heaven, and living the party lifestyle.
He has since settled down in Liverpool, with his partner Dean, and is an incredible success in life!
Felix Mufti Wright is a young transgender man who is heavily involved in performing arts and LGBTQ+ activism.
Whilst coming out as a lesbian at a young age, and then as trans, it was definitely a journey when Felix understood he was in fact, a gay trans man - something not often discussed within LGBTQ+ conversations, as it clearly demonstrates how sexuality and gender are very different parts of an individual!
Jay Farrell was bound to a wheelchair following his battle with cancer of the spine as a child, but he hasn't allowed that to stop him from living an adventurous life.
Currently studying a Master's degree, and is an alternative model, he wants to address the minority within a minority, that being a disabled person sometimes feels like within the LGBTQ+ community.
Chrissie Willis has worked within community and local radio for some years, and has been an incredible advocate and ally for the LGBTQ+ community - Knowsley Community College Radio, or KCC Live, was nominated for a National Diversity Award, due to it's LGBTQ+ related content!
Currently within BBC Radio Merseyside, Chrissie's role is to engage with the local community and see how the BBC can support local projects and initiatives.
We are finally relaunching and releasing brand new content for The Little Bird Told Me podcast!
In this introductory episode, I wanted to talk a little bit about my reasons for creating a podcast, and answer a few questions provided by listeners!
What drives you, how did you get started, why is the voice of the LGBTQ+ community important?
LGBTQ+ activist extraordinaire, Emma, joins John to talk about the different work she has been involved in, from, now defunct, LGBTQ+ domestic violence charity, Broken Rainbows, transgender youth charity, Mermaids, Liverpool Pride, and most recently, Diversity Role Models.
Emma talks about what drives her to work in the charity sector, and what difference it makes.
Liverpool transgender drag performer, Tiara Fletcher, explains what it means to be Trans and a drag queen at the same time, demonstrating the diversity of the art form; as well as some of the issues she faces as a member of the transgender community.
Recorded November 2019.
One of Liverpool's more colourful members of the Drag community, Whitney Wideon, talks about her time on the Liverpool LGBTQ+ scene, her own style of drag, and changes within the community.
Recorded November 2016.
George Fletcher is known in Liverpool for being part of Navy Bar's performance team, as well as Dream Boys, and being a member of the Paralympic Football team representing England.
He had a horrible experience where a friend was victim to homophobic abuse, and George stepped into defend his friend before it turned violent. This is his story.
Recorded September 2016
New queen to the scene, Miss Rosie, talks to John about starting up in drag in today's society - is it easier? More accepting? Or do we still face stereotypes and strange expectations?
Recorded September 2016
Hollyoaks' Annie Wallace, aka Sally St Claire, joins John and talks about how her being Transgender has had an impact on her acting career, both highs and lows, and the community's thoughts regarding LGBTQ+ actors portraying those roles.
Recorded June 2016
This is a treat, living legend, Liverpool drag performer, Lavinia, resident DJ at Gbar, talks about being for over 25 years, how things have changed, and shares some very personal and hilarious stories from her heyday!
Recorded June 2016
John talks with Liverpool Drag performer, Brenda La Beau, about her career, what she feels defines the art of drag, and some funny stories from way back when and including RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6 winner, Bianca Del Rio!
Recorded May 2016.
John reflects on his reasons for producing the podcast, and creating content, how he has suffered with self confidence and anxiety issues.
Hopeing all can take something.
Recorded April 2016
John is joined by make up artist, Dean Taylor, known for his incredible make up talents - regularly applying out there artistry onto his own face, as well as many others. Dean talks about his journey with make up, and experiences as a boy wearing make up in public.
John is flying solo in this episode, from back in 2016, and has a little look back at the topics discussed in our earlier recordings, Hilsborough, and a few other topics.
Originally recorded April 2016.
Liverpool Media Academy (LMA) graduate, Joe McEvoy, who has performed on cruise liners across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, amongst others, talks Musical Theatre - is it a stereotype for the LGBTQ+ community to enjoy theatre, why do we love it so? As well as his experiences in Panto.
Recorded on Google Hangout, Liverpool's John Bird is joined by Birmingham's Eddie Masih.
Touching upon a lot of spirituality and the differences between different communities, it is an interesting conversation demonstrating two very different corners of the UK (kind of).
Content originally produced April 2016.
Adult entertainer, Mickey Taylor, tackles a conversation many wish not to... sex!
As a professional porn actor, Mickey knows a thing or too about gay sex, and would like to educate the children... or talk about his career, y'know.
Hollyoaks' Ross Adams joins John to talk about homosexuality on TV, as well as personal experiences as an out gay actor and whether that has had an affect on the jobs he has taken.
Also learn about how Ross beat out John to the role of Scott Drinkwell in Hollyoaks!
Content originally produced in February 2016.
Former drag queen, going by the name BabyJay (play on 'baby gay'), Jasmine Jade, at time of recording, is in early stages of transition.
She tells us about the process involved with legally transitioning changer, as well as societal, and personal, viewpoints that affect the trans community.
Original content produced in February 2016.
Part 2!
Identities kept to first names only out of respect, David and Martin discuss their very different circumstances with learning of their HIV+ status, the reactions from their peers, and the environment at the time of their diagnosis.
Content produced in January 2016
Identities kept to first names only out of respect, David and Martin discuss their very different circumstances with learning of their HIV+ status, the reactions from their peers, and the environment at the time of their diagnosis.
Tune in for Part 2 next time!
Content produced in January 2016
RuPaul's Drag Race UK's The Vivienne joins us to talk about her journey as a drag artist, as well as her opinion on the art of drag, its evolution and its place within queer culture.
This podcast was recorded in January 2016, pre Drag Race!
Local singer / songwriter, Fyval, has a major following within Swan Queen circles - the fan made idea that Elizabeth Swan and the Evil Queen, Regina, are an item - as she has produced music that has been widely endorsed by the groups; and joins us to talk about Queer artistry in music, as well as queer themes.
Content originally produced in January 2016
Local Liverpool drag legend, Lady Sian, talks about her time growing up on Liverpool's LGBT+ scene; why she started drag and how she has seen the 'scene' develop of the years!
It's a fantastic story!
Content originally produced in January 2016