Release date: July 3, 2023
For this final episode honoring Pride Month, I attended four NYC Pride events and interviewed speakers, dignitaries, and leaders. I asked them all one question: What words of advice or encouragement do you have for kids who are not feeling valued and supported as they realize their orientation, identity, and identity expression?
In this episode you will hear:
- Gabrielle Souza, Executive Director of The Okra Project, a mutual aid collective that supports Black Trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming people;
- Sage Dolan-Sandrino, queer trans activist, journalist, and the inaugural Monica Roberts Fellow at the National Black Justice Coalition;
- Melissa D’Andrea, Executive Director of PFLAG NYC, a family-based organization committed to celebrating LGBTQ+ young people and creating a better future for all;
- NYC Pride March Grand Marshal Yasmin Benoit, award-winning British asexual activist, creator of the popular #ThisIsWhatAsexualLooksLike movement, and co-founder International Asexuality Day;
- NYC Pride March Grand Marshal Hope Giselle, organizer, trans activist, and best-selling author of Becoming Hope: Removing the Disguise;
- NYC Pride March Grand Marshal Randy Wicker, legendary, trailblazing LGBTQ+ activist;
- NYC Pride March Grand Marshal AC Dumlao, Chief of Staff at Athlete Ally, a nonprofit working to educate and activate athletic communities to eliminate homophobia and transphobia in sports, and creator of the popular Facebook page “Call Me They”; and
- Sandra Pérez, Executive Director for NYC Pride.
I recommend sharing the powerful advice and encouragement they offered with the kids in your life.
More information about these activists, including links to their organizations, is below.
Links
Gabrielle Souz and The Okra Project
Sage Dolan-Sandrino
Melissa D’Andrea and PFLAG NYC
Yasmin Benoit
Hope Giselle
Randy Wicker
AC Dumloa
Sandra Perez
