Isnt It Queer

Jonny shares a presentation from the inaugural meeting of GRIS (Golden Rainbows of Illinois South), a group dedicated to meeting the needs of those in the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Illinois who are 50+ years old. He then covers stories from Illinois and California about discrimination (homophobia and transphobia) in nursing homes. Finally, he offers a eulogy for lesbian activist and educator, Sally Miller Gearhart.

Jonny talks with OJ Duncan, a.k.a. Novice Sister Ferda Boyce, about plans to bring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to Carbondale and Southern Illinois, establishing a mission house in the area. He then reviews news of enhanced LGBTQ visibility in The Emmy's and the Olympics.

Jonny heads off to a meditation retreat and turns the show over to local Ky Chameleon's (a.k.a. Ky McClosky) podcast, "Through the Matrix." First, Ky interviews Angie Sun, a spiritual medium and shaman. Second, Ky interviews Grant Harris of Southern Illinois Flow about fire walking, fire handling, and other tools he uses in his motivational retreats. You can find other interviews on "Through the Matrix" over on You Tube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWNNjTzPhs7pyDbdI5sVBGQ) and also available on Spotify.

Jonny condenses the live coverage of the SI Pride Care-avan covered by Nathan Colombo and De'Traveus. He then reviews the White House meeting with LGBTQ Leaders, the SCOTUS decision to not take up the appeal of Gavin Grimm's case, and a recent study that shows there are more non-binary people in the US than perhaps previously thought.

Jonny talks with Clare Killman about an upcoming local pride event raising funds for the Conversion Therapy Dropout Network. He then reviews the recent SCOTUS decision allowing Catholic foster care services in Philadelphia to discriminate against LGBTQ families,. He then does a brief roundup of good news about the advancement of LGBTQ rights in the US and around the world.

Jonny talks with Tara about the wonderful events planned for SU Pridefest (June 25-27). He then discusses with Bre McMillan the dropped lighting of a footbridge in Mt. Vernon with rainbow colored lights and the ways the LGBTQIA+ community is organizing to push back.

Jonny shares some out queer politicians Pride commemorations. He also reviews the change of historic Boystown in Chicago to a more inclusive North Halstead, including the unique outdoor LGBTQ+ history museum of the Legacy Walk. He then turns to report on the paltry showing of ex-gay advocates in Washington. He ends with a story of sweet karma as LGBTQ+ recognition is again waged over baked goods in a small Texas bakery.

Jonny weigh's in on the "No Kink/Family Friendly" controversy about Pride and inclusivity. He also covers the return of the Presidential Proclamation for Pride Month. He celebrates cautiously LEGO's release of a Pride-themed toy, "Everyone Is Awesome," adding AFOL ("Adult Fan of Lego") to the alphabet soup. He ends with obituaries for three significant lesbian cultural leaders and activists who died recently in the weeks leading up to Pride Month.

Jonny reviews what to expect in June for Pride, starting locally in Carbondale IL and moving out from there to our nearest, surrounding urban centers. He notes where Pride is going virtual, where it includes limited in-person options, and where it has been cancelled or postponed to later in the year. He weighs in on the NYC decision to not have a prominently visible police presence at Pride. He ends with a brief review of some children's books about Pride.

Jonny reviews the dark money organizations that are writing the historic number of anti-LGBTQ laws being passed in too many states. He reviews some of the unintended consequences of policing trans bodies in sports, including the price AFAB female athletes may pay. He weighs in on Caitlyn Jenner's campaign for CA Governor and how quickly that turned transphobic. He links anti-LGBTQ laws to laws preventing the teaching of critical race theory (CRT). Finally, he ends with some commentary about Biden's agenda for upholding LGBTQ rights abroad.

Jonny explains the Biden Administrations HHS reversal on a Trump Administration policy that allowed discrimination against LGBTQ folks in matters of health care. He shares a letter from a medical doctor who treats trans youth and marks this week as a significant one in US history--more anti-LGBTQ laws have been passed so far this year than in any year in US History! He then rounds out the show with some lighter stories about the queer shenanigans of politicians.

Jonny discusses the pushback against anti-trans legislation in several states, Caitlyn Jenner's run for CA governor, and President Biden's joint address of Congress. We end with a special commentary from Rona P. Andemic.

Jonny and Clare Killman discuss "queer liberation" and all things "queer," including persistent resistance to the term. It is also the continuation of the Spring pledge drive for WDBX. Please check out WDBX.org and consider making a donation.

Jonny reviews some of the fallout and damage already being done by the anti-trans legislation targeting youths that is sweeping the nation. Featured prominently is Kai Shapple's testimony before the Texas State Legislature. He then reviews three TV and documentary projects coming out soon. This is spring pledge week for WDBX. If you enjoy listening to IIQ, please consider heading over to WDBX.org and pledging some support for the station. The station could really use more folks signing up for monthly direct deposit donations.

Jonny reports on the recent Southern Illinois LGBTQ virtual town hall meeting. He then covers more recent developments in anti-trans legislation, including a veto from an AR Governor (since overturned) and a letter from the president of the NCAA.

Jonny covers details about an upcoming virtual Town Hall in SoIL concerning LGBTQ community issues and concerns. He then interviews Curtis Galloway, a local activist relocated to LosAngeles, about his continued work to ban conversion therapy and his published response to Milo Yiannopoulos's return to the spotlight as an "ex-gay in process." Finally, he ends with some uplifting news about local communities organizing and pushing back against the recent rush of anti-trans legislation.

Jonny reviews some of the important push back and likely consequences for the various legislation limiting how trans youth can compete athletically. He then discusses Milo Yiannopoulos's attempts to resuscitate conversion therapy and the ex-gay movement. He ends the show with some news from Marvel and DC about an upcoming summer Pride spotlight on LGBTQ+ heroes and villains.

Jonny reviews reasons why members of the LGBTQ community should get vaccinated. He reviews the Right's hypocritical obsession with "cancel culture." He checks in on the progress of legislation around the country that prevents trans youths from playing sports as their gender, noting especially the failure of proponents of this law to provide any evidence that there is a problem.

Jonny reviews a series of stories that demonstrate the Republican Party seeks to make Trans Rights issues (especially sports and puberty blockers) their new defining issue. From CPAC to the halls of Congress to toy shelves, GOP transphobia was on full display this week.

Jonny interviews friend of the show Tara Bell about the REACH Act, which is under consideration in the Illinois legislature and would mandate age-appropriate and LGBTQ-inclusive sex education in public schools. He then offers a suitably salty obituary for Rush Limbaugh. He ends with some hopeful news about the status of the Equality Act.Addendum: Tara reports that state representative Patrick Windhorst has agreed to a meeting with her about the REACH Act. In the interview, Tara shares her frustration that IL legislators in Southern Illinois don't seem willing to talk with constituents about this piece of legislation under consideration. We can now remove Rep. Windhorst from that list.