Isnt It Queer

Jonny shares the highlights of a town hall scheduled for March 13 in Carbondale with candidates running for local School Boards. Many were invited to attend, three indicated that they would, none showed up. So, the community that did come to listen and ask questions had a conversation about the serious issues facing public education, especially re: LGBTQIA+ youth. The questing and the comments were substantive. The irritation that, even in a progressive state like Illlinois, candidates can so easily shun having such conversations with their constituents was palpable. In the back third of the show, Jonny reviews legislation in Illinois meant to protect public libraries from censorship.

Jonny and Dr. Shannon Green, both Beloved Puppetistas, discuss the beginning of public puppet making workshops in anticipation of the All Species Puppet Parade on Earth Day (April 22) in Carbondale, IL. Along the way, they discuss the challenges of public pedagogy, especially for queers. They note smilarites in resistance to environmental reform and LGBTQ rights advancement. But mostly, they celebrate their joy of art, education, and environmental advocacy.

Jonny interviews Ky Chameleon (a.k.a. Jelly Lizard) about the myriad local queer and flow arts projects they are involved in. From fire work to clowning to drag to Dancing Bear Tribe to publishing to music festivals to summer camps, Ky is involved in A LOT. As a long time friend of the show, Ky catches Jonny up about their journey through addiction and in and out of Southern Illinois. Throughout the conversation they address the need for visibility, representation, and vigilance against those trying to erase us. Of particular note, they discuss how trans- and drag-bans impact myriad performance practices beyond what the laws are set to target.

Jonny interviews ChatGPT about trans rights and the logic and accuracy of legislative assaults on trans rights. He then digs into an explanation of what Large Language Model AI Chatbots really are and what conclusions we can and cannot draw from what they say. In the back portion of the show, he examines the good and the bad of what the Internet has done for LGBTQ+ community, equity, and acceptance as a lens into understanding what we might expect from AI technology.

Jonny leans into the holiday spirit and turns to what Valentines Day can teach us about diversity of love. He begins with the often violent history of the holiday. He notes how St. Valentine is held up by some as a hero of marriage equality. He then turns to what the animal kingdom can teach us about love. In the back half of the show, he reviews two stories about the charge of "grooming" that reveals how probematic that term is, especially when applied as a blanket critique to LGBTQ people.

Jonny currates some recent stories about LGBTQ-affirming education and the lie of "parental choice" and "freedom." In the back half of the show, he tries to counter the news of evergrowing amounts of proposed legislation limitiing LGBTQ rights with some stories about places where equity and acceptance are being advanced. He concludes with a rundown of upcoming LGBTQ commnity events in Southern Illinois.

Jonny interviews David W. Jones, author of _I Say Yes to Life: The Affirmation Project._ David speaks about transforming his recovery from trauma and addiction into a collection of meaningful affirmations and meditations for everyone, especially those on similar paths of recovery. The interview takes up most of the episode, but in the final portion Jonny share facts and figures about why substance additction and trauma-strain are higher in the LGBTQ community than in the cis/het majority. If you would like to contact David for an autographed copy of his book, you can reach him at dwjdreaming@aol.com or at his FaceBook page "David W Jones Yoga" https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063471825290. The book is also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major online retailers.

Jonny interviews Carrie Vine, executive director of Rainbow Cafe, about the organizations considerable commtiments to community health outreach and education. Theya also discuss the move into new facilities and recent and upcoming fundraising events. In the back half of the show, Jonny reviews recently passed legislation in IL protecting healthcare providers of gender affriming care and pregnancy termination. He notes how important this is in light of anti-LGBTQ legislation being considered in surrounding states, with Missouri leading the nation in most anti-LGBTQ legislation under consideration in the current session. Finally, Jonny checks back in with local LGBTQ youth advocate, DTreveous Graham, about the Tea party Extravaganza planned for February 11 at the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship as a benefit for the carbondale Warming Ceter and a way to celebrate D's 21st birthday!

Jonny reviews some local preparations for Queer advocacy, reporting on the amazing turnout for the first Rainbow Cafe work day, as they prepare for their new residence in downtown Carbondale. He then covers the excting planning meeting for Southern Illinpois Pride Fest, scheduled for June 9-11 with the main event on June 10 occuring in Turley Park. He also shares a call to action from Tri-State Aliannce about toxic anti-LGBTQ legislation underconsideration in the IN legislature. In the back half of the show, he rebroadcasts a June 2022 interview with Taylor Brorby, author of _Boys and Oil_, a memoir of growing up queer in North Dakota while also being an anti-fracking advocate.

Jonny reviews the renewed attacks on LGBTQ rights as state legilatures and US House open fr business in the spring legislative sessions. He reviews some of the recent impacts of the Don't Say Gay law in Florida as the state extends its purview (despite arguments in court that it would not). In the back half of the show, he turns to more positive stories of positive legislative and judicial acts supporting the LGBTQ community around the country. He also celebrates the American Dialect Society's selection of "-ussy" as the word of the year. He closes out the show with several community announcements of LGBTQ activites in the Carbondale area.

Jonny kicks off 2023 with local legend and superstar, STreveous Graham (a.k.a. Sister Toggaf Tuls Reeuq) about their plans for the new year and the role local activism plays in their lives. In the back half of the show, Jonny reviews evidence that groups like "Libs of Tik Tok" and "Gays Against Groomers" are front groups for other organizations, and where the dark money that supports them likely comes from. He ends the show with some podcast recommendations and announcements for local events comong up, including a planning meeting for Southern Illinois Pride on Wednesday, January 11.

Jonny offers a review of some of the people who have been on IIIQ in 2022 and a sampling of the kinds of stories we've covered. It's the annual year-in-review show--not an exhaustive list, but one that shows themes and trends across the year. And what a year it has been!

Jonny summarizes and discusses the HBO Max documentary "Santa Camp" and the importance of diverse representation in the Santa Industry. He provides a list of queer inclusive holiday content available for streaming. He celebrates the "I'll Be Home for Christmas" Brittney Griner story. And he revews the linguistic gift of trans inclusive definitions of "man" and "woman" from the Cambridge Dictionary and Dictionary.com. He provides a bit of holiday caution to the community about the impending plunge in temperatures and the need to be compassionate and helpful with each other to get through the cold and dark.

Jonny celebrates the signing of the Respect For Marriage Act into law. He reviews what it is, what it protects, and how it isn't full on marriage equality. He then reviews the SCOTUS arguments in the 303 Creative LLC v Elenis case, where conservative justices seem poised to legalze discrimination against same sex marriage. In the back half of the show, he reviews the downfal of DOE politico Sam Brinton and some criticism of him as a viable spokesperson for ending conversion therapy. Finally, Jonny interviews Benito Goff of the Rainbow Cafe about upcoming events, including Queermas celebrations in Carbondale.

In the wake of Department of Homeland Security warnings of escalations in domestic terrorism targeting LGBTQ+ and other minorities and a weekend of assaults on queer spaces, Jonny talks with local drag performer Korey Klausing (a.k.a.Korra Devil) and backup support Aaron Wells about their experiences in local venues and responses to the rising threats. Included is a call to action for the community and a call to protect ourselves. In the back half of the show, Jonny talks with Billy Rogers about Golden Rainbows of Illinois South (GRIS), their recent accomplishments, goals, and an upcoming Holiday Party on December 11th

Jonny reviews recent accomplishments in the worldwide struggle to end HIV/AIDS. He then discusses the "OneLove" armband kerfuffle at the World Cup in Qatar. Finally, he weaves several stories together in a response to defense attorney claims that that the alleged Club Q shooter is nonbinary.

Jonny comments on his Trans Day of Remembrance experience, linking it to the emotional fallout of the shooting in Colorado Springs. He details what we currently know of the ClubQ shooting and how it is one in a long line recently of assaults on LGBTQ+ institutions. In the back half of the show, Craig Gingrich Philbrook shares a brief meditation on safety in public spaces. Jonny folllows this with some legislative and political developments we can be thankful for. CORRECTION: In the first segment, Jonny incorrectly names Benito Goff "Benton," a name he no longer uses.

Jonny talks with Carrie Vine, newly appointed executive director of the Rainbow Cafe. They discuss the organizations new organizational structure as well as the upcoming events it is sponsoring. In the back half of the show, Jonny reviews some of the powerful outcomes of the 2022 midterm elections for the LGBTQ community.

Jonny reviews IL bail reform and the conservative narrative of high crime in Democrat-held cities and states to show how the same kind of outright lying and fear tactics used against the LGBTQ community is the standard playbook for the GOP. In the back half of the show, he looks at Elon Musk's first days as owner of Twitter, the rise in transphobic and racist Tweets on the site, and the thorny issue of making any social media site a haven for "free speech." Throughout, he reminds you to GO VOTE!!!

Jonny previews the showing of the documentary "Two Spirit" as part of the SIU LGBTQ+ History Month celebration, including director Lydia Nibley's campus visit. He then profiles eight active 2S artists/healers/content makers advancing (among others) the cause and awareness of queer indigeneity. He then reviews two bits of legislation (one national, one state level) that deliberately target public expression of queerness. He profiles 10 historic LGBTQ candidates of the over 600 running for public office in the 2022 midterms. Finally, he ends with a preview of the upcoming premier of "Sound Story" in the Kleinau Theatre on the SIU Campus.