Power Beyond Pride

Stephen Fletcher, Director of Victim Services for the Family Service of the Piedmont, joins hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas to discuss his career evolution from LGBTQ+ outreach specialist to his current role, emphasizing that the field "picked" him. 

Community organizer Melvy Shaw meets with Mattie Bynum and Kate d'Adamo to discuss the importance of cross-community solidarity, her work with the North Carolina's Guilford Green Foundation amidst the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, and channeling her creativity into music and photo magic.

Palestinian American writer and organizer Thafer Abu Qamir chats with Daniel W.K. Lee and Shane Lukas about co-founding NOLA Freedom Forum and the Palestinian Youth Movement in New Orleans to educate people on the interconnectedness of liberation struggles and to create a space for queer Palestinians, his views on how to create a more inclusive and just world that recognizes the significance of Pa...

This monthly Reply All episode features hosts Kate d'Adamo, Daniel Lee, and Shane Lukas discussing the balance between symbolic activism (such as rainbow crosswalks and murals) and material policy change, prompted by the attempted removal of the Montrose (Houston) crosswalks. They explore whether a focus on symbols can overshadow more consequential political work. The hosts also critique tokenized...

Dominique Jackson joins co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas to discuss her career, activism, and mental health advocacy, drawing on her own life experiences. The Pose superstar reflects on the power of visibility for Black trans women, her deep commitment to mental health informed by her work as a community organizer, and her upcoming film launching this weekend: the majority queer-cast horror f...

Artist and activist Carlo Quispe discusses his journey in using comics to explore queer and Latinx identity, challenge censorship, and advocate for social change with co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Kenyon Farrow.

LGBTQ and human rights activist Pauline Park joins co-hosts Daniel WK Lee and Kate d'Adamo as she shares about the critical need to move beyond representational politics and dismantle systemic oppressions, including capitalism and apartheid.

Your hosts Mattie Bynum, Kenyon Farrow, Melodie KG, and Shane Lukas explore the idea of rhetorical consistency and responsibility in political movements, prompted by a surprisingly inclusive statement from the NRA supporting universal gun access regardless of gender identity as well as take audience questions.

Terrell Dungee, a community organizer with the Carolina Federation and the American Friends Service Committee as well as community grassroots activist, talks with hosts Kenyon Farrow and Melodie KG to discuss his passion for social justice, his "inherently queer" agenda, and the network of care, discovery, and celebration he nurtures to keep it moving forward.

Tay and Val, founders of Modern Mind Labs, discuss their life's work with hosts Melodie KG and Shane Lukas. The conversation navigates the power of creating brave and inclusive spaces by meeting people where they are and focusing on shared humanity rather than divisions as well as the couple's balancing of work, growth, and keeping their relationship full of adventure.

Tania Jimenez, Executive Director of Asheboro Latinx Services, chats with co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas to discuss her work empowering the trans+ and Latine communities, advocating for transgender and immigrant rights, and building affirming spaces in North Carolina and throughout the country for translatinas.

Scientist Dr. Shuntai Zhao joins co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas to share the insights on the current state and possibilities of HIV research, the challenges of funding in science, and the critical role of communication between scientists and the public.

This monthly "Reply All" episode features members of the co-host team (Mattie Bynum, Kate d'Adamo, and Daniel WK Lee) discussing the political optics of Meta's new anti-woke AI advisor and a Pete Buttigieg's remarks on trans athletes, as well as the importance of community support for activists. The team also takes listener questions and invites you to submit yours!

S**worker and activist Laura LeMoon chats with hosts Mattie Bynum and Daniel W.K. Lee about her journey as a trafficking survivor, adult industry worker and advocate, and internationally recognized queer artist, highlighting the personal and systemic hurdles faced in social justice as well as what we can all use to move LGBTQ+ rights and intersections forward.

Daniel Valdez, Chief External Affairs Officer at Welcoming America and Charlotte Pride board member, shares his personal journey as a Mexican-American, nonprofit leadership, and insights about the changing dynamics of large scale pride events in 2025 with co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas.

Mattie, a comedian, actress, and advocate chats with co-hosts Kenyon Farrow and Hunter to share about he identity journey, the important role faith plays in her life, and how to process past experiences while encouraging others to embrace their voices and drive societal transformation.

Join Power Beyond Pride co-host team members Daniel WK Lee and Kate D'Adamo as they explore the dynamic landscape of queer liberation and activism with Shane Lukas, an award-winning designer, public speaker, and grassroots activist dedicated to fighting for bodily freedoms and bold ideas.

Miguel Camnitzer, a writer and anti-genocide activist, joins co-hosts Daniel W.K. Lee and Mattie Bynum to discuss the overrepresentation of LGBTQ+ people among unhoused populations, the necessity of universal programs like Medicare for All, and the importance of intersectional approaches to social justice.

Award-winning advocate Kassia Graham joins Power Beyond Pride co-hosts Melodie KG and Daniel W.K. Lee to share insights on their lifelong connection to cannabis, its healing properties, and the need to dismantle capitalist notions in pursuit of true community support.

Co-hosts Mattie Bynum, Melodie KG, and Shane Lukas delve into recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, highlighting how these issues directly impact the real safety and development of all youth, respond to ramped up attacks on queer and trans+ people from the recent headlines, and reach into the mailbag to reply to listener questions.

This episode gets to know Power By Pride co-host Kenyon Farrow on the challenges faced by non-profits due to government actions and the importance of community activism. Interviewed by co-hosts Daniel W.K. Lee and Mattie Bynum, delves into the critical impact of government policies on global health organizations like AVAC, detailing how executive orders have disrupted vital work in equitable acces...

Join Victoria Knight as the engineer and Humanist speaks with co-hosts Hunter and Shane Lukas about the intersection of her philosophical life and gender identity, her work in tech and community, and her vision for a more inclusive society.

Melodie KG, a published author, speaker, and activist, talks with co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas about her work bridging community-level activism with institutional philanthropy to advance sex worker rights, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-discovery in her journey. The conversation also explores the complex relationship between grassroots organizing and institutional phi...

Travis Montez, a lawyer, writer, and mental health advocate, joins co-hosts Daniel W.K. Lee and Shane Lukas to discuss his work empowering youth, the importance of self-determination, and how his LGBTQ+ identity and poetry inform his advocacy.

Get to know Power Beyond Pride co-host Hunter, a queer femme photographer and advocate. In this interview with Mattie Bynum and Melodie KG, they discuss how their experiences contribute to a cosmopolitan worldview and their commitment to health equity, education, and advocacy for BIPOC people, LGBTQ+ community members, and individuals with disabilities while making space for cooking up their cheri...