Isn't It Queer

Jonny interviews Tara Bell about a recent spate of anti-trans and anti-queer violence and protest in local public school districts, with a particular focus on what's going on in the Anna-Jonesboro school district. In addition to school systems not being in compliance with Illinois' "inclusive curriculum" mandate, these schools are insufficiently addressing the safety and human rights of their quee...

Jonny discusses the new bi Superman and his on-panel kiss with his reporter boyfriend in DC Comics "Son of Kal-El #5." He then discusses Dave Chappelle's Netflix special, "The Closer." In between these two stories, he discusses queer and trans representation and the response to it, folding other recent stories that show violent and deadly homophobia and transphobia are still very much a part of th...

Jonny reviews briefly the history of National Coming Out Day (Oct 11). He then interviews Roddy Bigg's about his coming out experience and the route he took from that at age 12 to going to seminar at age 28 to become a Unitarian Universalist minister.

Jonny starts the show with a congratulations to the Rainbow Cafe which met its $15,000 fundraising goal with its annual gala over the weekend. He then turns to a series of related stories about attempts to ban basic rights associated with identity. First up, he reviews the weekend's Women's March in Carbondale and around the country, with its focus on fighting bans on abortion. He then turns to st...

Our annual dive into Gay Spirit Visions and its 32nd Fall Conference. Jonny interviews Pete Cossaboon, an angel encourager, about Christ consciousness spirituality and his gifts and studies. Jonny then offers an in situ meditation at The Mountain (outside Highlands, NC) about the connections made at GSV. Two corrections: the Faerie Sanctuary mentioned was "Running Water" (not Falling Water). And t...

Jonny interviews Sandy and Carrie about the upcoming virtual Rainbow Cafe Gala on Saturday, October 3. So many ways to be involved (see below)! Also, don't forget the WDBX Block Party coming up on Saturday, October 9. Deadline for food order and sponsorship for the RC Gala: Saturday, September 25. That is also the day the online auction opens! https://rainbowcafe.org donate directly: https://www.r...

Jonny discusses the Guardian US censoring a recent interview with Judith Butler where they make a connection between TERFs (Trans Exclusive Radical Feminists) and fascists. He then discusses China's recent edict banning "sissy men" from Chinese media. In the back half of the show he reviews the events leading up to Alphonso David being fired as HRC president.

Jonny interviews local LGBTQ community leader Wil Davis about his experience dealing with cancer during a Pandemic. He then celebrates the Campus Pride report card for Southern Illinois University, awarding five out of five stars for LGBTQ affirming campuses. He ends with commentary linking recent Texas laws and a Missouri decision to shut down an student created display of LGBTQ activists in Kans...

Jonny reviews some proposed changes to the curriculum that would make public schools and colleges/universities more welcoming and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff, and administrators. He then checks in on OnlyFan's response to their attempt to remove explicit adult content from their platform. He ends with news of CoVid and the "miracle" cures the deniers are seeking in livestock dewo...

Jonny covers LGBTQIA+ representation in the Paralympics as well as "quietly released" data that the science supporting regulating testosterone in cis women athletes in track and field isn't sound. He reviews the changes to OnlyFans coming in October that target sexually explicit content, with comparisons to Tumblr. He reviews the threat the Taliban poses for LGBTQ+ Afghans and what we in the West...

Jonny opens the show with a a review of some recent LGBTQ news items, good and bad. First, he covers news of a court case in IL that finds Hobby Lobby discriminated against a trans employee. Next, he reviews several stories coming out of Texas where both the Legislature and the courts are rife with transphobia. He then notes evidence that vaccine rates among LGBTQ+ USAmericans are over 90%. In the...

Jonny covers the blowback of the NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo scandal and resignation back onto HRC President Alphonso David. He also interviews local queer YouTuber and podcaster, Ky Chameleon, about his experiences with drug addiction, spirituality, and mediumship. You can follow Ky’s work on the podcast Through the Matrix.

Jonny covers several stories, good and bad, of increased queer visibility at the 2020 Olympics now going on in Tokyo, Japan. Particular focus given to New Zealand's Lauren Hubbard, Canada's Quinn, and the UK's Tom Daley. He offers a rundown of the LGBTQIA+ athletes who have won metals so far. He closes out with coverage of Pro-LGBTQIA+ legislation signed into Illinois law by Governor Pritzker last...

Jonny interviews Todd Brown about his experiences being in and ultimately leaving a local Sufi organization as a gay man. Todd has a You Tube channel, "Quit Your Cult," where he shares his stories on a regular basis: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnqB030coG1f5i9-XUTuAyA

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, S...

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 M...

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 i...

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 di...

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 en...

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 pre...

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 wit...