Queer And It's Working

“Lily”, Cis Female, Lesbian, LGBTQ+ Activist and Director at ICS – is this week’s relatable role-model on QUEER AND IT’S WORKING. “Lily” and I had a wonderful talk discussing her activism work in Vietnam, how she fell into working for an NGO focused on LGBTQ+ rights, and her first girlfriend at 15 years old. “Lily” is the director at ICS – an organization based in Ho Chi Minh City that provides services that improve society's awareness, provide services for the LGBT communities, and enhance the visibility of the LGBT communities in Vietnam. “Lily” is currently fighting for Marriage Equality in Vietnam and I’m sure that the LGBTQ+ community have a very strong and dedicated leader in her. I wish you all the best with your future work and I hope one day to join you for Pride in Ho Chi Minh City. Thank you so much “Lily” for sharing your story. Find out more about ICS here: http://ics.org.vn https://www.facebook.com/icsvn/ #queerworking @queer.working https://www.buymeacoffee.com/queerworking Episode recorded 19.04.2022

Kayden, Trans Man, Pansexual, Non-Binary, Social Worker – is this week’s relatable role-model on QUEER AND IT’S WORKING. If you want something done, then Kayden is your guy. However, he is normally doing a 60-hour working week and is currently dating himself, so you may need to book an appointment 4 years in advance. We talked about how he works for the community to improve the lives of others. He also told me about his dream to open a homeless shelter exclusively for LGBTQ+ people in Tampa, Florida. He kindly shared about his catholic upbringing in Texas and educated me on the Don’t Say Gay Bill and how its true danger lies in its vague wording. He is a really lovely guy and I’m happy to call him a new friend of mine. Thank you, Kayden, so much for sharing your story. Find Kayden here: @nedyakk Linkedin #queerworking @queer.working Episode recorded 16.04.2022

Craig, Cis Male, Gay, EFL Teacher – is this week’s relatable role-model on QUEER AND IT’S WORKING. Craig is an everyday kind-of-guy. You would quickly become his friend if you sat next to him on a bus, at a bar, or in the sexual health waiting room. Please don’t have chlamydia…again. We talked about how being an EFL Teacher in Shanghai allowed him to grow and develop in so many positive ways. He discussed how he feels safe as a queer foreigner in China and how he has cultivated some wonderful queer friendships and found his love, Camillo, at the place where he interned. He was an absolute riot and is available for Bette Midler led movies immediately. Thank you, Craig, so much for sharing your story. Find Craig here: @craigo5 #queerworking Episode recorded 13.04.2022

Stephen, Non-Binary, Gay, HIV Advocate, Yoga Teacher, Writer – is this week’s relatable role-model on QUEER AND IT’S WORKING. I am so glad that I got to spend time talking with Stephen, a lovely person that is really doing fantastic work for the LGBTQ+ community of The Philippines. We talked about his work as a HIV Advocate for people in rural parts of The Philippines as well his online presence, offering support and education on PLHIV (People living with HIV). We also discussed mental health and how important it is to take care of ourselves. Stephen is an award-winning advocate and activist. They are astoundingly vulnerable and informative in their writing work. And not to be forgotten, they are very bendy. You go Stephen, bend for me baby! Stephen came recommended by Apcom.org, a non-profit organisation that works to improve the health and rights of LGBTQI+ individuals across Asia and the Pacific. Stephen writes for Outrage Magazine, which gives a voice to LGBTQIA+ Philippines. Thank you, Stephen, so much for sharing your story. Find Stephen here: @stephenxchristianx Outrage Magazine: @outragemag Apcom.org: @apcom_org #queerworking Episode recorded 23.03.2022

Maartje (cis female, bisexual) and Roxanne (cis female, lesbian), Travels Writers and Photographers – are this week’s relatable role-models on QUEER AND IT’S WORKING. Go to my bio and visit my website for the latest episode. This beautiful lesbian partnership is definite couple goals. They both work together on their travel blog, Once Upon A Journey and other ventures. Through their adventures they’re able to share fun, interesting, and safe places for LGBTQ+ people to visit, whilst also having a good time themselves. We talked about how these two blond, tall, Dutch women fell in love. They shared how they got into blogging and made it a viable income for themselves. And how they see their future, maybe one day travelling with a child and being more involved with the LGBTQ+ community. Thank you Maartje and Roxanne so much for sharing your story. Find Maartje and Roxanne here: @maartjehensen @roxanneweijer @onceuponajourney #queerworking

Gustavo, Gay, Cis-Male, PhD Student – is this week’s relatable role-model on QUEER AND IT’S WORKING. Gustavo is a very old and dear friend of mine. He is also a very intelligent and resourceful person. We talked about the research he is doing at Newcastle University about LGBTQ+ Maritime workers. He also told me about his gay English teacher from the small town where he grew up in Panama. And we discussed, how we need to embrace our emotions in the dark and good times. Follow Gustavo: @gusaguilar https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/telegraph/focus-on-rights-at-risk-for-lgbt-crew/ https://www.reportout.org/post/lgbtiq-rights-in-panama-a-tropically-colourful-look

Jens, Gay Cis-Male, Illustrator and Tarot Card Creator– is this week’s relatable role-model on QUEER AND IT’S WORKING. Was it divine intervention that brought me to Jens, or the spell of a kind occultist, or was it just my friend my Jessica? Maybe it was all of the above and I’m so glad that they did. Jens is a tarot card creator who experiments with colour and gets inspiration from his two homes, Denmark and Mexico. He talked to me about his beginnings in fashion. How he came to embrace his sexuality and spirituality. And how he found himself now, doing what he loves. We had a good laugh at our childhood role models from TV and the ‘click-bait’ content that we see on social media. Jens’s creativity was a wonder to behold. Find Jens: Instagram and his website Enjoy listening to this week's episode!

MSM* - Men who have sex with men. Nick, MSM*, Coordinator Projects and Processes – is this week’s relatable role-model on QUEER AND IT’S WORKING. Nick works at Checkpoint, a sexual health clinic in Zurich. He told me how his working environment, his colleagues, and what his company does for society, really contributes to him loving his job.  Moreover, we discussed the semantics of a relationship and the relationships that fulfil him today.  Nick was interesting, self-reflective, and endlessly personable. He did the interview even though he had a cold. What a champ with a tramp stamp, if I ever saw one! Enjoy listening to this week's episode!  

What can I say about Matt? He's all bizz with a side of sprinkles. Not only does he think that being a teacher is hilarious, it's also something he does for his sins.  What I learned from this engaging educator is that you definitely need a sense of humour to enjoy being a teacher. And he has it in spades. Although you might not like 'the cut of his jib' (not really), you'll find him endlessly interesting and full of useful information for would-be-teachers from the LGBTQ+ community. Enjoy the episode. Matt's email: mattleonbrown@gmail.com

"Sami" and I talk about his journey to becoming a psychotherapist. He talks about being a gay man with Indian heritage growing up in Canada, and some of the difficulties that he overcame in his life and is still dealing with today. We talk about coping techniques and how he draws inspiration from indigenous communities and buddhism, rather than Freud for his profession. We also had a good laugh together. Thanks "Sami" for being the first guest on Queer And It's Working.