During our Silver Saturday Celebration earlier this year, members of BPI got together and shared a few coming out stories. This conversation was led by Kerri Regan and Shannon Dyer, giving space to anyone who chose to share their coming out experience. Now, in honor of National Coming Out Day, we’re sharing this conversation with a wider audience by turning it into a bonus Pride Connection episode. We hope you’ll find these stories as moving as we did.

In this latest episode of Pride Connection, Robin talks about self-care. She delves into what it is, how to practice it, and why it’s important. She then opens the floor to participants Shannon, Tom, and Kristeen for their views and personal practices. Toward the end of the show, all four share resources they’ve found helpful along their own road to better self-care habits To learn more about Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit www.bpi.gay

This week on Pride Connection, we present another highlight from our Pride Month Silver Saturday Festivities. Listen in as Shannon and Jessica host a discussion with our members about books, movies and TV shows we have particularly enjoyed. In this era of looming sensorship, anti-LGBT policies and the rollback of DEI initiatives, we feel it is more important than ever to highlight and celebrate media that represents our identities. From comedy specials to romance, from sci fi to memoir, you're sure to hear about something you'll love.
To find out more about Blind Pride International, please visit www.bpi.gay Find all of our queer gear merch here: https://blindgirldesigns.com/collections/bpi-25-anniversary

Tune in as the whole BPI Crew gathers for a virtual brunch sharing toasts and memories spanning Blind LGBT Pride International's 25 year history!! You'll hear stories about our founding, funny, chance meetings and even a little karaoke too! Here's to many more years and happy memories!

To find out more about BPI, and to get our Queer Gear, please visit www.bpi.gay

Although the month of June, widely recognized as LGBTQ Pride Month has ended, we’re still here, and we’re queer all year! In fact, July is Disability Pride Month, so we can all just keep on celebrating! In this spirit, we’d like to offer you a replay of our first-ever live-streamed pride parade with audio description! A huge thank-you to 2020 the Beacon for the initial stream of our show, and to Elana Centor for the live audio description. Listen in for all the fun, including colorful floats, handouts of beeds and candy, people in drag and much, much more! Don’t miss a beat!

To learn more about Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit www.bpi.gay Find all of our queer gear merch here: https://blindgirldesigns.com/collections/bpi-25-anniversary

Although the month of June, widely recognized as LGBTQ Pride Month has ended, we’re still here, and we’re queer all year! In fact, July is Disability Pride Month, so we can all just keep on celebrating! In this spirit, we’d like to offer you a replay of our first-ever live-streamed pride parade with audio description! A huge thank-you to 2020 the Beacon for the initial stream of our show, and to Elana Centor for the live audio description. Listen in for all the fun, including colorful floats, handouts of beeds and candy, people in drag and much, much more! Don’t miss a beat!

To learn more about Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit www.bpi.gay Find all of our queer gear merch here: https://blindgirldesigns.com/collections/bpi-25-anniversary

What do you remember about the world 25 years ago? What do you remember about our community and the strides we had made at that point? We’d love to hear your favorite Blind Pride memories—from conventions and social meetups to groundbreaking programming and unforgettable moments of connection. How has the world changed? And what do we envision for this organization in the next 25 years?

Tune in for another outstanding interview with friend of the podcast Eric Marcus of Making Gay History. We learn a few lessons from history and receive encouragement to keep doing the work and not give up! To find out more about Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit www.bpi.gay  You can also find our “queer gear” merch here:  https://blindgirldesigns.com/collections/bpi-25-anniversary

Last year, the team produced a stirring, heartfelt commentary on why we still need pride parades and celebrations. Unfortunately, these musings are now even more relevant than they were back then. In the face of hatred, fascism and bigotry, let's conspire to have the boldest, loudest, most colorful and most affirming pride month EVER!!!
To find out more about Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit www.bpi.gay  You can also find our “queer gear” merch here:  https://blindgirldesigns.com/collections/bpi-25-anniversary

Pride Connection is pleased to present an interview with acclaimed writer, professor and GLBTQ+ activist Karla Jay. Beginning with her involvement in the feminist and gay liberation movement in the early 1970s, Jay indelibly made her mark as a strident voice in our community. Jay has written 10 books and has traveled extensively speaking about post-Stonewall glbtq+ advocacy and the 2nd wave of feminism. Jay is a distinguished professor emerita at Pace University, where she taught English and directed the women's and gender studies program between 1974 and 2009. Leah Gardner hosts this dialog with Jay, primarily discussing her 1999 memoir, Tales of the Lavender Menace. This is a riveting interview brimming with historical context and Jay's thoughts on the tumultuous world we live in today.

One of Pride Connection’s most inspiring and thought-provoking conversations was with then-Senate aide Laurel Hilbert—a shining example of courage, conviction, and the strength of the human spirit.

In this episode, we revisit Laurel’s extraordinary journey: from leaving his home country of Syria, to his time in Saudi Arabia, to arriving in the United States knowing only a few words of English—but armed with drawings, dreams, and unstoppable determination. Laurel speaks passionately about the universal truths of democracy, the resilience of the human condition, and what becomes possible when we align our spirit and purpose.

But this conversation isn’t just about where he’s been—it’s also about where he’s going.

Since the passing of his mentor and friend, the late Senator Dianne Feinstein—whom many of us remember as a fighter for justice and democracy—Laurel has taken time away from politics and even from the United States. In this deeply personal update, he shares his own version of an Eat, Pray, Love journey: finding love, learning how to live within grief, and reconnecting with his purpose.

Now studying for finals and preparing for the LSAT, Laurel took time out of his busy schedule to reconnect with us, reflect on where life has taken him, and share why he still believes in the future of this country, our intersectional communities, and humanity itself.

This powerful and timely episode is a reminder that strength comes in many forms—and that hope, when nurtured, can carry us through even the darkest times. Have thoughts or questions? We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a note at media@blindlgbtpride.org, and don’t forget to visit www.blindlgbtpride.org for more information about BPI, our 25th anniversary celebrations, and to grab some fabulous queer gear—including our new Ally Love collection just in time for Pride Month!

On this episode of Pride Connection, we get to know Grim Kells, founder of Grimalkin Records, a collective of LGBT, disabled and BIPOC musical and visual artists.  We talk about Grim’s musical work under the name Spartan Jetplex, and what led them to found Grimalkin records.  We also touch on some of the community outreach that makes Grimalkin special, including an in-person and virtual festival every October.  Finally, we talk about how you, too, can get involved if you’d like to be part of the collective.

You can find Grimalkin Records at www.grimalkinrecords.com

We also discuss the work of RAMPD, Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities.  Find them at www.rampd.org

Finally, Grim discusses “loop sessions” in which musicians have roughly 23 hours to complete a track, as an exercise in creative unblocking.  Find out more at: https://linktr.ee/loopsessionsdmv

To find out more about Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit www.bpi.gay  You can also find our “queer gear” merch here:  https://blindgirldesigns.com/collections/bpi-25-anniversary

This week on Pride Connection, dropping on Tuesday wherever you get your podcast, we’re continuing a very special two-part journey with someone who continues to inspire and electrify our community —Rosemary Ketchum! Part one last week presented a flashback to one of our most powerful conversations ever. And this week, she’s back with us for a brand-new episode—raw, real, and refreshingly Rosemary. We first met Rosemary Ketchum during a momentous chapter of her journey—as an advocate, a candidate, and a history-maker. As the first openly transgender person elected to office in West Virginia, Rosemary shattered barriers and made national headlines… but she didn’t stop there. In this powerful updated episode, we had a conversation that left an indelible mark on our hearts. Rosemary shares her passion for advocacy, her grassroots work supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, and her unapologetic drive to protect and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community—especially in places where it’s not always safe or easy to do so. She joins us to talk about what’s next, how she’s really doing, and how she’s feeling in the face of an America that’s teetering between promise and peril. Spoiler alert: she doesn’t hold back. She talks candidly about attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community, the exhaustion of advocacy, and the crossroads many of us are standing at: fight or flee? And in her own words: “I love coming to talk with Blind LGBT Pride International’s Pride Connection. I am an honorary member of this fabulous organization who is fighting the good fight and folding and embracing our community’s most vulnerable members, and standing up against the forces trying to strip away the identities of us all—especially our transgender and non-binary siblings.”   For more information on Blind Pride International, please visit www.bpi.gay

This week on Pride Connection, dropping on Tuesday wherever you get your podcast,were kicking off a very special two-part journey with someone who continues to inspire and electrify our community

—Rosemary Ketchum! Part one starts Tuesday with a flashback to one of our most powerful conversations ever. And next week, she’s back with us for a brand-new episode—raw, real, and refreshingly Rosemary.

We first met Rosemary Ketchum during a momentous chapter of her journey—as an advocate, a candidate, and a history-maker. As the first openly transgender person elected to office in West Virginia, Rosemary shattered barriers and made national headlines… but she didn’t stop there. In this powerful flashback episode, we revisit a conversation that left an indelible mark on our hearts. Rosemary shares her passion for advocacy, her grassroots work supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, and her unapologetic drive to protect and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community—especially in places where it’s not always safe or easy to do so.

And then—buckle up—next week we catch up with Rosemary once again! Fresh off her historic mayoral run in Wheeling, she joins us to talk about what’s next, how she’s really doing, and how she’s feeling in the face of an America that’s teetering between promise and peril. Spoiler alert: she doesn’t hold back. She talks candidly about attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community, the exhaustion of advocacy, and the crossroads many of us are standing at: fight or flee?

And in her own words: “I love coming to talk with Blind LGBT Pride International’s Pride Connection. I am an honorary member of this fabulous organization who is fighting the good fight and folding and embracing our community’s most vulnerable members, and standing up against the forces trying to strip away the identities of us all—especially our transgender and non-binary siblings.”

• On April 5, 2025, over 5 million people around the US and the globe gathered for a series of rallies and protests against the Trump administration. Their message was loud and clear. Hands Off!! Hands Off our democracy, our economy, our bodies, our most vital services ... Among the protesters were BPI members Courtney and Destiny, raising their voices and fighting for their very lives as blind queer people. They share their experience at the rallies, what steps they took to make protesting as safe and comfortable for them as possible, and what actions they plan to take going forward. Join us for a lively conversation full of inspiration, encouragement, advocacy, and more ways to fight back!!
• Learn more about the Hands Off rallies here: https://handsoff2025.com/ Check out this article from Mother Jones about virtual rallies spearheaded by the disabled community: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/04/hands-off-virtual-zooms-disability-covid/
• Thanks to Courtney and Destiny for speaking with us. If you have an idea for a future episode of Pride Connection or questions about our podcast, please email us at media@blindlgbtpride.org
• Browse our new Queer Gear, perfect for Pride, nights on the town, or speaking your truth to power: https://blindlgbtpride.org/queer-gear/
• BPI is on Facebook, Mastodon and Bluesky. Find all our links and follow us here: https://linktr.ee/bpisocials

We at Blind Pride International are always working diligently to advocate for our membership. But, things have been kind of heavy lately and we wanted to lighten things up. We invited BPI members to a recording session where they could share their embarrassing stories and bloopers. Join us for an episode full of laughter and comradery.

Two Presidents, a Lot of Sheep, and a Whole Lotta Fun What happens when two powerhouse leaders in the blind and low vision community sit down for a chat? You get laughs, insight, and maybe a little ginger beer.

Join BPI President Leah Gardner and Martine Abel Williamson, President of the World Blind Union, as they dish about Leah’s recent adventures in Martine’s stunning homeland—New Zealand! From breathtaking landscapes to quirky sheep encounters, delicious food, unexpected hiccups, and cultural delights, this conversation is equal parts travel diary and leadership summit—with the easy banter of two gal pals catching up over drinks. But it’s not all fun and fluff;

these two dive into the shared experiences and challenges faced by our community, all with heart and humor.

Pride Connection drops every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. For more about Blind LGBT Pride International, visit www.bpi.gay. Got a question or comment for Leah, Martine, or the BPI family? Email us at: media@blindlgbtpride.org — we’d love to hear from you!

Please join us for a flashback episode of Pride Connection from 2021, where guest host Tristan Snyder brings you an exclusive, in-depth interview with queer author TJ Klune!

TJ Klune is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. Being queer himself, TJ believes it’s important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive, queer representation in stories.

Visit Klune online: tjklunebooks.com Twitter: @tjklune Instagram: tjklunebooks

Join us for this very special interview with author and Pagan leader Enfys Book! Find out how their spiritual path began, a little about their writing process and how we can all use rituals to mark the passing of time in meaningful ways. Enfys also shares a bit of their musical journey as well, including their time with the band Misbehavin' Maidens! Find out more about Enfys and their writing at www.majorarqueerna.com
Find out more about Blind Pride International by visiting our new website www.bpi.gay find us on other social media by visiting https://linktr.ee/bpisocials

Join Blind LGBT Pride International as we flash back to our very first episode, which aired five years ago! Listen in to a bit of BPI history and then dive in to the parenting roundtable discussion. Real joys and real fears are shared as participants honestly share their parenting journeys.

Join the Pride Connection Team for this lively discussion about what it means to be an ally. Whether we're calling our representatives, sharing our pronouns or speaking up when we hear untrue or bigoted comments, we can lift up our LGBTQIA+ friends, siblings and coworkers. Listen in as we share various perspectives.

Come with us on a fun and festive journey back through time! This episode was Recorded in 2022 to celebrate two years of Pride Connection. Get a taste of the many happy memories, laugh along and have a little fun with us.

History does not repeat, but it does reiterate. It cycles. Right now, we are living through the kind of times that will be written about for centuries to come. Those who come after us will ask us where we were and what we did to resist the tide of authoritarianism sweeping our nation and the globe. In this episode, we talk about the growing resistance to the bigotry and authoritarian actions in the US, various resources for fighting back and the what resistance could look like in times ahead. Remember, resistance to authoritarianism and bigotry works best when we act together. Solidarity forever!

First they came for is a recording of an advocacy panel discussion, held at the Convention in Schaumburg, Illinois. Participants spoke about current threats to our community, and what can be done to ensure that we have a brighter future. Please listen, and. Be inspired to get involved!

Notes go here

Find out more at https://pride-connection.pinecast.co

This is a rebroadcast of a previous episode that aired over Pride Month 2023.

Blind Pride International and Members and our Allies offer testimonials surrounding restrictive Laws, book bans, drag story hours and so much more.

As our community is used as a pawn for political divisiveness, hear from our members in their own words how destructive these proposed and sadly adopted laws are to our community and country. Words matter so much more than we realize and in the words of our MEMBERS AND ALLIES, you will hear how the rhetoric hurts, devalues and frightens us to the core.

Our members are; Teachers, Lawyers and Tech developers. They are Parents, Daughters, Sons and Non-binary individuals. Most of all, they are Americans! They are watching and listening as factions in the United States try to Weaponize the way we love. They attempt to shame and blame the LGBTQ+ community, all while framing their divisive tactics as saving the soul of America. The hurt and damage to the mental health of the most vulnerable among us is incalculable.

We aren’t attempting to groom or convert; rather, we are trying to live our lives as proud Americans. In this episode, you will hear from the very people who are living through these scary times. This powerful episode shines light on the feelings evoked by almost daily attacks on LGBTQ+ HUMANS!!

For More information or to support Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit: WWW.BPI.Gay

Or to join our mission:

WWW.BPI.Gay/join

Follow BPI on social media by visiting our new Linktree.

https://linktr.ee/bpisocials

This week's episode is a lively and thought-provoking discussion led by our inspiring president, Leah Gardner! This special event marks Blind LGBT Pride International’s 25th anniversary—a perfect moment to reflect on where we’ve been, celebrate how far we’ve come, and dream boldly about where we’re going. With Leah leading the charge, we’ll journey through the highlights of our history, share ideas for this pivotal year of independence, and chart a course to uplift the often-overlooked voices within the blind, low-vision, and LGBTQIA+ community.

Follow BPI on social media by visiting our new Linktree.

https://linktr.ee/bpisocials

In this final episode of Pride Connection for 2024; Join BPI for a discussion about how we define language and who we learn language from. Can we repurpose language that trips people up? Is language divisive or inclusive?

Join Dr. Lynne Koral as she leads a lively discussion with members of Blind LGBT Pride.

We will be back early in January with a revamped and rebooted Pride Connection to celebrate 25 amazing years of BPI!!!

You can reach BPI at: membership@blindlgbtpride.org

Or:

Learn more about our mission, donate or join our good work at:

www.bpi.gay

We will be back early in January with a revamped and rebooted Pride Connection to celebrate 25 amazing years of BPI!!!

You can reach BPI at: membership@blindlgbtpride.org

Or

Learn more about our mission, donate or join our good work at:

www.bpi.gay

This time on Pride Connection: we discuss family, chosen family and how we celebrate during the holiday season. What happens when people make gatherings difficult? We talk about how the recent US election results will impact us, and the importance of finding community and connection when facing uncertain times. Pride Connection currently airs on ACB Media 1 Tuesdays at 10:00PM Eastern and streams whereever you get your podcasts.

This week on Pride Connection, we’re focusing on a topic that’s been on the minds of most Americans for much of the year, the 2024 Election. As we prepare to cast our ballots for President, Congress, and various local offices and propositions, many questions remain. Why should we vote? What does it matter in the grand scheme of things? And even if we’re excited to go to the polls, what happens if our ability to cast a secret, independent ballot is compromised? We’re joined by attorney and BPI member Tai Tomassi, who provides an extensive list of resources and hot lines you can contact if you face voter suppression of any kind. Next, several of our members share their voting stories, and their motivations for making their voices heard. They seem to say this every election cycle, but 2024 truly is one of the most important and consequential elections in our nation’s history, not just for those in marginalized communities but for democracy itself. If you haven’t done so already, please vote and encourage your friends and family to join you. As Justin Dart said, “Vote like your life depends on it, because it does.”

www.vote.gov

www.usa.gov/election-office

www.ballotpedia.org

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/voting-rights

https://www.ndrn.org/resource/right-to-help-a-guide-to-getting-help-with-voting/

Pride Connection airs on ACB Media, Stream 1 Tuesdays at 10pm et. It is also available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Visit www.BPI.gay for more information, to join or support our mission.

Please check out Blind pride at:

Www.bpi.gay.

This powerful set of testimonials spans experiences both very personal and very retrospective of our community. We share from our vulnerability, experience and from our hearts. We hope this episode will serve to continue the understanding of why all parts of us matter, need to be respected and why our pride can only strengthen the greater pride of advocacy.

If your really still asking yourself: Why Pride in this time and space this episode is for you.

BPI celebrates our strong and wonderful Allies this month as well and this episode is also a testimonial in itself of our strong Allied Members.

Pride Connection airs on ACB Media stream 1, Tuesday evenings at 10 pm and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts by searching: ACB’s Pride Connection

For more information or to support our mission please visit www.BPI.gay

Pride Connection can be heard Tuesday nights on the ACB Media network Stream 1 at 10 pm; or can be accessed by your favorite podcast catcher by searching:

ACB’s Pride Connection

For more information about our organization please visit www.BPI.Gay

Questions about the show or Blind LGBT Pride please email:

membership@BlindLGBTPride.org

This week Anthony Corona and Jessica Tomlinson speak with Kaila Allen of ACB Crafters and Jade Alexander to learn about many ways of creating accessible craft projects. Amethyst Twilight also shares her own personal experiences with art and crafting. Low vision? No vision? You can still be an artist or crafter and add beauty to the world.

We answer some of the fun questions about crafting, get a little philosophical, and talk about projects that can be fun and exciting!

Pride Connection airs Tuesday at 10 PM Eastern on ACB Media 1, and can be found wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Check out ACB Crafters at https://www.facebook.com/groups/acbcrafters/

Check out Jade Alexander and Tokyo Dog Designs at https://www.tokyodogdesigns.com/

Join Pride Connection as we talk with Diane, Collin of ArtsAbly, along with Shannon and Natalia, two blind musicians, who have both studied at the university level. They talk accessibility in the university halls, and the concert halls, and even beyond in the broader community. Learn about some barriers they faced, and some suggestions they have for moving forward. If you’re a producer, a performer, or just someone who enjoys the arts, you’ll definitely want to tune in for this one.

We at Blind Pride International are always working diligently to advocate for our membership. But, things have been kind of heavy lately and we wanted to lighten things up. We invited BPI members to a recording session where they could share their embarrassing stories and bloopers. Join us for an episode full of laughter and commerodity.

This week a panel of guests lead by Jessica Tomlinson talk about LGBTQ+ representation in TV and Film. Who was your first celebrity gay crush? What character helped you to find the strength to come out? Which character did you most identify with? We discuss these topics and more on this week's episode of Pride Connection!

This week on Pride Connection, we have produced a very special program highlighting the importance of human rights. This episode features a rich tapestry of voices from all walks of life within the membership of Blind LGBT Pride International. The focal point of this presentation is the recent decision by the American Council of the Blind's Board, which chose to remain neutral on the matter of supporting BPI's Human Rights Rally. This choice has stirred a wave of concern and disappointment among us, for a multitude of reasons that we will delve into throughout the program. We hope that you will listen with an open heart and an open mind.

Featured Voices Lineup:

Leah Gardner - Welcome and Introduction
Anthony Corona
Tristan Snyder
Amethyst
John Forster
Margie Donovan
Erick Marco Ramos
Monica Wegner
Brynn Lee
Ray Campbell
Margo Downey
Jessica Tomlinson
Gabriel Lopez Kafati
Leah Gardner - Jenga, a Poem

In addition, we featured clips from famous activists and human rights advocates, this list is in order that they were heard.

Angelica Ross
Rustin Bayard
Harvey Milk
Judy Heuman
Stevie Wonder

Additional voices from various news programs and TikTok channels were also used throughout Brynn Lee's segment of our program.

One of BPI's most popular events is our 3D Audio Excursion, which we owe to the Sultan of Sound himself, Tristan Snyder. His tireless efforts have resulted in this amazing example of binaural audio. We'll be back in 2 weeks with a fresh episode of Pride Connection. Until then, enjoy this blast from the past.

Here's the original description of this episode for additional contest.

If you missed the 3D Audio Excursion at convention this year, fear not; Pride Connection has you covered! Grab those headphones, and tune in. Tristan Snyder will take you on a Tesla autonomous driving tour, a trip on the Portland Max Rail to the Portland Pride Festival, a jaunt to the French Quarter Jazz Festival in New Orleans, and top the evening off with a little stand up comedy from the deviously hilarious Emo Phillips. It’s a virtual trip you won’t want to miss! Don’t forget, headphones are required to experience the 3D aspects of the tour.

This week we invited BPI members and allies to come to Clubhouse to talk about their favorite LGBTQ+ Books. We covered every genre from non-fiction to the weirdest of science fiction and everything in between. Thank you to Jessica Tomlinson for taking the helm and leading this conversation.

Join us this week on Pride Connection, a podcast by Blind LGBT Pride International, as hosts Anthony Corona and Leah Gardner engage in a candid conversation with Brynn Lee. This episode provides an insightful look into Brynn's personal experience with her transition. Brynn will let us in on on the practical and emotional aspects of coming out to friends, family, and employers as a trans woman. We also cover the importance of community and finding your chosen family during this crucial time. We also touch on the legal and financial hurdles Brynn faced during her legal name change. This episode is a great one to catch if you are trans, a parent of a trans child, or an ally who wants to know more about the personal aspects of transition.

Pride Connection airs on ACB Media 1 every Tuesday at 10pm ET, and can be found wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts by searching for ACB’s Pride Connection.

On this very special episode of Pride Connection, hosts Anthony Corona and Janeen Lea talk with David Cruz of Millionaire Matchmaker and Finding Cupid fame about his newest adventure in love: FruitLoots! David, who originally hails from Guam, shares his story of coming to California for college and the culture shock that was, to being first a contestant, then the host on Millionaire Matchmaker, and creating the wildly popular Finding Cupid. Love is a recurring theme for David; studying it, helping others find and cultivate it, and now helping others celebrate it. He shares his vulnerability with us and why advocating for the queer community still matters, especially for the most vulnerable among us.

"Love is Love is Love" will be the theme for BPI’s February programming, as well as the name of our first-ever fundraiser. More details about the fundraiser in the program will be shared later this week. Whether you're celebrating loving yourself, a loving partner, a family member, or a friend, FruitLoots is a place for specialized curated love boxes of all kinds by queer-owned and operated small businesses.

To support our fabulous "Love is Love is Love" fundraiser, visit https://www.fruitloots.com/collections/blind-pride-international-love-is-love-fundraiser

Pride Connection airs on ACB Media every Tuesday at 10 pm ET and can be found wherever you listen to your podcasts by asking for ACB’s Pride Connection.

To support "Love is Love is Love" and all of BPI’s important work, please consider joining us or donating to our mission at http://bpi.gay.

This week's episode of Pride Connection showcases a special recording from our Friday Night Fun Chat on Clubhouse, hosted by Jessica and JD.

The theme is "Holiday Open House," where the discussion revolves around unique ways of celebrating the holidays, with a focus on how blindness and queerness intersect with festive traditions.

Additionally, the episode is enriched with musical contributions from BPI secretary, Tristan Snyder.

This time on Pride Connection, Host Anthony Corona is back, and with him are Advocacy Committee co-chairs Gabriel Lopez Kafati and Tristan Snyder. We’ll hear from Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani, and we’ll get an update on BPI’s plans to bring a powerful advocacy rally to Jacksonville.

BPI’s reinvigorated Advocacy Committee is ready to offer a platform not only to the LGBTQ+ community, but to all marginalized communities. In this powerful episode, we talk about our views on diversity and about the importance of advocating for equality across the board.

This is a rebroadcast of a previous episode that aired over Pride Month 2023.

Blind Pride International and Members and our Allies offer testimonials surrounding restrictive Laws, book bans, drag story hours and so much more.

As our community is used as a pawn for political divisiveness, hear from our members in their own words how destructive these proposed and sadly adopted laws are to our community and country. Words matter so much more than we realize and in the words of our MEMBERS AND ALLIES, you will hear how the rhetoric hurts, devalues and frightens us to the core.

Our members are; Teachers, Lawyers and Tech developers. They are Parents, Daughters, Sons and Non-binary individuals. Most of all, they are Americans! They are watching and listening as factions in the United States try to Weaponize the way we love. They attempt to shame and blame the LGBTQ+ community, all while framing their divisive tactics as saving the soul of America. The hurt and damage to the mental health of the most vulnerable among us is incalculable.

We aren’t attempting to groom or convert; rather, we are trying to live our lives as proud Americans. In this episode, you will hear from the very people who are living through these scary times. This powerful episode shines light on the feelings evoked by almost daily attacks on LGBTQ+ HUMANS!!

For More information or to support Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit: WWW.BPI.Gay

Or to join our mission:

WWW.BPI.Gay/join

This episode is brought to us by permission from the Multicultural Affairs Committee (MCAC). This discussion was recorded at the American Council of the Blind National Convention in Schaumburg, Illinois on July 5, 2023.

Panelists Jennifer Arnott, Pam Shaw, and Tristan Snyder discuss how recent laws that lead to the removal of books are rewriting history and affecting the blind and other marginalized groups. They highlight the debate over Helen Keller's existence as a key example of this issue. The conversation emphasizes the need to maintain a full historical record in schools and libraries to support equality and rights for all communities.

This evening at 10pm ET and directly after wherever you listen to your podcasts, Pride Connection puts the treat into the Tricky Halloween bag.

Enjoy a delectable grab bag of treats including stories and reflections from our community, a spooky audio drama from Tristan Snyder, and a musical offering from Jessica Tomlinson! It's the perfect way to jump into Halloween season!

To listen ask your devices to play: ACB Media and choose stream 1 or go to:

ACBMedia.org and choose stream 1 or search under podcasts.

Special Thanks to all BPI members who shared their Spooky and to Jessica Tomlinson for producing this extravaganza!

To support BPI or get more information please visit:

BPI.gay/join

For many years, October 11 has been recognized in our country as “National Coming Out Day.”

Have you ever wondered why do we celebrate coming out? Do you know what is the importance of coming out for the LGBTQ+ Community?

In this edition of Pride Connection, we share and listen personal stories that illustrate why it is so important. Join us, as we hear powerful testimonials from a diverse panel composed of BPI Members.

Pride is the opposite of shame; and for too long, members of the LGBTQ+ Community were forced to live in shame, in a closet. Coming Out is the act of sharing with loved ones and society at large the fullness of our beauty and the entirety of our light!

Letting someone you know that they have a safe space in which they can feel free to come out and be themselves is not only life-changing, but it can also be life-saving.

Please join Pride Connection, as BPI celebrates National Coming Out Day!

Tuesday, October 10 at 10:00 PM EDT and shortly after through your favorite podcast catcher.

Tune in as the Pride Connection crew recommend some of their favorite other podcasts, besides Pride Connection, that is! You may want to add a few of these to your favorite podcast catcher! Happy listening!

Stacey's Recommendations:

Making Gay History https://makinggayhistory.com/

VisionCast with JC & Friends https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/preston-gaylor

Aaron's Opinion https://open.spotify.com/show/4ufuOkBmyC2XM8BccB57eA

Brynn's Recommendations:

Gender Reveal https://www.genderpodcast.com/

We're Having Gay Sex https://werehavinggaysex.com/

Penny Forward https://www.pennyforward.com/podcast-2/

Twenty Thousand Hertz https://www.20k.org/

The Morning Stream https://www.frogpants.com/tms

The Moth https://themoth.org/podcast

TED Radio Hour https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/

Overcast - APP https://apps.apple.com/us/app/overcast/id888422857

Jessica's Recommendations:

Handsome https://podtail.com/en/podcast/handsome/

Queery https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/queery/

We Can Do Hard Things https://wecandohardthingspodcast.com/

The Soundgirls Podcast https://soundgirls.org/the-soundgirls-podcast/

Leah's Recommendations:

RISK! https://www.risk-show.com/

The Rachel Maddow Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7yfYvyKNKAuuqSX3PVyRYi

The Fun Zone with Brynn Lee http://funzone.show

iCatcher - APP https://apps.apple.com/us/app/icatcher-podcast-player/id414419105

First they came for is a recording of an advocacy panel discussion, held at the Convention in Schaumburg, Illinois. Participants spoke about current threats to our community, and what can be done to ensure that we have a brighter future. Please listen, and. Be inspired to get involved!

In today's episode, we embark on an enlightening journey through the exploration of aging within the LGBTQ+ community. We're honored to present "Aging Over The Rainbow," a discussion that provides insights into the unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs faced by LGBTQ+ individuals as they age.

Featuring our hosts, Anthony Corona and Miss Ruth Williams, and special guest, Dr. David Rosen, this conversation dives deep into the intersectionality of aging and LGBTQ+ identity. With thoughtful reflections and expert insights, we gain a clearer understanding of the dynamics at play and the importance of fostering inclusivity at every stage of life.

This week Randy Reed hosts a panel discussion exploring various identifiers in blind and LGBTQ+ communities. Anthony Corona, Brynn Lee, and Stacey Paulson join us to discuss which identifiers they use and how these identities intersect. This conversation was recorded during the Virtual portion of the 2023 ACB National Convention.

Back by popular demand, come with Tristan Snyder as he takes you on another 3D audio excursion to places real and fantastic. Put on your headphones and tune in to ACB Media to get the full 3D sound experience. Sit back and journey with us as we go from the ordinary to the unbelievable. We’d tell you what to expect, but where would be the fun in that? Life is an adventure, and this is one you won’t want to miss. Send questions about this episode to tristan@ear2earsound.com

Blind Pride International and Members and our Allies offer testimonials surrounding restrictive Laws, book bans, drag story hours and so much more.

As our community is used as a pawn for political divisiveness, hear from our members in their own words how destructive these proposed and sadly adopted laws are to our community and country. Words matter so much more than we realize and in the words of our MEMBERS AND ALLIES, you will hear how the rhetoric hurts, devalues and frightens us to the core.

Our members are; Teachers, Lawyers and Tech developers. They are Parents, Daughters, Sons and Non-binary individuals. Most of all, they are Americans! They are watching and listening as factions in the United States try to Weaponize the way we love. They attempt to shame and blame the LGBTQ+ community, all while framing their divisive tactics as saving the soul of America. The hurt and damage to the mental health of the most vulnerable among us is incalculable.

We aren’t attempting to groom or convert; rather, we are trying to live our lives as proud Americans. In this episode, you will hear from the very people who are living through these scary times. This powerful episode shines light on the feelings evoked by almost daily attacks on LGBTQ+ HUMANS!!

For More information or to support Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit: WWW.BPI.Gay

Or to join our mission:

WWW.BPI.Gay/join

Friend to Pride Connection Kevin Spirtas Returns:

From his work in films, working with Hugh Jackman on Broadway to the phenomenally popular and awarded Digital Series “After Forever” the first LGBTQ digital series to win not 1 but a total of 6 Emmy’s! As Kevin and the team put the final edits of the third and final season of After Forever together Kevin is also celebrating his historic Emmy Nomination for his reprisal of his career defining role as Dr. Craig Wesley of the long running Soap Opera "Days of our Lives". Kevin who came out later in life and career was given the opportunity to play the groundbreaking story ark of Dr. Wesley coming out later in life to his family, finding love and heartbreak and all that includes finding the new definition of “Family” for the character, his wife and children and the fall-out around town. This groundbreaking storyline has earned him his first ever Daytime Nomination and is historic as he is the first LGBTQplus person nominated in a major category for playing an LGBTQ+ role.

Kevin sits with Anthony to talk about the importance of acceptance, representation and the highlights of his career. He dishes on stars who were fun to kiss and spills a few secrets about the up coming season of After Forever. Kevin has been deeply moved by the reactions from our community to his historic adventure, the ever increasing legislation targeting our community and so much more. Kevin also talks to us about how he still talks to Michael and how meaningful season 3 will be after losing Michael to cancer before filming began

Also please look out for our Powerful Don’t Say Gay, Won’t Make Us Go Away episode coming in 2 weeks!!!

his is a replay of our first conversation with Kevin Spiritas and Michael Slade of the After Forever series, available on Amazon Prime.

We will be reconnecting with Kevin Spiritas for our 3rd conversation with the After Forever crew on our next episode which will be available on May 2nd.

Do you believe in love after life? How does one move on after losing the love of ones life? What happens to all of that love? All these themes and so much more are explored in the critically acclaimed and multiple award winning digital series. Besides a tremendous showing at the EMMYs and receiving multiple LGBT awards and notices the series returns for its second season and it is AMAZING!!

Blind Pride International is proud to invite Kevin and Michael to Pride Connection to discuss the show and the amazing impact it has had on the LGBT community.

Please visit the show at http://afterforevertheseries.com.

If you have any questions for Kevin feel free to email them to membership@blindlgbtpride.com. We look forward to your questions and any feedback on the show!

Ageism from Both Sides Now. Aaliyah once sang that age "was just a number". Is that really true? On the latest episode of Pride Connection, BPI and host Anthony Corona presents a conversation with Scott Marshall, Leah Gardner, Brynn Lee and Destiny DiMattei about ageism in the workplace and how blindness impacts employer perceptions. From both sides of the age dynamic, guests share experience and insight in to how age and visual impairment affected their job prospects and work life. In the end, this is a show all ages can appreciate.

Allies are a vital part of the LGBTQ+ community, and as such, it is very important to recognize how they help us. This week we talk with allies about how they help with our advocacy efforts. We also talk with queer members of our community about how much our allies mean to us.

If you are interested in learning more about Blind LGBT Pride International, please visit our new website at http://bpi.gay.

This is Part 2 of our Meet The Board series. Brynn and Anthony spend a little time interviewing newly elected officers of the Blind LGBT Pride International Board.

Are you interested in joining our organization. Our new website is finally up and running. Join us by visiting http://bpi.gay/join

This is Part 1 of our 2 part Meet The Board series. Brynn and Anthony spend a little time interviewing newly elected officers of the Blind LGBT Pride International Board.

Are you interested in joining our organization. Our new website is finally up and running. Join us by visiting http://bpi.gay/join

Blind Pride in association with Making Gay History present this third in our series of conversations. BPI ally and force to be reckoned with, Debbie Grubb, and Anthony Corona, will present the life and work of Bayard and what we can learn from this incredibly fascinating Advocator, agent of Non-violent protest and the marks on the annals of history that leaves us all.

For 60 years, Rustin fought for peace and equal rights — demonstrating, organizing and protesting in the United States and around the world. 'Strategic Nonviolence' In the summer of 1963, he was the main organizer of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. On Aug. 28, speaker after speaker roused a crowd of 250,000, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with his seminal "I Have A Dream" speech.

Rustin had less than two months to organize what was the largest demonstration the country had ever seen. "As we follow this form of mass action and strategic nonviolence," he said, "we will not only put pressure on the government, but we will put pressure on other groups which ought by their nature to be allied with us.” From his study of Mahatma Gandhi’s Soul Force to the march to his storied effect on the LGBTQ plus community Bayard has so much to teach us. Join us and share your thoughts on how our differences unite us and how we can take the lessons of Bayard and incorporate them in our advocacy going forward.

Come join us for part 2 of our fascinating conversation with Amy Simon and Dr. David Rosen of LGBT Senior Housing and Care as we delve into the topic of aging within the LGBT community. They work with long term care providers, providing training to ensure that the facilities are welcoming and affirming to LGBT residents. ** ** **We discuss: **

• The importance of the Equality Act
• **The correlation between the enactment of legislation that protects the LGBT community and a concomitant decrease in suicide and depression rates **
• **The politically-charged ostracism and “othering” of the trans community **
• The LTC Bill of Rights that exists in only three states in the nation, requiring LGBT training for providers
• **Lack of data to effect change - In the last LGBT elder census in 2011, 39% had suicidal ideation, and when narrowed to just the trans community, the number was 71%. Dr. Rosen observed that was well before these days of regressive, anti-trans laws, so those numbers must be even higher today. **

**  ** In addition, we talk about the fact that nobody is only ever one thing, i.e., blind, older, or gay. In fact, we are all many things. We belong to different categories, but we are all human and worthy of respect and compassion. ** ** ** Intersectionality is a bad word to some, but it is our reality. We discuss ways to chip away at the mindset that you can only focus on one area of your identity. ** ** ** We cover issues such as LGBT seniors who have been out their whole lives having to make the decision to go back into the closet due to the likelihood of homophobia and mistreatment within a communal living environment. ** ** LGBT Senior Housing and Care offers training to providers to ensure that senior housing communities give their LGBT residents care that is appropriate to their needs, including legal issues, adult day care, recreation, home care, Alzheimer’s, and many other areas.

Questions and/or comments about Pride Connection or BPI  can be sent to: membership@BlindLGBTPride.org

We look forward to your feedback

To join BPI or support our important work please visit:

www.BPI.gay

Come join us for a fascinating conversation with Amy Simon and Dr. David Rosen of LGBT Senior Housing and Care as we delve into the topic of aging within the LGBT community. They work with long term care providers, providing training to ensure that the facilities are welcoming and affirming to LGBT residents. ** ** **We discuss: **

• The importance of the Equality Act
• **The correlation between the enactment of legislation that protects the LGBT community and a concomitant decrease in suicide and depression rates **
• **The politically-charged ostracism and “othering” of the trans community **
• The LTC Bill of Rights that exists in only three states in the nation, requiring LGBT training for providers
• **Lack of data to effect change - In the last LGBT elder census in 2011, 39% had suicidal ideation, and when narrowed to just the trans community, the number was 71%. Dr. Rosen observed that was well before these days of regressive, anti-trans laws, so those numbers must be even higher today. **

**  ** In addition, we talk about the fact that nobody is only ever one thing, i.e., blind, older, or gay. In fact, we are all many things. We belong to different categories, but we are all human and worthy of respect and compassion. ** ** ** Intersectionality is a bad word to some, but it is our reality. We discuss ways to chip away at the mindset that you can only focus on one area of your identity. ** ** ** We cover issues such as LGBT seniors who have been out their whole lives having to make the decision to go back into the closet due to the likelihood of homophobia and mistreatment within a communal living environment. ** ** LGBT Senior Housing and Care offers training to providers to ensure that senior housing communities give their LGBT residents care that is appropriate to their needs, including legal issues, adult day care, recreation, home care, Alzheimer’s, and many other areas.

Questions and/or comments about Pride Connection or BPI  can be sent to: membership@BlindLGBTPride.org

We look forward to your feedback

To join BPI or support our important work please visit:

www.BPI.gay

BPI partnering with Eric Marcus of Making Gay History and Miss Debbie Grubb present the first of 4 informative sessions.

Hosted by Gabriel Lopez Kafati (current BPI president and ACB Board member) this session will focus on major voices of LGBTQ advocacy; what made them stand out, working within and out of the systems and how they inspired over 50 years of strident advocacy. Lessons of Advocacy from the LGBTQ Community. Our guest for this presentation is Eric Marcus, moderator of the podcast, Making Gay History. He will share with us his insights and experiences from the front lines from when and where it all began. We will hear the voices of many of the pioneers of the movement from his archives.

Let’s learn together from their history to teach and awaken in the blindness community how to use our anger balanced with our sense of doing the right for the cause to move us forward from a place, of impotent anger, into a place of positive, unified action toward the end of making our common rights, goals and needs recognized, understood and achieved. Let’s use this history of a group of individuals who risked it all to build a bridge upon which they continue to march into the light and dignity of full inclusion into American society, recognition of their diversity, their freedom of choice and their civil right to equality of opportunity to achieve their own unique visions of the American Dream. . After all, isn’t this what we want? Isn’t this what we have the right to?

Eric will share with us the voices of many who in his words; “Made Good Trouble” and after the presentation we will discuss how what they stood for and accomplished can help us “Make Good Trouble”

This is a slightly edited version of the holiday episode we did in 2022. We will return with a new episode in 2 weeks.

This week several BPI members got together to discuss the unique obstacles we face as blind LGBTQ+ people during the holidays. We discuss everything from dealing with how our families react to our sexuality and gender identity when we get together for the festive season, to overcoming challenges with depression when everyone else seems so jolly. This episode was extremely cathartic to be a part of and we encourage you to write in with your comments at membership@blindlgbtpride.org.

BPI partnering with Eric Marcus of Making Gay History and Miss Debbie Grubb present the first of 4 informative sessions.

Hosted by Gabriel Lopez Kafati (current BPI president and ACB Board member) this session will focus on major voices of LGBTQ advocacy; what made them stand out, working within and out of the systems and how they inspired over 50 years of strident advocacy.

Lessons of Advocacy from the LGBTQ Community. Our guest for this presentation is Eric Marcus, moderator of the podcast, Making Gay History. He will share with us his insights and experiences from the front lines from when and where it all began. We will hear the voices of many of the pioneers of the movement from his archives.
Let's learn together from their history to teach and awaken in the blindness community how to use our anger balanced with our sense of doing the right for the cause to move us forward from a place, of impotent anger, into a place of positive, unified action toward the end of making our common rights, goals and needs recognized, understood and achieved. Let's use this history of a group of individuals who risked it all to build a bridge upon which they continue to march into the light and dignity of full inclusion into American society, recognition of their diversity, their freedom of choice and their civil right to equality of opportunity to achieve their own unique visions of the American Dream. . After all, isn't this what we want? Isn't this what we have the right to?

Eric will share with us the voices of many who in his words; “Made Good Trouble” and after the presentation we will discuss how what they stood for and accomplished can help us “Make Good Trouble”

This week's show is a recording of our Candidates Forum from 11/05/2022. Please tune in to hear what our 3 amazing candidates have to say. Leah Gardner is running for President, Anthony Corona is running for Vice President, and Maria Kristic is running for Treasurer. We have an open position of Secretary and we hope to see some nominations from the floor. Be sure to vote via your Electronic Ballot or in person at our business meeting on 11/13/2022.

We're currently preparing for our annual business meeting and election, so we are taking a bit of a hiatus. We will be back in November! Here's a rerun of our 2 Year Anniversary show. Enjoy!

This week on Pride Connection, we interviewed Randy Reed and Destiny DiMattei about AceCon, a virtual conference for people who are asexual. Please join us on ACB Media 1 at 10 PM Eastern every week, or download Pride Connection wherever you get your podcasts. If you have questions for our guests or would like to suggest a show topic idea, please send an e-mail to membership@blindlgbtpride.org.

UK AceCon YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/AVENLivestreams

Changeling’s Guide to Discord for Screen Reader Users https://www.starshipchangeling.net/discord/

AceAdvice YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/AceDadAdvice

Swank Ivy‘s YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/user/swankivy

The Asexual Visibility & Education Network (AVEN): http://www.asexuality.org

Sounds Fake But Okay Podcast: https://www.soundsfakepod.com/

Jenna DeWitt Twitter Feed: https://twitter.com/jenna_dewitt?s=21&t=dG8gTBeGpps0K7XAgcNTMg

Yasmin Benoit, MSc Twitter Feed: https://twitter.com/theyasminbenoit?s=21&t=dG8gTBeGpps0K7XAgcNTMg

Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture by Sherronda J. Brown https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09NLPTC4R/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_T3BYA3RYBVJED5AC5V80

Have you ever wondered how people who are blind or visually impaired create visual art?  Ever wanted to go to an art museum but weren't sure how much of the experience you'd be able to take in?   Lots of work is being done to make visual art spaces more accessible, and you can listen in to find out how!  Join us for Pride Connection where art creators and consumers will share their experiences. Who knows, you might even find some inspiration to dabble in some type of creative medium too!  Search for Pride connection on your podcast catcher of choice; produced by Blind Pride International.  

You can find Pride Connection every Tuesday on ACB Media 1 at 10pm EDT Try asking your devices to: Play ACB Media and choose Stream 1

Or by going to ACBMedia.org and searching for Pride Connection under podcasts

Pride connection is also available on all major Podcast catchers

Questions and comments for the show can be sent to: Membership@BlindLGBTPride.org

This is a training that we did on zoom which resulted in an edited version released on Pride Connection. Pride Connection airs on ACB media 1 on Tuesday night at 10 PM Eastern and will be available on all major podcast catchers shortly after. We discussed fat liberation, myth busting, history and why these things are important to the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities. Goals that were covered are:

• Understand fat liberation as a movement (different than body positivity, self-love, body-neutrality etc.)
• Reshape assumptions about fatness (myth busters)
• Draw connections between fat liberation and other movements (intersectional approach for solidarity) - LGBTQ and disability justice movements.
• Understand that fat oppression is part of Black genocide (Da’Shaun’s thesis) and that anti-Blackness is part of fat oppression.
• Find ways to apply our conversation to daily work e.g. photos of folks of all sizes on our movement’s websites.
• Beyond our daily work, how does diet culture and weight stigma show up in relationships with each other?

Here is a list of the resources mentioned in the Fat Lib 101 training:

• Fat Rose organizes fat radicals to embed fat politics on the left, contributing to building an intersectional fat liberation movement. We do this by developing and promoting radical and intersectional fat-centered political analysis, and offering incubation spaces for radical fat activists, thinkers, artists, and organizers to dream big about how to bring fat politics into social movements. 
• Website: https://fatrose.org/
• Contact: fatrose@fatrose.org 
• Fat Mutual Aid: Promoting fat mutual aid rooted in intersectional fat liberation + solidarity.
• Sabrina Strings: Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia - https://nyupress.org/9781479886753/fearing-the-black-body/ 
• Da’Shaun Harrison’s Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness -https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670607/belly-of-the-beast-by-dashaun-harrison/ 
• Fat & Queer anthology - https://www.fatandqueer.com/ 
• Jes Baker’s Landwhale: On Turning Insults Into Nicknames, Why Body Image is Hard, and How Diets Can Kiss My Ass  - http://www.themilitantbaker.com/p/the-book-things-no-one-will-tell-fat.html 
• NAAFA: The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance is a non-profit, all volunteer, fat rights organization dedicated to protecting the rights and improving the quality of life for fat people - https://naafa.org/

This week a group of BPI members get together and discuss what it was like growing up LGBTQ+, and how things have changed since then. We also provide resources for LGBTQ+ youth and their parents. For more information about BPI please visit us at http://www.blindlgbtpride.org.

If you missed the 3D Audio Excursion at convention this year, fear not; Pride Connection has you covered! Grab those headphones, and tune in. Chris Snyder will take you on a Tesla autonomous driving tour, a trip on the Portland Max Rail to the Portland Pride Festival, a jaunt to the French Quarter Jazz Festival in New Orleans, and top the evening off with a little stand up comedy from the deviously hilarious Emo Phillips. It’s a virtual trip you won’t want to miss! Don’t forget, headphones are required to experience the 3D aspects of the tour.

Long-time friend and supporter of BPI, host of the popular podcast Talk Description To Me, JJ Hunt joins Pride Connection for a fascinating conversation and brings us a very special invitation.

JJ shares with us his recent work with NASA describing the Event Horizon/Black-hole; their process for choosing what news and events to cover on Talk Description To Me; and to talk about Rocky Horror and Headwig, and so much more!

After last year’s wildly successful Rocky Horror Live Streaming Event, JJ and VocalEye decided to present Headwig and the Angry Inch for Pride Month. This unique experience includes conversation, musical numbers from the movie, and a few guest stars. JJ is extending a special invitation for all of us to enjoy this fun event (please find the link to register for this event at the end of this announcement).

Pride Connection airs every Tuesday at 10:00 PM EDT on ACB Media 1.

Invite and Link for Headwig

Wednesday, June 1st at 7:00 PM Pacific

The VocalEye virtual lobby will open at 6:30 PM Pacific Time for some socializing and community updates with host Amy Amantea. The pre-show introduction will begin at 6:45 PM with Amy and guests. The featured show begins at 7:00 PM followed by conversation, Q&A, and a prize draw.

If you’ve never attended a VocalEye Almost Live Zoom event before, you can register for just one event or sign up for the full season. A Zoom link and reminder will be sent to you on the day of the event. Almost Live events are designed for people with sight loss, but everyone is welcome.

Register here or call 604-364-5949 Time Zone Converter

Pride Connection airs each Tuesday at 10 PM Eastern on ACB Media 1, and wherever you find your favorite podcasts. For more information please visit our website at www.blindlgbtpride.org.

This week we invite Richard Marion from Vancouver, British Columbia on to Pride Connection to talk about Canada removing the ban on gay men donating blood.

Maria Kristic also joins us to discuss LGBTQ+ Rights in the US versus the rest of the world, and how the overturning of Roe V. Wade will not only harm the rights of women in this country, but also spell disaster for the rights of other maginalized people in the US.

Also... Byron Lee, board member, and Gabriel Lopez Kafati, BPI President each have their own exciting announcements to make. So don't miss this jam-packed episode of Pride Connection!

Please join in on our conversation by sending an e-mail to membership@blindlgbtpride.org.

This week, Destiny Dimattel and Randy Reed are joined by married couple Courtney and Royce from “The Ace Couple” podcast. We discuss Asexual representation in media, what makes it good, what makes it bad and some of our favorite characters. Courtney and Royce also discuss a special project they working on within the Ace community.

You can find their podcast online at theacecouple.com, or on Twitter @The_Ace_Couple.

You can listen to Pride Connection on ACB Media 1 every Tuesday at 10 PM Eastern, or get it wherever you download your podcasts.

Questions and comments can be e-mailed to membership@blindlgbtpride.org

Visit our website at blindlgbtpride.org

This week Anthony and Gabriel speak with council woman, activist and West Virginia’s first ever trans representative.

From language to identity, Don’t Say Gay and how the light shined on these horrific bills may actually help move our communities forward and so much more.

We spoke with Rosemary a little over a year ago and it was such an incredible conversation that we decided to reach out again and ask representative Ketchum for her thoughts on the direction our community is taking in response to these bills around the country and her own journey through identity and finding her way as a community organizer and now representative from the great state of West Virginia.

Our conversation with Rosemary is not only informative but inspirational.

Pride Connection airs on ACB Media 1 every Tuesday at 10 PM Eastern and can be found wherever you get your podcasts right after.

Congresswoman Rosemary Ketchum has agreed to come back to Pride Connection on April 26, 2022 for a conversation about legislation that has recently passed that greatly affects us in the LGBTQ+ Community. We decided in preparation for Rosemary's return to Pride Connection, we should revisit our first conversation.

You won’t want to miss this candid and compelling conversation with Rosemary Ketchum, the first trans woman to become an elected official. Rosemary is the Councilwoman for Ward 3 in the city of Wheeling, WV. Rosemary opened up her life to us. From growing up in Ohio; realizing she had to transition; the role of her family during her transition process; her thoughts on inclusive language and pronouns; and how she feels now that she is a successful woman. We also talk politics; her decision to run for a Council Seat; the issues she cares for; and her work ethics.

Rosemary has been a community organizer in the state of West Virginia for a long time. Some of the issues she tackles from her Council Seat include homelessness and poverty. As a Mental Health professional, she focuses on insuring availability of mental health resources in her community.

This week we're celebrating our 2nd Anniversary! We decided to make a retrospective of the last two years and highlight some of the most memorable moments on Pride Connection.

Questions or comments, please send an e-mail to membership@blindlgbtpride.org.

This week on Pride Connection, we explore what beauty means to us as blind or partially sighted members of the LGBTQ+ community. Join us as we delve into a rich discussion of how we define beauty, what we consider beautiful in ourselves and others, and how embracing our LGBTQ+ identities has helped us to express our inner beauty.   Listen any time by clicking the link below:   https://blindlgbtpride.org/pride-connection/   Pride Connection airs on ACB Media 1 Tuesday nights at 10:00 p.m. or wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Questions or comments? Email membership@blindlgbtpride.org

Language is the cornerstone of the human experience and as we all know words have power. However, what kind of power have the words we use to identify ourselves been appropriated, corrupted and used to bully or belittle?   How have we taken back these words and used them in our own advocacy and identity?   As the rainbow expands how important is it for our community to educate and advocate for proper language usage

This is the third in a series of powerful conversations surrounding the identities and challenges of the LGBTQ Community. For previous episodes goto www.ACBMedia.org and choose Podcasts and Pride Connection. 

Questions and comments for Pride Connection or BPI can be sent to BlindLGBTPride.org

Join a fantastic BPI panel as we discuss what we were told, what we overheard and what we were taught about the LGBTQ community across multiple generations. How did it effect our perceptions of the community and of ourselves? How did it impact when and how we came out? What advice does our panel have for the world? All these questions and more will be answered tonight on Pride Connection! Don't miss part 1 of this incredible, meaningful discussion.

New episodes of Pride Connection drop on ACB Media One every other Tuesday and can be found wherever you listen to your podcasts.

*** Disclaimer*** This conversation touches on sensitive subjects such as self esteem, suicide and suicidal ideations and family discourse

Blind LGBT Pride International discusses gender. How we see ourselves, how we express our gender and how our bodies can be our best friend or biggest obstacle in expressing ourselves. This incredibly deep and vulnerable conversation draws back the curtain on the feelings behind gender identity and expression.

Fluid, Trans, Cis-gendered, and transitioning; are all represented in this first of an on-going series of conversations. We are inviting our members and allies to join the conversation in up-coming Pride Connections.

We invite you to check out past Pride Connections by visiting:

acbmedia.org

and searching for Pride Connection under podcasts.

To learn more about Blind LGBT Pride International or to join, please visit us at:

blindlgbtpride.org

This week several BPI members got together to discuss the unique obstacles we face as blind LGBTQ+ people during the holidays. We discuss everything from dealing with how our families react to our sexuality and gender identity when we get together for the festive season, to overcoming challenges with depression when everyone else seems so jolly. This episode was extremely cathartic to be a part of and we encourage you to write in with your comments at membership@blindlgbtpride.org.

Over the past few months Blind pride international has partnered with Bold Blind Beauty for the awakening the senses conversations.

With the holidays approaching, we spoke about different ways of celebrating, opening up and being vulnerable, and some misconceptions about dating Blind/sighted people, and of course sensuality and sexuality.

Join us tonight on ACB Media 1… or wherever you get your podcasts soon after. And look for more of these amazing conversations in the new year!

Join Anthony Corona as he welcomes; John Denning, Vita Zaboli and Byron Lee to talk about the affiliate they love and were just voted onto the board of Drumroll Please Blind LGBT Pride International. 

We talk about their history, interests and the plans they have to help BPI grow and flourish in the coming year. 

New episodes of Pride Connection drop on ACB Media 1 every other Tuesday and can be found wherever you listen to your podcasts.

After nearly two years of dealing with a global pandemic, BPI members were finally able to get together in person at our Fall Social in Denver. Join us for a recap of our journey to the Rocky Mountains and the Mile High City.

This week on Pride Connection, Anthony Corona and Tom Babcock sit down with Susan and Arlene from the Florida Sculptors Guild to talk about reVision, an art gallery designed for blind and visually impaired people.

Where: Casselberry Art House - 127 Quail Pond Circle, Casselberry, FL - Winter Park Area When: Saturdays, 4-9 p.m., Sundays, 1-4 p.m. and Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Continues through Dec. 30 Phone: 407-262-7700 ext 1122 Email: floridasculptors@gmail.com Price: free

The Florida Sculptors Guild showcases an innovative concept in sculpture exhibits: We invite people to touch the art as another way to enjoy and explore it. The show was curated specifically for people with visual impairment. "ReVision" goes beyond visual perception.

This week on ACB Media 1 at 10 PM, Pride Connection talks with the President of BPI and Jessica who is a new President of a new Disability Democratic Caucus about marching, canvassing and herding members. They give us their insights to being Blind or Low Vision and participating in the Democratic process as well as inspiring others into activism.

Pride Connection is Blind LGBT Pride’s weekly ACB Media show and is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions and comments for the show can be sent to membership@BlindLGBTPride.org

Please visit BPI at: WWW.BlindLGBTPride.org

Tonight, we present another collaboration with Bold Blind Beauty. In this conversation we discuss sexuality, sensuality, vulnerability and consent. Check out www.boldblindbeauty.com for more information about our guests. Also take a look at www.blindlgbtpride.org for more information about our organization.

This week we are collaborating with The Penny Forward Podcast to bring you a great interview with Leena Ann Solusar. She is starting her own business helping people with energy healing.

What is the hardest part of starting a business? For Leena Ann Solusar, it was the fear that it was wrong to charge for her services. We wanted to learn how Leena overcame that fear, so we invited her on to tell us how surviving a sexual assault, coming to terms with her sexual orientation, and grieving the unexpected death of her wife helped her to discover talents that she is now using to help others while helping herself.

Pride Connection airs on ACB Media 1 every Tuesday at 10pm EDT and is available soon after wherever you get your podcasts.

Our very own Randy Reed is guest hosting Pride Connection with an awesome dynamic duo from Sounds Fake But Okay, a podcast where an aromantic asexual girl and a demisexual-straight girl talk about all things to do with love, relationships, sexuality, and pretty much anything else that they just don't understand. Visit their website at https://www.soundsfakepod.com/

Sarah Costello Co-Host & Editor

After 18 years of assuming she was straight (thanks, society), Sarah realized she was aromantic asexual, and it's been a wild ride ever since. A proud Michigander (Go Blue!) who moved to Los Angeles in 2020 to pursue a career in television writing, her interests include bingeing entire TV shows in a single day, spending her life savings on musical theater, and diverse representation in media both in front of and behind the camera.

Kayla Kaszyca

Co-Host & Marketing Manager

Over the course of the first year of Sounds Fake But Okay, Kayla learned that she was not just straight, but demisexual. She is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan and has now moved to Baton Rouge with her partner. She loves long sits on the couch watching musicals and old lady activities such as paint by numbers.

Pride Connection airs on ACB Media 1 every Tuesday at 10pm EDT and is available soon after wherever you get your podcasts.

BPI’s yearly tradition of the Fall Social Networking Event is back and poised to be the best of the bunch.

Our membership voted to return to Denver the site of our last in-person FSN event The weekend of October 22nd we will gather in the mile high city for the laughs, wine and fun our FSN is known for and this episode, Pride Connection will share memories from events past and tease the exciting things lined up for this year

From very successful Cruises, Las Vegas, New York and other fun destinations we invite BPI members and allies to share some of the fun memories with us.

Pride Connection airs on ACB Media 1 every Tuesday at 10pm EDT and is available soon after wherever you get your podcasts.

Greetings family, I first and foremost want to thank Jessica Tomlinson and Byron Lee for helming and putting together an amazing Pride Connection!

As always our editor Tim is fantastic!

We are currently looking for more blind pride member voices for shows… If you have an idea… If you want to participate… If you want to add your voice to the growing shows please contact Anthony Corona.

Here is tonight‘s subject;

On this special edition of Pride Connection, we discussed many aspects of online dating websites and apps, from accessibility to the joys and awkwardness inherent in online dating. topics we covered including how to put your best foot forward, how to be safe while meeting for the first time, and when to disclose that you are blind or visually impaired. It’s a brave new world out there, so won’t you join us?

Pride Connection airs every Tuesday night at 10 PM Eastern on ACB media 1.

Tonight, Blind LGBT Pride International partners with Bold Blind Beauty to present this fascinating topic. Bold Blind Beauty is a group that strives to find the beauty of living with low or no vision.

This discussion surrounds ideas and attitudes towards LGBTQ, gender non-binary, gender fluidity and other aspects of our community.

We discuss the differences in generations on having grown up with messaging around LGBTQ community and topics. We also talked about how growing up with a new messaging has shaped different ideas towards LGBTQ topics from the community at large.

We focused on the transgender community; on how its members have become targets of violence; and how this has led to activism. In this sense, we pointed out what messaging other communities can take from this activism to help advance the rights of other marginalized groups.

The interns periences growing up with a new messaging; witnessing loved ones coming out; and how all of this has shaped their acceptance of the LGBTQ community.

Plus in a bonus segment, BPI members Chris Snyder and Byron Lee teach us the meaningful terms of the LGBTQ community. Byron also slipped in a song called Everything Possible written by Fred Small and performed by The Flirtations.

Mr. Estes is one of BPI’s founding members and Pride Connection is thrilled to have him helming another musically themed show. Part 2 of this fascinating interview will air on Pride Connection after Convention.

Wayne has also given us some recordings of his talented playing that you will hear during this and the second half of the interview. Questions or comments for Pride Connection can be sent to Membership@BlindLGBTPridee.org

A message from Dwayne Estes

This weeks Pride Connection is special for me. I get the opportunity to chat with Wayne Pearcy. Wayne is a new member of BPI, my friend and colleague, and trumpeter extraordinaire. He also is a composer, arranger, and has a passion for the natural trumpet. He is all about music played on period correct instruments.

Hear how Wayne participated in the marching band while in high school and found his way to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Completing his studies was by no means an easy feat but, his obstacles carved a path for other blind musicians.

Wayne’s parents were blind. It was their encouragement and their total belief in his talent that propels him forward as a professional musician. He survived NFB and found BPI. I met Wayne through Friends in Art.

BPI welcomes Wayne with all his skills and enthusiasm. This guy is the real deal, has lots going on, and is even willing to play music with me.

Stonewall sparked the Pride Month celebrations…. However Stonewall wasn’t the prologue or even the first chapter. Join BPI and AIRA as we celebrate, experience and describe Stonewalll and the Historic NYC West Village in telling the story of Pride Before, during and after Stonewall.

Tonight on ACB Radio Mainstream and on all podcast catchers shortly after.

AIRA describes slices of my life in Pride and Beyond.

By Anthony Corona

The Iconic Stonewall in NYC’s historic West Village, the statuary that represented over a decade of advocacy to the Alice Austin House on in my hometown Staten Island Aira with Blind Pride International went on a journey that had me re-living so much of my life.

When I lost my sight 5 years ago I had not a clue about Audio Description or Visual Interpreting Services and thought life would be bleak from now on. I began to learn to live as a blind man and as I navigated services I learned so many things. One of those important discoveries was AIRA. Now a few years later they literally brought me back to so many scenes of PRIDE in NYC where I was born and spent the bulk of my life.

Jeanine Stanley with Agent Alexandra invited Myself and BPI President Gabriel Lopez Kafati to participate with NYC LGBTQ Historical Preservation Society as they walk us through the Historic sites of Stonewall and the surrounding area all while educating us all on the histories of the movement with beautiful description from Alexandra.

My mind recreated the images as the descriptions flowed. Down to using an ATM in a Bank of America at one of these historic sites the memories of my life played across the giant movie screen in my mind. Countless spring and summer afternoons reading and picnicking at the Alice Austin site and of course the many times I ordered a libation at the bar of the Historic Stonewall Inn. I can’t describe the feelings of both PRIDE and being almost able to see these sites in person again.

As an advocator for both of my intersecting communities to bee involved with this presentation means so very much to me. I am so proud to help educate and entertain our communities and beyond about all the brave persons and movements that have led to the LGBTQ community really having a place at the table of life in our great country. It is so important to know our History and to advocate for it to be a part of the national tapestry.

June is LGBTQ Pride month and as Blind Pride celebrates and educates all month long with AIRA this presentation will inspire others to document slices of their own lives and community history. Please take the virtual walk through LGBTQ history as we all virtually visit Stonewall and NYC’s West Village Thank you to Amanda Davis for the incredible lesson. Thank you to AIRA for recognizing how important it is to make our history come alive and thank you to Blind LGBT Pride for being my home and family.

Please join us tonight at 10PM Eastern, 7PM Pacific on Pride Connection where guest host Chris Snyder brings you an exclusive, in-depth interview with queer author TJ Klune!

TJ Klune is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. Being queer himself, TJ believes it’s important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive, queer representation in stories.

Visit Klune online: tjklunebooks.com Twitter: @tjklune Instagram: tjklunebooks

Van Halen expressed it best. "Might as well jump!"

Sometimes,it's a gradual jump over time; in some cases, it's a dive from 14,000 feet above the ground. Whatever the height or intensity, this show is about making a leap in to the unknown. Listen to some BPI board members share stories of coming out and gaining pride in themselves as well as community in BPI. And Celebrate Pride month with Sarah Chung, Leah Gardner and Byron Lee as they take the leap of a lifetime.

On this week’s show, Anthony Corona and Scott Marshall had the great opportunity to virtually sit down with Eric Marcus, journalist, network television producer, and author of the acclaimed book and podcast Making Gay History. We first met Eric last January when he shared with us and our listeners audio clips from his collection of over one hundred interviews of LGBQ pioneers and allies. A link to that presentation is in the show notes.

In today’s episode, we talked with Eric about what led him to become the chronicler of oral LGBTQ history; what were his favorite interviews; what were his most difficult interviews; the interviews he was not able to do, and who among his interviewees most impacted his own life. You will hear about the “happy warriors” Kay Tobin Lahusen and Barbara Gittings from Pennsylvania whose extraordinary advocacy was wrapped in humor, the always serious and commanding Frank Kameny an astronomer from Washington, DC who was fired by the U.S. Civil Service Commission for being gay, and what he and others did to change that discriminatory policy. You will also meet Greg Brock, the self-described “Sissy from Mississippi” who as the front page assistant managing editor of the San Francisco Examiner, was outed on the Oprah Show and later worked for the Washington Post and the New York Times – a role model for many LBGTQ journalists even today.

Finally, we were introduced to Jean and Morty Mannford whose son was badly beaten because he was gay. This led to the founding in the early 1970’s of a parents support organization (later renamed Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, AKA, “PFLAG”), which inspired our own organization within the American Council of the Blind twenty-one years ago.

Eric will be back with us during our convention in July to talk about some of his many other projects: a podcast focusing on the early years of the Aids crisis including his personal perspective, the opening of an LGTQ museum in New York City, a “Making Gay history” play first performed in New York City by high school students and his podcast focusing generally on the Holocaust. What will this incredible person do next?

Pride Connection airs on ACB Radio Mainstream Tuesdays at 10pm eastern and is broadcast soon thereafter to your favorite podcatcher app. Please join us!

As Blind Pride opens the month long celebration of LGBTQ Pride we host long-time allies Terry Pacheco, Penny Reader, Paul Edwards along with ACB Leaders Ray Campbell, Jim Kracht and President Dan Spoon. 

21 years of Pride, Advocacy, education, wine events and all our social events not to mention the great social changing discussions we have brought to the table is celebrated tonight.

Let's hear what BPI means for ACB, the LGBT community and the world at large from the leaders and allies that have always supported and encouraged our intersecting communities. Look for a lot of great surprises from this PROUD AFFILIATE this month!!

Pride Connection was happy to chat with Devin Fernandez founder of Third Eye Insight Fitness for the Blind. Where they offer a world of different fitness activities. Not only do they offer Marshall Arts, self-defense, mediation classes but they also set up plenty of fun activities such as horse-back riding, kayaking, fishing charters, etc. If you live near Long Island and are interested please visit them at: http://www.thirdeyeinsight.org/text-only/home-text-only.html

His bio:

Devin Fernandez was first diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa in 2000, as he wrestled with the implications of this life-altering disease, he knew, despite moments of despair, that this was an opportunity for learning and growing.

Devin Fernandez has been a practitioner of the Martial Arts specifically Ninpo Ninjutsu for over seventeen years. He has a keen sense of how vital an active lifestyle is for physical, mental and spiritual health. He also has a strong sense of service, and understands what it means to give back to his community. Navigating his way through social services for the blind, he discovered a lack of opportunities for fitness activities that engaged this underserved community that he was now a part of. Wanting to integrate his martial arts, yoga, and meditation expertise, and his experience with the gift of service; Devin Fernandez, along with Sister, Kim Fernandez, launched Third Eye Insight.

In 2010, after forming a non-profit organization to bring fitness classes to the blind and visually impaired, Third Eye Insight (TEI) opened its doors.

Pride Connection invites you to take a journey with Byron Lee and Chris Snyder. Tonight, they will speak of their self-discovery, their coming out experiences, and the truth that love is patient and enduring. Also, get a taste of what’s to come at our spectacular convention this summer!

Questions or comments for the show can be sent to: membership@BlindLGBTPride.org

Please Visit BlindLGBTPride.org for more information and/or to join the only organization that celebrates the intersectionality of LGBTQ  and Visual Impairment

Pride Connection presents a celebratory discussion about Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

**Content warning: gun violence, hate crimes/violence against AAPI, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, ableism, other topics that may be sensitive to some listeners  **

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month! This week on Pride Connection, please join Sarah Chung (moderator,) Minh Ha, Miso Kwak, Tyanne Wilmath, and Anthony Corona for a conversation exploring AAPI history, personal stories of the intersectionality of identifying as AAPI and having a disability, mental health, sexualization and fetishization of AAPI women, defining heritage, and how the pandemic has shaped their lives and the greater AAPI community at large today. Additionally, the roundtable discussion also examined the Covid 19 Hate Crimes Act (H.R. 1843) and thoughts on how this legislation will affect the AAPI community. The hour-long segment concludes with our guests answering how they will celebrate AAPI heritage month. 

Resources are listed below. 

Resources

Stop AAPI Hate: https://stopaapihate.org/

National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association: https://www.naapimha.org/

Asian Americans (on PBS): Asian Americans

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong (Available on Bookshare and BARD)

Pachinko by Minjin Lee  (Available on Bookshare and BARD)

H.R. 1843: Covid 19 Hate Crimes Act: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/hr1843 

Try Guys Anti-Asian Hate documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14WUuya94QE

Misogyny Against Asian Women - The TryPod Ep. 102: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMd3S3BOarU

Pride Connection was happy to chat with Elise Tabor about intersectionality issues as it relates to not only the LGBTQIA+ and blind communities but relating to us all.

When Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term, “intersectionality,” 30 years ago, it was an obscure legal concept. Read more about this on VOX.

Did you recognize the instrumental music played in this episode? Tell us your guesses by visiting our Facebook and Twitter so we know you listened!

Blind LGBT Pride International is dedicated to the blind or visually impaired LGBTQIA+ community. Visit our website at https://blindlgbtpride.org.

Pride Connection was happy to chat with Dustin Rynders, the Supervising Attorney of the Education team at Disability Rights Texas, (DRTX). If you are a student with a disability in the State of Texas and need assistance, check out the advocacy services you can get help with by visiting https://disabilityrightstx.org.

Do you live in one of the other US states and territories and need advocacy services or just have questions about your rights? Find your Protection & Advocacy, (P&A), agency by visiting the National Disability Rights Network at https://ndrn.org.

When Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term, “intersectionality,” 30 years ago, it was an obscure legal concept. Read more about this on VOX.

If you found the issue of limiting beliefs interesting, visit The libra’s Balance at https://libras-balance.blog to join in the conversation and learn more on the topics of positive self-talk and much more.

Did you recognize the instrumental music played in this episode? Tell us your guesses by visiting our Facebook and Twitter so we know you listened!

Blind LGBT Pride International is dedicated to the blind or visually impaired LGBTQIA+ community. Visit our website at https://blindlgbtpride.org.

Wasn’t I right? How can you not be motivated by hearing Harvey Miller's story Listen to Pride Connection this Tuesday April, 12 at 10 pm. EST on ACB Radio Mainstream and hear the rest of the story.

In this part of our conversation hear to whom and how Harvey came out. Learn how a road trip with a friend lead him to a once in a lifetime find. You will be totally impressed hearing how Harvey made it around every obstacle put in his way to get started on the work he was committed to do.

Learn more about Louis Braille and his students who used Braille’s system of music notation for the blind. I could not imagine being a student at the Paris Conservatory for the Blind and dealing with the inadequacies of the facilities during the mid-nineteenth century.

Find out how Dr. Miller used his lap top computer and syllabus, a music notation soft wear program which allows a blind musician to create printed music for the sighted musician to play. This project took over a decade to complete and gives Harvey yet one more title. Music Archivist. All because he stopped at the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, Kentucky. There are musical examples to tweak the ear of the discerning listener. Please join us this Tuesday for Pride Connection at 10 EST on ACB Radio Mainstream.

Do you need a hit of motivation during this relentless time of pandemic? Maybe a little nudge to get you out of that recliner and do something productive? I can get it for you on the cheap. All you have to do is listen to Pride Connection Tuesday April 6 at 10 p.m. EST on ACB Radio Mainstream. Tune in and listen to the first part of an interview of Harvey Miller done by Dwayne Estes. Harvey was born with low vision and was told he would not lose the sight he had and relied on. Later in life he did lose his sight completely.

Hear about Dr. Miller's early life in Salisbury, North Carolina and his beginning experiences with formal education. Learn about the ten years Harvey spent at the North Carolina School for the Blind and how he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Although it caused quite a stir amongst the faculty he did land a position as a music instructor at Brevard College in Brevard North Carolina. While teaching at Brevard College he managed to earn a Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from Indiana University.

Harvey's compositions have been performed world wide. He spent thirty years teaching at Brevard College as well as teaching classes Harvey conducted the college choir. Somehow he fit in being concert master for the Ashville Symphony Orchestra

This is an awe inspiring story and not to be missed.

The second part of the interview will focus on the book Harvey has written on Louis Braille's music and the music of his students. This will be fascinating for those who read Braille and use Braille’s system for the notation of music.

Pride Connection presents a roundtable discussion about what it means to identify as Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) in today's racially charged climate. 

Content warning: gun violence, hate crimes/violence against AAPI, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, ableism, other topics that may be sensitive to some listeners  

Join Sarah Chung (moderator,) Tyanne Wilmath, Mark Hanohano, Anthony Corona, and Byron Lee as they examine their thoughts on the aftermath of the Atlanta Spa shootings and how the Covid19 pandemic has affected the AAPI community. On March 16, 2021, a series of mass shootings occurred at three spas in which eight victims, six of whom were Asian American women, were senselessly killed. According to StopAAPIhate.org, more than 3,800 hate crimes have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic. This episode's conversation will provide perspectives centered on how folx identifying as AAPI are currently feeling, personal safety, the need for language access, growing up Asian American and the school system, mental health, and the intersectionality of identifying as Asian American, blind/visually impaired, and LGBTQIA+. Audio snippets of a rally that Sarah attended and a message from Minh Ha, ACB students affiliate president, will also be included. Resources will be listed below. 

Resources 

Stop AAPI Hate: https://stopaapihate.org/

National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association: https://www.naapimha.org/

Try Guys Anti-Asian Hate documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14WUuya94QE

Misogyny Against Asian Women - The TryPod Ep. 102: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMd3S3BOarU

New statistics show that 1 out of 6 adults identifies as belonging to the LGBTQ spectrum. The immediate access to information, and ease to connect with others who share similar life experiences, have made it safer for younger generations to openly embrace their identity. We will discuss how gender roles have changed amongst members of Generations X and Z. How much ponderance are younger generations now giving to the roles that have been assigned to each gender in the past? Are members of Generations X and Z moving towards new or no gender roles?

Last week, Pride Connection hosted a discussion around how new statistics show that 1 out of 6 adults identifies as belonging to the LGBTQ spectrum. The immediate access to information, and the ease to connect with others who share similar life experiences, have made it safer for younger generations to openly embrace their identity. Please join us this week, as we discuss how gender roles have changed amongst members of Generations X and Z. How much ponderance are younger generations now giving to the roles that have been assigned to each gender in the past? Are members of Generations X and Z moving towards new or no gender roles?

Do you Identify as LGBTQ, Love someone LGBTQ, respect the LGBTQ community??

Tonight we ask LGBTQ members, those who are ALLIES and those who may have the second opinion to join this important discussion. 

Below you will find 2 fascinating articles of varying opinion. Is it easier to identify as LGBTQ today  or, is Gen-Z being socially brainwashed into this identification? BPI dives into this topic this week and next as we invite all ACB Members (especially Next Gen and Students) to join us and share their opinions.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/02/24/gen-z-lgbt/

https://townhall.com/columnists/michaelbrown/2021/02/26/why-do-1-in-6-gen-z-adults-identify-as-lgbt-n2585433

Black History Month: where do we go from here?

Join Will Burley and Cheryl Cumings as they talk about the background of Black History Month, and share their perspective of the importance of black History Month, current psycho-social impact of racism on the lives of Black Americans, and the future.

Please join Pride Connection, as we discuss the current role of some LGBTQ+ figures in politics. In 2018, Jared Polis was elected as Colorado’s Governor. Most recently, President Biden has appointed Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation and Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of Health. Polis and Buttigieg are both openly gay men, and Levine is a trans-gender woman.

These roles represent not only a celebration of diversity, but also a powerful shift in focus. LGBTQ people no longer have to hide their sexual orientation to be considered to high-profile roles in our country. Among others, these three notables are living testimony that fellow Americans should be elected and/or appointed based on capacity, experience, and merit.

This is not only a triumph for the LGBTQ+ community, but for our country as well. As members of the LGBTQ+ community, we can be authentic and true to our convictions without fear of being left out. As constituents, we have a larger pool of qualified individuals who can reach positions of power and bring a new perspective to the way in which our country is ran.

While we still have a long way to go, let’s pause for a moment and reflect on what this means for the LGBTQ+ community and for the diversity of our country’s Leadership.

After a much contended election, a new Administration was sworn into office this past week in our Nation. We know the entire World has been following the US Democratic process, as it effects everyone inside and outside our borders. We are so privileged to be part of this great Nation, and to be the protagonists of US Democracy.

Whichever is your political affiliation if any, we invite you to share your thoughts, feelings and, most importantly, your expectations for the following 4 years in our country.

Additionally, please note that we are no political analysts. We are just a group of folks who love our country and who strive to create an open space where everyone’s voice can be heard. We have witnessed the transfer of power between 2 Administrations that are clearly different in their essence and in their delivery; this transfer of power will represent changes in our day-to-day lives.

Please join us and share what you expect for your own life during the next 4 years.

EMMY-Award-winning, friend to the show, Kevin Spirtas returns to Pride Connection this week to celebrate the life of his creative partner, Michael Slade and the release of their new special, Riley’s Unforgettable School Project.

Listeners will remember Kevin and Michael joined our show and our subsequent discussion call after the release of the critically-aclaimed and multiple—award-winning Second Season of After Forever. The show speaks of love and loss and the human spirit.

In the new special, they present a warm, funny and raw tribute to the love and memory of a beloved partner, and is so worth the watch, even if you haven’t watched the two Seasons. Even as a stand-alone, it will move you, and raise questions of love, loss and life.

After a long battle with cancer, the world lost Michael late last year; but he leaves behind a legacy of programming that will culminate with the filming of the Third and final Season of the trilogy, After Forever! Kevin brings producer and director, Allison Vanore to discuss the series, special and the beautiful life of their friend, Michael.

Allison Vanore - is the Emmy Award-winning producer of the six time winning series After Forever starring Kevin Spirtas and Mitchell Anderson on Amazon Prime and Emmy-winning series Dark/Web. Allison’s unique technical experience behind the camera combined with her closeness to this story and characters made her the perfect choice to take on the additional role as director for this special documentary style episode of AFTER FOREVER: Riley’s Unforgettable School Project. Between 2015-2019, Allison served as the Head of Production for Canvas Media Studios where she produced shows including Emmy-nominated Vanity starring Denise Richards and Karrueche Tran, Wear it to Win It for Facebook,  and Limelight for Yarn. Allison's recent award-winning film include award-winning films “Buck Run,” “The Rainbow Experiment,” and “42 Seconds of Happiness.” Allison serves on the executive board of non-profit Women in Media, an organization that seeks gender parity above and below the line in the entertainment industry. Allison is published in the book “Thriving in Hollywood” by Ms. In The Biz.   KEVIN SPIRTAS - Most recognized around the world as Dr. Craig Wesley from NBC’s Daytime Drama: Days of Our Lives, and the cult classic film sequels: Friday the 13th – Part VII: The New Blood, and Wes Craven’s: The Hills Have Eyes – Part II.  _In 2008 the 30-year acting veteran, produced the NY Shakespeare Festival reading-presentation of Don Cummings’: _A Good Smoke, starring Academy Award winner actress, Meryl Streep, and directed by Tony Award winning director, Pam McKinnon. Shortly thereafter in 2009, Spirtas made his debut as a Broadway producer on the critically acclaimed revival of Finian’s Rainbow, and in 2012 he co-produced the hit Broadway musical: Priscilla…Queen of the Desert. In 2014, after running into_“Days” alum Michael Slade in a New York gym, the two set out to create the critically acclaimed, 6 x Emmy Award Winning Digital Drama Series: _After Forever, In 2019 After Forever, - Season 1 made history by becoming the most Emmy-awarded LGBTQ-themed drama series on any platform and Spirtas won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Drama, along with 2 additional Emmys that he shares with Slade for outstanding writing team for a digital drama and outstanding digital drama series.

BPI serves the intersectionality of the LGBTQ+ and Visually Impaired communities but has a robust number of ALLIES who bring so much support to our affiliate. We pride ourselves for the “Come as you are” inclusiveness of our group. We have so many varied life journeys and so many stories to share. 

This Tuesday evening at 10pm eastern on ACB Radio Mainstream Pride Connection welcomes Gerald Hirschtritt as we talk with him about his incredible life so far. 

From NYC to Florida, Gerald might seem like the typical “Snow Bird” but he is so much more. Years of service in the national Guard, Property Management in NYC  to Medical Retail and Real Estate in Florida before retiring, Gerald has a lot of experience with so many different kinds of people. A proud Father of 2 he will share his journey with us and give us a glimpse into his self-discovery and journey with the LGBTQ+ community. 

Who we are is a conglomeration  of who we have been and Gerald’s path to who he is now will inspire and maybe help us all to understand how life can mold us or inspire us to break the molds and shine as we are meant to be.

Tonight on Pride Connection  Gabriel and Anthony along with master  engineer  Byron welcome Chris Snyder as we discuss LGBT romantic  literature, films and shows! We wanted to ring in the new year with some fun and suggestions on how to warm up the  cold winter nights ahead.

Blind Pride International and Pride Connection have brought our community many deeply meaningful conversations in the last year, and this Tuesday we want to celebrate our newest Community Call. Every other Wednesday night new BPI member Desiree hosts our Sexual Health Community Call.

Let’s get to know her and the Journey to bring this fascinating series of conversations to the BPI and ACB Members. Flirting, Consent and Body Language have been topics so far but this energetic member says this is only the beginning.

Then, Gabriel, Leah and Anthony will preview BPI’s Winter Virtual Convention!!! BPI’s 20-year journey has affixed our affiliate as one of ACB’s strongest! Through serious membership restructuring and the renewed energy of BPI’s leadership we helped lead ACB in the early stages of Community Calls and have been strong in our programming all year. Thus ACB Radio asked if we wanted to be the very first special interest affiliate to hold its own convention; we rise to this challenge, and this January we will hold the first BPI convention. We are known for programs at National Convention such as Mind/Body and Wine Wisdom. These topics are, of course, on the menu for January; however, we have come up with some amazing programming and we will announce the line-up and some special surprises on this week’s show.

In 1987, the United Nations declared December 1 as World AIDS Day, a day to unite in the fight to end the HIV epidemic, support people living with HIV, and honor those who have lost their life.

Join Gabriel, Leah, Anthony, and special guest, Tom Babcock in a discussion about the history and significance of the HIV epidemic. The LGBT community was and continues to be strongly impacted by HIV and AIDS. We will also talk about the socio-political impact on the LGBT community in the United States and around the world.

Pride Connection airs every Tuesday at 10:00 PM EDT on ACB Radio Mainstream. You can also find Pride Connection in your favorite podcast catcher.

For comments and suggestion, please contact Pride Connection at:

membership@blindlgbtpride.org

Blind LGBT Pride Int. Launched Pride Connection just a month before the plague known as COVID-19 ravaged its way into America and changed life as we all knew it. Over these 10 months we have presented many informative, introspective and forward thinking conversations and this week is no exception.

Is there room at the table this year for sides of joy and gratitude? Has the fatigue of the election and the massive efforts drained us all?? There have been so many moments of sadness and loneliness that it seems so very hard to fathom reasons to give thanks this year but PRIDE CONNECTION wants to find, embrace and share all the reasons we still have to be thankful.

We have not only one but multiple vaccines and new treatments up for review. We have a new strong and humble leader waiting to lead us out of the dark. BPI ad parent organization ACB found and flourished community in ways that will last long past the pandemic and of course we have each other.

Join Anthony, Leah and President Gabriel as Pride Connection finds the thanks in giving this year.

Listen Tuesday night at 10pm eastern on ACB Radio Mainstream or find it on podcast catchers under ACB Pride Connection

Post Script thank-you’s from Pride Connection : Jason and Debbie and all of the amazing folks of ACB Radio, it has been an incredible 10 months of Pride!

Tim Cumings and Byron Lee are incredible engineers who keep us sounding professional.

Eric Bridges and Dan Spoone who lead all of the leadership of ACB and have been so supportive of the sensitive topics we have tackled

Huge Thanks to every guest who has shared their thoughts, feelings and theemselves with Pride Connection.

Gratitude served with garnish to all BPI and ACB Members and to all of the listening audience who makes Pride Connection worth every hour spent making a show for us all to be proud of.

It may be hard to be as thankful this year but together it will be and has been a place for all of us to be exactly who we are with friends, family and allies who love us just as we are!!

Please join us on Pride Connection this evening. We will engage in a lively discussion surrounding the news concerning 2 COVID-19 vaccinations that apparently, if press releases can be believed, have an over 90% rate of protection against virus infection. If you had the opportunity to participate in final testing trials, would you do so? Is the risk worth it?

We will open a Zoom line for audience participation in this provocative topic. We hope you will share your insights on the vaccination question.

Pride Connection airs live on ACB Radio mainstream every Tuesday evening at 10 PM EST, 7 PM PST. Our podcast can also be found on any podcast catcher by searching for "ACB Pride Connection".

The Election is over and the ballots have been counted (or at least most of them have) leaving us with a clear winner. Pride Connection wants to hear from all BPI members on their voting experiences and election feelings. 

Join Gabriel, Leah and Anthony as they share their opinions on the outcomes, what’s next and what this change in power means for our community. The lines will be open for all BPI mwmbers to join the call and share with us.

Our exceptional ally and affiliate member Cheryl Cumings interviews Brandie Sendziak, supervising attorney at the Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco. As the Covid 19 pandemic continues to adversely affect all facets of our society, the discussion revolves around "standard of care" guidelines for hospitals and other medical facilities. Early on in the pandemic, much fear surrounded the possibility that those with disabilities, seniors and those with underlying health conditions would be de-prioritized for life saving treatment if capacity levels grew scarce in hospitals. Standard of care guidelines were created in California and other states to try and prevent this scenario from unfolding. Brandy and Cheryl discuss adoption of these standards and how we can all advocate for ourselves during this unprecedented time. Cheryl will remain with us after the interview for a round table discussion on this topic.

Matthew Wayne Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998) was a gay American student at the University of Wyoming who was beaten, tortured, and left to die near Laramie on the night of October 6, 1998. He was taken by rescuers to Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he died from severe head injuries six days later.

Suspects Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson were arrested shortly after the attack and charged with first-degree murder following Shepard's death. Significant media coverage was given to the murder and what role Shepard's sexual orientation played as a motive for the commission of the crime. The prosecutor argued that McKinney's murder of Shepard was premeditated and driven by greed. McKinney's defense counsel countered by arguing that he had intended only to rob Shepard but killed him in a rage when Shepard made a sexual advance toward him. McKinney's girlfriend told police that he had been motivated by anti-gay sentiment, but later recanted her statement, saying that she had lied because she thought it would help him. Both McKinney and Henderson were convicted of the murder, and each of them received two consecutive life sentences.

Shepard's murder brought national and international attention to hate crime legislation at both the state and federal level. In October 2009, the United States Congress passed the Matthew Shepard – James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Legislation (commonly the "Matthew Shepard Act" or "Shepard/Byrd Act" for short), and on October 28, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the legislation into law.

Following her son's murder, Judy Shepard became a prominent LGBT Rights activist and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Shepard's death has inspired films, novels, plays, songs, and other works.

Tonight, on Pride Connection, BPI Members Richard Marion and Tom Babcock co-host with us to remember Matthew Shepard. Both Richard and Tom bring to the table first-hand knowledge of the case; they have both been strong LGBT-rights advocates; and they have personal experiences in this arena. Richard and Tom will also discuss with us how the LGBTQ community is still being the target of many hate crimes in the United States and in other parts of the world.

As always, Pride Connection welcomes your comments, requests, and suggestions. You can reach us at:

membership@blindlgbtpride.org

BPI’s original resolution consisted on urging National Library Services (NLS) to include an LGBTQ category. We were able to back up our ask by offering a compilation of all LGBTQ titles already available on BARD. This compilation was the result of the continuous and meticulous work of none other than Terry Gorman.

Terry has a passion for learning through reading, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of literature in general. He decided to undertake the task of creating a catalog of all LGBTQ-related titles available through NLS. When he presented this beautifully compiled bibliography to BPI, we were sure we needed to complement Terry’s laborious toil, and decided to move forth with our resolution.

Even though we did not have an in-person General Session this year, BPI promoted this resolution together with Terry’s bibliography at different ACB-Convention workshops where NLS representatives were present. To our surprise, and thanks to Terry’s already-completed bibliography, NLS acted upon our ask in a matter of days! BPI then worked with ACB’s Resolution Committee to adjust our resolution, now thanking NLS for the incorporation of an LGBTQ category, and requesting the distinction of three LGBTQ categories- Fiction, non-fiction, and young adult.

Tonight, we are honored and humbled to talk to Terry Gorman. He will tell us about his passion for Braille and literature. He will share his personal journey with us. He will also tell us what prompted him to undertake this project that has become a milestone enriching the life of those of us who are part of the intersectionality of being blind/visually impaired and LGBTQ. Terry has also been working on other projects that include platforms like Bookshare, and he will share this and other impactful initiatives he is currently leading.

Be a part of Pride Connection!

The theme song of Pride Connection; "Rainbow Connection" has been covered by many noteworthy and not-so-noteworthy bands over the years. We thought it would be cool to pair the voices of our community with the voices behind these covers of our theme song! If you want your voice to be featured in the intro and outro of our weekly radio show and podcast, then keep reading for more details!

Step 1:

Record yourself reading the intro and outro script included in this e-mail. Don't worry if you mess up... just start over and we'll fix it with the magic of post-production! Please record your voice with the highest quality settings you can.

Step 2:

Pick a version of "Rainbow Connection" that you would like your voice on top of. Include an alternate version in case someone else has already taken the one you wanted. If there is a version that is not on the list please let us know who it is by and if possible, provide us with a link to where we can hear it.

Step 3:

E-mail us your recording and song pick, we'll do the rest! Send all submissions to byron@byronlee.comwith the subject line of "Rainbow Connection".

Intro Script:

BPI Presents: Pride Connection. Sponsored by Blind LGBT Pride International. Tuesdays at 10 PM Eastern on ACB Radio Mainstream or wherever you get your podcasts.

Outro Script:

You have been listening to Pride Connection, sponsored by Blind LGBT Pride International. For more information go to blindLGBTpride.org.

Cover Versions:

The Rainbow Connection by Kermit Rainbow Connection by Dana Valery The Rainbow Connection by Kamahl The Rainbow Connection by Judy Collins The Rainbow Connection by Daryle Rice with The Loonis McGlohon Quartet Rainbow Connection by Ronny Whyte The Rainbow Connection by Mary O'Hara Rainbow Connection by Lea Salonga Rainbow Connection by The Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy The Rainbow Connection by Gloria Loring The Rainbow Connection by Michelle Nicastro The Rainbow Connection by Kenny Loggins Rainbow Connection by Fifteen. The Rainbow Connection by Peter Cousens The Rainbow Connection by Charles Tichenor Rainbow Connection by Less Than Jake The Rainbow Medley: Rainbow Connection by Paige O'Hara The Rainbow Connection by Me First and The Gimme Gimmes Rainbow Connection by Voice Male [US] Rainbow Connection by Willie Nelson The Rainbow Connection by Carpenters The Rainbow Connection by Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand The Rainbow Connection by Daniel Ahren Rainbow Connection by The Jabberwocks Rainbow Connection by Kacey Musgraves The Rainbow Connection by Sarah McLachlan Rainbow Connection by Peter Cincotti Rainbow Connection by Mark Trevorrow The Rainbow Connection by Dixie Chicks Rainbow Connection by Jason Mraz The Rainbow Connection by Kiki & Herb The Rainbow Connection by Jeff Hedberg The Rainbow Connection by David Hobson The Rainbow Connection by Johnny Mathis Rainbow Connection by Wendee Glick Rainbow Connection by John Cassel Rainbow Connection by Jasper Kump Rainbow Connection by Double Down Rainbow Connection by MichaelAngelo Rainbow Connection by Daphne Rubin-Vega The Rainbow Connection by Paul Williams, Willie Nelson Rainbow Connection by Beverley Mahood The Rainbow Connection by Dwayne Britton The Rainbow Connection by Beth McDonald Rainbow Connection by Jane Monheit The Rainbow Connection by Trespassers William Rainbow Connection by Weezer and Hayley Williams The Rainbow Connection by Maria Markesini The Rainbow Connection by Josh Young Rainbow Connection by Amy Yassinger Rainbow Connection by Marissa Mulder The Rainbow Connection by edu Rainbow Connection by Joey Sontz Rainbow Connection by Chapter 6 Rainbow Connection by Marco Rosato Rainbow Connection by Regine Velasquez-Alcasid Rainbow Connection by Glee Cast Rainbow Connection by Zee Avi The Rainbow Connection by Nick Ziobro Rainbow Connection by Joshua Payne Rainbow Connection by Death Blossoms The Rainbow Connection by Diana Panton Rainbow Connection by Gwen Stefani Rainbow Connection by Emerson Parris Rainbow Connection by Sam Tsui Rainbow Connection by Malinda Kathleen Reese Rainbow Connection by Megan Hilty Rainbow Connection by Jeremy Stolle The Rainbow Connection by Nicki Parrott Rainbow Connection by Joe Stilgoe Rainbow Connection by Sleeping at Last The Rainbow Connection by Adam Lopez Rainbow Connection by Lisa Loeb Rainbow Connection by Alexis Michelle Rainbow Connection by Andy Reed Rainbow Connection by The Radish Friends The Rainbow Connection by Mimi Bessette Rainbow Connection by Michael Longoria Rainbow Connection by Pomplamoose Rainbow Connection by Joseph Vincent Rainbow Connection by Puddles Pity Party featuring Petra Haden Rainbow Connection by The Midnight Strings Orchestra The Rainbow Connection by David Weiss with Members of the Los Angeles Philarmonic The Rainbow Connection by Kenny Drew Jr. The Rainbow Connection by Joe Locke The Rainbow Connection by Ken Rhodes Trio Rainbow Connection by Tommy Newsom Rainbow Connection by Jacek Mielcarek, Marek Walarowski The Rainbow Connection by John Livingston Rainbow Connection by Lorie Line The Rainbow Connection by Dave Baker Rainbow Connection by Jackie Bradley The Rainbow Connection by Paul Rigby The Rainbow Connection by Jim McDonough The Rainbow Connection by Ted Yoder The Rainbow Connection by Lullaby Baby Trio Rainbow Connection by Midnite String Quartet Rainbow Connection by Death Blossoms Rainbow Connection by Adriel Bote The Rainbow Connection by Acoustic Heartstrings Rainbow Connection by Stringspace Rainbow Connection (Moopets version) by Fozzie Bear and The Moopets Chanson de l'arc-en-ciel by Kermit Rainbow Connection by The Brothers Cazimero

Pride Connection Presents: Working through the Pandemic

Join Gabriel, Leah and Anthony as they welcome Tim Cummings, Mark Hanohano andByron Lee to discuss the changing landscape of the workplace since the beginning of this pandemic.

Working from home, furloughed and subsequently laid off, work from home to returning to the office and a ACB intern are a few of the perspectives we will explore. What measures are in place to help the transition and what was not.

It is challenging for our community to find employment that is fully accessible and during Covid-19 a lot of the established access and routines were shifted rapidly. However, much has been learned about working from home that will apply to work opportunities in the future.

Join us Tuesday night at 10pm eastern on ACB Radio as we discuss all this and more.

Pride Connection can now be found on all your major Podcast engines including Apple and Echo devices. Subscribe to the podcast and never miss our fascinating discussions.

Replays on ACB Radio are Wednesday 10am And Sunday at 7 am and pm

Questions and comments can be sent to

membership@blindlgbtpride.org We look forward to your feedback.

Pride Connection has had the honor of conducting 2 in-depth conversations with Will Burley, a Black activist and Cultural Humility leader, and Cheryl Cummings, a member of ACB’s Multicultural Affairs Committee. We’ve held conversations around the history of racial inequities injustice in our country; facts and statistics; societal responses to racial injustice, including the true role of the BLM movement; and, most importantly, the personal experiences of our panelists and their families.

This week, our conversations continue. First, join Pride Connection on Tuesday, September 8 at 10:00 PM on ACB Radio Mainstream. BPI has invited ACB President, Dan Spoone to open our program with his thoughts and feelings. Will and Cheryl will then lead a dialog about racial justice by exploring the emotional impact of having this necessary conversation on the human experience. This will be a considerate heart-to-heart conversation, as they discuss how 24-hour and social media as well as these hard talks of change are affecting relationships.

We then invite you to join a listening session on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 7:30 PM EDT. The purpose is to allow each of us to get past the social media clutter and television commentary to understand how this time in our country’s history is shaping us.

BPI Listening Session will give people an opportunity to listen, share and consider with empathy and love. This session, while allowing for everyone to share their thoughts and feelings, is intended to be a safe space, where we will listen to each other without debate or comments. The truest way form of listening is by doing exactly that; listening and taking what we’ve heard away for our own contemplation and understanding. Additionally, we have decided not to broadcast this session to ensure the privacy of such a sensitive conversation.

As we strive to work together to make this a more perfect union of our human existence, join Will Burley and BPI in a heart-to-heart with ACB family and friends as we come together for this necessary first step in strengthening, rebuilding and reconciling relationships, one person at a time.

So, we reached out to Ian who has been working the entertainment industry in various capacities for decades. You may know him from his modeling days with Ford, Elite and as Giorgio Armani’s personal fitting Model

He transitioned and exploded into acting in the mid-80s at the hight of the Soap Opera Golden Age as Duke Lavery. The Anna-Duke Super couple is still one of General Hospitals most beloved pairings!

He spent 17 years on the Bold & Beautiful as well as Time on All My Children and Days of our Lives.

He took Prime-time by storm in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks as well as so many memorable guest spots, animation and video gaming voice over work.

In Marilyn and Bobby he made his name in feature films. There is a lot to talk about career wise but we will also dip into the life of working as a quietly out actor.

Questions for Ian can be sent to membership@blindlgbtpride.org

Pride Connection airs on ACB Radio Mainstream Tuesday night at 10:00 PM, with replays on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM, and Sundays at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

Blind Pride has so many intelligent, dynamic and passionate voices who we call on to answer the call-to-action not only for this week's conversation but in standing with our members of color who live the conversation every day.

Pride Connection airs on Acb Radio mainstream at 10 PM EST and 7 PM PST this evening. This show also runs at 10 AM EST and 7 AM PST tomorrow morning.

You can also find Pride Connection in podcast form at
acbradio.org.
Visit the podcasts link on the front page and select Pride Connection.

Listen to Pride Connection on ACB Radio Mainstream at 10 PM Est, 7 PM
PST this evening, or catch the rebroadcast Wednesday morning at 10 AM
EST, 7 AM PST.

Our podcast can also be downloaded from the Acbradio.org web site.
Just visit the home page and click on the pride Connection podcast
link.

Randy invites us into his journey of self-discovery. He shares the confusion and misunderstanding he went through until he was able to find a word that described his sexual orientation- Asexual.

This candid and open conversation educates us on the term “asexual.” we hear from this real-life expert; his struggles; his experiences; and most importantly, the life-transforming moment in which he found and understood himself.

Join us tonight, Tuesday July 28 at 10:00 PM on ACB Radio Mainstream, as we learn and share. You can also find this edition of Pride Connection during any of our replays this week- Tomorrow, Wednesday at 10:00 AM or this up-coming Sunday at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, all on ACB Radio Mainstream.

As always, we welcome your feedback and/or suggestions. You can reach Pride Connection at:

membership@blindlgbtpride.org

Join us live at 10 PM EST, 7 PM PST on Tuesday, July 21st for this
recap and celebration. All Bpi members are welcome to join the Zoom
call and share.

Rosemary opened up her life to us. From growing up in Ohio; realizing she had to transition; the role of her family during her transition process; her thoughts on inclusive language and pronouns; and how she feels now that she is a successful woman. We also talk politics; her decision to run for a Council Seat; the issues she cares for; and her work ethics.

Rosemary has been a community organizer in the state of West Virginia for a long time. Some of the issues she tackles from her Council Seat include homelessness and poverty. As a Mental Health professional, she focuses on insuring availability of mental health resources in her community.

Please join us in this historic interview, as we close our special Pride Month programing. Tonight Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 PM on ACB Radio Mainstream.

You can also listen to Pride Connection’s replay tomorrow Wednesday at 10:00 AM. We will not have our Sunday replays this week as ACB Radio will be focused on Convention; but we will surely replay this interview in the near future.

For comments and questions regarding Pride Connection, please contact us at:

membership@blindlgbtpride.org

He is a proud supporter of homeless advocacy, a champion of human rights, and an eloquent speaker.

As we navigate through these turbulent times, his impactful story will intrigue us all and will motivate us to use one of the greatest privileges we have- VOTING!!

So join co-hosts Gabriel, Leah, and Anthony as we explore the life and journey of Laurel Hilbert.

Pride Connection airs on ACB Radio Mainstream every Tuesday at 10PM, repeating Wednesday at 10AM, and Sundays at 7AM and 7PM.

Please join BPI on Pride Connection on ACB Radio Mainstream as we continue with our special programing for Pride Month.

Co-hosts Anthony Corona, Leah Gardner, and Gabriel Lopez Kafati engage in a candid and open conversation around LGBT Pride.

We share personal experiences; the challenges of coming out; reactions of loved ones. We compare also compare notes on the specific challenges of the intersectionality of being a blind or visually impaired member of the LGBT community. How do you connect with the LGBT community being blind? How do you connect with the blind community being an LGBT person? All these aspects and many more are part of our conversation.

We address the concept of Pride in the mist of the racial injustice surrounding our nation. We discuss what it means to be a part of a community that has been historically discriminated against. We have a powerful illustration of solidarity expressed through the extraordinary poetic gift of our very own, Leah Gardner.

Please tune in tonight at 10:00 PM; or during any of our replays this week- Wednesday at 10:00 AM and Sunday at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM; on ACB Radio Mainstream.

As always, we welcome your ideas and feedback. You can reach Pride Connection at:

membership@blindlgbtpride.org

Thanks and stay well.

We begin with a fascinating show recounting the early days of our beloved organization.
Blind Pride started as a small meeting of like minded people just meeting, hanging out and supporting each other at conventions int the late 1990s. Fire, passion and dedication led to the eventual forming of Bflag the family who eventually became BPI!!
We were honored to be joined by founding members and not one but two amazing past ACB presidents.

Rob hill or founding father shares his recollections and storied journey.
Harvey Miller a dynamic founding member as well as Dwayne Estes, Leah Garner.
Paul Edwards and Chris Gray as the incoming and out going ACB presidents share their unique perspectives and recollections.

The road wasn’t always easy, but BPI is now one of the strongest and highly respected affiliates in the ACB family. We celebrate the beginning and the journey of 20 years strong!!

Pride Connection can be heard weekly on Tuesday nights @10pm on ACB radio mainstream
Or replayed Wednesday @ 10am and both 7am and pm on Sundays!
Please enjoy our month long pride programming and look for some great surprises along the way.

Questions, comments or feedback for the show can be emailed to-

membership@blindlgbtpride.org

This week we have a dynamic panel of Blind Pride members who all work or have worked in diverse professions,. What they have in common is - working among and alongside sighted people.
Hosts Anthony Corona, Leah Gardner and President Gabriel Lopez Kafati are joined by...

• Jessica Kell- A social worker in the addiction management field.
• Scott Marshal- A lawyer with a storied professional resume.
• John Denning- Who’s career path started with the police and ended with the IRS.
• Dennis Sims- he also works with the IRS.
• Maria Kristic- Who’s title starts with MBA and ends with Lawyer, she works for the state of NY.
• Richard Marion- He has a rich history of working in sighted arenas.

What was it like to get the job? Was it challenging to work at the same level and what was getting accommodations like? We spoke about all that and so much more!
Want to know some of their more funny experiences?
Join us Tuesday night @ 10pm EST on ACB radio mainsttream
Or catch the replay on Wed. @10 am
Or Sunday @ both 7am/pm and, of course, right here on the podcast.

We want to keep the conversation going so please email us your thoughts and your own stories of working in the sighted world at-
membership@blindlgbtpride.org

Pride Connection airs on ACB Radio Mainstream at 10 PM every
Tuesday evening and 10 AM Wednesday mornings. The show is rebroadcast
Sundays at 7 AM and 7 PM.

-- Joe Lovett joins us along with Jessica Jones, one of the key guests
in his documentary. They speak about the making of the film, the
aftermath of its release and the hopes for societal change in dealing
more positively with vision loss.

The film, Going Blind, can be rented for $3.99 by visiting:
https://www.goingblindmovie.com.
This film is available for rent in an audio described format.

Pride Connection airs on Acb radio Tuesdays at 10 PM Eastern,
the following day at 10 AM Eastern and will be rebroadcast at 7 AM and
7 PM Sundays EST.

Visit and learn more about us at https://www.blindlgbtpride.org/

His CD, Blind Ambition, can be downloaded from Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music.

To hear the song Blind Ambition, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SfRwBGqFy4

Our amazing conversation went long, got very funny and a little more than PG rated… So we at pride connection decided to create a second string pride connection After show that we will post once the podcast is up and running or send out upon request via membership@blindlgbtpride.org.
This special after show also includes the wonderful poetry slam recording by our very own Leah as discussed on the radio program!
We hope you enjoy the show and look forward to your feedback.

We chat with Leon about his book, life and so many other interesting topics!

The conversation turned to politics and the need for us to all respect each other and one Republican that he holes in high… Very high regard!

It’s a fun conversation… And we celebrate the publication of his new book and resurgence in popularity of his web series, old dogs new tricks!
Join us for pride connection.

Anthonys review:
Raw, honest, witty and a fast-paced fun read I couldn’t stop the chuckles almost shed a few tears and was so glad I stayed up the last night of reading because I had to know how he would tie it all together. the wait was worth it in spades!!
Leon has a wicked witty way of turning a phrase and the only innocence protected here is a few changed names. from the relationship evolution with his father, the bumbling navigation of San Fran and the gay scene in the early 80s to that infamous BRADY debacle. I was hooked and impressed.

From the book release packet:
"A droll, oddly inspirational memoir from the actor Breitbart called "a gay leftist activist," SUB-LEBRITY by Leon Acord (Old Dogs & New Tricks) is an honest, sometimes bitchy but always sincere story about growing up (very) gay in rural Indiana, achieving acting success outside the closet, and generating headlines with his very-public smackdown with Trump-loving Susan Olsen (Cindy, The Brady Bunch)." My ebook is now available for pre-order for April 21 delivery!
https://secure-web.cisco.com/1SAMPtqlo1FTiMJbejjvE9jZPqedVkiq5gHUuPdmusH...

Learn more about Blind LGBT Pride International by visiting https://www.blindlgbtpride.org/

Please visit the show at http://afterforevertheseries.com and join us Tuesday night or the replays on Wednesday or Sunday on ACB radio Mainstream.
If you have any questions for Kevin or Michael feel free to email them to membership@blindlgbtpride.org

We look forward to your questions and any feedback on the show!

Learn more about Blind LGBT Pride International by visiting https://www.blindlgbtpride.org/

Find out more and become a member of Blind LGBT Pride International by going to https://www.blindlgbtpride.org/

You can learn more about Blind LGBT Pride International at https://www.blindlgbtpride.org/