"Nothing is More Hopeful Than Joy” — Queer Joy and Queer Activism with Kierra Johnson & Scot Nakagawa

"Nothing is More Hopeful Than Joy” — Queer Joy and Queer Activism with Kierra Johnson & Scot Nakagawa

At the Task Force, we believe in showing up—we march at protests and lead policy meetings by day and take over the dancefloor at night. It’s that spirit—the one that connects activism with joy—that guides us as we mobilize and organize. As our 50th anniversary year comes to a close, we sat down with our very own Executive Director, Kierra Johnson and Scot Nakagawa, co-founder and Executive Director of the 22nd Century Initiative to discuss why joy and celebration of our queer identities is a vital part of building a bold, inclusive, and intersectional LGBTQ movement. The National LGBTQ Task Force would like to thank our podcast guests for their time and thoughtful contributions. And thank YOU for listening!

“Breaking Myths on All Different Sides” — Being Queer and Being of Faith with Reverend Nicole Garcia & Reverend Eric Eldritch

As queer people, we have seen religion used as a tool of oppression and exclusion for centuries – but there are thousands of us who are finding community and forging our own path through faith.  We sat down with Reverend Nicole Garcia and Reverend Eric Eldritch to discuss their interfaith work at the Task Force, living as an “ex-vangelical”, and dispelling the myth that you can’t be queer and be of faith.

“We are Creating a Brief Utopia” — Sexual Liberation and Queer Organizing with Dr. Jaime M. Grant, Jack Harrison-Quintana, & Ignacio Rivera

***This episode contains themes that are for mature audiences. Listener discretion is advised.*** Happy Pride from Movement Moments: The National LGBTQ Task Force at 50! This month, we’re joined by the hosts of our famous Creating Change Sex Track: Jack Harrison-Quintana, Director of Grindr for Equality, Dr. Jaime M. Grant, sex educator, and Igancio Rivera of the HEAL Project to talk all things sexual liberation. Listen as they cover topics like overcoming shame and fear, stepping into vulnerability and authenticity, desire mapping, the intersection of technology and sex, and why sexual liberation is such a crucial element of the LGBTQ movement. We are thrilled to share a slice of the Creating Change Conference with you, and we hope that this episode brings you an additional dose of queer joy as we celebrate the last few days of Pride Month.

“I’m Ready For This Fight” — Being LGBTQ in the Military with Tanya Domi & Joe Zuniga

Our hard-won victories don’t come about without the courage and sacrifices of queer trailblazers who put their lives and careers on the line in the fight for justice.  This Memorial Day, the Task Force honors the advocacy of Tanya Domi and Joe Zuniga, two veterans of the US Military and LGBTQ activists who stood up for justice and demanded queer equality in the armed forces. Listen as these longtime friends discuss what inspired them to come out, how the Task Force supported their activism, and what they hope for the future of the LGBTQ Movement.

“Make a Way Out of No Way” — Organizing as Black, Queer Women with Victoria Kirby York & Mandy Carter

Our history is filled with stories of how the movement gave queer people a sense of belonging, pride, and family—but often excluded communities of color who played essential roles in driving us forward. At the Task Force, we put inclusion and intersectionality at the forefront of all that we do, but that didn’t happen without a fight.  We sat down with Victoria Kirby York, Director of Policy and Programs at the National Black Justice Coalition and Mandy Carter, founder of Southerners on New Ground and the National Black Justice Coalition to discuss their experiences fighting for and building Black and queer spaces within the LGBTQ movement.