Pride Connection
Where we explore all the colors of the human experience

Pride Connection Presents - Affirming Books & Media

August 12, 2025

Episode Notes

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

Pride Connection Presents: BPI Silver Anniversary Celebration

July 22, 2025

Episode Notes

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

Pride Connection BONUS: Live Audio-Described Pride Parade from the Twin Cities Part 2

July 5, 2025

Episode Notes

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

Pride Connection BONUS: Live Audio Described Pride Parade from the Twin Cities Part 1

July 5, 2025

Episode Notes

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

Pride Connection Presents - Silver Anniversary Podcast

June 17, 2025

Episode Notes

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?

Pride Connection Presents Making Gay History with Eric Marcus

June 10, 2025

Episode Notes

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

Pride Connection presents: Why Pride? Flashback

June 3, 2025

Episode Notes

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 Presents: Interview with Karla Jay

May 27, 2025

Episode Notes

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.

Pride Connection Presents: Laurel Hilbert Then and Now

May 20, 2025

Episode Notes

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 [email protected], 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!

Pride Connection Presents: Grimalkin Records

May 13, 2025

Episode Notes

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