Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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:

[email protected]

Episode Notes

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!!

Episode Notes

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".

Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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.