Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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

Episode Notes

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?

Episode Notes

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?

Episode Notes

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

Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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.

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.