Episode Notes

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

Episode Notes

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!!!

Episode Notes

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 [email protected]. We look forward to your questions and any feedback on the show!

Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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

Episode Notes

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

Episode Notes

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.

Episode Notes

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: [email protected]

We look forward to your feedback

To join BPI or support our important work please visit:

www.BPI.gay

Episode Notes

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: [email protected]

We look forward to your feedback

To join BPI or support our important work please visit:

www.BPI.gay