Continue reading »]]>

This month Positive Images co-directors Jim Foster and Nancy Vogl stopped by with Molly, Michael, Jaime, and Jackie to talk the latest happenings at Sonoma County’s premier LGBT youth organization. Positive Images has been serving LGBT youth in Sonoma County for over 20 years by providing a weekly support meeting and a variety of social events.  Jaime talked about how Positive Images helped him come out as a Latino man who happens to be gay.  One of the big events coming up for Positive Images is the “Hella Gay Prom” on Saturday, April 28, 2012.  Tickets are now available on the Positive Images Facebook page or at the door.  Positive Images will be well represented this year at Sonoma County Pride on June 3, 2012 including a special event happening the night before at the Margaret Cho show being held at the Wells Fargo Center.  For more information, visit the Positive Images website using the link below.

Learn More

Positive Images
Positive Images Facebook Page 

You can listen to this edition of Outbeat Youth here.

Continue reading »]]>

This month we spent the entire hour talking about LGBT youth suicide and heard from the Trevor Project and It Gets Better Project.  We began by looking back at some of the stories from the news, but recognized that these are but a few of the young people who have taken their own lives.  Phoenix Schneider from the Trevor Project told us about how the Trevor Project came about and shared some good information about how to recognize if someone might be suicidal and how to talk with that person in a supportive way.  The Trevor Project is the nations only 24-hour hotline supporting LGBT youth in crisis.  They have call centers located around the country that are staff by highly trained volunteers.  There is even a call center here in the Bay Area located in the HRC Store in San Francisco’s Castro District.

Many celebrities and public officials have come out in support of LGBT Youth, but Dan Savage is someone who has done even more.  Dan created the It Gets Better Project.  He joined us on the air to talk about how this Internet phenomenon came to be and where it is headed.  Dan has been an outspoken advocate of LGBT Youth and is dedicated much of the funding coming in from the It Gets Better Project to support allied organizations including the Trevor Project.  Dan shared with us some of his favorite of the over 40,000 videos created for the project so far.  He also talked about the It Gets Better book and recent TV special that aired on MTV and the Logo channel.  Dan continues to work with many different organizations such as Campus Pride and the ACLU.

Here are a few of the videos we highlighted and spoke about during the show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeKI8biAglU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RMunYfzlGs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfWw4obqefM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XZRNL9ZnyM

Learn More

The Trevor Project
It Gets Better Project

Listen to this edition of Outbeat Youth here.

Continue reading »]]>

This month we got caught up with Jason Galisatus, who is now a freshman at Stanford University.  Jason is also the executive director of the Bay Area Youth Summit.  He talked with us about life as an LGBT activist at Stanford and how much he is loving college.  Jason has an awesome roommate in the residence hall and told us that Stanford is a very welcoming place for LGBT students.

We also met Ian Stanley, who is the director of the Napa LGBTQ Project, and Brodie Azevedo, who is the director of their youth programs.  Ian has done a great deal of work bringing together the LGBT community in the Napa Valley. He shared with us his experience hosting the very LGBT community forum in Napa with over 200 participants.  Brodie told us about the work he is doing to support the GSA organizations in Napa area high schools and even one middle school.  Napa LGBTQ youth are invited to attend the bi-monthly Q-Youth meetings for activities and networking.  The Napa LGBTQ Project hopes to create some day an LGBT center.

Learn More

Jason Galisatus Youtube Channel
Bay Area Youth Summit
Napa LGBTQ Project 

Listen to this edition of Outbeat Youth here.

Continue reading »]]>

Welcome to our first show of 2012!  Dr. Ardel Thomas, department chair of the LGBT Studies Program at City
College of San Francisco and several of her students joined Professor Dianna Chiabotti from Napa Valley College to talk about the LGBT Studies Program offered at both colleges and the new partnership the two colleges have forged.  City College was the first public college in California to offer a degree program in LGBT studies.  But, they have been offering classes in this subject since 1978.  Napa Valley College will be starting a certificate program in collaboration with City College starting in the fall of 2012.  These programs will prepare students to transfer to San Diego State University where they can earn a 4-year degree.  The students and staff at both college shared their ideas about these innovative programs and explained how students can enroll.  Both programs will also be supporting local public school teachers with training on how to deliver new curriculum required by the Fair and Inclusive Education Act that now includes the contribution of LGBT people to society.

Learn More

LGBT Studies Program at City College of San Francisco
LGBT Studies Program at Napa Valley College

Listen to this edition of Outbeat Youth here.

Continue reading »]]>

It’s Christmas Day!  Happy Holidays to everyone.   The end of another year is upon us, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to look back as some of the notable events from the LGBT community in 2011. We begin with a look at some of the major news events featured by the Advocate, our main source of news on Outbeat Radio.  There were a number of celebrities who came out in 2011 including many affiliated with professional sports.  We hope this trend continues.

We spent the rest of the show featuring some of our favorite guests from last year including Kayla Kearney and Bobby Jo Valentine.  We revisited “I’m From Driftwood,” and, “You Can Be Anything,” two websites inspired by Harvey Milk’s famous mantra, “You Gotta Give’m Hope.”  Nathan Manske created “I’m From Driftwood” which features coming out stories from people around the world.  South Florida firefighter Brett Dunckel was inspired by both Milk and Manske when he created a place for LGBT professionals to post videos to inspire LGBT youth to pursue whatever career they wish no matter their sexuality.

2011 was a good year for us, but we realize LGBT youth still face many challenges.  2012 is a new year with new promise.  We conclude this year with a montage of “it gets better messages” From all of us at Outbeat Radio, we wish you a very happy new year!

Listen to this edition of Outbeat Youth here.

Continue reading »]]>

Last month while producing the special show about Matthew Shepard, I found a YouTube video produced by a young actor from Canada, Denis Theriault.  I ended up interviewing Denis for the special about Matthew and talked with him about how Matthew’s story impacted his life.  I invited him back this month to share more about his story coming out and his pursuit of a career in acting.  Denis is a great guy and wonderful role model.  I thought his coming out story about telling him mother is one of the best I’ve heard.  Denis also shares his passion for film and movie making as well as how he was motivated to start his own YouTube channel.

We also have an “it gets better” message sent to us by one of our listeners, Aaron Allbright.  He’s written a book about his life with his partner and is donating the proceeds to the Trevor Project.  If you would like to share your own “it gets better” message, all you have to do is record your message and send it to us in an MP3 format.  Learn more by clicking on Share Your Story at the top of this page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkySIWQJSoY

Learn More

Denis Theriault YouTube Channel
Denis Theriault Facebook Page

Listen to this edition of Outbeat Youth here

Continue reading »]]>

The holidays can be really stressful times for families.  Young people who are still figuring out their sexual orientation or gender identity as well as those who know themselves, but who haven’t yet come out, face a unique kind of stress that can make the holidays seem less than joyous.  And, of course, for those young people who have come out, but who are not accepted by their families, an entirely different kind of stress is often aggravated around the holidays when grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all the cousins show up to share a meal, like today on Thanksgiving.   If you find yourself waking up and dreading the upcoming family gathering, here are some tips to help you get through the day.

1.  I remember a friend of mine telling me how a friend of his came out to his family at the Thanksgiving dinner table.  He was surrounded by 30 or so relatives and, of course, his parents.  Conversation was bouncing around back and forth.  And then he said, “Hey mom, I’m gay.  Can you pass the mashed potatoes please?”  The silence that followed was deafening.  Holidays are generally not the ideal time to “come out” to members of your family especially while everyone is sitting around the dinner table.  We should amend the rule about discussing religion and politics at the table to include coming out.  Sharing this aspect of yourself is very personal and you need to remember that while you may have come out to yourself already some time ago, it may be very new for your family.  While we always hope for acceptance, love, and celebration after coming out, the reality is that it doesn’t always go that way.  At the holiday dinner table, you and your relatives may feel trapped with no place to escape in event things don’t go well.  Save it for a more intimate and controlled situation that is not connected with a holiday.

2.  Make time for yourself.  If you are not out or not accepted in your house, make time to be with your partner or your own friends.  It’s really all about balance.  Consider the fact that your relatives coming in  from out of town are here and want to spend time with you, but allow yourself some time away on the holiday to be with your other family.  Maybe it’s meeting up before dinner or hanging out after the relatives are napping on the couch.  If you cannot bring your boyfriend or girlfriend to dinner, for whatever reason, that’s OK.  Plan a special time for just the two of you to celebrate the holiday together.

3.  Be careful about drinking alcohol or self-medicating to ease the emotional pain, fear, or stress you might experience.  Aside from the physical health issues, alcohol can cause people to act very differently especially in response to stress.  You don’t want to end up saying something or doing something that you will regret later.  It’s normal to feel frustration and even anger toward those who do not accept you or who you feel won’t accept you to the extent you can’t come out, but trust me, lashing out on a holiday and making a scene isn’t going to help your cause.  If things get tense at home, take a break, go for a walk.  Give your best friend a call and share what you are feeling with someone who understands.

4.  Be present where ever you are.  Whether it’s with your friend, the one your love, or your family, set Facebook and texting aside for the holiday.  Give your families a chance and use the time to learn a little more.  You’ve heard parents say things like, “Gosh, he/she never talks to us.  I don’t even feel like I know him/her anymore.”  It’s one day, maybe even just part of one day.  I know you may feel like you have absolutely nothing in common with your family, but identifying as LGB or T isn’t a difference that wipes out all of the other aspects of you that you may have in common with your cousins, siblings, and other relatives.  At least consider the possibility that you will have a good time.

5.  Treat yourself well.  One of the best ways to combat stress of any kind is physical activity and exercise.  Go for a bike ride, a walk, a run, or some other kind of physical activity that you enjoy the morning of the holiday.  Starting your day that way will really help you prepare physically for whatever stress comes along.  It will also help those of you who are fighting a weight problem with the exploding number of calories that come with a Thanksgiving dinner.  Holidays are time for celebration, ritual, and tradition.  Find something that makes you feel good about who you are and treat yourself to some time enjoying it.  Remember, it’s all about balance.

Finally, if things end up going really bad, don’t despair.  You won’t have to spend holidays this way, every year, for the rest of your life.  If you are feeling alone and don’t have friends you can call as I wrote about above, know that there is someone out there for you 24 hours a day to listen and to provide you with support.  Hurting yourself in anyway as a way to either end the pain you are feeling or to lash out at those who have hurt you in some way isn’t the answer.  When you need that break and that friend who will understand you, call the Trevor Project at 1-866-4-U-Trevor (1-866-488-7386).  The call is free and totally confidential.

From all of us at the Outbeat Youth program and Outbeat Radio show, be safe, take care of yourself, and find the kind of joy and happiness you deserve this holiday season.

Continue reading »]]>

This month on Outbeat Youth, south Florida firefighter Brett Dunckel joined us to talk about the new website he created featuring videos of LGBT professionals talking to young people about their success and how “you can be anything” you want to be.  Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender shouldn’t limit anyone from pursuing their career dreams.  Brett is successful firefighter who also happens to be “out” and gay.  Anyone interested in submitting a video should go to their website for how to create and upload their story.

Our second guest was on our show last year talking about a video he made for his 25 birthday.  But this month, Michael Huerta joined us to talk about his run for mayor of Las Cruses, New Mexico.  Michael always dreamed of being mayor of his home town and this November, his dream may come true.  Michael shared some great stories from his campaign experience.  In addition to winning the title of mayor, Michael may also become the first openly gay man to be elected to a public office in New Mexico.

Learn More

You Can Be Anything website
Listen to Michael Huerta’s first interview

You can listen to this edition of Outbeat Youth here 

Continue reading »]]>

Our guest this month was Sonoma County vocal musician Bobby Jo Valentine.  Ever since he contacted us on Outbeat Youth, we’ve seen his name all over the place playing local gigs and
benefits, on music videos, and even on a recent award for his work writing original songs.  Bobby grew up here in Rohnert Park in a conservative fundamental Baptist household.  He attended religious schools and studied to become a minister.  He told us about when he discovered he was gay and how he was able to come out at the age of 23.  Bobby found only love and support from her parents and he told us that he is grateful for how his parents raised him.

The music he writes is heavily influenced by his experience growing up and coming out.  You can listen to his music on his website and can order signed copies of his latest CD.  Bobby leaves for a three month road tour in October.  He shared with us his song “Fly” from his CD “A Place To Be” which you can watch here on this music video.  It’s a beautiful song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DUWHlblEm0

Learn More

Bobby Jo Valentine’s Facebook Page
Bobby Jo Valentine’s Website

You can listen to this edition of Outbeat Youth here

Continue reading »]]>

It’s the end of August and most of our young listeners are already back to school.  Some have started high school while others have left home for the first time to attend college.  High school and college years are the time for many LGBT young people to “come out” and wouldn’t it be great to be able to find a “guide” for how to work through this challenging time right in your own school library?  This month we talked with Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke who co-authored, “Queer: The Ultimate LGBT Guide for Teens.”  Kathy and Marke talked about how they came together to write a book they hope will help young people find themselves and their sexual and or gender identity.  The book is excellent and offers advice on coming out, dating, and sex.  Kathy and Marke share pieces of their own stories and important pieces of LGBT history throughout the book.  There is also a contemporary reference section in the back.

Max Alder, from the cast of Glee, also shared he is “It Gets Better” message with us.  As promised, we will be featuring an “It Gets Better” message each month as a regular part of Outbeat Youth.

Learn More

Queer: The Ultimate LGBT Guide for Teens
A video interview with the authors
Zest Books

You can listen to this edition of Outbeat Youth here