Tag: #lgbtq+

Episode 148: Kindness Is Queer Brown Vegan—Advocating for diversity & inclusion in environmental education.

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Isaias Hernandez, an environmentalist, storyteller and content creator, joins Anitha to talk about advocating for animals, the environment and folks from underrepresented communities.

A timely episode as the holidays remind us to show compassion for all beings.

To learn more about Isaias, the work they do to create a kinder space for all, and follow their social media accounts, check out their website:

QueerBrownVegan

As a thank you to Isaias for being a guest on the podcast, Anitha donated to Food Empowerment Project. This non-profit advocates that food choices can change the world. By making informed, ethical food choices, we can all take a stand against human and non-human animal abuse. You can learn more about them on their website:

Food Empowerment Project

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 145:Kindness Is Teachers for Future Turtle Island—Educating on colonialism, equality, climate crisis & more.

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Kim Benson wears many hats—teacher, human rights advocates, animal activist, climate activist and all-around kind human. She joins Anitha to talk about Teachers for Future Turtle Island, a group working to dismantle systems of colonialism, capitalism, patriarchy and white supremacy. Kim talks about how these systems have caused and continue to cause ecological collapse, war, genocide & the suffering of all beings, human and non-human alike. Kim believes it is important to teach children about these issues in an age-appropriate manner.

Kim also shares the meaning behind the name of the group. Turtle Island is the Indigenous name for the continent of North America. This name represents the Indigenous community’s deep connection to the land and appreciation for nature. Something we can all learn from.

To find out more about Teachers For Future Turtle Island, check out their Instagram account:

Teachers For Future Turtle Island on IG

As a thank you to Kim for sharing his story, Anitha donated to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). As the largest animal liberation organization in the world, PETA focuses their efforts on helping animals who suffer in laboratories, the food industry, the clothing trade and the entertainment business. To learn more about PETA, check out their website:

PETA

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 142:Kindness Is Continuing To Fight For Rainbow Spaces—Protecting LGBTQ+ youth 

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**This episode does mention suicide and may trigger or be challenging for some listeners. Please be kind to yourself.**

Nadia Kean-Ayub returns to talk to Anitha about her organization called Rainbow Spaces and the current environment in the United States towards folks in the LGBTQ+ community.

It has been just over a year since Nadia was originally on the show and sadly, a lot of communities in the United States feel unsafe, including LGBTQ+. Fortunately, there are people like Nadia who continue to support and advocate for communities who have been marginalized and in some cases fear for their safety.

Nadia created Rainbow Spaces, a place where youth can gather and be who they are, without fear of discrimination.

To learn more about Rainbow Spaces, check out these links:

Website Rainbow Spaces

Instagram-Rainbow Spaces

As a thank you to Nadia for coming back as a guest to update listeners on the well-being of folks in the LGBTQ+ community under the current US administration’s policies, Anitha donated to Rainbow Spaces.

If you or anyone you know is in crisis, help is available. Please reach out to someone.

In Canada and the US: Suicide Crisis Hotline- text or call 9-8-8 

International: www.crisistextline.org/

You can hear the full episode here:

Episode 129: Kindness Is Being Dr. Grace Gilbert—The journey from being a home-schooled conservative to bravely speaking out against current US Government policies.

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Dr. Grace Gilbert joins Anitha to talk about what it was like growing up in a Christian Conservative home, being home-schooled and the obstacles she faced to go to college and eventually become a doctor.

She shares why she no longer adheres to Conservative Christian beliefs and instead uses her medical knowledge and social media platform to share how recent changes to Medicaid, Planned Parenthood, Immigration and other policies are negatively affecting the healthcare of her patients and the healthcare industry as a whole.

A timely and honest conversation about issues many folks are dealing with.

To follow Dr. Gilbert check out the following links.

Dr. Grace on TikTok

Dr. Grace on Instagram

As a thank you to Dr. Gilbert for sharing her story, Anitha donated to The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide information & support, including suicide prevention and crisis management, to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.

To learn more about The Trevor Project, check out their website: The Trevor Project

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 111: Kindness Is Being Ben Kennedy

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Anitha is joined by Ben Kennedy who helps care for animals from kittens to wildlife, and also helps humans by raising awareness for the trans community, all while working on his PhD.

Ben shares heartwarming stories of fostering kittens, dogs and getting married at the humane society. He also talks about the social media post that went viral (and not in a good way) when he shared Cross Fit’s new anti-trans policy. Ben also generously talks about going through fertility treatments.

An open and honest conversation with an incredibly open and kind person.

To learn more about Ben, check out his Instagram account: Ben Kennedy

As a thank you to Ben for sharing their story, Anitha donated to the San Diego Humane Society. This organization started in 1880 and has grown to provide many services including taking in abandoned dogs and cats and working to find them new and forever homes, community spay and neuter programs, community pet pantry and more. To learn more about the San Diego Humane Society, check out their website: San Diego Humane Society

To hear the full episode click here:

Episode 110: Kindness Is The Trans Comedian

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Chris McAllister shares what it’s like to be a comedian, including first-time performing jitters and if the comedic space is expanding beyond the cis white male. They also talk about their social media #ICANTELL. Chris came up with this initiative in hopes of turning around the negative comments folks in the trans community were receiving. The response was incredible and Chris shares some of the positive comments posted using #ICANTELL.

Chris also talks about their role in helping trans and queer Ugandan refugees.

A wonderful conversation about kindness and community.

To learn more about Chris, their comedy, #ICANTELL, check out the following links:

To be on the mailing list for upcoming comedy shows: Mailing List

Instagram: The Trans Comedian

As a thank you to Chris for sharing their story, Anitha donated to Rainbow Railroad. This global not-for-profit organization helps at-risk LGBTQI+ people get to safety worldwide. 

To learn more about Rainbow Railroad, check out their website:

Rainbow Railroad

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 76: Kindness Is Creating Rainbow Spaces

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In 2021 Nadia Kean-Ayub created Rainbow Spaces. She joins Anitha to talk about what motivated her to start this organization, how this group helps youth in the LGBTQ+ community, and how much they have grown in just three years.

Nadia also shares her favourite ways to support folks in the queer community by being an A+ Ally

  1. Affirm who they are
  2. Accept that their path is their own
  3. Acknowledge
  4. Don’t offer Advice on who they should share their queerness with
  5. Adapt by letting the youth guide you

An emotional and honest discussion of the best and most difficult aspects of creating a safe and inclusive space for all youth.

Photos of Prom

To learn more about the amazing events Rainbow Spaces creates, check out their Instagram account:

https://www.instagram.com/rainbowspacessb/

As a thank you to Nadia for sharing her story, Anitha offered to donate to Lamba Rising Soccer, a non-profit organization located in San Diego that provides inclusive soccer programs for youth and adults. To learn more about this organization, check out their website: https://www.lambdarisingsoccer.com/

To hear the full episode click here: