Being Lgbtq

Sam is joined by Rae McDaniel, a transgender non-binary therapist turned life coach. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counsellor, they offer services and support to other gender non-conforming people to help them fully embrace their true selves. Rae’s goal is for trans and non-binary people to see transition and embracing their gender identity as a celebration of their uniqueness, not always as a negative barrier.

Sam Wise is joined by Erin Lux and Tristan Gray from ‘End Conversion Therapy Scotland’. Ahead of the 2021 Scottish parliamentary election in May the group are asking MSPs and candidates to pledge their support for banning the abusive practice. Previously the Westminster government in the U.K. has pledged numerous times to ban conversion therapy pending a ‘consultation’ but have continuously dragged their feet. What can be done to end the abuse once and for all?

Bestselling gay author of ‘A Path to Wisdom’ Tony J Selimi talks about his life journey from growing up in the Republic of Northern Macedonia to escaping civil war, and then arriving in London in 1990. Tony talks about his struggles and how he got to where he is today. Tony has given over 12,000 coaching and mentoring sessions and has facilitated over 250 workshops. His aim is to promote global LGBTQ rights and he once spoke at the United Nations.

Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Proctor and Gamble and lesbian writer Shelly McNamara joins us to talk about her book ‘No Blanks, No Pauses: A Path to Loving Self and Others’. In the book Shelly shares her life experiences including coming out at work in 1997, getting married and bringing up three children with her wife.

John Mercer, Professor of Gender and Sexuality at Birmingham City University talks about the Channel 4 drama 'It's A Sin' , with a focus on sex on screen and representation. In particular John comments on stories published in the tabloid press with homophobic undertones reminiscent of the 80's when the drama is primarily set.

Queer author of the new coming of age verse novel C.G. Moore joins Sam to talk about living with a chronic illness. Chris was diagnosed with 'familial adenomatous polyposis' (FAP) at the age of eleven and talks about the unique challenges of the illness and its impacts on his everyday life.

Neil Basterfield from Pride House Birmingham talks about the project which is being organised for the Commonwealth Games in 2022. A Pride House is a safe space where LGBTQ fans and allies can meet to enjoy the games.Jane Upson from Safeword Theatre in Wimbledon discusses domestic violence. Jane spent many years working for the police supporting victims of abuse and hate crime. The theatre group recently released a play 'When The Birds Stopped Singing' about abuse in a same sex relationship.

Richard Angell from the 'Terrence Higgins Trust' joins us to discuss the new Russel T Davies Channel 4 drama 'It's A Sin' which portrays the AIDS crisis in the gay community in the 1980's. Richard chats to Sam about the response to the show and the progress that has been made in terms of treating those with HIV and the goal to have zero HIV transmissions in the U.K. by 2030.

Sam Wise reviews the 2021 Inauguration of President Biden with two LGBTQ guests – Rodney Wilson, a teacher who came out and made national headlines in the U.S. in the 90’s and Andrea Marius a black woman based in New York who has seen the course of U.S. history change over the past 60 years. What does the Biden/Harris administration mean for LGBTQ people in the U.S. and around the world?

Indian American gay actor and writer Shawn Parikh joins us to talk about his work including his new TV comedy script 'On Brand'. Shawn has been selected as part of NBC Universal’s ‘Writers on the Verge Class’ which is an annual initiative ran by NBC for TV writers of diverse backgrounds. Shawn has been in shows including ‘Cougar Town’ and 'What/If' and his LGBTQ short film Kohl explored coming out.

Music artist Trey Pearson joins Sam Wise to talk about religion, coming out, his music and what’s next. Trey founded the Christian band ‘Everyday Sunday’ which sold hundreds of thousands of records, the band was active between 1997 and 2016. In 2016 Trey came out publicly as gay making headlines around the world. His appearance on ‘The View’ in which he spoke about coming out was also nominated for a 2017 GLAAD award.

Stephanie Davies, author of ‘Other Girls Like Me’ talks about the book which has received high praise since it’s release in September 2020. The book focusses on how Stephanie became an activist including her time as a ‘Greenham Women’, a group of lesbians, punk rockers, mothers, and activists founded in the 1980’s who setup a camp outside a U.S. military base in England protesting against nuclear weapons. Stephanie also delves into her personal life including relationships and embracing her sexuality.

Gay author based in Brighton & Hove, UK, James Withey joins us to talk about his collection of mental health books. James' latest book 'How To Tell Depression To Piss Off' is due for release in January 2021.James has been a mental health counsellor himself with 20 years of public speaking experience, as well as taking on his own battles with mental illness.

LGBTQ poet Rachel Noall joins Sam Wise for the final episode of 2020. Rachel's newest poetry collection 'At War With The Stars' is out now. A native of Cleveland, she penned her college essay on her love affair with words. Since then, writing has permeated her career aspirations and pastimes.

Non-binary, Boston based music artist Jessye DeSilva joins Sam to talk about identity, feelings toward religion, their musical influences and adapting as a music artist during a global pandemic, which included releasing an EP aptly titled 'Quarantine Sessions'.

Gay music artist Conleth Kane joins Sam to discuss his new EP 'Lierty' which includes the track 'Proud' which explores themes of self-acceptance and societal prejudice. Conleth who is from Northern Ireland but based in London also chats about the difficulties of lockdown and the impact it has had on performers.

Brian Falduto – LGBTQ music artist and gay life coach. Brian is known for his role in the major motion picture ‘School of Rock’, in which he became known as the ‘gay kid’ for his flamboyant performance and sassy attitude. But after filming Brian found it hard to embrace that! Brian chats about his experiences, supressing his sexuality and becoming a gay life coach.

Featuring...Marcus Connolly, LGBTQ music artist from Manchester in the U.K., Marcus talks about his latest tracks and how he wants to make a statement with his music - including the impact of social media on society. Are we too obsessed?Paul Bright - LGBTQ filmmaker chats about his newest film 'Crossing Shaky Ground', a doco-drama which focuses on a businessman trying to get back to his family following a massive earthquake. The film explores themes of division in society and how we can all too often make assumptions about people based on economic and other factors.Also - Sam comments on the latest initiatives to try and make football a more inclusive space for LGBTQ people.

Associate Professor of Applied Social Psychology at Birmingham City University Dr Elle Boag joins us to discuss gatherings at Christmas during the time of COVID19 and the pressure and anxiety that can come along with it.Also - Canadian, Non-Binary music artist Burry talks about their latest track '3 Birthdays' and coming out earlier this year.

Featuring LGBTQ music artist based in Boston, MA - Yavin who just released his latest track 'Hot'. The song focuses on liking someone 'way out of your league' and feeling self conscious. Yavin discusses the new song and lots more!Also - Sam talks about some of the latest LGBTQ news including the marking of 'Trans Day of Remembrance' on November 20th and a set back in the fight to ban so called conversion therapy.