1 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:13,160 Speaker 1: O Low. 2 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 2: Nice to meet you. 3 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:17,040 Speaker 1: It's so great to meet you. Thank you so much 4 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:17,880 Speaker 1: for having me on. 5 00:00:18,760 --> 00:00:22,599 Speaker 2: Of course, well thank you for being here. Have you 6 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 2: been how long have you been in New York since 7 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 2: you were first in New York? Because I know you 8 00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 2: grew up in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, which was 9 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:34,519 Speaker 2: we'll get into, but have you been in New York 10 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 2: since you first came to New York. 11 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 1: I've been in New York since. 12 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:40,600 Speaker 3: I've been in New York since the nineties, since nineteen 13 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 3: ninety eight, since college. So I grew up in those 14 00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:48,000 Speaker 3: places and then came right after high school, which needed 15 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:51,959 Speaker 3: desperately to like find somewhere to go to be with 16 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 3: the creatives, and New York. 17 00:00:54,560 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 2: Was a place to go to feel accepted. Yeah, I 18 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 2: feel like even do you feel like even places like 19 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 2: La or Miami still aren't as accepting as a place 20 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 2: like New York. Is it the most accepting place in 21 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:09,760 Speaker 2: the world? Have you traveled the world? 22 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 3: You know, I have traveled a bunch, and I would 23 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:17,840 Speaker 3: say that New York is probably not the most accepting 24 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:18,639 Speaker 3: place in the world. 25 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 1: For probably not. 26 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 3: It's definitely extremely diverse and it's interesting even in places 27 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:29,680 Speaker 3: where there's diversity, sometimes it doesn't have all the other 28 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 3: things you need. A lot of places that I've been 29 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 3: to in the South and in the Midwest seem to 30 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 3: be really accepting. And the biggest I guess signal of 31 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 3: acceptance for me, for the most part is as a 32 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 3: trans person, because right now that's a hot topic. 33 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 1: What are the types of experiences that people are having? Now? 34 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 1: People are having some bad experiences. 35 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 3: But when I was sort of a little younger but 36 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 3: able to travel, I realized I was having some good 37 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 3: experiences in these places, and I. 38 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: Was really puzzled. 39 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 3: But then I looked a little bit deeper. It's not 40 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 3: just that those places are just accepting. It's that there's 41 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 3: less visibility of queer people, people who are out. 42 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 1: Whereas people in New York. 43 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:16,640 Speaker 3: Not everyone, of course, there's all kinds of people in 44 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:18,760 Speaker 3: New York and la and all the other places, but 45 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 3: a lot of people in New York are generally more, 46 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:31,639 Speaker 3: at least in like the mainstream areas. 47 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: Sometimes more educated. 48 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 3: They may have more exposure to different groups and things 49 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 3: like that. And so you know, I remember watching a 50 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:40,239 Speaker 3: really early episode of the Real World back in the 51 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:43,440 Speaker 3: day Miami can't remember his name, one of the guys 52 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:46,639 Speaker 3: on there, but he was from New York and this 53 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:50,840 Speaker 3: was in nineteen ninety three or four Ural World Miami, 54 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:57,400 Speaker 3: and I remember just having learned about the rainbow flag. 55 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 3: Now I know that is like everybody knows about that now, 56 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 3: but there was a moment in time where people would 57 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 3: use the rainbow flag. 58 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 1: As sort of code. 59 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 3: They would have a little sticker or a little piece 60 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 3: of jewelry, and to most people it was just a rainbow. 61 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:11,760 Speaker 3: It didn't mean it had nothing to do with the 62 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:15,079 Speaker 3: queer community. But to people in the community, it was 63 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 3: the signal that this place is LGBTQ friendly. And I 64 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 3: remember watching an episode and all the other housemates and 65 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 3: cast members were like, what's this rainbow on the door 66 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 3: of this place? And the guy from New York was like, Oh, 67 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 3: that means that they're gay friendly or LGBT friendly. And 68 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 3: he wasn't a part of the community, but he was 69 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 3: a business owner and kind of and was a New 70 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 3: Yorker and he just knew, so like, that's kind of 71 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 3: what I mean. 72 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 2: Okay, well, that's definitely interesting. And also New York is 73 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 2: like a big cafeteria, where like the Upper East Side 74 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 2: is certainly not the same as going into the west Village, 75 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 2: you know, Harlem or Chelsea or Five Eye, so you know, 76 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:56,520 Speaker 2: it could be a mean girl's cafeteria too, exactly. 77 00:03:56,840 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 1: So you know it's it is so wild. 78 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 3: You go into you go over a few streets, and 79 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 3: you're in a completely different area, different vibe, you know. 80 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 2: An acceptance level. If you're walking around Westley Village, you're 81 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 2: gonna have a different experience. And if you're walking on eighty, 82 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 2: you know Carnegie, you know totally that's interesting. So what 83 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 2: how big is your family? 84 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:19,840 Speaker 1: Uh, they're kind of small. You know. 85 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 3: My mom has four had four siblings. A couple of 86 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 3: people have passed, Uh, but my mom grew up with 87 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:30,039 Speaker 3: four siblings and they all had most of them had kids, 88 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 3: a couple of them didn't, and but like one or two. 89 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:37,360 Speaker 3: So like you know, each generation is like five people. 90 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 2: And are you close with your are your parents alive? 91 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 2: Are you close with them? 92 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 3: I'm close with my mom. Yeah, both my parents are alive. 93 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 3: But I am close with my mom. Yeah, she's we're 94 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 3: kind of close in age. And so people you say, 95 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 3: when I was younger, people would just assume that we 96 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:57,799 Speaker 3: were when we were both when we were both younger, 97 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 3: people would assume that we were siblings and not, you know, 98 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 3: she wasn't my mother. 99 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 2: And you talk about not you know, sort of stifling, 100 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:15,599 Speaker 2: not non conforming in high school. So how did that work? 101 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 2: And when you know, what was your childhood like? Who 102 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 2: somebody is is obviously their entire identity, but having to 103 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,919 Speaker 2: explain it and talk about it and also being an 104 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 2: activist about it is not everybody. It's probably like a 105 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 2: gift and a burden because you constantly have to explain 106 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 2: yourself and explain your story it is. 107 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 1: It's both. 108 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 3: It's both a gift and a burden, and something I'm 109 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 3: dedicated to because I think it's really important because I 110 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 3: want people to learn. 111 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 1: I want to be able to connect with people. 112 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,159 Speaker 3: I want my other you know, siblings in the queer 113 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 3: community to have a good experience, especially people who are 114 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 3: younger who may come after me. And it also does 115 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:01,360 Speaker 3: feel like a bit of a job sometimes, and. 116 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:04,119 Speaker 2: So just being you is sometimes a job. Just being 117 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 2: who you actually are like is just a job sometimes. 118 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, it can feel like that, especially if being me 119 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:14,720 Speaker 3: allows me to connect with the things. 120 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 1: That I'm the most passionate about. 121 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:20,840 Speaker 3: Of course, there It's not like someone's forcing me to 122 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 3: talk about trans rights or go to march and a thing. 123 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:28,479 Speaker 3: But I think that those things are really important, and 124 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 3: you know, you're right. It's it's really interesting. Like right now, 125 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:36,640 Speaker 3: in the current political climate, it's a shame. I think 126 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 3: the queer community and definitely people in the trans community 127 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 3: are getting a bit of a bad rap from some people, 128 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 3: and that means that we have to go out and 129 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:50,120 Speaker 3: like do all this extra labor to clean up after 130 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 3: this sort of reputation that people are that some people, 131 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:56,919 Speaker 3: especially some elected officials, trying to spread these some of 132 00:06:56,920 --> 00:06:59,080 Speaker 3: these elected officials, some of these politicians, some of these 133 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:03,279 Speaker 3: like you two and talking heads that for whatever reason 134 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:06,280 Speaker 3: find it very advantageous or even lucrative. 135 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 2: But your childhood, so what was that like as it 136 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 2: pertains to who you are and not conforming? 137 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 3: It was actually pretty good, I would say, like by 138 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 3: today's standards, it was probably middle of the road. Of course, 139 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 3: I had some really tough experiences. I had, you know, 140 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 3: bullies in school. I've experienced discrimination and different things like that, 141 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 3: and I learned from those things and I think that 142 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 3: they were although they're not what I would wish for 143 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 3: anybody to have to go through, and certainly not necessarily 144 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 3: what I would want to go through or choose to 145 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:42,680 Speaker 3: go through. It sometimes comes with the territory. So I 146 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 3: found the lesson in a lot of those things. But 147 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 3: I think by today's standards, my experience in general's middle 148 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 3: of the road. My family was you know, you know, 149 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:57,440 Speaker 3: growing up in a black family in the nineties, there 150 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 3: was a good chance that, well, my family was all 151 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 3: like democrat like in terms of their political you know, associations, 152 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 3: and so they were very I guess the best word 153 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:15,680 Speaker 3: would be like tolerant of everything across the board. Now 154 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 3: that's we learned that tolerant is not the ideal because 155 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 3: it doesn't necessarily make room for like a lot of 156 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 3: understanding or really like have you know, a lot of 157 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 3: caring and understanding. But it means that they weren't like 158 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 3: constantly demonizing me. I have other friends who grew up 159 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:39,839 Speaker 3: in a really you know, extremely religious household or an 160 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 3: extremely conservative household, and some of the things that their 161 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:48,840 Speaker 3: parents would say, for instance, would be would not really 162 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 3: set the stage or be encouraging for them to share 163 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 3: with their parents who they really are or how they 164 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 3: really feel. And so I didn't have that experience, but 165 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:01,959 Speaker 3: it wasn't extreme progressive. I mean, I also know friends 166 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,920 Speaker 3: who whose parents said to them at a very young age, 167 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 3: you can be anyone you want, and no matter who 168 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 3: you love, it's fine. That wasn't my experience either. But 169 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 3: my family understood from a really young age that I 170 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:22,000 Speaker 3: was very eccentric and sort of swishy and very flamboyant 171 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 3: and femme, and I was able to find refuge very 172 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:30,560 Speaker 3: early on in the arts, in singing and choir and 173 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 3: drama and acting and dance, and so my family. 174 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 1: Was super supportive of the arts. 175 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 3: So as long as I was in the arts, then 176 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 3: anything I did was fine, you know what I mean. 177 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:42,720 Speaker 3: And they'd be like, oh, they're just creative. That was 178 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 3: like their excuse for me. 179 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 2: The arts like kind of saved you in a way. 180 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 2: If you didn't have that that you probably would have 181 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:50,199 Speaker 2: felt like you were on an island girl. 182 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: It's the truth. 183 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:54,600 Speaker 3: I mean, if there was if there was no if 184 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 3: the arts wasn't present, which I mean, that would be 185 00:09:56,800 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 3: a completely different world. But like the arts in schools specifically, 186 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:04,400 Speaker 3: because that's usually where I faced most of my social 187 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 3: experiences as a kid, That's what you do. You socialize 188 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:10,120 Speaker 3: in school, So if you're going to meet a bully, 189 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 3: it's either going to be in the neighborhood or another 190 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 3: school or classmate or something. And so a lot of 191 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:19,120 Speaker 3: my experience is the negative experiences that I had around 192 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:23,560 Speaker 3: being teased for who I am and being queer were 193 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 3: in school. 194 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:26,559 Speaker 1: And so in school, my. 195 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:31,160 Speaker 3: Refuge was definitely the arts art class, drama class, music 196 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 3: class where I was a I was in well, I 197 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:39,080 Speaker 3: was around other people who were also creative, uh and 198 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 3: maybe also would eventually be queer or part of the 199 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:47,080 Speaker 3: trans community or whatever. But then also I was in 200 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 3: a sort of safety and numbers space where sports wasn't 201 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 3: the dominating activity where bullies would have felt out of 202 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:59,679 Speaker 3: place for the most part going into that sort of environment. 203 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:02,559 Speaker 2: And so you're good at something. So being good at 204 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:05,000 Speaker 2: something in that space means you're thriving. 205 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, And here's a shout out to anybody who has 206 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:12,360 Speaker 3: the power to vote for or support music education in schools. 207 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 1: It's really important. 208 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,959 Speaker 3: I for until fifth grade, all from like all the 209 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:20,079 Speaker 3: way through my schooling until sixth grade, actually was able to. 210 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:21,040 Speaker 1: Enjoy playing the cello. 211 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 3: And then suddenly I moved to a school where they 212 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:29,320 Speaker 3: didn't have music in school and that was gone forever, 213 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 3: and so yeah, you know, yeah. 214 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:33,560 Speaker 2: And I'm friends with Ryan Murphy, and I have to 215 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:37,200 Speaker 2: shout out that show Glee, because it really did address 216 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:43,840 Speaker 2: everything and normalize and promote and celebrate and I think 217 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 2: that was an important show for you know. I watched 218 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:49,160 Speaker 2: it with my daughter, and I loved watching it later, 219 00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:51,319 Speaker 2: like during the pandemic, not when I was first airing. 220 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 2: Seeing every week them addressed something different, alcoholism, pregnancy, gay 221 00:11:57,040 --> 00:12:02,440 Speaker 2: a beauty. Yeah, like it really addressed in music was 222 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 2: being popular for being in the you know, in the chorus, 223 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 2: which in my growing up course for me, I was 224 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:09,640 Speaker 2: always in the chorus and I was in the plays. 225 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:13,559 Speaker 2: But like it wasn't cool. It wasn't cool to be 226 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 2: you know at all. But I loved it. I loved 227 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:32,840 Speaker 2: being in the chorus. Interesting, how old were you when 228 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 2: you came out? 229 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 3: I came out, like on a large scale, I came 230 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:42,400 Speaker 3: out twice at least. First I came out as liking boys, 231 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 3: and then I came out as trans and sort of 232 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 3: that's just like the process that I, you know, followed. 233 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 3: There are people who even don't and that's common for 234 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:57,880 Speaker 3: a lot of trans people. It's to like sort of 235 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 3: step into your queerness first and then fine tune it, 236 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 3: you know, because especially people my age are people who 237 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:07,200 Speaker 3: grew up in the nineties, there wasn't a lot of 238 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:12,160 Speaker 3: articulation about being by or pan sexual or trans or 239 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 3: nuance the nuance. 240 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, chocolate or vanilla. 241 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 1: There's not like exactly it was like gay or straight? 242 00:13:18,920 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 1: What are you? 243 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:24,720 Speaker 3: And so there was I'm not gay, I don't identify 244 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 3: as gay, but that was like the closest thing I had, 245 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 3: you know what I mean? Also like when I got 246 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 3: check a box, Yeah, like by the same token. Like today, 247 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:39,320 Speaker 3: as a black trans woman, people that I idolize are you 248 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 3: know a lot of people like Laverne Cox, who's very 249 00:13:42,360 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 3: well known and she's obviously black in trans. So that's 250 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:47,599 Speaker 3: who I would point to today. But when I was 251 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 3: growing up, there wasn't someone like Laverne Cox's visible in 252 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 3: public on TV and in the public eye. So the 253 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 3: closest thing I had at a certain at one moment 254 00:13:57,400 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 3: in time was like Richard Simmons, who is not really 255 00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 3: you know what I mean. 256 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,679 Speaker 2: You can't pick you know, is he because ad never 257 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 2: discussed it? Is he gay? Is he straight, He's out exactly. 258 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:12,680 Speaker 1: But he was obviously very flamboyant. 259 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 3: He had all the characteristics that I would get teased 260 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 3: for so and he was owning his power. He was 261 00:14:20,960 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 3: he was definitely a person in control of his realm 262 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 3: Ladies were like screaming and hollering like he was Michael Jackson, 263 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 3: you know, like he had power, you know, And and 264 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:31,600 Speaker 3: I didn't. 265 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 2: Really an identity or like honesty. He probably was fighting 266 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 2: a ton too, but he got to be express himself exactly. 267 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 3: So that was the closest type of thing we had. 268 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 3: So by that token, I couldn't really articulate I'm a 269 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:48,160 Speaker 3: trans woman back in the day interesting and so that. 270 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:50,800 Speaker 3: So then later on when I learned more about it 271 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 3: and realized and I found the art of drag, and 272 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 3: I realized, oh there are there's more. This is more 273 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:01,560 Speaker 3: fine tune, and this feels more correct, and I was 274 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 3: able to come out as trans. 275 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: And then, but even for gay people. 276 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 3: Depending on the company you keep, sometimes you have to 277 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 3: come out more than once to your friend group, to 278 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 3: the people at work, to your family, and sometimes those 279 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:20,760 Speaker 3: are different phases in your life, you know, Like I realized, oh, 280 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 3: you know that myself and another trans woman, Yes, we 281 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 3: may face a lot of things. Or myself and another 282 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 3: CIS woman like yourself, I'm we might face a lot 283 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 3: of this, a lot of things that are similar in 284 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:33,800 Speaker 3: terms of discrimination, in terms of the barriers that. 285 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:34,720 Speaker 1: We face, or different things. 286 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 2: What's a woman as this. 287 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 3: Woman is a woman who's not trans, and you know 288 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:43,400 Speaker 3: that's that's it really is for the distinction. 289 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 2: Of of you know, you're a woman, I'm a woman, 290 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 2: but we're different women. 291 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:49,800 Speaker 1: We're different types of women. 292 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 3: Yes, I'm a trans woman and a woman who who 293 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 3: I aligns with her gender at birth and never felt 294 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 3: like anything was wrong or that she needed to change 295 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 3: anything in terms of her gender. Uh, would would be 296 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 3: in the category of CIS gender, and that is uh. 297 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:09,520 Speaker 3: There has been some controversy around that term. I think 298 00:16:09,560 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 3: a lot of people who either don't understand it or 299 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 3: want to further marginalize the trans community, you know, find 300 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 3: issue with that word. 301 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 1: Uh. It's not a slur. 302 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:22,240 Speaker 3: It is a word that's meant to clarify because we 303 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 3: both have the experience of womanhood and even even there's uh, well, 304 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:31,520 Speaker 3: I will say this, we both have the experience of 305 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:34,440 Speaker 3: what it's like to be to grow up in a 306 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,720 Speaker 3: in a world, in a country that is dominant, dominated 307 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 3: by men and the patriarchy, and we have the experience 308 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 3: of being treated a certain way because of our proximity 309 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 3: to femininity. 310 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:49,400 Speaker 1: You know, for you, that. 311 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 3: Is probably natural you are a cists woman. Obviously for me, 312 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 3: it is natural for me to be fem and flamboyant. 313 00:16:56,640 --> 00:17:00,840 Speaker 3: That's how I've always been. But uh, to come into 314 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:04,359 Speaker 3: my womanhood, I had to sort of take certain steps, 315 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:07,880 Speaker 3: and so that's really that distinction. But here we are 316 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:10,760 Speaker 3: and we both face a lot of the same things. 317 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 3: But of course my blackness other parts of my identity. Obviously, 318 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:18,800 Speaker 3: my transness means that my route to that meant I 319 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:21,600 Speaker 3: had to take a different intersection, and at that intersection, 320 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 3: I experience different things. At certain intersections there's red lights, 321 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:29,480 Speaker 3: and certain intersections there's green lights, and sometimes there's no 322 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:32,359 Speaker 3: stoplight at all, or sometimes there's a stop sign and 323 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:35,360 Speaker 3: a stoplight and a crossing guard and a railroad train 324 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:36,199 Speaker 3: track and yellow light. 325 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 2: You know, Well, I think words are really important, and 326 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 2: I think and opposed me too, and black Lives Matter 327 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:46,040 Speaker 2: world and the pandemic gave people a lot of time 328 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:48,959 Speaker 2: to sit home and like think and discuss, and there 329 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 2: were a lot of there's a lot bubbling up. I 330 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:53,960 Speaker 2: think words you know, became a big thing because not 331 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,920 Speaker 2: everybody knew the right terms and people are scared to speak. 332 00:17:56,920 --> 00:18:01,680 Speaker 3: The way that they're used really to takes how they're perceived. 333 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,040 Speaker 3: And so there was a moment in time, right, Yeah, 334 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:07,760 Speaker 3: there was a moment in time where the F word 335 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 3: where honestly anything that became a mainstream word that everyone 336 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 3: whether they were gay, straight, whoever they. 337 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:19,240 Speaker 1: Were, knew that word. At some point. 338 00:18:19,640 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 3: However, the dominating part of society feels about that community, 339 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:29,359 Speaker 3: they're going to use that what mainstream word as a 340 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 3: weapon against that smaller group. So if you're a marginalized 341 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 3: community and no one knows about you, then you can 342 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 3: use different words. It's going to have less of an impact. 343 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:43,640 Speaker 3: But the minute people who like to discriminate understand how 344 00:18:43,680 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 3: that word is used and how it associates you, they're 345 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:50,239 Speaker 3: going to use it to demonize you and say and 346 00:18:50,280 --> 00:18:53,879 Speaker 3: so for a lot of people, you know, when there 347 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 3: was a thing and there certainly still is a thing 348 00:18:56,320 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 3: in terms of discrimination called gay bashing, where people who 349 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:03,399 Speaker 3: were queer we're getting beaten up. Yes, being identified on 350 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,160 Speaker 3: the street, and a lot of times the words that 351 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:09,679 Speaker 3: the maybe there were people who would just go up 352 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 3: and beat somebody up and not say anything. 353 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 1: But all so, those are the words that are associated. 354 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 3: With hate when they're getting beaten up, when they're getting 355 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:20,719 Speaker 3: discriminated against. And then the other part of it is 356 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:23,400 Speaker 3: there is a nuance with language. Like we said, back 357 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:28,239 Speaker 3: in the day, me and a bisexual woman and a 358 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:32,160 Speaker 3: gay man would have all been just called gay. Well, 359 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:35,520 Speaker 3: I think when we're when we're talking about visibility and 360 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 3: acceptance and people who we didn't know so much about visibility, 361 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 3: acceptance and education are things that are kind of constantly 362 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:46,080 Speaker 3: swirling around and with a certain group, a marginalized community, 363 00:19:46,119 --> 00:19:49,280 Speaker 3: people who are discriminated against when we start to include 364 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:52,480 Speaker 3: them into you know, like, at one point in time, 365 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:55,760 Speaker 3: it was perfectly legal to fire someone if there if 366 00:19:55,800 --> 00:20:00,080 Speaker 3: they were even suspected of being gay gay, right and 367 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:03,000 Speaker 3: so that was as recent as the nineties and so, 368 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:07,280 Speaker 3: and even in the two thousands, right and so. And 369 00:20:07,320 --> 00:20:09,439 Speaker 3: I'm sure that there's that still could be happening to 370 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:12,280 Speaker 3: this day. Obviously, I think people think of that as 371 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:14,800 Speaker 3: illegal now, and we're trying to get those same protections 372 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:19,560 Speaker 3: for people in the trans community. And but anyway, when 373 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:22,359 Speaker 3: this people in these in these groups who've been discriminated 374 00:20:22,359 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 3: against in certain ways end up becoming more visible people 375 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:31,240 Speaker 3: who are friendly and accepting to those parts of the community. 376 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 3: Oftentimes they adopt these words, but they have a little 377 00:20:34,359 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 3: less information, but they're trying to be open minded. They're 378 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:39,879 Speaker 3: trying to make sure that they make everyone feel safe 379 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:43,040 Speaker 3: and included. But then, of course when the bigots come 380 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:44,920 Speaker 3: around and learn that word and use. 381 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:47,199 Speaker 2: It to write and weaponize it, so we got to 382 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,760 Speaker 2: change the word. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it. 383 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:52,200 Speaker 2: I get I get it. Are you in a relationship? 384 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:55,200 Speaker 1: No? I love? 385 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:56,520 Speaker 2: Do you date? 386 00:20:57,920 --> 00:20:59,680 Speaker 1: No? I'm not dating right now. 387 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:04,600 Speaker 3: Uh, there's someone who I'm in love with and we 388 00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:10,159 Speaker 3: uh we're we're not together at the moment, but I 389 00:21:10,160 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 3: hope we get back together again. 390 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 2: And is this person in the entertainment industry or are 391 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:19,320 Speaker 2: they like a civilian like a business But like, what 392 00:21:19,640 --> 00:21:22,440 Speaker 2: type of I'm not outing this person or whoever you're dating, 393 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:24,879 Speaker 2: but I just meant, like, what's that, what's your type? 394 00:21:26,040 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 3: He is not a he's a civilian, he's not in entertainment, 395 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,879 Speaker 3: And I don't I would be perfectly fine dating somebody 396 00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:39,919 Speaker 3: in entertainment, but I do think that it's probably not 397 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:42,680 Speaker 3: what I want. He just came back into my life 398 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:45,520 Speaker 3: and expressed some stuff to me, and so there's a 399 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:49,200 Speaker 3: deeper conversation. We'll have to do a part too, because okay, 400 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:52,760 Speaker 3: I don't fully know, but he's he's a really accepting guy. 401 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:56,080 Speaker 3: He doesn't seem there are some men who deal with 402 00:21:56,280 --> 00:21:59,000 Speaker 3: sort of a sense of shame because of not because 403 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:02,320 Speaker 3: they're it's just because they're inherently just ashamed of who 404 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:03,640 Speaker 3: they are, or that they're dating. 405 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: Trans women, for instance. 406 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:07,679 Speaker 3: But it's I think it primarily has to do with 407 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:10,719 Speaker 3: what other people think about them when they find out. 408 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:12,680 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, no, there's a whole layer. That's why I'm 409 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 2: fascinated because I spoke to someone else about this, and 410 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 2: it's interesting because this person was dating someone who had 411 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:27,720 Speaker 2: just was from New England and traditional, very traditional, very 412 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:31,240 Speaker 2: you know. It's it's people are attracted to the opposite 413 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:33,159 Speaker 2: a lot a lot of times, the opposite of like 414 00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 2: their constricting lives. So are you attracted to conservative men 415 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:37,639 Speaker 2: like you? Like? 416 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:39,720 Speaker 1: What? That's really interesting? 417 00:22:40,720 --> 00:22:47,560 Speaker 3: I I certainly have dated this person is somewhat conservative, 418 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 3: like socially liberal, but maybe politically. 419 00:22:50,520 --> 00:22:53,200 Speaker 1: And financially you know, like fiscally you know, the whole thing. 420 00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:56,960 Speaker 3: I do think, and it is interesting there does seem 421 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:59,399 Speaker 3: to be a pattern, Like you said, we're sort of 422 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 3: opposites tracting in terms of that, Well, there's what's the word. 423 00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:07,760 Speaker 2: They're not repressed stifled like because. 424 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:11,280 Speaker 3: You know, yeah, yeah, I think some people who are 425 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:15,720 Speaker 3: repressed are attracted to those who are who are more free. Perhaps, 426 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:18,399 Speaker 3: of course, I think that speaks to like what we 427 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:21,440 Speaker 3: really want is I think in the in the at 428 00:23:21,440 --> 00:23:22,920 Speaker 3: the end of the day, a lot of people who 429 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 3: are repressed or who've been sort of who need freedom, 430 00:23:27,119 --> 00:23:30,840 Speaker 3: want freedom, So they're attracted to freedom and liberation. 431 00:23:31,480 --> 00:23:34,359 Speaker 1: Uh. And for people like me who are. 432 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 3: Maybe experiencing that right now, what I'm looking for is 433 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:40,040 Speaker 3: a sense of like sort of groundedness and not that 434 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:45,560 Speaker 3: you can't be grounded and liberated or free, but you know, 435 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:49,439 Speaker 3: people in terms of relationships, I think a lot of 436 00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:52,920 Speaker 3: a lot of times people who are more conservative and 437 00:23:53,119 --> 00:23:58,200 Speaker 3: more sort of straight laced have a closer connection to 438 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:02,520 Speaker 3: this is going to be a hot take a relationship 439 00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:07,640 Speaker 3: with business and capitalism and sort of the status quo 440 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:11,800 Speaker 3: and a mainstream sort of persona and identity that's more accepted. 441 00:24:12,520 --> 00:24:18,600 Speaker 3: And for some people who've already found personally their identity, 442 00:24:18,880 --> 00:24:22,679 Speaker 3: their truth, they have what they need, you know, personally, 443 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:27,800 Speaker 3: then being connected to that sort of stability can be 444 00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:28,760 Speaker 3: attractive as well. 445 00:24:29,320 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 1: Well. 446 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:32,199 Speaker 2: Right, you've dealt with a certain amount of turmoil, you 447 00:24:32,320 --> 00:24:34,960 Speaker 2: may not be attracted to somebody who's dealing with a 448 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:39,040 Speaker 2: certain turmoil. Both houses can't be on fire at the 449 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:41,879 Speaker 2: same time. Like, so it's nice to be, you know, 450 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:44,480 Speaker 2: like a rock to someone who's like grounded in their 451 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:48,640 Speaker 2: identity is attractive because sometimes you've had to battle with that. 452 00:24:48,720 --> 00:24:52,479 Speaker 2: So that makes that makes sense, you know save So 453 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:55,880 Speaker 2: what do you think about how brands? Do you think 454 00:24:55,920 --> 00:24:59,119 Speaker 2: brands have botched this up like bud Light and Target 455 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:01,080 Speaker 2: and then it becomes this whole big thing, and then 456 00:25:01,119 --> 00:25:04,200 Speaker 2: you have people saying negative things and was it were 457 00:25:04,240 --> 00:25:08,639 Speaker 2: they was it the execution of these brands trying to 458 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:11,840 Speaker 2: do the right thing? And were they authentically doing the 459 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:13,840 Speaker 2: right thing or were they trying to check the box 460 00:25:13,960 --> 00:25:17,720 Speaker 2: because of you know who who's watching and that they 461 00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:20,080 Speaker 2: think that they're getting attention for doing the right thing. 462 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:22,679 Speaker 2: You know what I'm saying, is it grounded integrity or 463 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:25,240 Speaker 2: is it because we're checking boxes and then they're watching 464 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:26,240 Speaker 2: it because not authentic. 465 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:32,360 Speaker 3: I think, just speaking generally, I do think that it's 466 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:38,640 Speaker 3: important for brands and and and large businesses to demonstrate 467 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:41,439 Speaker 3: and be accepting of of all different types of people. 468 00:25:41,560 --> 00:25:44,800 Speaker 3: I think that uh, you know, we we as people 469 00:25:44,840 --> 00:25:47,199 Speaker 3: in the queer community are here, We have been that 470 00:25:47,359 --> 00:25:50,040 Speaker 3: it's not new, even though people are just finding out 471 00:25:50,040 --> 00:25:52,680 Speaker 3: about it on their TikTok or something, We've been around, 472 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:54,520 Speaker 3: you know what I mean. And even though we didn't 473 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:57,159 Speaker 3: always have the words and we weren't always included, like, 474 00:25:57,160 --> 00:26:00,600 Speaker 3: for instance, it was illegal for people to be gay 475 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:04,080 Speaker 3: in public or at their job in the past, in 476 00:26:04,119 --> 00:26:07,000 Speaker 3: the sixties, in the seventies, it was punishable by jail 477 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:10,679 Speaker 3: at certain times, it was punishable by being fired, and 478 00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:13,639 Speaker 3: it was legal to discriminate at certain times. And so 479 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:17,400 Speaker 3: that doesn't say, hey, we want everybody to come out 480 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:19,320 Speaker 3: and tell us about it. Meant that people had to 481 00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:22,320 Speaker 3: be more closeted and more secretive and you know, not 482 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:23,600 Speaker 3: share who they are. 483 00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:25,000 Speaker 1: But it doesn't mean that they weren't there. 484 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:26,880 Speaker 3: It just meant that they weren't talking about it right 485 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:29,320 Speaker 3: Now that we have more acceptance and people are feeling 486 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:31,760 Speaker 3: free to be who they are, what people want is 487 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:35,520 Speaker 3: to be included in not only at their places at work, 488 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:39,200 Speaker 3: but also in marketing and represented because representation matters. And 489 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:41,080 Speaker 3: so in order to do that, companies need to be 490 00:26:41,119 --> 00:26:44,120 Speaker 3: inclusive in their advertising, in their casting on their TV 491 00:26:44,160 --> 00:26:45,160 Speaker 3: shows and things like that. 492 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:47,359 Speaker 1: And they understand that now. 493 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 3: That there was a moment in time and I think 494 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 3: that they didn't understand that, but now I do think 495 00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:51,720 Speaker 3: they understand that. 496 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:54,760 Speaker 1: And up until twenty. 497 00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:57,840 Speaker 3: Up until a five or six years ago, I think 498 00:26:57,840 --> 00:27:00,119 Speaker 3: it was easy for companies to sort of sign I 499 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:03,399 Speaker 3: low their inclusion. They'd be I know that they would 500 00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 3: place an ad on Super Bowl that was all about 501 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:09,679 Speaker 3: Macho Macho for the people who watched Super Bowl and 502 00:27:09,720 --> 00:27:12,359 Speaker 3: for the people who are watching Housewives. If the gays 503 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 3: watching Housewives, they'll do a Housewives version as well. And 504 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:19,240 Speaker 3: so like you didn't necessarily they didn't have They weren't 505 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:22,720 Speaker 3: getting caught sort of playing all sides of the field 506 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:23,840 Speaker 3: or all sides of the fence. 507 00:27:24,040 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 2: It felt but it felt token, like a token exousment. 508 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,480 Speaker 1: But it was token. It was token. I believe it 509 00:27:29,520 --> 00:27:30,760 Speaker 1: was token, right. 510 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:34,600 Speaker 2: But if brands are going to come and and put 511 00:27:34,640 --> 00:27:38,639 Speaker 2: that foot forward and market towards the trans community, you 512 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:42,159 Speaker 2: know they better do it right because you want that 513 00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:44,480 Speaker 2: to be mainstream. And so do you think that these 514 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:47,439 Speaker 2: brands do you think it was this it was just 515 00:27:47,560 --> 00:27:50,320 Speaker 2: society not accepting it, or they botched the jaws, That's 516 00:27:50,320 --> 00:27:51,640 Speaker 2: what I'm saying, all of it, all of. 517 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:52,480 Speaker 1: It, all of it. 518 00:27:52,720 --> 00:27:57,280 Speaker 3: Their their decision to be inclusive and feature trans people. 519 00:27:57,320 --> 00:27:59,400 Speaker 1: What's the right decision to do? The entire they did 520 00:27:59,440 --> 00:27:59,639 Speaker 1: it with. 521 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:03,159 Speaker 3: The tension was right, the execution wasn't necessarily correct, and 522 00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:06,359 Speaker 3: the after effect in terms of how they behaved and 523 00:28:06,359 --> 00:28:07,280 Speaker 3: how they reacted some. 524 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:07,679 Speaker 1: Of them. 525 00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:09,800 Speaker 2: On the side of. 526 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:14,120 Speaker 3: It is going to be public backlash when you're dealing 527 00:28:14,160 --> 00:28:16,200 Speaker 3: with a group of people who are currently discriminated against, 528 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:17,720 Speaker 3: when they're when you're dealing with the part of the 529 00:28:17,720 --> 00:28:21,280 Speaker 3: community who have more than five hundred anti trans laws 530 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:24,920 Speaker 3: and policies being passed in many states in like in 531 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:27,520 Speaker 3: eighteen states in our country. Of course, that means there's 532 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:30,040 Speaker 3: going to be people who react in a certain way 533 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:31,960 Speaker 3: and are like, I don't like to see that person here. 534 00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:33,560 Speaker 1: And we saw that certainly but. 535 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:36,560 Speaker 2: It was billions for bad luck, like it was billions 536 00:28:36,560 --> 00:28:36,840 Speaker 2: of time. 537 00:28:37,359 --> 00:28:39,920 Speaker 3: But we also saw that backlash with Disney, We saw 538 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:42,960 Speaker 3: that backlash with other people, and Disney obviously stood by 539 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:45,160 Speaker 3: It was a little bit late, but they did stand 540 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:47,600 Speaker 3: by the queer in the trans community in a way 541 00:28:47,640 --> 00:28:51,160 Speaker 3: that but like didn't target necessarily didn't. And some of 542 00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:54,600 Speaker 3: these brands they sort of they they they made a 543 00:28:54,640 --> 00:28:57,320 Speaker 3: bold statement, but then took it back away and said, actually, no, 544 00:28:57,320 --> 00:28:59,920 Speaker 3: we're not making a bold statement. And that is where 545 00:29:00,120 --> 00:29:01,280 Speaker 3: than making the bold statement. 546 00:29:01,520 --> 00:29:03,440 Speaker 2: Well, so that meant that they were trying to check 547 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:05,240 Speaker 2: a box. But it was bullshit, is what you're saying, 548 00:29:05,240 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 2: Like that's what I'm saying, Like they would No. 549 00:29:07,200 --> 00:29:10,040 Speaker 3: It's not, it's bullshit. They were trying to check the box, 550 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:12,040 Speaker 3: and they should have checked the box. And they understand 551 00:29:12,040 --> 00:29:14,520 Speaker 3: that that box is real. But what they realize is 552 00:29:14,560 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 3: there's not just one box. There's a there for every box. 553 00:29:17,920 --> 00:29:21,360 Speaker 3: There's an opposite box that also is important to them. 554 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:23,560 Speaker 3: And so it's like trying. 555 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:24,680 Speaker 2: To they were playing. 556 00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:26,640 Speaker 1: They had to play, Yeah. 557 00:29:26,920 --> 00:29:29,840 Speaker 3: We want, we want, we want vegetarians and we want 558 00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:32,320 Speaker 3: meat eaters, so we have to do a vegetarian ad 559 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:33,840 Speaker 3: and we do a meat eater ad, and the meat 560 00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:36,240 Speaker 3: eater see the vegetarian ad, they're going to be angry. 561 00:29:36,440 --> 00:29:38,760 Speaker 3: And if the vegetarians see the meat eaters ad, they're 562 00:29:38,760 --> 00:29:41,720 Speaker 3: going to be angry. Before they were able to just 563 00:29:42,040 --> 00:29:47,400 Speaker 3: again silo their their ads and market to a certain group. 564 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:52,000 Speaker 3: But now you can't because now just if there's a 565 00:29:52,040 --> 00:29:54,920 Speaker 3: person who's in this marginalized group, if the vegetarian has 566 00:29:55,320 --> 00:29:58,720 Speaker 3: ten million followers, everyone's going to find out. 567 00:29:58,680 --> 00:29:59,240 Speaker 1: You know what I mean. 568 00:29:59,400 --> 00:30:03,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, it's a very different it's a very different world. Interesting. Okay, 569 00:30:03,080 --> 00:30:07,400 Speaker 2: So let's get to Traders, which you loved and were 570 00:30:07,480 --> 00:30:11,200 Speaker 2: excited to do. And it was like someone they say, 571 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:13,760 Speaker 2: don't meet your idols or whatever they say, like right, 572 00:30:13,960 --> 00:30:17,320 Speaker 2: because they might disappoint. So it was it sounds from 573 00:30:17,320 --> 00:30:20,120 Speaker 2: what I read that it was a disappointing experience. 574 00:30:21,320 --> 00:30:23,680 Speaker 3: My experience was disappointing. I have to say first, I 575 00:30:23,680 --> 00:30:25,600 Speaker 3: still love the show. I am a huge fan of 576 00:30:25,640 --> 00:30:28,720 Speaker 3: the show. I really support the show. I think it's 577 00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:33,280 Speaker 3: a great a different type of kind of reality competition 578 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:35,960 Speaker 3: show that I think is interesting. I'm a horror fan, 579 00:30:36,040 --> 00:30:38,840 Speaker 3: I'm I'm a mystery fan, and so I do love that, 580 00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:44,440 Speaker 3: but my experience, and while I do think that they 581 00:30:44,520 --> 00:30:48,360 Speaker 3: did a good job casting, I think that there was 582 00:30:48,400 --> 00:30:51,600 Speaker 3: a few missed opportunities in their casting and also in 583 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:54,880 Speaker 3: the way that the show played out and the way 584 00:30:54,920 --> 00:30:57,960 Speaker 3: that the show was sort of run. 585 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:05,640 Speaker 1: So that impacted my experience, right, yea, So it's more. 586 00:31:05,600 --> 00:31:08,400 Speaker 2: The production versus the cast people. 587 00:31:08,800 --> 00:31:12,440 Speaker 3: Now, I think the people that were cast, my experience was. 588 00:31:12,880 --> 00:31:14,240 Speaker 1: It was just the entire thing. 589 00:31:15,760 --> 00:31:21,520 Speaker 3: I encountered, someone who I had an experience that was 590 00:31:21,680 --> 00:31:26,120 Speaker 3: sort of affected by sort of a mob mentality and 591 00:31:26,160 --> 00:31:28,040 Speaker 3: the fact that I was a loaner on the show. 592 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:30,840 Speaker 3: And had I not been a loaner on the show, 593 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:34,240 Speaker 3: then maybe my experience would have been different. For instance, 594 00:31:34,400 --> 00:31:37,000 Speaker 3: in season one of the American version of Traders, aside 595 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:39,880 Speaker 3: from the fact that there was half reality stars and half 596 00:31:40,000 --> 00:31:43,520 Speaker 3: civilians who had never done reality, there were I think 597 00:31:43,520 --> 00:31:45,880 Speaker 3: eighteen people in that cast, and there were two out 598 00:31:45,960 --> 00:31:51,160 Speaker 3: queer people of color. My season season two there were 599 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:54,400 Speaker 3: twenty one of us and more people and less out 600 00:31:54,480 --> 00:31:57,400 Speaker 3: queer people. I was the only out queer person on 601 00:31:57,440 --> 00:32:00,440 Speaker 3: the show. Obviously, Alan Cumming is the host, He's not 602 00:32:00,520 --> 00:32:03,840 Speaker 3: a contestant, and so I didn't really have a lot 603 00:32:03,840 --> 00:32:05,880 Speaker 3: of people that I could identify with, and that was 604 00:32:05,920 --> 00:32:08,920 Speaker 3: this I would I realized that very quickly when people 605 00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:12,680 Speaker 3: were like, oh my, like when all the Housewives, it's 606 00:32:12,760 --> 00:32:15,400 Speaker 3: worthy thing. All the house on the four Housewives were 607 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:18,000 Speaker 3: grouping up and they were talking about the housewives stuff. 608 00:32:18,160 --> 00:32:21,640 Speaker 3: Everybody else you know, there's the gamers, people were saying. 609 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:22,880 Speaker 3: In this season, there was a lot of people who 610 00:32:22,880 --> 00:32:25,480 Speaker 3: were in like you know, the Challenge and shows like that, 611 00:32:26,080 --> 00:32:28,320 Speaker 3: were gathering and then it was just me in the middle. 612 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:31,560 Speaker 2: You really felt like an outsider just for. 613 00:32:31,440 --> 00:32:34,520 Speaker 3: That because I was on Drag Race. There was no 614 00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:37,000 Speaker 3: other people from my show, even if they even if 615 00:32:37,080 --> 00:32:39,080 Speaker 3: drag Race wasn't about doing drag like, there was nobody 616 00:32:39,120 --> 00:32:39,960 Speaker 3: else on the show that. 617 00:32:39,960 --> 00:32:42,520 Speaker 1: I shared the experience. So I was the only one. 618 00:32:42,520 --> 00:32:44,959 Speaker 3: And people didn't really watch drag Race, and so they 619 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:47,480 Speaker 3: just kind of had their I think, first impressions and 620 00:32:47,520 --> 00:32:49,160 Speaker 3: that's all they could go by, and they didn't really 621 00:32:49,200 --> 00:32:51,840 Speaker 3: take the time to really get to know me, and 622 00:32:51,920 --> 00:32:55,160 Speaker 3: so that that was all on the contestants. 623 00:32:54,840 --> 00:32:58,200 Speaker 2: And the cast, and that ever did your skill in 624 00:32:58,240 --> 00:33:00,560 Speaker 2: the game of the game. 625 00:33:00,400 --> 00:33:01,960 Speaker 1: It effected my gameplay. 626 00:33:02,040 --> 00:33:05,880 Speaker 3: If someone had made the decision the cast didn't cast themselves, 627 00:33:05,960 --> 00:33:08,840 Speaker 3: So if someone had made the decision to put more 628 00:33:08,880 --> 00:33:13,520 Speaker 3: than one of me on there, then that would have 629 00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:15,640 Speaker 3: been allowed me to have more people to align with. 630 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:19,360 Speaker 3: And so that's why I'm saying production obviously had a 631 00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:21,520 Speaker 3: hand and who got on the show. It's not like 632 00:33:21,920 --> 00:33:25,000 Speaker 3: the casts made their own choice of casting themselves. And 633 00:33:25,080 --> 00:33:29,560 Speaker 3: so that's where production I think could benefit when I 634 00:33:29,560 --> 00:33:33,680 Speaker 3: say missed opportunity. It's beneficial to the rest of the 635 00:33:33,720 --> 00:33:36,280 Speaker 3: world to see different types of people. It's beneficial to 636 00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:39,000 Speaker 3: the viewing audience to understand that there are queer people, 637 00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:42,040 Speaker 3: that there are trans people, and it's beneficial for people 638 00:33:42,040 --> 00:33:44,000 Speaker 3: who the viewers to understand that there's more than one 639 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:46,840 Speaker 3: black person, there's more than one trans person that exists 640 00:33:47,360 --> 00:33:49,840 Speaker 3: in this world. And we don't always have to go 641 00:33:49,880 --> 00:33:53,520 Speaker 3: with the formula of twenty two white people and one 642 00:33:53,720 --> 00:33:58,040 Speaker 3: black person, twenty two straight people and one queer person, 643 00:33:58,160 --> 00:34:01,560 Speaker 3: Like why does that have to be twenty two white 644 00:34:01,560 --> 00:34:04,360 Speaker 3: people and one Asian person or one Latin person only? 645 00:34:04,720 --> 00:34:08,080 Speaker 3: Like can we have how different would the show look 646 00:34:08,160 --> 00:34:10,520 Speaker 3: if it was twenty two black people and one white person. 647 00:34:11,200 --> 00:34:13,960 Speaker 3: Everybody knows that that would be a different experience, So 648 00:34:14,000 --> 00:34:16,640 Speaker 3: why can't it be half and half? Or why why 649 00:34:16,719 --> 00:34:18,359 Speaker 3: can't we mix it up a little? Can there be two? 650 00:34:19,600 --> 00:34:23,160 Speaker 2: You know right right? You felt like it? 651 00:34:23,160 --> 00:34:23,319 Speaker 1: What? 652 00:34:23,400 --> 00:34:25,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, you felt like an outsider and you were at 653 00:34:25,880 --> 00:34:26,840 Speaker 2: a disadvantage. 654 00:34:27,239 --> 00:34:28,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, I was an outsider. 655 00:34:28,840 --> 00:34:34,120 Speaker 3: And the show relies on, as many shows do, first impressions, 656 00:34:34,520 --> 00:34:37,560 Speaker 3: And so first impressions have a lot to do with 657 00:34:37,600 --> 00:34:41,879 Speaker 3: what you already think. If you don't know someone who 658 00:34:41,960 --> 00:34:44,560 Speaker 3: comes in and they're from another country or of a 659 00:34:44,560 --> 00:34:46,360 Speaker 3: different race, and you don't really have a lot of 660 00:34:46,440 --> 00:34:48,880 Speaker 3: experience with these types of people, or someone who's queer, 661 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:51,720 Speaker 3: or someone who's this or that, and you don't understand, 662 00:34:51,719 --> 00:34:53,839 Speaker 3: you don't really connect with that, or you don't know 663 00:34:54,000 --> 00:34:56,839 Speaker 3: much about that person and that individual you haven't had 664 00:34:56,840 --> 00:34:58,920 Speaker 3: a chance to get to know them as a person, 665 00:34:59,080 --> 00:35:01,160 Speaker 3: have a lot of conversation with them. You're going to 666 00:35:01,239 --> 00:35:03,719 Speaker 3: have to go go buy whatever you know about that 667 00:35:03,760 --> 00:35:06,439 Speaker 3: group when you were growing up, You know what I mean? 668 00:35:06,760 --> 00:35:09,120 Speaker 3: If I had a really terrible experience with a farmer 669 00:35:09,480 --> 00:35:12,920 Speaker 3: when I was growing up, and and and it was 670 00:35:12,920 --> 00:35:15,800 Speaker 3: a horrible experience, then the next time I meet a farmer, 671 00:35:15,920 --> 00:35:18,480 Speaker 3: I'm going to think of that horrible experience, and I'm 672 00:35:18,520 --> 00:35:20,279 Speaker 3: going to treat them the way that I would treat 673 00:35:20,360 --> 00:35:23,040 Speaker 3: them given that experience. Now, if I get to meet 674 00:35:23,160 --> 00:35:26,360 Speaker 3: a new farmer who's completely different and I have a 675 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:30,160 Speaker 3: wonderful experience, then it can start to change. But if 676 00:35:30,200 --> 00:35:32,359 Speaker 3: I vote that farmer out immediately because I'm like, oh, 677 00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:34,799 Speaker 3: I know farmers, I don't want to I don't even 678 00:35:34,800 --> 00:35:38,640 Speaker 3: even know this person's name by then what are we learning? 679 00:35:39,160 --> 00:35:39,319 Speaker 1: Right? 680 00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:41,960 Speaker 2: Right, right, all right, right that? But you're assuming that 681 00:35:42,040 --> 00:35:46,120 Speaker 2: the show wants to you know, here's what's interesting. This 682 00:35:46,200 --> 00:35:48,680 Speaker 2: is where the line is. You're assuming that the show 683 00:35:48,719 --> 00:35:52,040 Speaker 2: wants to take on that responsibility. And it's funny because 684 00:35:52,400 --> 00:35:56,920 Speaker 2: they don't. Right well, because and that's what you're trying 685 00:35:56,960 --> 00:35:59,600 Speaker 2: to change or just that's what you're trying to discuss. 686 00:35:59,760 --> 00:36:02,480 Speaker 2: The line and the question is whether or not a 687 00:36:02,520 --> 00:36:06,880 Speaker 2: reality show should reflect just reality like and then who's deciding. So, 688 00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:09,640 Speaker 2: let's say to take off Republicans, which is a big, 689 00:36:09,680 --> 00:36:12,160 Speaker 2: big criticism by the way of Housewives that people and 690 00:36:12,200 --> 00:36:14,719 Speaker 2: the powers that be will fire people because of their 691 00:36:14,760 --> 00:36:16,759 Speaker 2: political views. I've heard that too many times that I'm 692 00:36:16,760 --> 00:36:18,640 Speaker 2: sure it is true, and I've actually heard it from 693 00:36:19,000 --> 00:36:23,000 Speaker 2: producers like, oh, this person you know, voted for Trump, 694 00:36:23,040 --> 00:36:25,239 Speaker 2: and so they and they don't like their views, so 695 00:36:25,280 --> 00:36:27,440 Speaker 2: they want to fire them from the show. It's a 696 00:36:27,480 --> 00:36:31,720 Speaker 2: real thing. It's a real thing on several Housewives shows. 697 00:36:32,200 --> 00:36:34,880 Speaker 2: Should a reality show reflect reality or should a reality 698 00:36:34,920 --> 00:36:38,160 Speaker 2: show reflect what should be? 699 00:36:38,840 --> 00:36:41,480 Speaker 3: To answer that question, the answer to that question probably 700 00:36:42,560 --> 00:36:44,600 Speaker 3: relies on is your what is the impact that you 701 00:36:44,600 --> 00:36:46,239 Speaker 3: want your show to make? Who do you want to 702 00:36:46,280 --> 00:36:48,680 Speaker 3: watch a show? I agree, want to accept the show, 703 00:36:48,760 --> 00:36:53,280 Speaker 3: and what message do you want to send? Statistically, statistically, 704 00:36:53,440 --> 00:36:57,600 Speaker 3: for my situation, there's more queer people and black people, 705 00:36:58,000 --> 00:37:02,000 Speaker 3: definitely more queer people in terms of statistically and percentage 706 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:04,960 Speaker 3: wise in this country than than the odds of one 707 00:37:05,040 --> 00:37:08,560 Speaker 3: out of twenty one. They're you know generally, oh yes, good, 708 00:37:08,640 --> 00:37:13,120 Speaker 3: good point, and so that's less. That's not reality. If 709 00:37:13,120 --> 00:37:16,120 Speaker 3: we're going by like a cross section of who's out 710 00:37:16,160 --> 00:37:20,040 Speaker 3: and who you know, it's a lot more. It's actually like, 711 00:37:20,160 --> 00:37:23,640 Speaker 3: you know, two out of ten adults would identify as 712 00:37:23,719 --> 00:37:25,600 Speaker 3: LGBT and so. 713 00:37:26,719 --> 00:37:30,000 Speaker 2: Well, the question is the responsibility falls on this multi 714 00:37:30,040 --> 00:37:33,320 Speaker 2: billion dollar public company to do that. It's just interesting 715 00:37:33,360 --> 00:37:36,400 Speaker 2: when you have like you know, say you have like 716 00:37:36,440 --> 00:37:38,560 Speaker 2: one of the housewive shows, the New York house Wives, 717 00:37:38,640 --> 00:37:42,480 Speaker 2: let's just say, and then you decide you're going to 718 00:37:42,560 --> 00:37:46,239 Speaker 2: put the three Upper east Side white women and you're 719 00:37:46,239 --> 00:37:50,280 Speaker 2: going to have three black women and one trans person 720 00:37:50,760 --> 00:37:55,719 Speaker 2: on the show, when their initial mandate was that it 721 00:37:55,760 --> 00:37:58,279 Speaker 2: has to be people that are really friends. So now 722 00:37:58,320 --> 00:38:02,680 Speaker 2: it's not even like like Ramona and Ebony were not friends, 723 00:38:02,719 --> 00:38:05,719 Speaker 2: and this show tried to like put them together to 724 00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:08,239 Speaker 2: be friends, and then the audience is like, wait, this 725 00:38:08,360 --> 00:38:10,360 Speaker 2: isn't real. So those are interesting. 726 00:38:11,040 --> 00:38:11,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's so. 727 00:38:12,000 --> 00:38:15,399 Speaker 2: Nuanced, but yeah, but you are a composition show. 728 00:38:15,960 --> 00:38:19,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, show, it's not even friends, so so there's less 729 00:38:19,680 --> 00:38:21,240 Speaker 3: of a reason to kind. 730 00:38:21,040 --> 00:38:23,520 Speaker 2: Of you know, no, yeah, you could cast anybody you want. 731 00:38:23,680 --> 00:38:29,719 Speaker 3: But even in the Housewives sort of uh examples. The 732 00:38:29,880 --> 00:38:33,879 Speaker 3: key or the kicker is the business of it all. 733 00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:35,680 Speaker 3: When when we're trying to make money, when we're trying 734 00:38:35,680 --> 00:38:38,320 Speaker 3: to make money from the show with advertising and different things, 735 00:38:38,520 --> 00:38:41,279 Speaker 3: then we needed to be as as appeal to as 736 00:38:41,320 --> 00:38:44,960 Speaker 3: many people as possible. We want the Upper west Side, 737 00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:47,600 Speaker 3: Upper east Side white women, but we also want people 738 00:38:47,640 --> 00:38:49,719 Speaker 3: who are in Brooklyn who like, we want everyone to 739 00:38:49,760 --> 00:38:52,360 Speaker 3: watch it, and that's where where they have to figure 740 00:38:52,360 --> 00:38:54,279 Speaker 3: out how they're going to balance it because they know 741 00:38:54,800 --> 00:38:57,040 Speaker 3: that the people from Brooklyn, or the people from the 742 00:38:57,040 --> 00:38:59,160 Speaker 3: South or the people from this aren't going to watch 743 00:38:59,520 --> 00:39:02,120 Speaker 3: just one group that's not like them, and vice versa. 744 00:39:02,160 --> 00:39:04,520 Speaker 3: The people from the Upper East Side are not necessarily 745 00:39:04,560 --> 00:39:07,000 Speaker 3: watching a show about a bunch of black folks from Brooklyn, 746 00:39:07,200 --> 00:39:09,000 Speaker 3: and so they have to find a way to balance it. 747 00:39:09,239 --> 00:39:12,879 Speaker 3: And that's where it's maybe inauthentic, but you know, there 748 00:39:12,920 --> 00:39:15,120 Speaker 3: are those pockets where it really does mix. 749 00:39:15,560 --> 00:39:17,200 Speaker 1: You know, I guess yes, no, and you. 750 00:39:17,239 --> 00:39:21,200 Speaker 2: Have to So what is I never heard the term 751 00:39:21,600 --> 00:39:22,200 Speaker 2: dead name? 752 00:39:23,880 --> 00:39:27,600 Speaker 3: Dead name is a term uh that's used by people 753 00:39:27,600 --> 00:39:33,600 Speaker 3: in the queer community to uh. To dead name refers 754 00:39:33,640 --> 00:39:37,640 Speaker 3: to someone's a word or a name, a name that 755 00:39:37,880 --> 00:39:42,360 Speaker 3: someone that is associated with someone previously. 756 00:39:41,760 --> 00:39:42,520 Speaker 1: In their past. 757 00:39:43,040 --> 00:39:45,959 Speaker 3: And for for people who aren't queer, or who aren't 758 00:39:45,960 --> 00:39:48,040 Speaker 3: in the trans community, or who that maybe to that 759 00:39:48,200 --> 00:39:51,239 Speaker 3: term is new to it basically is the name that 760 00:39:51,239 --> 00:39:54,160 Speaker 3: that person was given when they were younger, when their 761 00:39:54,200 --> 00:39:57,800 Speaker 3: parents named them, for instance. But a lot of people 762 00:39:57,880 --> 00:40:02,320 Speaker 3: change their names, and so so you know, for some people, 763 00:40:02,360 --> 00:40:05,560 Speaker 3: being associated with their previous name can associate them with 764 00:40:05,760 --> 00:40:09,400 Speaker 3: places and people and things that give them bad memories. 765 00:40:09,400 --> 00:40:12,839 Speaker 3: For instance, yeah, someone was married and they had their 766 00:40:13,080 --> 00:40:17,399 Speaker 3: abusive partner's name when they were married. They might want 767 00:40:17,440 --> 00:40:19,200 Speaker 3: to whether they get married again or not, they might 768 00:40:19,280 --> 00:40:20,880 Speaker 3: want to change that name. And they might not want 769 00:40:20,920 --> 00:40:23,960 Speaker 3: to be referred to by that old name because it 770 00:40:24,040 --> 00:40:27,239 Speaker 3: reminds them of that abusive partner a terrible time in 771 00:40:27,280 --> 00:40:29,279 Speaker 3: their life, when they were depressed or when something was 772 00:40:29,360 --> 00:40:33,040 Speaker 3: terrible going wrong. And it also may say to them 773 00:40:33,080 --> 00:40:35,319 Speaker 3: it may if depending on the name, if that name 774 00:40:35,360 --> 00:40:38,560 Speaker 3: is a well known name of an abuser, you might 775 00:40:38,560 --> 00:40:40,200 Speaker 3: you're not going to want to keep that old name 776 00:40:40,239 --> 00:40:43,040 Speaker 3: as a married person, because then other people will treat 777 00:40:43,120 --> 00:40:46,200 Speaker 3: you differently and not for who you really are, you know. 778 00:40:46,200 --> 00:40:46,640 Speaker 1: What I mean. 779 00:40:47,080 --> 00:40:49,759 Speaker 3: When you meet someone new in life, they tell you 780 00:40:49,840 --> 00:40:51,879 Speaker 3: their name, and what do you do next? You call 781 00:40:51,960 --> 00:40:54,880 Speaker 3: them that name. You don't dig and be like, well 782 00:40:55,040 --> 00:40:57,879 Speaker 3: let me go back. You don't like, you know, get 783 00:40:57,880 --> 00:41:00,520 Speaker 3: a private investment. Really is her name really Sally? You 784 00:41:00,560 --> 00:41:03,040 Speaker 3: don't do that for the average person. When Sally comes 785 00:41:03,080 --> 00:41:05,240 Speaker 3: up to you and says I'm Sally, you call her Sally, 786 00:41:05,920 --> 00:41:06,120 Speaker 3: you know. 787 00:41:06,680 --> 00:41:08,319 Speaker 1: And so that's what we're trying to do. 788 00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:13,120 Speaker 3: But Unfortunately, there is an effort by some to expose 789 00:41:13,880 --> 00:41:18,240 Speaker 3: trans people. Only, not married people who are formerly connected 790 00:41:18,239 --> 00:41:22,160 Speaker 3: to an abusive person, not cis gender people who have 791 00:41:22,280 --> 00:41:27,000 Speaker 3: decided to change their name for different reasons, But there's 792 00:41:27,000 --> 00:41:30,440 Speaker 3: an effort to expose trans people and sort of communicate 793 00:41:30,520 --> 00:41:33,759 Speaker 3: that trans people are perpetrators and are liars, and are 794 00:41:33,800 --> 00:41:39,080 Speaker 3: sneaky and are trying to be deceptive, and so people 795 00:41:39,080 --> 00:41:42,600 Speaker 3: are trying to connect that to the desire to not 796 00:41:42,640 --> 00:41:45,799 Speaker 3: be associated with a name that's harmful, a name that 797 00:41:45,840 --> 00:41:48,439 Speaker 3: reminds us of a really terrible time in our lives, 798 00:41:48,480 --> 00:41:49,960 Speaker 3: and a name that doesn't reflect who we are. 799 00:41:50,600 --> 00:42:07,759 Speaker 2: Makes sense. Okay, so you're you act, you sing, you dance, Like, 800 00:42:07,800 --> 00:42:10,880 Speaker 2: what's your primary passion and career? 801 00:42:11,440 --> 00:42:16,080 Speaker 3: Girl, I'm I'm I'm cursed with the passion of wanting 802 00:42:16,120 --> 00:42:20,440 Speaker 3: to do knitting and singing and dancing and politics all 803 00:42:20,480 --> 00:42:24,960 Speaker 3: at the same time, which is terrible for Riley know 804 00:42:25,000 --> 00:42:25,800 Speaker 3: who you are. 805 00:42:26,360 --> 00:42:29,279 Speaker 2: Well, it's I think it's more terrible, is not. I 806 00:42:29,280 --> 00:42:31,439 Speaker 2: think terrible is a terrible word for it. But I think, 807 00:42:31,560 --> 00:42:34,879 Speaker 2: like for branding purposes, it's challenging because if you try 808 00:42:34,880 --> 00:42:40,040 Speaker 2: to please everybody, you please nobody. You know, what so so, 809 00:42:40,040 --> 00:42:42,520 Speaker 2: so what is the base? Like what are you working on? 810 00:42:42,680 --> 00:42:44,680 Speaker 2: But by the way, I'm I don't know how old 811 00:42:44,719 --> 00:42:46,640 Speaker 2: you are. You're younger than I am, obviously, but I'm 812 00:42:46,680 --> 00:42:49,799 Speaker 2: at a certain age where I really do exactly what 813 00:42:49,880 --> 00:42:52,760 Speaker 2: I want to do. So I just was in Vancouver 814 00:42:52,800 --> 00:42:55,600 Speaker 2: and did a Lifetime movie and I didn't have any 815 00:42:55,960 --> 00:42:57,880 Speaker 2: reason to do it. It doesn't have anything to do 816 00:42:57,920 --> 00:42:59,800 Speaker 2: with my brand. I did it because it was presented 817 00:42:59,800 --> 00:43:01,680 Speaker 2: to me and it was different. But from like a 818 00:43:02,400 --> 00:43:06,799 Speaker 2: let me say, rand strategic perspective. If I were in 819 00:43:06,840 --> 00:43:10,480 Speaker 2: my like thirties and my building phase, I might not 820 00:43:10,560 --> 00:43:12,279 Speaker 2: have done it because it's not like the path I'm on. 821 00:43:12,480 --> 00:43:15,359 Speaker 3: I grew up as an actor and a singer, and 822 00:43:15,400 --> 00:43:18,600 Speaker 3: I remember, uh, you know, and that's musical theater is 823 00:43:18,600 --> 00:43:21,160 Speaker 3: the thing obviously Broadway, like it's been a thing forever, 824 00:43:21,600 --> 00:43:24,000 Speaker 3: acting and singing at the same time. But when it 825 00:43:24,040 --> 00:43:27,800 Speaker 3: comes to Hollywood, which is different than Broadway, right, Broadway, 826 00:43:27,800 --> 00:43:33,000 Speaker 3: it's like professional theater in New York primarily less commercial. Yeah, 827 00:43:33,080 --> 00:43:39,000 Speaker 3: less commercial. Hollywood is obviously extremely commercial. And so I 828 00:43:39,040 --> 00:43:43,600 Speaker 3: remember seeing actors, serious actors sort of being made fun 829 00:43:43,640 --> 00:43:47,360 Speaker 3: of for making making music, making an album you know, 830 00:43:47,840 --> 00:43:51,080 Speaker 3: or or singers being told, oh, she can't act, why 831 00:43:51,120 --> 00:43:52,760 Speaker 3: is she trying to get in this movie? You're a singer, 832 00:43:52,800 --> 00:43:55,200 Speaker 3: Stay in your own lane. And I do remember that 833 00:43:55,280 --> 00:43:58,200 Speaker 3: being the j Low thing and other people. I do 834 00:43:58,280 --> 00:44:00,759 Speaker 3: remember that being a thing. It's maybe still a thing, 835 00:44:00,800 --> 00:44:04,040 Speaker 3: but certainly not as much as that it was twenty 836 00:44:04,360 --> 00:44:06,960 Speaker 3: years ago. And so I think now the lanes are 837 00:44:07,000 --> 00:44:11,200 Speaker 3: opening up for people. You know, people can talk about 838 00:44:11,280 --> 00:44:14,240 Speaker 3: politics and also be a musician. I remember the Dixie 839 00:44:14,280 --> 00:44:18,239 Speaker 3: Chicks had had quite a time being told literally shut 840 00:44:18,320 --> 00:44:20,839 Speaker 3: up and sang, which was their film that they made 841 00:44:20,880 --> 00:44:24,799 Speaker 3: when they started speaking out politically, Whereas now people expect 842 00:44:25,040 --> 00:44:28,640 Speaker 3: actors to speak out on some of the terrible things 843 00:44:28,680 --> 00:44:32,000 Speaker 3: that are happening in the world today, and so it's 844 00:44:32,040 --> 00:44:35,320 Speaker 3: a different it's a different vibe. So in that realm, 845 00:44:35,680 --> 00:44:38,080 Speaker 3: I think I'm at the right time and right place. 846 00:44:38,400 --> 00:44:41,400 Speaker 3: I am an actor. I've been on Broadway, I've been 847 00:44:41,440 --> 00:44:46,120 Speaker 3: in film and TV. I do sing. I went to 848 00:44:46,120 --> 00:44:49,399 Speaker 3: school for musical theater, Broadways my passion. So having been 849 00:44:49,440 --> 00:44:51,680 Speaker 3: on Broadway, of course I love to sing. So I 850 00:44:51,719 --> 00:44:53,640 Speaker 3: love to sing, whether I'm on stage or not. I 851 00:44:53,680 --> 00:44:57,160 Speaker 3: have music that I've made and put out, and. 852 00:44:57,160 --> 00:44:59,839 Speaker 2: So you're an entertainer activist. 853 00:45:00,040 --> 00:45:04,000 Speaker 3: Entertainer one hundred and I don't even call myself an activist. 854 00:45:04,120 --> 00:45:07,879 Speaker 3: Of course, I've been involved in activism, but I think 855 00:45:08,000 --> 00:45:11,719 Speaker 3: an activist is someone who sort of does that primarily 856 00:45:11,960 --> 00:45:14,239 Speaker 3: and maybe even earn a living from it. 857 00:45:14,600 --> 00:45:15,719 Speaker 1: I don't live in that. 858 00:45:16,920 --> 00:45:19,919 Speaker 2: It's like me with philanthropy. People call me a philanthropist, 859 00:45:19,960 --> 00:45:22,680 Speaker 2: and it makes me uncomfortable, just like calling me an 860 00:45:22,760 --> 00:45:26,200 Speaker 2: author because I've written books. It's not my identity. 861 00:45:27,280 --> 00:45:30,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, but I've certainly done those things, and you're important 862 00:45:30,400 --> 00:45:30,600 Speaker 3: to me. 863 00:45:31,520 --> 00:45:34,040 Speaker 2: So yeah, I get people call you that because you 864 00:45:34,040 --> 00:45:35,560 Speaker 2: go and do something and then you feel. 865 00:45:35,280 --> 00:45:37,080 Speaker 1: That then it's your responsibility. 866 00:45:37,200 --> 00:45:40,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, yes, exactly. And it feels fraudulent too in a way. 867 00:45:40,160 --> 00:45:42,200 Speaker 2: I get that. I don't like being called a philanthropist 868 00:45:42,239 --> 00:45:44,160 Speaker 2: because it makes it just sounds like I don't like 869 00:45:44,200 --> 00:45:46,239 Speaker 2: the way it sounds, even though I do a ton 870 00:45:46,280 --> 00:45:50,640 Speaker 2: of charity. I get that. Yeay, So so nice to 871 00:45:50,719 --> 00:45:53,960 Speaker 2: talk to you and to you know, learn, I had 872 00:45:53,960 --> 00:45:55,520 Speaker 2: such a great time, really really nice. 873 00:45:55,640 --> 00:45:57,600 Speaker 1: You're a beautiful I mean. 874 00:45:57,640 --> 00:46:00,640 Speaker 3: You are beautiful inside and out, and I'm really thank 875 00:46:00,680 --> 00:46:01,239 Speaker 3: you so much. 876 00:46:01,440 --> 00:46:02,520 Speaker 1: And I have to say thank you. 877 00:46:03,040 --> 00:46:05,080 Speaker 3: I know that the past couple of years have been 878 00:46:05,160 --> 00:46:08,439 Speaker 3: wild when it comes to reality TV, but I do 879 00:46:08,480 --> 00:46:10,120 Speaker 3: think that one of the big changes that has to 880 00:46:10,120 --> 00:46:13,520 Speaker 3: happen in reality TV is a little bit more accountability, 881 00:46:13,640 --> 00:46:17,120 Speaker 3: not only from networks and you know, people running the 882 00:46:17,160 --> 00:46:20,640 Speaker 3: show and behind the scenes, but just in general being 883 00:46:20,719 --> 00:46:23,560 Speaker 3: able to have more protections because reality TV is not 884 00:46:23,640 --> 00:46:27,680 Speaker 3: going anywhere. It's here to stay, and the people who 885 00:46:27,760 --> 00:46:31,040 Speaker 3: are on these reality shows, they are talent, They deserve 886 00:46:31,120 --> 00:46:33,600 Speaker 3: to earn money, they deserve protections, and I think they 887 00:46:33,600 --> 00:46:38,400 Speaker 3: deserve the same types of protections and considerations that actors 888 00:46:38,520 --> 00:46:40,759 Speaker 3: would on a set of a movie or any other 889 00:46:40,800 --> 00:46:44,759 Speaker 3: TV show. They are making entertainment, and people are making 890 00:46:44,840 --> 00:46:46,759 Speaker 3: money off of these shows in the same way that 891 00:46:46,800 --> 00:46:49,960 Speaker 3: they would make money off of sometimes more especially yeah, 892 00:46:50,239 --> 00:46:51,360 Speaker 3: off of TV and film. 893 00:46:51,400 --> 00:46:51,719 Speaker 1: And so. 894 00:46:53,800 --> 00:46:56,080 Speaker 3: Although it's probably not the most desired way to go 895 00:46:56,120 --> 00:47:00,120 Speaker 3: about things necessarily, I think that you have set a 896 00:47:00,160 --> 00:47:02,920 Speaker 3: precedent and I'm seeing a lot of other conversations take 897 00:47:02,960 --> 00:47:03,680 Speaker 3: place because of it. 898 00:47:03,760 --> 00:47:05,680 Speaker 1: And I'm really grateful to you for that, because. 899 00:47:05,440 --> 00:47:07,400 Speaker 3: I come from a reality show that I think that 900 00:47:07,440 --> 00:47:11,440 Speaker 3: the performers the talent on those shows. My original reality show, 901 00:47:11,440 --> 00:47:15,560 Speaker 3: which is drag Race, deserve you know, certain protections and 902 00:47:15,600 --> 00:47:19,640 Speaker 3: considerations as well. And I think that ultimately the brand, 903 00:47:20,000 --> 00:47:23,400 Speaker 3: the show, the health of the brand, and the integrity 904 00:47:23,400 --> 00:47:25,600 Speaker 3: of the brand will be better off if they're able 905 00:47:25,680 --> 00:47:28,279 Speaker 3: to make those types of considerations. And so what you've 906 00:47:28,320 --> 00:47:31,400 Speaker 3: done has set a precedent and I'm grateful for that. 907 00:47:31,400 --> 00:47:34,319 Speaker 2: I appreciate that because it's funny because I'm hearing from 908 00:47:34,360 --> 00:47:37,880 Speaker 2: so many people that changes are being made, but no 909 00:47:37,920 --> 00:47:40,000 Speaker 2: one will stand up and say that they're making changes, 910 00:47:40,000 --> 00:47:43,719 Speaker 2: because then it indicates that they've been screwing up, you know, 911 00:47:44,239 --> 00:47:46,600 Speaker 2: and to the point of before being an activist or 912 00:47:46,640 --> 00:47:49,799 Speaker 2: a philanthropist like this isn't my cause. I'm not on 913 00:47:50,040 --> 00:47:54,880 Speaker 2: Washington marching for reality television and you know what I mean, Like, 914 00:47:54,920 --> 00:47:58,360 Speaker 2: that's not my I just said something and wanted to, 915 00:47:58,480 --> 00:48:02,480 Speaker 2: you know, be to support people who I didn't realize 916 00:48:02,520 --> 00:48:06,200 Speaker 2: had been exploited. And it's not the popular people that 917 00:48:06,200 --> 00:48:08,160 Speaker 2: are making a lot of money that are complaining. It's 918 00:48:08,160 --> 00:48:11,400 Speaker 2: the people that felt discarded. And I know that the 919 00:48:11,440 --> 00:48:14,319 Speaker 2: audience doesn't want their junk food taken away, and I 920 00:48:14,360 --> 00:48:16,239 Speaker 2: get that it is entertaining, and you're right, it's not 921 00:48:16,320 --> 00:48:18,799 Speaker 2: going anywhere, But there are a lot of things behind 922 00:48:18,800 --> 00:48:22,000 Speaker 2: the scenes that people don't really know, and it's interesting. 923 00:48:22,200 --> 00:48:25,040 Speaker 2: It's not what it seems, and no one knows what 924 00:48:25,080 --> 00:48:27,439 Speaker 2: they sign up for, like they don't they say it now. 925 00:48:27,520 --> 00:48:29,920 Speaker 2: By now, I think people kind of do because it's 926 00:48:29,960 --> 00:48:33,400 Speaker 2: been so focused on But there has been a shift 927 00:48:33,480 --> 00:48:37,240 Speaker 2: and that's great. You know, I don't need everyone who's 928 00:48:37,280 --> 00:48:38,960 Speaker 2: on the show is trying to protect the realm to 929 00:48:39,080 --> 00:48:41,840 Speaker 2: credit me. It's totally cool. But I appreciate you saying 930 00:48:41,880 --> 00:48:44,400 Speaker 2: that because I'm hearing that from a lot of people, 931 00:48:44,880 --> 00:48:48,719 Speaker 2: like Underground saying it's changing and thank you, but you know, 932 00:48:49,280 --> 00:48:51,839 Speaker 2: the powers that be won't say it, so it's cool. Well, 933 00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:54,520 Speaker 2: thank you so much and really great to meet you 934 00:48:54,560 --> 00:48:57,880 Speaker 2: and talk to you. Awesome, thank you, awesome, I'd have 935 00:48:57,920 --> 00:48:58,600 Speaker 2: a great day. 936 00:48:58,880 --> 00:49:03,640 Speaker 1: Thank you so much, Babe,