Speaking Queerly

by Kaleidoscope Youth Center

Produced by Kaleidoscope Youth Center - a 501(c)3 nonprofit located in Columbus, OH - Speaking Queerly examines pop culture, news, politics, and other topics that affect LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. Learn more about us at kycohio.org.

Podcast episodes

  • Season 3

  • An Update on the Status of Gender-Affirming Care in Ohio

    An Update on the Status of Gender-Affirming Care in Ohio

    On this episode of Speaking Queerly, Mallory sits down with Sean McCann (he/him) of the ACLU of Ohio and Cam Ogden (she/her) of Equality Ohio and Trans Allies of Ohio to talk about the status of gender-affirming care access now that House Bill 68 will become law. Learn more about the ACLU of Ohio’s upcoming lawsuit to challenge the enforcement of this discriminatory legislation, what you can do to provide feedback on proposed administrative rules impacting gender-affirming care in Ohio, how Cam is celebrating trans joy and how they’re all staying hopeful while fighting back against anti-trans legislation. Submit public comments on the proposed Ohio Department of Health administrative rules by sending an email to ODHrules@odh.ohio.gov by Monday, February 5 at 5 p.m. Donate to TransOhio’s Emergency Cash Assistance Fund to support trans youth and their families: tinyurl.com/transohiofund Apply for financial support through TransOhio’s Emergency Cash Assistance Fund: tinyurl.com/transemergencyfundapp Donate to the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project, learn more about the program and apply for a grant: https://southernequality.org/ohresources/ Have a question you want answered or a topic you’d like discussed on Speaking Queerly? Send an email to Mallory@KYCOhio.org. KYC Youth Center is the largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio solely dedicated to serving and supporting queer youth. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, KYC works to provide safer spaces, programming, and leadership opportunities so that youth can be free to explore who they are and empowered to become their confident, truest selves. Learn more at www.kycohio.org, and follow us on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @KYCOhio. If you like what you hear, and want to support the continued development of Speaking Queerly, send us a donation at kycohio.org/donate.

  • Season 2

  • “You’re Not Obligated to Answer Anyone’s Questions”: How to Handle Tough Conversations During the Holidays and More with GSA Network’s Gill Platek

    “You’re Not Obligated to Answer Anyone’s Questions”: How to Handle Tough Conversations During the Holidays and More with GSA Network’s Gill Platek

    It’s almost time to go home for the holidays, and you know what that means: observing the time-honored tradition of repeatedly answering the questions, “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend yet?” and, “What are you going to do with the rest of your life?” On this episode of Speaking Queerly, Mallory and Daria sit down with Gill Platek (they/them), the storytelling media organizer with the GSA Network, who helps strategize what to do when those questions and other tough conversations arise. They also discuss ways to take care of your mental health during the holidays, how a PowerPoint presentation can help you stay in touch with friends, the power of telling your story… and when it’s okay to not get in the last word. Learn more about the GSA Network here: https://gsanetwork.org/ Become part of the Ohio GSA Network here: https://www.kycohio.org/gsa.html Have a question you want answered or a topic you’d like discussed on Speaking Queerly? Send an email to Mallory@KYCOhio.org. KYC Youth Center is the largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio solely dedicated to serving and supporting queer youth. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, KYC works to provide safer spaces, programming, and leadership opportunities so that youth can be free to explore who they are and empowered to become their confident, truest selves. Learn more at www.kycohio.org, and follow us on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @KYCOhio. If you like what you hear, and want to support the continued development of Speaking Queerly, send us a donation at kycohio.org/donate.

  • “You Can Make These Sports Part of Your Entire Life”: Introducing KYC’s NEW Sports Equity Fund

    “You Can Make These Sports Part of Your Entire Life”: Introducing KYC’s NEW Sports Equity Fund

    On this episode of Speaking Queerly, Mallory talks to Dallas Aldridge (he/him), the executive director for the 2021 Gay Softball World Series, which took place in Columbus. During that year’s event, participants raised money for KYC – and, in doing so, helped support the creation of KYC’s new Sports Equity Fund. When it launches in early 2024, the Sports Equity Fund will provide scholarships to help young athletes pay for team fees, equipment, uniforms and more. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a scholarship, visit KYCOhio.org/as-a-youth to get added to the mailing list to be one of the first to know when the program becomes available. Learn more about International Pride Softball and the Gay Softball World Series here: https://ipridesoftball.org/ Learn more about the Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association here: https://www.clgsa.org/ Have a question you want answered or a topic you’d like discussed on Speaking Queerly? Send an email to Mallory@KYCOhio.org. KYC Youth Center is the largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio solely dedicated to serving and supporting queer youth. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, KYC works to provide safer spaces, programming, and leadership opportunities so that youth can be free to explore who they are and empowered to become their confident, truest selves. Learn more at www.kycohio.org, and follow us on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @KYCOhio. If you like what you hear, and want to support the continued development of Speaking Queerly, send us a donation at kycohio.org/donate.

  • “Should I Be Tested?”: Columbus Public Health Talks the Transmission and Treatment of Syphilis and Other STIs

    “Should I Be Tested?”: Columbus Public Health Talks the Transmission and Treatment of Syphilis and Other STIs

    You may have come across the news that syphilis cases are on the rise throughout the United States. On this episode of Speaking Queerly, Mallory and Daria sit down with Chinyere Newsum (she/her) and Charles Miller (he/him) from Columbus Public Health, who answer all your questions about prevention, testing, treatment and everything in between for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Learn more about the resources offered by Columbus Public Health here: https://new.columbus.gov/Services/Public-Health Have a question you want answered or a topic you’d like discussed on Speaking Queerly? Send an email to Mallory@KYCOhio.org. KYC Youth Center is the largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio solely dedicated to serving and supporting queer youth. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, KYC works to provide safer spaces, programming, and leadership opportunities so that youth can be free to explore who they are and empowered to become their confident, truest selves. Learn more at www.kycohio.org, and follow us on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @KYCOhio. If you like what you hear, and want to support the continued development of Speaking Queerly, send us a donation at kycohio.org/donate.

  • “It’s a Straight Ghost, Right?”: Queer Ghost Hunting with Liam Gallagher

    “It’s a Straight Ghost, Right?”: Queer Ghost Hunting with Liam Gallagher

    On this episode of Speaking Queerly, Lane, Daria and Mallory sit down with Liam Gallagher (he/they). In a past life, Liam – KYC’s director of center-based programming – spent time exploring queer history and connecting with queer spirits alongside other members of a queer ghost hunting group in Ohio. In this episode, Liam explains the lore behind the “particular friends” in an Ohio convent, details their spookiest encounter with a queer spirit and highlights the importance of queer friendships between members of all generations – even the deceased.You can watch episodes of the Queer Ghost Hunters here: https://www.youtube.com/@QueerGhostHunters.Have a question you want answered or a topic you’d like discussed on Speaking Queerly? Send an email to Mallory@KYCOhio.org.KYC Youth Center is the largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio solely dedicated to serving and supporting queer youth. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, KYC works to provide safer spaces, programming, and leadership opportunities so that youth can be free to explore who they are and empowered to become their confident, truest self. Learn more at www.kycohio.org, and follow us on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @KYCOhio. If you like what you hear, and want to support the continued development of Speaking Queerly, send us a donation at kycohio.org/donate.