"I have a Queery about...Visibility" ft. Caitlin Kinnunen and Izzy McCalla

"What does ideal visibility look like?" "How does ideal visibility lead to more freedom to explore gender expression and sexual identity?" "Why do bisexuals need visibility?" "Why was The Prom more important than people realized?"

On this episode, I have a Prom reunion with the two incredible leading ladies--Caitlin Kinnunen (she/her) and Izzy McCalla (she/her)--who made national television history when they shared the first same-sex kiss in The Prom's performance on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Queer stories are increasingly becoming more visible in all entertainment mediums and that is extremely important considering how long the Queer community was only exposed to "straight" narratives or stereotypical portrayals of Queer characters. However, sometimes people can see all this increased visibility as a check in a box and not feel the need to keep fighting for it to be better. Sometimes people, even the most "progressive," can fail to acknowledge the privileges that come with living in a liberal bubble. Caitlin, Izzy, and I talk about why The Prom was so important because not only did it help so many people, including themselves, feel comfortable in their sexual identity, but it also showed many living in these bubbles that these stories about overcoming adversity, even in a more progressive world, still exist. We also discuss the importance of visibility and acceptance of all sexual identities; too often Queer people are defined by the relationships they are in and not by what they say they are. We talk about the idea of bi-erasure and how gender and sexual profiling can cause Queer people to struggle to accept themselves in a world that tells them what they are instead of listening to what they say they are.

Follow Izzy and Caitlin:
Izzy
Caitlin

Resources for Further Learning:
"If I’m Not Gay Enough, & I’m Not Straight Enough, Then What Am I?" by Lauren Patten 

Organization of the Week: Black Trans Femmes in the Arts
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Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón