1/24/24 Queer Voices - Leah Lax and Bryan Hlavinka

01/25/24 • 57 min

Discover the transformative power of a life fully embraced as Leah Lax joins us to recount her incredible journey from Hasidic Judaism to living openly as a lesbian. Leah's narrative is a testament to authenticity, captured in her memoir ‘Uncovered’ and its subsequent adaptation into an opera. Her tale is not just about self-discovery, but also a profound look at the intersection of faith, sexuality, and identity, as she opens up about the structure and solace she initially found within the Hasidic community. Her latest literary work, "Not From Here," promises to be another deep dive into the heart of what it means to belong, highlighting the often unseen narratives of immigrants and refugees.
When art reflects life, the result can be both stunning and stirring. This episode peels back the curtain on how Leah Lax's journey inspired an opera, tackling subjects like a lesbian protagonist and abortion in a traditionally conservative art form. As Leah shares the personal milestones that steered her away from Hasidic tradition, we reflect on how our Texan backdrop and its political influences shape our stories. Meanwhile, Brian Levinca offers a candid look at the perpetual cycle of coming out, reminding us that each revelation is a new chapter in the larger narrative of a queer life.
Amidst ongoing legislative challenges to LGBTQIA+ rights, we explore the resilience and activism within our community. With Brian Levinca, we discuss the continuous revelations of coming out to family and colleagues, and how each encounter is part of a larger journey towards living authentically. We also examine the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision on transgender youth bathroom rights, and the troubling rise of anti-LGBTQ bills. This episode serves as a rallying cry for inclusivity, understanding, and the power of sharing stories that affirm the diverse tapestry of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Queer Voices airs in Houston Texas on 90.1FM KPFT and is heard as a podcast here. Queer Voices hopes to entertain as well as illuminate LGBTQ issues in Houston and beyond. Check out our socials at:
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1/17/24 Queer Voices - Fran Watson, Felix Molinaro (THE TROCKS) and Maria Elena Sandovici

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Embark on a journey through the remarkable life of Fran Watson, a beacon of hope and an emblem of resilience, who has risen from personal adversity to become an out-candidate for a probate court judge. Her candid conversation with us illuminates the path from a GED to the heights of legal practice, showcasing the power of determination and compassion in her quest to serve Harris County. Fran's touching narrative about aiding a daughter to secure her father's guardianship is a testament to her dedication to justice, aiming to make a tangible difference from the bench.
Strap on your pointe shoes, as we pirouette into the whimsical realm of Felix Molinaro from the world-famous Le Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo. Laugh along as we uncover the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of mastering ballet drag, where the blend of humor and classical dance is an art form in its own right. With Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo en route to Houston, Felix gives us a twirl around the company's evolution and the unexpected ways pop culture gems like RuPaul's Drag Race have expanded their fanfare.
Finally, we join Maria Elena Sandovici, the multilingual maestro whose tapestry of life experiences weaves together the worlds of art and literature. From the scholarly halls of political science to the creative sanctuary of Houston, Maria shares the evolution of her artistry and the intimate tales behind her book, "Magic Lessons for Margo".Surprises abound, including unexpected character developments and a sneak peek into her upcoming works. While celebrating strides in LGBTQ rights globally, we navigate through her stories and the profound impact of embracing one's true self.
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1/31/24 Queer Voices - Allison Mathis, Destiny Smith, Logan Vaden and Nora Hahn

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On tonight’s Queer Voices, we speak with Allison Mathis, a candidate for 338th Judicial District Court Judge of Harris County. She is a native Houstonian who grew up in Spring Branch. When she was a teenager, she watched her brilliant, funny aunt struggle with a crack cocaine addiction that destroyed her life and sent her in and out of prison for years. She also watched several friends lose their bright futures due to their entanglement in the legal system due to non-violent drug offenses. She worked her way through a bachelor's degree in English at UH-Downtown as a coffee shop waitress, which was perfect for her because she loved books, coffee, and serving people. She went on to get a master's degree in Literature, but realized that as much as she loved reading and teaching, she could not escape the overwhelming feeling that she needed to do something involving the broken criminal justice system. She went to South Texas College of Law and graduated cum laude in 2012. We speak with Allison her race to become judge and why criminal justice is important to the LGBTQ community

Then we speak with Destiny Smith a transgender theater actor based in Houston. Destiny graduated from Lamar University with a BS in Theater and Dance and now works fulltime as the Lighting Programmer and Technician at Stages Theater. We speak with Destiny about “Translucent”, a Queer Theater she is working to bring to Houston. You can see Destiny’s brilliant work in current productions at Stages Theater.

Finally we speak Nora Hahn who is starring as Ann Richards in the Garden Theater’s production of “Ann”. This inspiring and hilarious play brings us face to face with a complex, colorful and captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. Written by Emmy Award winner Holland Taylor, Ann takes a revealing look at the impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family. “Ann” runs February 2-11 at MATCH.

Queer Voices - 1/24/24 Queer Voices - Leah Lax and Bryan Hlavinka

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:00.641

Hello everybody . This is Queer Voices , a home-produced podcast that has grown out of a radio show that's been on the air in Houston , Texas , for several decades . This week , Brett Cullum talks with Leah Lacks about her memoir-turned opera and her new book Not From here .

Speaker 200:00:21.560

There is a crisis point in the opera is an abortion . So I w