"Power is neither good nor evil; its user makes it so." Power isn't a pizza or a piece of pie. There is plenty for all if we can remind ourselves and equip ourselves with the capacity to listen and respect all perspectives. The world would be a better place!  Kim and Alex discuss dynamics of power; stepping into ours, yours, collectively together to make the world a more just, safer place to live. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtobequeer/message

Kim and Alex detail how being able to hold both love and anger creates balance. Following up since the trial they detailed in the 3 parts series, "It Was Never About Queerness: Abuse", they share how life has been, what is happening and where things are going now navigating these systems in place that were put in place to protect only a certain type of person who has certain access to resources and holds a certain amount of privilege.    We titled that series, "It was never about queerness" because though this is a podcast about being queer in a heteronormative world, we wanted to bring the focus back the heart of this story:    a little girl whose life as a transgender child, obtaining access to health care and being provided with the option to medically transition was constantly being threatened, doubted, gate-keeped and ignored by her own abusive father while he cloaked his actions and behavior in "safety" and "care"   calling out the legal system that makes domestic abuse recovery and safety only accessible for victims with money who can pay to fight and who have the privilege of knowing how to navigate the broken system   a Colorado court system that allows a known domestic abuser be appointed as the Child Family Investigator. Dr Mark Kilmer, the "expert", a CFI/PRE/Psychologist whose grandiosity and arrogance is on full display places vulnerable children back into the care of abusive caretakers. And who when questioned, responds with complete disregard to the nuances of being a victim of domestic abuse therefore siding with the abuser   How deeply archaic our system is that dismisses queerness and cannot keep up with real life time, staying ignorant to the signs of more covert types of abuse, forcing victims and abusers to co-parent "in the best interest of the children"   The infuriating reality that everyone involved in the system, designed to "protect"was not actually equipped to call out the abuse happening and acknowledge that LGBTQ+ people and children whose identities are being targeted   Dr. Mark Kilmer: the CFI that was appointed to our case...  A Custody Evaluator Who Disbelieves 90% of Abuse Allegations Recommended a Teen Stay Under Her Abusive Father’s Control https://www.propublica.org/article/parental-responsibility-evaluators-colorado?fbclid=IwAR3TdgvpPFMojSBYnd2L4FZ-cjFB23VQjHnd9oar-lYRP4q17n-lnI93nHg    #podcast #applepodcasts #spotifypodcast #howtobequeer #systemsofoppression #lgbtq #nonbinary #transformers #transgender #abusesurvivor #believe #ibelieveyou #domesticabuseawareness #queer     www.howtobequeer.com  Instagram: @ballsofmagic  Facebook:  @How To Be Queer podcast  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtobequeer/message

Kim and Alex bring you Part 3 of their personal story wrapping up this series. *Warning: Discussion of domestic abuse; emotional, psychological, financial, verbal and written abuse, control and power through the legal system. * Reminder to take care of your mind and body if you listen to navigate emotions that come up for you. They share the details about the Child and Family Investigator's report leading up to the trial...tune in, get ready for some dark humor, gritty details and a bunch of F bombs. (Because how else do you get through shit like this!?) Brought to you by our sponsor, YouthSeen.org, providing mental wellness to the LBGTQ/QTBIPOC community youth and their families. If you need support, you can reach out to us and we can help get you connected. We love you, Balls of Magic. SPAN [Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence]: https://www.safehousealliance.org/contact-span/ The National Domestic Abuse Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ www.howtobequeer.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtobequeer/message

We're here and very queer...sharing part 2 of the three part series on It Was Never About Queerness: Abuse series. In this episode we invite a couple of our dear framily (friends but family) to join and help us get through, Andrea S (she/her), Executive Producer for How To Be Queer, and Dr. tara jae (they/them), Executive Director of YouthSeen, our sponsor.  If you need support, you can reach out to us and we can help get you connected to resources. Listed below are also some resources to support. We love you, Balls of Magic... SPAN [Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence]: https://www.safehousealliance.org/contact-span/ The National Domestic Abuse Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ www.howtobequeer.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtobequeer/message

Alex and Kim have been going through something really big. So many people find it hard to talk about queerness (I mean, not us) and so many people find it hard to talk about abuse (here we are doing it). Alex shares their story; coupling, marrying, having kids, divorcing and navigating the legal system. Together, Kim and Alex stand tall to protect their identity, their family and their children. Join us in Part 1 of a multi-part series... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtobequeer/message

Kim and Alex share what they've learned recently and the connection to living in a heteronormative world. They have quite a TikTok following where people ask all sorts of questions about life, queerness and learning. They answer some of those questions!! FUN!   Come visit us! Want us to come have a discussion with your organization? Provide entertaining support? Maybe some funny and true stories?  CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE! www.howtobequeer.com   CONNECT with How To Be Queer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtobequeer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballsofmagic/ TikTok: @alexthehumanhuman @kimsalvaggio101   CONNECT with YouthSeen   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthSeen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youth_seen/  #health #queer #youthseen #howtobequeer #lesbian #gay #nonbinary #transgender #ballsofmagic #sexuality #orientation #lgbtq --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtobequeer/message

Kim and Alex briefly recap the last episode with Addison and Maggie from Out Front Magazine and share their thoughts on learning more about the gender and sexuality spectrum, using HealthLine's article written by Mere Abrams  47 Terms That Describe Sexual Attraction, Behavior and Orientation:    CONNECT with How To Be Queer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtobequeer  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballsofmagic/ TikTok: @alexthehumanhuman @kimsalvaggio101   CONNECT with YouthSeen   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthSeen Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/youth_seen/   #LGBTQ #QTBIPOC #queer #youthseen #howtobequeer #lesbian #gay #nonbinary #transgender #sexuality #identity --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtobequeer/message

Kim and Alex get the chance to sit down with Out Front Magazine's Maggie Phillips and Addison Herron-Wheeler. They share their incredible stories about discovering their queerness. They share their truths and the nitty gritty about what love and authenticity is for them. Grab a cup of love, or put on your walking shoes and spend time with us. After six years directing OFM operations, Maggie Phillips obtained co-ownership along with her fearless business partner, Addison. Maggie took over as CEO (we learn means Chief Everything Officer!) and co-publisher to carry on the 45-year legacy that Phil Price founded, and continues to amplify queer voices. Maggie considers hiking to be the best therapy and intends to conquer as many mountains as possible until her legs can no longer carry her up. Addison Herron-Wheeler is OFM’s co-owner, co-publisher, and editor-in-chief, and friend to dogs everywhere. She enjoys long walks in the darkness away from any sources of sunlight, rainy days, and painfully dry comedy. She also covers cannabis and heavy metal, and is author of Wicked Woman: Women in Metal from the 1960s to Now, and Respirator, a short story collection. CONNECT with OUT FRONT MAGAZINE CONNECT with How To Be Queer You Tube Facebook Instagram  TikTok: @alexthehumanhuman @kimsalvaggio101 CONNECT with YouthSeen  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtobequeer/message

A discussion about a bit of life after the roe vs. wade overturn.  Kim shares a personal story and discuss issues with women who support the overturn, what it means and not seeing. Alex and Kim discuss implications of non affirming parents for their queer kiddos topped with a healthy dose of empathy and a message that says, "no more". --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtobequeer/message

SCOTUS decision- Roe V Wade, anarchy, anger, what this means for the LGBTQ community...and lots of F bombs. LOVE YOU BALLS OF MAGIC! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howtobequeer/message