Bonus: The History of the Stroll & Stories from a Trans Elder

Introducing: Queer Chronicles

Welcome to Queer Chronicles, where we hand over the mic to the vibrant voices of trans and queer teenagers residing in pivotal battleground states across the United States. In this insightful podcast, we delve deep into their everyday experiences, joys, and challenges, offering an intimate glimpse into their lives.

Through a blend of personal audio diaries, candid interviews, and poignant life recordings, listeners embark on a journey to understand the intricate tapestry of existence as a trans teenager in the ever-evolving landscape.

Listen to Queer Chronicles here or on the iHeartRadio App.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: The History of the Stroll & Stories from a Trans Elder

Two incredible trans storytellers, ​​Kristen Lovell and Cecilia Gentili, share how they found their power in interview segments you haven’t heard before. Kristen Lovell, the documentary filmmaker behind The Stroll, talks about how Martin Scorsese inspired her to tell a New York story that she knew intimately. The conversation explores the history of New York’s Meatpacking District and the community space that was lost due to police crackdowns. Then we hear from Cecilia Gentilli, the founder of Trans Equity Consulting and the author of Faltas. Starting with her childhood she talks about her life story, including the harsh realities of her transition, the moment she opened her eyes to all that trans people can be, and the importance of passing the torch to trans youth.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: The Legacy of Xtravaganza & Trans Lives on Screen

Enjoy unaired excerpts of interviews with two brilliant authors: Sydney Baloue and Tre’vell Anderson. Sydney Baloue, who is currently writing Undeniable: A History of Voguing, Ballroom, and How it Changed my Life and the World, dives deeper into the House of Xtravaganza’s legacy. He also opens up about his own foray into ballroom (which started in Europe) and reflects on his history-making performance at the Latex Ball in New York City. In the second half of the episode we hear from Tre’vell Anderson, the author of We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film. Tre’vell discusses their own relationship with representation, talks about an early trans celebrity (and what her fame meant for future trans stars), and considers whether visibility can lead to true progress.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 7: Trans Futures

Layleen’s spirit is very much alive in her sister Melania’s home: photos dot the walls, a recording of Layleen’s voice lives inside her daughter’s teddy bear, and Melania surrounds herself with animals and pets as her sister once did. In the final episode, Melania reflects on how her own life has changed in the past four years and what she wishes for Layleen’s legacy. We’ll hear from activists fighting for the future she dreams of– where trans people can live safely and Rikers Island is closed forever.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 6: A Rallying Cry

Every year, the anniversary of Layleen’s death is a reminder to ask: has anything really changed? Many organizers have been personally touched by Layleen’s story and have spent years advocating for policy changes that would prevent a tragedy like hers from happening again. Major headlines have surrounded Layleen’s death: from steps taken towards decriminalizing consensual sex work, to the claim that New York City ended solitary confinement, to the creation of an unit at Rikers dedicated to LGBTQ+ advocacy. But these initiatives have had mixed results in practice. We’ll look at the strides that have been made in Layleen’s name as well as the effects of compromises, rollbacks, and resistance.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.