We recorded this episode on Fri. June 12, 2020, which marks our 92nd day of self-quarantine during the global COVID-19 pandemic, amid continuing protests in the United States and around the world against systemic racism, oppression, and police brutality.

On social media this past week, author and activist Marianne Williamson posted this:

We agree.

So, in this episode, we have a conversational version of a dancing, singing, peace and love podcast, to celebrate Pride Month, which is June, if you don’t know.

Also, if you don’t know…

A crucial part of sustainable conscious activism is retaining your ability to enjoy, prioritizing time to enjoy things.

For one, it renews and replenishes your spirit, allowing you to stay in the fight.

And for another, it’s one of the very reasons we fight at all.

Ideals like equality and justice are beautiful in part because they make enjoyment of life possible.

What good are civil rights without an ability to enjoy the life they make possible?

Join us to celebrate…

LGBTQ-positive peace, love, and laughs

We talk about…

• Pride Festival memories performing at Long Beach Pride, San Diego Pride, and attending Los Angeles and Portland Pride Festivals

• Movies like Fried Green Tomatoes, The Half of It, A League of Their Own, Saving Face, and the documentary A Secret Love

• TV shows or people with TV shows like Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow, Ryan Murphy, American Horror Story, Sarah Paulson, Matt Bomer, and Sinner

• Other celebrities and artists like Hannah Gadsby, Indigo Girls (and how Siena had never even heard of them until she met Toast), Tig Notaro, Brandi Carlile, Ellen and Portia (including the time we met Ellen backstage), and LGBTQ ally Kathy Griffin

To close out this Pride Month episode, here’s a remarkable look at the fight for LGBTQ marriage equality, compared to another, similar and salient issue. Here’s an excerpt from an article from 2016:

What we as a society are now pushing for in 2020, is the revolutionary and rapid advancement of more equality, justice, fairness, and other beautiful things, for more of us.

In other words, we’re fighting for a more perfect Union.

And that’s really something to celebrate.

Happy Pride Month.

UPDATE: On June 15, in a landmark ruling, the United States Supreme Court affirmed that sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.