Latest / The Audacity CAT / The Voices of AudacityCAT - Rockland Pride
Transcript
- Stephy: and welcome to this edition of Voices of Audacity, a podcast where we speak about the people of Audacity Cat ⁓ as as folks in the community and hold their ideals. ⁓ My is Steffi, your host for this edition. Every June is Prime Month, a time when folks in the LGBTQ community get together to celebrate, commemorate, ⁓ and this one thing. Just being who they are. The AudacityCAT: Voices of Audacity podcast joins with other AudacityCat efforts to share information, promote political action, and enable discussion among local citizens. Although we hold different views on specific issues, we agree on seven core values. We oppose authoritarianism, bigotry, and corruption. We support inclusive democracy, equity, and freedom. And we are committed to nonviolence in all actions. Stephy: And the struggles for them to just be. The current Trump administration has a disdain towards the LGBTQ community, with efforts to marginalize them, especially in the military, while at the federal and state levels there were efforts to marginalize trans people in various facets of life, especially in sports, at schools, and the bathroom. And here in Maine, such as restrictions had a green light for a referendum in November. The AudacityCAT: Any individual opinions expressed in these conversations reflect the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the stance of audacity as a group. Stephy: only for reissue to be disqualified over improper signatures. The struggle existed for numerous decades and was inflamed with the Stone Stonewall riots in nineteen sixty-nine, which was considered to be the birth of a modern LGBTQ movement. And despite the social and legal advancements over years, the struggle continues in the LGBTQ community. Tonight I am being joined by Angela McIntyre, who is a showrunner for Rock and Pride. While the event p previously piggybacked on other events in the first three years. This year in twenty twenty six it was celebrated for the very first time as its own event On Sunday, june seventh. And at the june eleventh edition of the Middle Coast Villager, it had coverage of the event along ⁓ with the profile of Angela, which is featured in last week's article. I am delighted to speak to him tonight. Thank you for joining us, Angela. Ange: Thank you for having me here, Steffi. Stephy: ⁓ you're welcome. Alright, and I have a few questions to ask you. Alright. First of all, what is the history of Rock'em Pride? Ange: Well, I would say the Mid Coast community has celebrated pride in many ways, including in Rockland over the years. But this specific event started four years ago. We were part of the Summer Solstice Festival and we just had a really last minute ⁓ parade in the rain and we just kinda gathered and walked down from Main Street to the Steelhouse and then there was this sweet little party at the steel house for people to relax in. And every year it's grown Stephy: Yeah, that's a thing. Ange: more and more. So last year we paired up with Sunday Stroll. ⁓ and we up our space pretty quickly and it was pretty obvious that ⁓ there was enough community participation to ⁓ do our event this year and that's what we did. Stephy: you mentioned earlier that Rock and Pride piggy banked piggybacked on previous events and all that, like Sunny Stroll and all that. During those times, how did the public who are not LGBTQ how are they receptive of that? Ange: Mm. ⁓ so much reception in our community, so much support. In so many ways, the reason that we could do our own event is because, ⁓ I learned and other organizers learn from ⁓ folks who are allies who do ⁓ street events. So I think a lot about ⁓ Mia at the CMCA who r who really knows how to coordinate street events. I think of my Andra at Sunday Stroll. And so all of them were so supportive in us figuring out all these details, ⁓ by ourselves. So I learned so much by by just watching ⁓ supportive people in leadership positions. Stephy: Hm, pretty good. Yeah. Very interestingly like I said we had a lot of allies in the community and all that and we're so friendly of a place to be. Mm. Yeah. Anyhow, how difficult was it for Rock and Prague be on its own? Ange: You know, I think externally it was really successful. Internally, anybody who was organizing might say that it was a bit of an overreach. ⁓ you know, it's all volunteer run, nobody's being paid for this work. Stephy: Yeah. Ange: ⁓ and so it it was a it is a lot of work. I don't wanna minimize that. And at the same time, a lot of that work was learning new processes and forming new relationships. And that those relationships are in place and we learned Stephy: Uh-huh. Ange: Well we did this last year, I think that next year should be easier. Stephy: Rockin' Pride is entirely a grassroots movement, eschewing ska sponsorships and assistance from businesses and of course corporations. However, f some pride events such as Portland Pride, yeah, their businesses and corporations always quote unquote lead a parade. Why is that? Ange: Hmm. Gosh, you know, I think ⁓ it comes down to scope. You know, p there's there's pressure in Portland to provide a very big event to a very big city. And I think every project has a breaking point where you need to bring in the support you need to do the project you're doing. So this year, for example, even though we are very specific about creating a non commercial event, we needed we needed event insurance. And so Hello Help Books covered that. major cost for us. ⁓ so the bigger event you make, you're gonna run into costs and you're gonna need financial support and I think every community does what's best for them. But right now Rockland's in a pretty sweet spot where we can have a generous amount of time and space on the street to celebrate and still keep it non commercial and free. Stephy: Yeah, and like I said it kinda showed because I said we had a great event so far with like you said, with practically just locally run businesses and of course the public at large tripping in. And like I said we should be commended for that. Good. Yeah. Anyhow, could you tell me could he care to tell me how you became involved in the LGBTQ community? Ange: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. ⁓ I just, you know I I've al I've always understood myself as queer from a young age. ⁓ but I don't think I really embraced it into my into my later adulthood. And as far as being organizing pride events, I think I stepped into that because I was working in social services as a domestic violence advocate and I was processing a lot of the grief that we hold in our community and I felt an internal Stephy: Mm-hmm. Ange: call to ⁓ create joy together ⁓ after witnessing so much grief. And I I no longer work there anymore. But that's kind of where that that calling to create something centered around joy and togetherness was kind of a counter to witnessing a lot of grief and pain. Stephy: Yeah. Yeah, yeah, because yeah, because like I said, there's a reason why the fact that I said these b events like this exists because we t all take it personally and all that and we want to do something about it. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Anyhow moving moving on. Do you know what services or infrastructure are in place now for the L G B T Q community in Knox County? Ange: Yeah. Services ⁓ hmm, let me think. I mean, I think there's a lot of service providers in Knox County who maybe explicitly serve LGBTQI folks, but they provide their services in a way that's really affirming. ⁓ and I think we could see that at the the in the way people participated at Rockland You could see the organizations care for this part of our community and are are here to listen and support. Stephy: Right. Ange: but I know there's a really great game night, Steffi. Do you know about a good game night? Stephy: ⁓ Yeah. And all folks in the interest of full disclosure, yeah, I help create and run the LGBTQ game night every first Friday at the First Universal's church in Rockland. Yeah, thanks for reminding that, Angela. Ange: Yeah. Yeah, I I think it's so expansive what's available for folks who want to connect. Like it's more than we can keep tract of really. ⁓ people are self organizing and gathering for all kinds of sweet little sweet little reasons. So there's a lot of s services available professionally and also we're just cr doing a lot to create our own community in small ways throughout the year. Stephy: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, like I said, there's a like I said we can do more do more and all that, and like I said, we can do it. Yeah. All right. Anyhow excuse me. Who do you see are the strongest institutional allies for LGBTQ and Trans Communionist area? Or to put it in our way, who do you turn to? Ange: ⁓ well I mean I think there's more than one way to be an ally than supporting a Pride event. But when the people who the organizations that I felt really provided a lot of support, were the Arts and Action Program at the Flanagan Center. ⁓ the C ⁓ C A was really beautiful place to turn to f for support. My Andra at Sunday Stroll. Hello, Hello Books with Jacob. ⁓ Stephy: Mm-hmm. Right. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Ange: Gosh, it's so many I ca you caught me off guard. But those are those are the ones that pop to mind in in terms of like really just being present and ready and saying yes. Stephy: Yeah, so basically like I said it's region, like I said alright has plenty of allies and all that, so but like I said like I said real I feel real trivial Ange: Yeah. Knox Knox County Clinic also they they were really great too. They helped they helped support our safety team this year and that was really great. Stephy: Ask Click. Mm. is any anything Visery lacks in terms of LGBTQ support? Ange: I mean yeah, I'm still thinking of more places that are so supportive, like the UU Church, like pr ⁓ yeah, I'm still like thinking of all the the folks who just came together ⁓ make things happen. ⁓ do we lack? Hmm. Stephy: Mm-hmm. Ange: I think we need more physical space. I think this project exists in a liminal space and we have no place to really land. ⁓ and so I specific to this project, I think, you know, just open spaces, storage and practical things like that. Yeah. Stephy: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yes. Hi. And a sino, do you think the the the area we're we're allotted for Rock and Pray is too small or anything? Ange: ⁓ I think we have plenty of space on the street that day. But what creates a little stress for us is that we don't have like putting and storing all our stuff and moving it all about. Luckily I have a very hard working garage. Stephy: Yeah. Right. Yeah. So Mm. Yeah. Yeah, I I saw I kinda see it, so yeah. Well like I said, well like I said once again it comes down to the grassroots, ⁓ Ange: Yeah, it's You know, I think I think I know what we're lacking in this community. I think we need more support for educators and students. I think it's getting really stressful and really difficult to even like keep a GSA going in a school. ⁓ there's just a lot of criticism and stress around being more visible in schools and I think that's creating a lot of pressure on the teachers and it's and it's creating also a lack Stephy: Mm-hmm. Ange: you know, a decrease in visible support for the students who really deserve it. Stephy: Yeah. Well I believe Rock ⁓ no I'm sorry. Belfast Pride, I think it's it was organized by the GSA of the high school in Belfast. Yeah. And well I saw them when I went there l last Saturday, like I said it was kinda it was kind of a robust plan as well because because practically a lot of people attract them. It had souvenir buttons and swag and shirts for sale and all that. Ange: Yeah. No that's the thing. Stephy: Yeah. And the parade ⁓ yes. Yeah, like I said, I didn't buy myself but it looked cute s but that but the shirtless cute and all that. Yeah. Ange: Yeah. And then I know the Camden schools are are the students are organizing something at the end of the month, I think on a Saturday. So yeah, it's it's so great to see young people organized. You learn so much by just trying. Stephy: Mm-hmm. ⁓ Yeah, exactly. Yeah, definitely. Like I said, well considering considering the flack the schools have right now in terms of support, like I said, we need more support in the schools, that's for certain. Yes. Yeah. And what about peer groups? Ange: Mm. I mean there's definitely there's the rainbow rant room at the landing place. ⁓ the landing place also participated in Pride and that was terrific. so that's the rainbow rooms at the landing place and that's a drop in every other Wednesday program. I don't know of any peer support groups in the schools themselves. I'm a little out of touch now. I used to work in the schools as an educator and I don't anymore. Stephy: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Uh-huh. What about adults? some place where you can talk about experiences ⁓ or whatnot, something like that. Ange: Yeah, you know, I maybe that's an unmet need is having that ⁓ more intimate and safe processing time throughout the year where we're not focused on being productive or getting things done, but really focusing on our internal experiences and our connections to each other. Stephy: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, like well well like I said, c talking about person my personal experience. Yeah, well like I said back in back in Florida there was a great pride group LGBTQ group I meet met every month. And like I said, basically it's a group of trans people who who came, we talk about things, what's going on, our experiences. And also they give us pointers. Sometimes we go out on special events and all that and whatnot. Yeah. And in two thousand eighteen we moved to Bangor, where the main transnet group group have a special service I mean not special service special group for trans people. In which we got together and practically practically talked about our experiences and all that. However, when I moved to Rockland in twenty nineteen Ange: Mm. Stephy: It was nothing of a sort. Yeah, I took a look at Maine Transnet's web s website as of that time, like I said, the only places were Bangor, Waterville, Brunswick, but nothing in the Mid Coast region or in Rockland. And as of twenty twenty six, there's well like I said, the mid when it comes to support for adults, there's nothing of sort still nothing of sort here in in the Mid Coast region. So is there any Ange: Hmm. Mm. Stephy: Any hope that we could any any hope that something like that could be created for for adults, trans adults? Ange: Yeah, definitely. I think that I think if the need's there then it's just a matter of creating the container for it. I mean the the big difficulty is adults are so busy, right? So getting Stephy: Yeah. Yeah, I realize that. Like everyone has work schedules, so practically maybe the evening. Ange: Yeah. You know, I think there's big power in starting in a group of three. ⁓ three people who are committed and enthusiastic and then just letting it grow really gradually. There could be a really beautiful regular support group. Stephy: Absolutely. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, like I said and to be honest once again, going personally, like I said, I wanna I would like to start a trans group trans group with my church and all that, but like I said it's been difficult. Ange: What have been the difficulties you faced? Stephy: Well, like I said well well my first well the first time I created created a group, like I said, I have a had a friend of mine who would help me out. Yeah, right. And keep in mind I'm not saying his name because I said everyone's it's going out to a world and all that, so that you probably know alright, but yeah. But anyhow anyhow, like I said, I she helped me create a trans group with my church and Ange: Yeah. Stephy: made a material and all that. However, she was s ended up being sick at the time when she when it actually started. And even though I've had flyers sent out to places like Out Main and the I guess the rehab center at for Maine Health over here. Yeah. Like I said, the first yeah our first meeting of the trans group, we only had two people. Me and and Reverend Marty, who runs the Who helps run the church? Yeah, which I I which like I said was a bad start, but to be honest, I would like to start again. Ange: Mm. I'm so glad it can be so discouraging when folks don't show up to something and you can't you know, you can't ever take it personally ⁓ but at the same time it's a it can be so disappointing and I'm so glad you're willing to try again. Stephy: Yeah. Yes. And like I said, I haven't once again going on personally, I have no children of my own. And and the speech I gave at Rock and Pride I meant it. Because I wanna be a a sibling of a mother, a grandmother who who he can turn to. Ange: Mm. Would you mind sharing some parts of your speech? Stephy: ⁓ actually was a lib, so Ange: ⁓ yeah. Do or do you do you I would love to hear those words Stephy: Yeah, Ange: again Stephy: ⁓ well ⁓ well I said practically Well, practically I mentioned that well besides what I said about Besides what I said the about the ⁓ about what I said about being a parent or whatever to trans people, I mentioned the fact that mention the fact that ⁓ I said I I have a support of a lot of support of people at the church and after I started going to church I may a vow that the love they gave me I wanna spread to everyone. That's basically just the gist of it. Ange: Aw, Steffi I love hearing that. I love I love hearing your voice. It's beautiful. Stephy: Yes. Yeah, thank you. Yeah. Anyhow, ⁓ yeah, l moving on with moving off the interview. What would the future be like for the LGBT community, both in Maine and nation and nationwide? Ange: ⁓ gosh. I don't know. ⁓ I think nationally I think there's two things going on. Nationally I think it's gonna become even scarier and people will be more specifically targeted, unfortunately. But then I think in counter to that is we realize that we need to create things locally that feel caring and safe and restorative for us. Stephy: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Ange: ⁓ during these times. And so I think even though we have to witness these atrocities and they're not just atrocities that specifically focus on queer people, but we're li witnessing atrocities that focus on ⁓ abducting our immigrant neighbors and w witnessing genocide and war. and I think Stephy: Yeah. Ange: through witnessing all that, we know that we need to feel connected to one another in a way that isn't related to power and control and abuse of power. And so the opposite of that is turning to one another in a caring way and in a way that accepts lots of people who and however they are. ⁓ so I hope that keeps growing locally because we don't have a whole lot of control over what happens nationally or globally, but we know that we need to feel connected to one another ⁓ in a way isn't related to ⁓ power and control abuse of power. And so the opposite of that is turning to one another ⁓ in a caring and in a way that accepts ⁓ lots of people and however they are. ⁓ so I hope that keeps growing locally because we don't have a whole lot of control over what happens nationally or globally, but We can do a lot in our backyards. We can do a lot in our backyards. Stephy: Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, 'cause I said we're doing so great, but like I said our the people in power are trying to ruin it for us, so we gotta keep on keeping on. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And of course, as many of us know, the rights of trans people are being marginalized by federal government and r many red states, such as Florida, Texas, Kansas, and Tennessee. And of course, with Maine having robust rights for all LGBTQ written to law Ange: Yeah. Stephy: What do you see what do you do to perceive from Maine? Ange: Well, I was glad to see that referendum just kind of fart out, you know. ⁓ and I think sometimes these like state level initiatives that don't really have the clout to go very far, I think they're kinda meant to distract us. ⁓ they're meant to get us really upset and feel powerless. ⁓ when yeah. So I was I was glad to see that that statewide initiative flopped. I think it will always depend on who's in power. Stephy: Uh-huh. Yeah. Ange: And who's who's actually willing to take a risk, you know, and not just ask for our votes, but really stand behind us. Stephy: Mm-hmm. Yeah d yeah, definitely. Yeah, because well I said sometime sometimes I worry about what's going on with trans people and all that and a lot of people worry about things that are going on with them. So going on to my final question, should the trans people of Maine worry? Ange: I think we should be worried and we should be together and we should find joy at the same time. Yeah. But no, it is worrisome time. We're worrisome times in this country and in Maine. And I don't think we should lean into exceptionalism that Maine is gonna keep us safe as a state. ⁓ we can't lean on our country anymore for that. so yeah, the worry is very, very valid. Stephy: Right. Great. Mm-hmm. Ange: But so is the need to keep each other close during these really scary times. Stephy: Yeah. Yeah, 'cause like I said we need a lot of transcribers we need a lot of support right now and and even though we live in a good place nationally, ⁓ like I said like I said, I'm I have fear for our future still. Ange: Yeah. Yeah, I have friends who are leaving the country who are trans. Stephy: Yeah. Yeah, and personally I have friends who practically well I have one friend who is a who lived used to live in Florida. She was an expat from Britain. Yeah. However, because of the atrocities going on here in her in Florida and in the US as well as the atrocities going on in her native native UK, she moved to Mexico. Yeah, where yeah, where you have more Ange: Mm. Yeah. ⁓ wow. Stephy: More rights that protect the L H B T T Q there. And of course I know a couple of friends who actually well besides myself, friends who actually moved out of Florida, including one who was also part of my trans group. Yeah, he was a trans male, he li lived in he used to commute a long distance from where he used to live to just to attend our group. Ange: Mm, yes. Stephy: Yeah, he and his family moved to Minnesota about a couple of years back. Ange: Yeah. Yeah, you gotta do what's right for you and your family and your life. It's so specific. But yeah, a lot of people are moving. Stephy: Yeah, unfortunately. Yeah. Yeah. like these are trying times, but w ⁓ well said the thing is we'll get through it. We always do. Ange: No. Stephy: All right. Anyhow, thank you for joining us, Angela. Ange: Yeah, Steffi, thank you for being such a hard worker with Pride and volunteering so much of your time, getting other folks involved, sharing your wonderful voice, and becoming a good friend to me. I really I'm really glad to know you. Stephy: Mm-hmm. Well I thank you much, Angela. And like I said, you're a real pal as well. Yeah, you've been really supportive to me and the community and we all love you. Ange: ⁓ well, I love you, Steffi. And maybe we'll do karaoke on Thursday. Steffi's Steffi's the best karaoke p pal in the in Maine, as far as I'm concerned. Stephy: ⁓ thank you. Yeah. Yeah, like I said brief Than thank you. And I've and on a brief plug, like I said, Hot Hill Tavern Thompson, karaoke night every Thursday night, six to ten. Yeah, so please join me on the air guys. Alright. That's that's only a plug, not paid or anything. Just yeah. Anyhow, f and for the rest of you yeah, thank you. Anyhow, for the rest of you, thank you for watching us this week on Voices of Audacity. Stay tuned to the channel for the next edition of next edition of our podcast. Ange: Mm. It's just a good it's just a good thing. Stephy: as well as to watch or listen to previous editions that you may have missed. And for more information about us, please visit our website at a daudacitycat dot com. Until next time, this is Steffi reminding you that if you care about democracy and your community, take a stand and raise a hell. Good night.