Shows / The Spectrum
The Spectrum
Sharing Stories. Building Understanding.
The Spectrum is a podcast looking at issues important to the LGBT communities. If you don't happen to associate with one of those letters that's ok! This show is aimed at helping people outside those communities understand just how important these issues are and why we need your support.
Episodes
The SpectrumFrom Silicon Valley CEO to Musician: Michele Bettencourt's Next Chapter
On this episode of The Spectrum, Linda talks with Michele Bettencourt about coming out as a transgender woman after decades of keeping that part of herself…
The SpectrumWhy Question 2 Matters to My Marriage
Why does Virginia’s Question 2 matter to my marriage? My wife Lauri and I voted “yes” on Question 2, the proposed amendment to the Virginia Constitution that…
The SpectrumNot A Bad Woman. Just Not A Woman
What does it mean to be non-binary when you don’t feel like either a man or a woman? In this episode of The Spectrum, Kris shares their experience of…
The SpectrumThe Problem With Pronouns
The episode explores the history and significance of pronouns in the English language, the challenges of gendered pronouns, the emergence of non-binary…
The SpectrumWhy Maria Transitioned at 58
For 58 years, Maria believed she understood who she was. She thought she was simply someone who occasionally needed to express a different side of herself…
The SpectrumMore Than a Building - Creating a Home for the LGBTQ Community
What does an LGBTQ community center actually do? I visited Casa BruMar Foundation's new LGBTQIA+ Community Center in Woodbridge, Virginia to find out…
The SpectrumWhy I Transitioned — Speaking Out After 37 Years
For nearly 37 years, I've simply lived my life without most people knowing I am transgender. It's the story of what it felt like to grow up knowing my mind and…
The SpectrumDiscovering I Was Gay as an Adult
n this episode of The Spectrum, Billy shares his personal coming out story—one that didn’t happen in his teenage years, but later in adulthood. Growing up…
The SpectrumWhy I Voted YES for Gerrymandering in Virginia
In this episode of The Spectrum, recorded on March 27, 2026, we dive into the controversial and deeply personal decision behind voting on Virginia’s…
The SpectrumFrom Space Force Colonel to Congressional Candidate | Bree Fram
In this episode of The Spectrum, Linda sits down with retired U.S. Space Force Colonel Bree Fram for a wide-ranging conversation about military service…
The SpectrumWhat They Didn’t Teach You In Biology
In this episode, we take a deep dive into human biology — and challenge the oversimplified “middle school biology” arguments often used to justify anti-LGBTQ…
The SpectrumThe "Ick" Factor
00:00 Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters 00:47 Why I’m Calling It Homophobia 01:01 What Homophobia & Transphobia Actually Mean 02:17 From Minor…
The SpectrumPolite Words, Real Exclusion
In this episode, Linda shares a recent personal experience as the first episode of the 2026 season. After offering to help test a remote astronomy setup at a…
The SpectrumRainbow Ridge Social Club: Community in the Northern Shenandoah Valley
In this episode of The Spectrum, we sit down with Augie and Paul, two organizing members of the Rainbow Ridge Social Club in Virginia’s northern Shenandoah…
The SpectrumCasa BruMar Foundation: Fighting for LGBTQ+ Rights, Resources, and Housing Advocacy in Virginia
Evelyn, a first-generation American of Mexican and Chumash descent, shares her deeply personal motivation for this extensive advocacy work, including her…
The SpectrumInside AIDS Response Effort: HIV Services, LGBTQ+ R.I.S.E. Center & Harm Reduction in Winchester VA
This video is an in-depth **interview and community profile** of the **AIDS Response Effort (ARE)** and the **LGBTQ+ R.I.S.E. Center** in **Winchester…
The SpectrumThe Transgender Scare: McCarthyism for the 21st Century
Are we reliving the McCarthy era? In this episode, we connect the dots between Joseph McCarthy’s 1950s Red and Lavender Scares and today’s attacks on…
The SpectrumEmma's Story, Part 3
This is part three of a three part series that explores the life of a transgender woman. We're calling her Emma here but this is not her name. She has chosen…
The SpectrumEmma's Story, Part 2
This is part 2 of a three part series that explores the life of a transgender woman. We're calling her Emma here but this is not her name. She has chosen to…
The SpectrumEmma's Story, Part 1
This is part 1 of a three part series that explores the life of a transgender woman. We're calling her Emma here but this is not her name. She has chosen to…
The SpectrumShenandoah County Public School Update August 2025
In this episode, we break down the new policy in Shenandoah County Public Schools that bans transgender students from participating in athletics according to…
The SpectrumSusie Wilburn Interview
Join us for a conversation with Susie Wilburn. She is the president of the Woodstock, VA chapter of PFLAG. We discuss the history of the local.chapter, what…
The SpectrumThis Is Not Free Speech
Is This Really Free Speech? Or Just Plain Hate? In this episode, we take a hard look at disturbing statements made at a recent “pray the gay away” event hosted…
The SpectrumComing Out for the Straight Person
In Episode 23 of The Spectrum, we explore what "coming out" truly means for the LGBT+ community and why it remains such a significant and personal milestone…
The SpectrumPoliticial Parties Are Evil
In this episode, we examine the mid-year state of LGBT+ rights, starting locally in Shenandoah County and expanding to national and international…
The SpectrumThe Supreme Court Upholds Tennessee's Ban on Gender Affirming Care for Minors
In this urgent episode of The Spectrum (recorded June 18, 2025), we break down the devastating news from the Supreme Court. By a 6-3 decision, the Court has…
The SpectrumHousekeeping
We’ve streamlined how you can enjoy The Spectrum: now, you can watch on YouTube, listen as an audio podcast, or subscribe through our brand-new website at…
The SpectrumA Brief History of Pride
Welcome to Episode 19 of The Spectrum! In this special Pride Month episode, recorded on June 6, 2025, we dive into the powerful origins and ongoing importance…
The SpectrumTen Years of Same-Sex Marriage
As we approach the ten year mark of the Obergefell v Hodges Supreme Court decision, my wife, Lauri and I have just celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary…
The SpectrumMay 2025 Shenandoah County School Update
Although this episode is about what is happening in the Shenandoah County, Virginia public school system, these same issues are happening all over the country…
The SpectrumBathroom Bills
In this episode of The Spectrum, we're taking a hard look at the recent wave of "bathroom bills" and their far-reaching consequences. Proponents claim these…
The SpectrumMarch 2025 Shenandoah County School Update
This episode provides an update on the changes being made to policy on transgender students in the Shenandoah County Public School system. 00:00 –…
The SpectrumAsexuality
In this episode, we talk with Annalise, who explains asexuality and the broad spectrum of ways this can apply to people. 00:00 Introduction 00:22 What Is…
The SpectrumHow Some Christians Justify Discriminating Against Transgender People
In this episode of The Spectrum, we take a deep dive into the biblical arguments some Christians use to justify discrimination against transgender people. Are…
The SpectrumEvolution of an Ally
In this episode, I speak with Jason Rittenour. Jason is a member of the PFLAG Woodstock group. We discuss his journey growing up surrounded by the systemic…
The SpectrumShenandoah County School Update, February 2025
This is an episode that brings some good news at the local and national level. A federal judge blocks Trump's ban on gender affirming care for people…
The SpectrumTrump's Fifth Transgender Ban: Athletics
In this episode of The Spectrum, we dissect the latest executive order targeting the transgender community, this time aimed at "keeping men out of women's…
The SpectrumTrump's Fourth Transgender Ban: Education
In this episode of The Spectrum, we expose the deep-seated cruelty of the January 28, 2025 executive order, deceptively titled "PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM…
The SpectrumJudge Blocks Trump's Attempt to House Trans Women With Male Inmates
A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order against housing transgender women with the male prison population. This was reported by LGBTQ Nation…
The SpectrumHealthcare Providers Cave to Trump
Episode Notes At least two healthcare providers of gender-affirming care have caved to Donald Trump's illegal executive order banning care for anyone under 19…
The SpectrumTrump's Third Transgender Ban: No Gender Affirming Care for Young People
Trump's signed an executive order on January 28, 2025 that seeks to make it impossible for a transgender child to get gender affirming care. This podcast looks…
The SpectrumTransgender woman falsely accused of causing air crash
There are reports in The Advocate and LGBTQ Nation that a post on social media falsely accused Virginia Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Jo Ellis of…
The SpectrumTrump's Second Transgender Ban: The Military Ban
We delve into Donald Trump's second executive order targeting the transgender community, titled "Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness." This episode…
The SpectrumTrump's First Federal Transgender Ban: The Federal Ban
In the wake of the 2024 election, the fears of an anti-LGBTQ+ platform have become a stark reality. Within hours of the inauguration, the Trump administration…
The SpectrumChanges to School Policy in Shenandoah County for Transgender Students
This episode discusses changes to Shenandoah County School policy towards transgender issues and students. Here is the link the page listing the members of the…
The SpectrumIntroduction
This is the first episode of The Spectrum, a podcast that will look at the issues affecting the LGBGTQI+ communities today. This episode introduces the show…