Lesbian Lounge

We caught up with Terri "Kiowa" Catlin, a musician with story that will blow you away. Kiowa was given up for adoption, put in abusive foster homes, ran away at 14, lived on the mean streets of Flint, Michigan before finding his way to South Florida, and through it all, the love of music saved him. Self taught on an array of instruments, some lessons at Flint School of Music, Kiowa never stopped playing or believing in himself. He's done a TEDTalk, been featured on national TV, played violin for Itzhtak Perlman at the age of 11, and transitioned in a place where it was extremely unwelcomed. His music is available on Soundcloud (click this link for it) Watch this show on our YouTube Channel by clicking this link.  

We talk about what we're all watching including TV and movies during Pride Month 2024 and why. Aria tells us about some interesting choices and we ask if she actually watches things that her vast fan base recommend. To watch on our YouTube Channel, click this link. 

Denise and JD have Birthday Boy Nic Austin on the show today who explains and introduces some of the featured queer art and artists, creators for ThePrideStore dot com. This is definitely a show to view on our YouTube Channel (click the link), because Nic shares pictures of the prints, clothing and more with us while sharing the stories behind them. 

JD and Denise speak with Kelly Perez, who's created a crowd funding project featuring Queer Koalas, little personalised NFT's that you buy from the Queer Koalas website and act as a key to unlock benefits and more- and the money raised goes directly into making lesbian/queer safe spaces around L.A. To watch this conversation and learn more, click this link for our YouTube Channel. 

While Denise was in South Florida, she and JD caught up with actor, producer, writer Jill Bennett who was just days away from heading to Cannes Film Fest as her and her wife Lauren Neal found out that their film "Under The Influencer" was one of only five films invited to screen at the Queer Mardi Gras fest at Cannes. Jill explains why her production company FairPlay Films is an absolute game changer for micro budget, high quality queer filmmaking. To watch this on our YouTube Channel, click this link.

While JD struggles with technology, Denise talks with KenzyLee, the owner of Take Pride Barber shop from Portland, Oregon that welcomes everyone, celebrates your queerness, specialises in trans men's hair cuts, styles, beards, shaves and facials. We talk about the importance it holds for the community and why. To watch this on our YouTube Channel, click this link.

With JD off at the "Heart" concert, Denise welcomes Christin Baker and her wife Stacey to the show to talk about their newest project called "The Lez Go Travel Show" while they are visiting South Florida. They'll be traveling all over the world and show casing the lesbian communities in places like New Orleans, Barcelona, Florida -to name a few. They'll offer travel trips, they'll talk to the women who've created safe spaces for us, hearing their stories. The teasers will start on Instagram and the longer segments will debut on Tello Film dot com in June. To watch this on our YouTube Channel, click this link. 

JD and Denise have Nic Austin with them as they talk about Nic's work, Queer Art, Queer Film and they gossip about the Queer Eye scandals of late. To watch this show on our YouTube Channel, click this link. 

JD and Denise welcome Scott Galvin the director of Safe Schools Florida, an initiative that started years ago to help teachers and students  in the South Florida school system learn and grow with GSA's and talks about LGBTQ issues but after COVID and the the governor's latest anti-gay campaign, Scott and the company had to pivot and adjust, becoming more digital and now appealing to a more global audience. On top of all that Scott is also a councilman in North Miami- what a busy guy! To watch this chat on our YouTube Channel, click this link.

Denise and JD discuss a bit of their week, including topics like "Old Lady New Years Eve", winter vacations, new shows we're into and JD's miserable night at the Madonna concert. Are we bad queers?  To watch the show on our YouTube Channel, click this link. 

Denise and JD explore some Spring Time lesbian movies with Aria Velz, who always knows what's good. We also talked about oldies but goodies, some new stuff that's out now and worth seeing as well as lesbian shorts and queer film fests. To watch the conversation on our YouTube Channel, click this link.

Denise and JD welcome the ladies of SkirtSoFlo Magazine, a physical and digital magazine focusing on the LGBTQ community in South Florida. The all new magazine is on its third issue, just launched in February. We discuss the need for it plus the decision to print AND have it online, as well. We also talk about the outreach and the community's involvement especially using some articles written by readers. To watch the fun conversation on our YouTube Channel, click this link. 

Denise and JD have Nic Austin, our infamous Queer Cinephile from Denver back to see how he did with his Oscar predictions as they break down the winners and schmooze about the whole ceremony. Of course, we swerve around a bit but it's always good time! To watch the conversation on our YouTube Channel, click this link.  

Denise and JD kill an hour catching up, talking about both of their recent NYC trips, street juice- the infamous mystery liquid on the streets of NY, the sites and foods of the city and traveling with your family! Watch this laugh fest on our YouTube Channel, click the link.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, so JD and Denise welcome Daniel Watt, whose documentary film "Everybody Dance" is free this month on Amazon Prime. It focuses on an all inclusive dance school with some amazing kids living with neurodiversity's whose journey to the year end recital is documented along with all they've learned through dance and a very special teacher. As Dan explains what the experience meant to him, how the idea came about and what HE himself learned, he also shares his own journey from small time dance student to NY, LA and his career at Columbia Pics as well as working with Simon Cowell.  To watch this conversation on our YouTube Channel, click this link. 

Denise and JD have a discussion with Nic Austin, our queer cinephile about the 2024 Awards season, from The Emmys to The Golden Globes to the SAG Awards- trends, fashion, topics, queerness, and of course, Nic's Oscar predictions and why. Of course, we had a major gaff when Denise realised she forgot to hit record, but we came back with a vengeance and got on track! Watch the conversation on our YouTube Channel by clicking on this link.

Denise and JD welcome Suzi Fox, owner of The Rainbow Stores dot com, where your Pride is your decision. Clothing, flags, trinkets and more are so perfectly loud or so perfectly subtle, depending on your personal mood, choice and identity. We talked about the reason behind those decisions, we talked about the state of world right now, what's happening to our community and what we can do to support one another. Suzi also tells us how cutting costs, keeping shipping prices low and the quality high is a big part of their business plan. To watch the chat on our YouTube Channel, click this link. 

Denise and JD welcome out comedian Amy Tee from the New England area, who's honest self reflection in this chat is nothing short of inspiring. After years of battling addiction and mental health problems, Amy tells us how she's turned things around by always learning, trusting therapy, doing the work, having a support system and how building her comedy routines that include these topics has helped her and other people. To watch this conversation on our YouTube Channel, click this link. 

JD and Denise have Aria Velz, otherwise known as The Critical Lesbian  on the socials and a big lesbian media enthusiast, back on the show to give us a run down of the best lesbian rom com's and films for a low-key Valentine's Day date night with your honey. To watch this on our YouTube Channel, click this link. 

Denise and JD welcome the gritty crime drama writer Dharma Kelleher, who is an out, proud trans author from Arizona with some awesome butt-kicking queer woman lead characters. We discuss her writing style, process, approach and character & topic research especially pertaining to her successful  "Jinx Ballou" book series.  To watch this on our YouTube Channel, click this link.