Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage: Real Stories of Identity & Acceptance
Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage shines a light on the powerful, real-life stories of LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and allies as they navigate identity, acceptance, and love. Produced by Huntington Northstar Productions in partnership with PFLAG Cape Cod, this podcast features moving conversations about coming out, gender transition, and the search for belonging. Each episode shares intimate portraits of courage—whether it’s an LGBTQ+ person finding self-acceptance, or a parent learning to support their child with compassion. Hosted by Rick Koonce, a seasoned journalist and PFLAG Cape Cod board member, the show blends decades of interviewing experience with heartfelt storytelling. Together, these conversations educate, inspire, and provide hope to anyone on their own journey toward authenticity and acceptance. If you’re looking for connection, encouragement, and stories that spark change, this podcast is for you.
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Eric Rosen on Reviving the Historic Cape Playhouse
08/07/2026
Eric Rosen on Reviving the Historic Cape Playhouse
Rick Koonce welcomes acclaimed theater leader Eric Rosen for an inspiring conversation about artistic leadership, resilience, and the enduring power of live theater. As Artistic Director of the historic Cape Playhouse, Eric shares how he is leading one of America's oldest summer theaters into a new era while preparing for its centennial celebration. He discusses the enormous challenge of producing Broadway-scale productions on an incredibly compressed schedule, rebuilding audiences after difficult years, and creating a theater experience that welcomes everyone. Beyond the stage, Eric reflects on his remarkable career, his experiences as a gay man, husband, and father, and how childhood adversity shaped his compassionate approach to leadership. He also explores why theater remains one of the few places where people can genuinely connect, laugh, reflect, and experience community together. Whether you're passionate about theater, leadership, or personal growth, this conversation offers valuable insights into building organizations that inspire people and stand the test of time. In this episode: How Eric Rosen revived the historic Cape Playhouse The challenge of producing Broadway-caliber shows in days Why live theater creates irreplaceable human connection Leadership lessons rooted in empathy and inclusion How personal adversity helped shape Eric's artistic vision More on Eric Rosen: Eric Rosen is an acclaimed theater director, playwright, and artistic leader who has spent more than three decades shaping American regional theater. He currently serves as Artistic Director of the historic Cape Playhouse on Cape Cod, where he is leading the revival of America's oldest continuously operating professional summer theater through ambitious productions, artistic excellence, and a vision for its second century. Previously, Rosen co-founded Chicago's groundbreaking About Face Theatre, one of the nation's first theaters dedicated to LGBTQ+ voices, and later led Kansas City Repertory Theatre, helping establish it as a nationally recognized center for new work. Throughout his career, Rosen has championed authentic storytelling, inclusive leadership, and the power of live theater to build community and inspire change. He lives with his husband, Broadway actor Claybourne Elder, and their son, Beau. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Dallas Ducar on the Future of Transgender Health Care
05/15/2026
Dallas Ducar on the Future of Transgender Health Care
In this compelling episode of Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage, Rick Koonce speaks with Dallas Ducar, a nationally recognized leader in transgender health care, nurse practitioner, and executive at Fenway Health. Dallas offers a thoughtful and deeply informed look at the growing legal and political threats to gender-affirming care and explains what is truly at stake for transgender individuals and their families. Drawing from both clinical and policy experience, Dallas separates fact from misinformation and highlights why affirming care is simply compassionate, evidence-based health care. He discusses the emotional toll of discrimination, the importance of parental support, and how providers and communities can help protect access to lifesaving treatment. This conversation is both educational and inspiring, reminding listeners that behind every policy debate are real people whose health and dignity matter. In this episode: Why gender-affirming care is evidence-based and lifesaving How anti-trans legislation is spreading across the United States What parents can do when a child questions their gender identity Why affirming care is simply good health care How communities can build coalitions to protect equal rights More on Dallas Ducar: Dallas Ducar is one of the nation’s leading voices in transgender healthcare - at a moment when medical access, policies, and patient care of transgender people are all under significant threats from the Trump Administration. As Executive Vice president of Donor Engagement and External Relations for Fenway Health in Massachusetts, and as a nurse practitioner, Dallas has been on the forefront of building inclusive, community-centered models of care for transgender and gender-diverse people for many years. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Alejandro Marcel: Trans Resilience and Identity - A Powerful Life Story
04/10/2026
Alejandro Marcel: Trans Resilience and Identity - A Powerful Life Story
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Rick Koonce sits down with transgender activist Alejandro Marcel to explore a life shaped by resilience, courage, and unwavering authenticity. From early childhood awareness of gender identity to becoming one of the first in the United States to undergo gender-affirming care, Alejandro shares the arc of a life devoted to social justice and service. Drawing from decades of work with LGBTQ+ communities—including HIV/AIDS patients, homeless youth, and trans elders — Alejandro offers profound insight into compassion, identity, and the ongoing challenges within the healthcare system. His story is both sobering and hopeful, reminding listeners of the importance of visibility, dignity, and self-advocacy. This conversation is a call to action — for individuals, families, and society — to lead with understanding and humanity. Key Takeaways: Gender identity is deeply rooted and often understood early in life Advocacy begins with visibility and self-acceptance The healthcare system still lacks understanding of transgender needs Resilience is built through purpose, service, and authenticity Alejandro's Bio: Alejandro Marcel, a long-time transgender activist, began his career in the early days of the gay liberation movement in (pre-AIDS-era) San Francisco, working closely with figures like Harvey Milk. He later applied movement-building strategies to collaborate with farm workers in California, and then with the civil rights movement, before shifting to focus primarily on the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people. Assigned female at birth, Alejandro knew, from an early age, that his physical body did not align with his gender identity. He experienced physical dysphoria that he describes as "feeling born with an entire cast on my body." While his early career focused on HIV/AIDS and Homeless Youth Work, in recent years his focus has shifted to concentrate on the challenges trans seniors face today in navigating America's healthcare system. That said, he remains a passionate advocate on behalf of transgender youth, and recently organized a webinar for trans elders and trans youth, sponsored by PFLAG Cape Cod. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Dr. Maureen Osborne: Understanding Gender Dysphoria Through a Therapist’s Lens (Encore)
02/13/2026
Dr. Maureen Osborne: Understanding Gender Dysphoria Through a Therapist’s Lens (Encore)
In this encore episode of Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage, host Rick Koonce sits down with Dr. Maureen Osborne, a psychologist and gender therapist with more than two decades of experience working with transgender clients. Dr. Osborne shares how an unexpected early client transformed the direction of her career and opened her eyes to the deep emotional, psychological, and social realities faced by transgender individuals. Through compassionate storytelling and real client experiences, Dr. Osborne explains gender dysphoria, the weight of secrecy, and the profound shame many transgender people carry long before they ever speak their truth. She challenges harmful myths, addresses internalized transphobia, and highlights the critical role of family, therapists, and allies in helping transgender people feel seen, respected, and affirmed. Rick and Dr. Osborne also explore the complexities of transition within long-term marriages, generational differences in gender expression, and how biology and social experience intersect in shaping identity. This thoughtful conversation offers insight, hope, and practical guidance for transgender individuals, families, and anyone seeking deeper understanding. Key takeaways: Gender dysphoria is about distress, not pathology Secrecy and shame often cause more harm than identity itself Supportive families and informed therapists can change lives Listeners are encouraged to reflect on how they can show up with greater empathy and to reach out for support, education, or connection through trusted organizations like PFLAG. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod
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David Bermudez Remembers What It Was Really Like Inside the Stonewall Uprising (Encore)
01/30/2026
David Bermudez Remembers What It Was Really Like Inside the Stonewall Uprising (Encore)
In this encore of the powerful Stonewall edition of Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage, host Rick Koonce sits down with David Bermudez, a firsthand witness to the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. David shares a vivid, deeply personal account of what it was like to be inside the Stonewall Inn when police raided the bar, igniting a rebellion that would change the course of LGBTQ+ history. Through David’s memories, listeners are taken back to a time when being gay meant living under constant threat—of arrest, public exposure, violence, and loss of livelihood. He describes the fear, the brutality, and ultimately the collective refusal to remain silent any longer. David also reflects on the long arc of progress since Stonewall, including marriage equality, the AIDS crisis, and the importance of remembering history without erasing the humanity of those who lived it. Now in his 80s, David offers wisdom for younger generations, urging unity, vigilance, and compassion across the LGBTQ+ community. His story is not just history — it is a reminder of why visibility, courage, and solidarity still matter today. Key takeaways: Stonewall was born from lived fear, resistance, and survival Progress came at a profound personal cost LGBTQ+ history must be remembered through the voices of those who lived it Unity across generations remains essential Listeners are encouraged to reach out, reflect, and continue the work of honoring and protecting hard-won freedoms. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Loving in Secret: Felice Cohen on Coming Out Through Memoir (Encore)
01/16/2026
Loving in Secret: Felice Cohen on Coming Out Through Memoir (Encore)
In this deeply moving encore episode of Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage, host Rick Koonce sits down with author Felice Cohen to explore love, secrecy, identity, and healing through storytelling. Felice shares the story behind her memoir Half In, which chronicles her nine-year, deeply intimate relationship with a woman 34 years older—her first experience of true love—at a time when she was still discovering her sexuality and sense of self. What began as a secret May-December affair became a formative coming-of-age experience that shaped Felice’s understanding of intimacy, fear, and emotional risk. In conversation with Rick, she reflects on the power of writing as a tool for grief, self-acceptance, and liberation, and how bringing her story out of the shadows allowed her to finally be “all in” with life and love. Felice also speaks candidly about bisexual identity, family acceptance, and the long-term impact of loving while closeted. This episode is a powerful testament to the courage it takes to examine our past honestly and to release shame in order to make room for love again. Key takeaways: Why secrecy can shape — and limit — emotional intimacy How writing can become a form of healing and self-reclamation What it means to move from being “half in” to fully open to love More About Felice Cohen: Website: Facebook: Instagram: Substack: Books on Amazon: Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own journeys and reach out for connection, support, or conversation sparked by this episode. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Lori Duron on What It Means to Truly Support a Gender-Nonconforming Child (Encore)
12/19/2025
Lori Duron on What It Means to Truly Support a Gender-Nonconforming Child (Encore)
In this encore episode of Profiles in LGBTQ Courage, host Rick Koonce sits down with author and advocate Lori Duron, creator of the widely read blog Raising My Rainbow and author of the book of the same name. In the interview, originally released in February 2021, Lori shares the deeply personal and courageous journey of raising her gender-creative son, CJ, in a world that often struggles to understand difference. From CJ’s early love of Barbie dolls and princess dresses to navigating schools, healthcare systems, and public judgment, Lori reflects on how parenting a gender-nonconforming child reshaped her understanding of love, fear, advocacy, and authenticity. Throughout the conversation, Lori explains what it means to be gender nonconforming, how CJ identifies as male while expressing himself in feminine ways, and why her family chose affirmation over “fixing.” She also opens up about the impact on her older son, Chase, the importance of education and legal protections, and the critical role PFLAG played in supporting their family. This episode is an honest, hopeful exploration of parenting with courage and compassion. Key takeaways include: What gender nonconformity really means Why affirmation is more powerful than redirection How parents can advocate effectively for their children The importance of community, education, and support Listeners are encouraged to reach out, ask questions, and seek support as they navigate their own journeys with love and intention. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Katherine Zappone on Love, Loss, and Ireland’s LGBTQ Transformation
12/05/2025
Katherine Zappone on Love, Loss, and Ireland’s LGBTQ Transformation
In this powerful episode of Profiles in LGBTQ Courage, host Rick Koonce sits down with trailblazing Irish leader and LGBTQ advocate Katherine Zappone to explore her extraordinary journey through love, loss, politics, and social change. Born in Seattle and later becoming an Irish citizen through her marriage to Ann Louise Gilligan, Katherine reflects on how their partnership sparked one of Ireland’s most transformative human rights movements. Together, they helped catalyze the landmark 2015 referendum that legalized same-sex marriage by popular vote—an unprecedented achievement in a deeply Catholic country. Katherine also discusses her groundbreaking tenure as Ireland’s Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, where she confronted the devastating legacy of mother-and-baby homes and brought her concerns directly to Pope Francis. She shares profound insights on courage, leadership, activism, and grief—including the loss of her wife and soulmate in 2017. Her new memoir, Love in a Time of Politics, weaves together personal and political history, demonstrating how hope and determination shape social progress. Takeaways: How personal love became a catalyst for national transformation What Ireland teaches us about democracy and moral courage Insights on leadership, advocacy, and resilience How grief reshaped Katherine’s public and private life Listeners who feel inspired by Katherine’s story are encouraged to reach out, share their reflections, and continue conversations that drive LGBTQ equality forward. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Julia Cumes on Photography as a Force for Social Change
10/31/2025
Julia Cumes on Photography as a Force for Social Change
In this episode, host Rick Koonce interviews award-winning photojournalist Julia Cumes, whose work shines a light on marginalized communities around the world. Born and raised in apartheid-era South Africa, Julia witnessed the power of images to expose truth and inspire change. Her career has been shaped by a commitment to social justice and storytelling through the lens of her camera. Julia shares how her projects—from documenting Cape Cod’s transgender community to capturing the stories of immigrants, women in India’s Devadasi system, and Hawaii’s cowboys—help challenge stereotypes and humanize those often unseen. Her portraits not only celebrate individuality but also foster empathy and understanding in divided times. Listeners will gain insight into how photography can serve as both art and activism—connecting people across boundaries and transforming hearts one story at a time. Key Takeaways: How photography can drive social change and human connection The importance of visibility for marginalized communities Storytelling as a path to understanding and inclusion Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Safeguarding Kids Online and Offline: A Courageous Conversation with Jacob Stapledon
10/03/2025
Safeguarding Kids Online and Offline: A Courageous Conversation with Jacob Stapledon
Child abuse remains one of the most urgent and under-recognized crises facing families today. In this powerful episode of Profiles in LGBTQ Courage, host Rick Koonce speaks with Jacob Stapledon, Community Engagement and Education Manager at Children s Cove, a child advocacy center on Cape Cod. Together, they shed light on the staggering reality of abuse, why LGBTQ youth are disproportionately affected, and the critical role that community members can play in protecting children. Jacob shares sobering statistics, including the fact that 90% of children are abused by someone they know, and that LGBTQ youth often face the unique challenge of double disclosure revealing both their abuse and their identity. He explains how Children s Cove provides coordinated, trauma-informed care to help children tell their stories once, rather than reliving trauma repeatedly. Listeners will also hear practical guidance on recognizing warning signs, safeguarding children online, and taking action when something feels wrong. Key Takeaways: LGBTQ youth face unique risks and barriers to disclosure 90% of abuse comes from someone the child knows Online exploitation is rising rapidly post-COVID Parents and communities must stay engaged and speak up Learn more and access resources at . Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Teen Activist Bradley Forcier on Courage, Politics & Pride
09/19/2025
Teen Activist Bradley Forcier on Courage, Politics & Pride
In this episode of Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage, host Rick Koonce sits down with 16-year-old activist and student Bradley Forcier, whose story is both inspiring and timely. Bradley, a rising junior at Falmouth Academy, shares how coming out at age 12 sparked his passion for advocacy, community involvement, and political engagement. From leading in his school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance to starting the process of launching a local chapter of the ACLU, Bradley is already creating meaningful change. He opens up about navigating high school as a young gay man, supporting transgender friends, and his vision for a more inclusive future. Bradley also talks about his deep interest in American politics, his science fair project on bias in public opinion polls, and his dream of becoming a civil rights attorney or elected official. This episode is a powerful reminder of the resilience and optimism of LGBTQ+ youth, and the difference they are making every day. Takeaways: How Bradley’s activism began at a young age The importance of safe, supportive school communities Insights on LGBTQ+ acceptance among Gen Z Why optimism matters in today’s political climate Tune in for an inspiring conversation with one of tomorrow’s changemakers. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Welcome to Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage: Real Stories of Identity & Acceptance
09/07/2025
Welcome to Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage: Real Stories of Identity & Acceptance
Have you ever wondered what courage looks like in the LGBTQ+ community? In my podcast series, Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage, I share the powerful, authentic stories of individuals and families navigating the complex issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, self acceptance, and human love. From coming out journeys and gender transitions to parents learning how to support their children, these intimate conversations reveal the strength it takes for all of us to live and love authentically. I'm your host, Rick Koonce. With decades of experience as a journalist and interviewer, I'm here to share stories that will educate, inspire, and remind you that none of us walks this path of life alone. So today, I'm asking you to subscribe to Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage wherever you listen to podcasts and and join us in celebrating the bravery it takes to live your truth and life authentically.
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From Cape Cod Roots to State Senate: Julian Cyr’s Story
09/05/2025
From Cape Cod Roots to State Senate: Julian Cyr’s Story
In this episode of Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage, I sit down with Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr, who represents Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Julian shares his powerful journey of growing up as a young gay man on the Outer Cape, finding his voice through activism, and ultimately stepping into leadership to serve his community. We talk about how his early experiences shaped his commitment to public service, the lessons he learned from the AIDS epidemic, and why authenticity is a core value in both politics and personal life. Julian also opens up about the pressing issues facing Cape Cod today—including the housing crisis, climate change, and public health—and how his lived experience informs the way he leads. This conversation is both inspiring and practical, offering wisdom for anyone navigating their own journey of courage, leadership, or advocacy. Key Takeaways: Growing up LGBTQ+ on Cape Cod shaped Julian’s values and resilience. The importance of authenticity in leadership and advocacy. Housing, climate, and public health challenges on Cape Cod today. Why the LGBTQ+ community must stand united—especially for trans rights. I’d love to hear your thoughts—reach out and share your own story of courage. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Finn Allen (Wanda Mae) | Ep #45
08/08/2025
Interview with Finn Allen (Wanda Mae) | Ep #45
Finn Allen (formerly Wanda Mae). Wanda Mae was a little girl raised in a household with an alcoholic mother, an abusive father, and two sisters. She never felt “at home” in her female body, even though at an early age she excelled at sports and was a stand-out school athlete. From the age of 4 or 5, Wanda Mae felt like a boy, not a girl. But in her childhood, she didn’t have a lot of time to dwell on all that. And there was nobody to talk to about her shame, discomfort, and confusion. At home, after her father left, Wanda Mae was beaten by her mother and her boyfriend, before eventually being sent to foster care, where she was abused again. In the years that followed, Wanda Mae TRIED to find herself. She married a man, became an alcoholic and took the occasional hit of cocaine. At times she was suicidal. And then, she got into recovery. Fast forward several decades to today. Today, Wanda Mae is Finn Allen, a 57-year-old transgender tax attorney for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As he tells PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce in this raw interview, at the age of 52 Wanda Mae finally embraced her masculine identity, changed her name, began the transitioning process, and came out publicly as a trans man in 2020. “I spent the first 50-something years of my life living someone else’s life,” he says. “Today, I’m finally feeling free to live my real life, and be my authentic self, free of shame and confusion. “What a gift it is to finally realize, “I finally get to be ME!” Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Joan and Rick Francolini | Ep #44
07/25/2025
Interview with Joan and Rick Francolini | Ep #44
Joan and Rick Francolini are the parents of a bisexual daughter, Renee, who’s about to marry a transgender man. They’re also committed social justice advocates who recently organized the first-ever Lower Cape Pride celebration on Cape Cod. Dubbed, “Unity in Community,” the three-day event, a multi-generational celebration of LGBTQ+ pride, drew hundreds of people to the towns of Orleans and Brewster, Massachusetts in June 2025. Activities included a parade, an LGBTQ+ community resource fair, musical performances, and an exhibit about the history of drag. Also featured was a panel discussion on how the LGBTQ+ community can effectively combat the homophobia and transphobia, being fostered today, by many conservative political leaders and media influencers. As Joan and Rick tell PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce in this interview, the couple got the idea for the event after seeing the transformative impact of small-town Pride celebrations in Maine, where their daughter and her fiancé live. They noticed that those events brought visibility, joy, and solidarity to the queer community there. As committed LGBTQ+ allies, Joan and Rick soon realized that Lower Cape Cod needed a Pride event of its OWN, separate from traditional pride activities staged each year in Provincetown. Planning Lower Cape Pride quickly became a labor of love for both Joan and Rick, who tapped many elements of their local community to support the event. Over the course of several months, they brought together neighbors, LGBTQ+ volunteers, local businesspeople, political and civic leaders, artists, musicians, and others to make Lower Cape Pride a crowd-pleasing event -- far exceeding what either Joan or Rick had initially anticipated. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Roger Smith | Ep #43
07/11/2025
Interview with Roger Smith | Ep #43
The Trump Administration’s explicit animus toward transgender people is a well-documented and very public fact. Starting in his first term and now in his second, President Trump and his Administration have carried out a systematic, years-long effort to roll back protections for LGBTQ+ people. Beginning in January 2025, the Administration issued a series of executive orders specifically targeted at trans people. Trump’s directives include targeting transgender students, banning trans Americans from military service, and giving federal agencies the go ahead to overtly discriminate against their trans employees. While the Administration’s discrimination against transgender people is taking many forms, and fostering fear in people who identify as trans, it’s also impacting the friends and families of those who identify as transgender. Roger Smith is a novelist and retired history teacher who lives in Brewster, MA. He’s also the father of a transgender son, Alex, whom he loves dearly. In this poignant interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, Rog describes the fear -- and outrage -- he feels at how the U.S. government is singling out and discriminating against transgender people today. But, discrimination against people who don’t fit neatly into certain social, ethnic, cultural, and sexual categories has a long, long history in America, says this former history teacher. Sadly and historically, Smith says, the “othering” of people seen as being on society's margins is part of our nation’s DNA. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Susanne Bennett | Ep #42
06/20/2025
Interview with Susanne Bennett | Ep #42
Susanne Bennett describes herself as a white, queer, cis-gender, able-bodied, and educated elder woman. At 78, this former college professor and retired clinical social worker also describes herself as a questioner, a doubter, and someone who’s always sought to better understand herself as a sexual and spiritual person. These are just a few of the topics Susanne explores in a new memoir, Evolving: Faith, Sexuality and Aging. The book chronicles a life that’s been full of unexpected twists and turns, moments of doubt and uncertainty, followed by hard-won personal clarity --- about the interrelationship of sexuality, spirituality, and the aging process. Growing up in the south, the daughter of a Southern Baptist minister, Susanne considered herself straight and religiously conservative for many years. She married a man, became a mother to two children, and settled down to married life. But then her husband announced he was gay, and her daughter came out as a lesbian at 17. All this rocked Susanne’s world. And prompted her to ask a lot of questions; to become curious about herself and her faith, and to embark on a path of learning and self-discovery that changed her life forever. Today, Susanne’s happily married to her wife, Cay and lives in Brewster, MA. She’s also a grandmother with three grandkids who identify as trans or non-binary. In this thoughtful interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, Susanne opens up – about faith, family, her unique life journey, and her fluid sexuality. She talks too about her life today on Cape Cod, as a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Barnstable, MA. And, about how her religious faith has evolved, just as her understanding of her sexuality has evolved over more than seven decades of living. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Lindsey Straus | Ep #41
05/23/2025
Interview with Lindsey Straus | Ep #41
Lindsey Straus is a 73-year-old trans woman who’s also the biological father of three sons -- triplets -- now in their early 40s. The story of Lindsey’s transition --- from husband, devoted dad, and little league coach to trans woman, social activist, and lay minister at her church in Brewster MA --- is truly inspiring and courageous. But that transitional journey did not come easily or without pain. After more than 20 years of heterosexual marriage, Lindsey decided to transition and become a woman at the age of 50 in 2001. Years of separation and estrangement from her family then followed. Lindsey moved out of the house, while remaining the family's sole breadwinner. But, she was excluded from major family events including vacations and graduations. All that said, as she tells PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce in this interview, eventually, reconciliation with her family DID take place. Even with Lindsey’s ex-wife, with whom she now talks almost every day. As for her three sons? Surprisingly, a common love of the Boston Red Sox by both Lindsey and her grown sons helped heal family wounds and bring her and her boys back into each others’ lives. Lindsey even remembers the exact date: October 18, 2004. It was the day after Game 4 of the American League Championship series, when the Red Sox scored a major comeback against the New York Yankees. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Linda & Gloria Bailey-Davies | Ep #40
11/15/2024
Interview with Linda & Gloria Bailey-Davies | Ep #40
In the prolonged, often contentious battle for marriage equality in the United States, it can truly be said that Linda and Gloria Bailey-Davies are pioneers. Together now for over 50 years, the happily married Cape Cod couple, both former therapists, were among the seven couples who were litigants in the Massachusetts same-sex marriage case (Goodrich vs Department of Public Health) that led to the landmark legalization of same-sex marriage in the Bay State in 2004. Victory in that case helped create momentum for the eventual legalization of same-sex marriage throughout the U.S. in June of 2015. In this moving and wide-ranging interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, recorded just before the 2024 presidential election, Linda and Gloria, who never imagined they’d become social activists, describe how they got involved as key players in one of the most important social movements of the last 50 years. On a personal level, they also describe how they found each other, the role ping-pong played in their early relationship, what their journey toward committing themselves to one another has been like, and what they see as the secrets to anyone forming and sustaining a healthy and loving long-term relationship. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2024 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Avery & Sarah | Ep #39
08/02/2024
Interview with Avery & Sarah | Ep #39
Sarah Messeck and Avery Condon are a young couple very much in love. The two met at a Cape Cod Pride event in June 2022 and soon afterwards began dating. Eventually they plan to marry. Sarah, an animal welfare advocate and horse riding enthusiast, identifies as a cisgender woman and uses the pronouns she and her. In the past, she had relationships with people of different genders. Avery, who’s passionate about environmental and social justice issues, and was previously married to a woman, today identifies as transgender and non-binary and uses they and them pronouns. In this fascinating interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, Sarah and Avery talk in depth about their relationship – how they met, and the basis of their attraction to one another on many levels… They offer illuminating insights into how the dynamics of physical and emotional attraction, gender identity, and gender presentation operate for them in the context of a non-traditional relationship… But that relationship is traditional in at least one sense, as the two plan to tie the marriage knot – most likely in the fall of 2025 - with both their families and friends lovingly looking on. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2024 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Dr. Jane Fleishman | Ep #38
05/10/2024
Interview with Dr. Jane Fleishman | Ep #38
Dr. Jane Fleishman is an accomplished sexuality educator, writer, program developer, and researcher. In 2016, at the age of 62, she received her doctorate in Human Sexuality from the Widener University Center for Human Sexuality Studies after a successful career as a consultant for a large public mental health system. In this fascinating interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, Fleishman delves deeply into the challenges LGBTQ+ seniors face as they navigate the passages of advancing age, and must deal with issues of health and wellness, self-esteem, companionship and intimacy, and continued sexual vitality and identity. Fleishman has long believed that it’s important for members of the LGBTQ+ community to redefine their ideas of sexual vitality, beauty, and desirability, and to debunk old but enduring myths about sexuality and aging. “Wrinkles and gray hair are as beautiful as a face without wrinkles,” she says, adding, “I’m a campaign to invite people to love their aging queer bodies and to upend the narrative that the only kind of beauty is associated with youth.” "That," she says, "is a binary way of looking at the world that doesn’t serve you, me or anybody else in the LGBTQ+ community.” Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2024 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Mayor Brett Smiley | Ep #37
04/12/2024
Interview with Mayor Brett Smiley | Ep #37
Brett Smiley is the married, gay mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, the first in the city's 400-year history. Elected to office in 2022 on his second try for the job, Smiley got his start in Rhode Island politics years before, serving as Chief Operating Officer for Providence and Director of Administration for the Ocean State, as well as Chief of Staff to former Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo. In this revealing interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, Brett talks about coming out as a gay man, and about being a political science and public policy nerd, even as a teenager, who developed an early passion for politics. He talks, too, about the mark he hopes to make on Providence as mayor, and about the high school teacher and coach who helped him believe in himself. Finally, he talks about being an uncle to his nephews, his love of running, his recovery from alcoholism in his early 20’s, and about meeting his husband, Jim, a prominent real estate agent in Rhode Island, and now the first First Gentleman of Providence. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2024 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Rick Miller | Ep #36
03/15/2024
Interview with Rick Miller | Ep #36
Rick Miller is a psychotherapist who works extensively with gay men. Gay himself, he has pioneered the use of mind-body experiential therapy to assist gay men, and other members of the LGBTQ+ community, in dealing with early life trauma. Through doing such work, Rick has helped many in the community discover inner strength, build personal resiliency, embrace self-love, and build strong and healthy relationships with others. In this thought-provoking interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, Rick talks about where his motivation to do this work comes from ... about the challenges gay men still face in today’s world ... And, how therapy can help anyone to overcome pain and find happiness and self-empowerment in the process. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2024 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Mara Betti | Ep #35
08/18/2023
Interview with Mara Betti | Ep #35
Mara Betti is a successful, 50-something architect, working for one of the leading architectural firms in Boston. She’s also a transwoman and biological father of two sons, ages 18 and 22. In this deeply personal interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, Mara talks emotionally about coming out and accepting herself as trans; a journey that has taken her decades, and which has put tremendous strain on her heterosexual marriage to her wife – whom she met in college and still describes as “my best friend.” She talks about the dark times she’s lived through and the steps she’s now taking, with the help of a therapist, to build a new identity, and to navigate a personal and social world she never imagined she’d be encountering at this stage of her life. And finally, she talks lovingly about her relationships with her two boys, with whom she wants to remain close, though she understands that this will take time, patience, and love on everyone’s parts. Especially, as her boys focus on discovering their own identities as young adults. As this intimate interview reveals, Mara, like other transgender people struggling to be themselves, displays tremendous resolve and resilience; qualities that indeed make her a compelling profile in LGBTQ+ courage. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2023 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Jake Wanamaker | Ep #34
08/04/2023
Interview with Jake Wanamaker | Ep #34
Assigned female at birth, Jake Wanamaker is a 2023 graduate of Nauset High School on Cape Cod who today identifies as a Transman. For Jake, the awareness that he was born into a body of the wrong-gender for him came early, when he was only a few years old. But he didn’t have the knowledge or vocabulary with which to understand the feelings and emotions deep within him. So, he went online, at an early age, to learn more about the Transgender world and later found help from both a sensitive guidance counselor and a gifted therapist – who helped him better understand and claim his true gender identity. In this intimate and revealing interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, which took place just weeks before his scheduled top surgery in July of 2023, Jake talks about the struggles he endured as a child and adolescent, trying to come to terms with who he is. He reveals the challenges he faced coming out to his parents, and how, with the help of friends, supportive and caring teachers, and healthcare professionals he began to fully embrace his gender identity. Jake also talks about the enthusiasm he feels today for the future… his excitement about attending college in the fall… and his desire to pursue a career as a scientific illustrator, combining his deep interests in both art and nature. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2023 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Ann Burke | Ep #33
06/30/2023
Interview with Ann Burke | Ep #33
Ann Burke is a registered nurse and long-time advocate for Transgender people who live on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard. She serves as a board member of the Cape and Islands Transgender Resource Fund, and also acts as a counselor and facilitator of Transgender social support meetings, held twice monthly on he Cape, under the auspices of Fenway Health of Boston. In this insightful interview with PFLAG Cape Cod's Rick Koonce, Ann, who is NOT Transgender herself, explains why she took on a role as a committed advocate for Transgender people. With a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology, Ann shines a critical spotlight on the many challenges Transgender people face -- be it in navigating the legal and healthcare systems of Massachusetts, or dealing with discrimination in housing and employment. "When a Transgender person comes out, they often lose their entire support system," says Ann. "This often includes a person's family, partner, friends, neighbors and job." Despite those challenges, Ann says,"I have found Transgender people to be incredibly resilient in navigating legal, financial and healthcre obstacles as well as a modern world that is often hostile, intolerant, and ignorant about who they REALLY are. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2023 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Rikki Bates | Ep #32
06/16/2023
Interview with Rikki Bates | Ep #32
Rikki Bates is a rock and roll drummer who has struggled much of her life with gender dysphoria. For years, like many Transgender people, she lived with deep depression, and a lack of adequate employment. Then, she managed to get gender reassignment surgery which changed her life. In the process, she also brought about precedent-setting changes in how Transgender health care is provided to people in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In this fascinating and wide-ranging interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, Rikki describes the bullying she encountered as a kid, the internal psychological confusion that she experienced as a child and adolescent, her struggles with depression as she entered adulthood, and the turn-around in her life that began to occur following gender affirming surgery and personal therapy. She also reveals the fascinating components of gender-affirming surgery itself, the challenges of dating as a Transwoman, and offers advice to others who may think they are Transgender. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2022 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Zooey Zephyr | Ep #31
06/02/2023
Interview with Zooey Zephyr | Ep #31
Transgender activist and first-time state legislator Zooey Zephyr made national headlines in April 2023 when she spoke out in support of Transgender rights in the Montana state legislature and was banished from legislative debate on the topic as a result. Courageous leadership is often defined by four compelling traits: Confidence in oneself, commitment to one’s values and beliefs, the ability to persist, and a warrior spirit! By those metrics, Transgender activist and first-time state legislator Zooey Zephyr is a rare leader with few peers in the social justice arena. The first-ever Transgender member of the Montana state legislature, Zooey, a newcomer to politics in 2022, made national and international headlines in April 2023 when she stood in opposition to Montana state legislation that would prohibit gender-affirming healthcare for Transgender youth. Her statements in support of Transgender people caused her to be banished from the statehouse floor, denied the opportunity to debate, and forced to operate, as a duly elected representative of her state, from a public bench in a hallway of the Montana statehouse. In this moving interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, Representative Zephyr talks about the furor her presence caused on the statehouse floor, the passion she brings to her advocacy of transgender people, and how her experience as a champion high school wrestler helped prepare her for the nasty rough and tumble world of partisan politics. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2020 - 2022 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Felice Cohen | Ep #30
10/07/2022
Interview with Felice Cohen | Ep #30
At the age of 23, Felice Cohen was, like many other college graduates, hesitant about entering the real world, and at the same time, uncertain about her sexuality. Focused on landing her first job as a writer, falling in love was the last thing on Felice’s mind. But fall in love she did -- with her boss, Sarah, a woman 34 years older than she. It was a relationship that lasted 9 years. And for Felice, it was the first taste of true love and deep intimacy. But the affair took place in secrecy and ultimately ended in heartbreak. Now, Felice has written a book about her experience called Half In: A Coming of Age Memoir of Forbidden Love. When it was released in late September 2022 Felice’s book raced to the top of Amazon’s best seller lists in six categories. As Felice tells PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce in this moving interview, writing this memoir proved a therapeutic experience that helped Felice to mend her hurting heart, and bring her deep love for Sarah out of the closet for the first time. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2022 PFLAG Cape Cod
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Interview with Jere Mahaffey | Ep #29
09/02/2022
Interview with Jere Mahaffey | Ep #29
Jere Mahaffey is a 35-year-old former Evangelical Christian. He’s also an out, married gay/bisexual man who has retained many of the tenets of his early Christian faith, while leaving other elements of evangelical doctrine behind him. As an adolescent, Jere was drawn initially to girls, and even had girlfriends while he was in junior high school. But eventually he discovered he found boys attractive as well. Today, he and his partner, Jesse, have been together for nine years and married for four. In this fascinating interview with PFLAG Cape Cod’s Rick Koonce, Jere talks about growing up in an Evangelical Christian household, about his love of God, his journey toward embracing his bisexual identity, and about being both Queer and Christian. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: © 2022 PFLAG Cape Cod
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