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On The Record

Pass the Mic: LGBTQ Power!

On this episode of Pass the Mic, Baltimore's Director of LGBTQ Affairs Londyn Smith de Richelieu (top L) Legacy Forte, head of BMORE BLXCK (bottom L) and Toby, a trans teen at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (bottom R) all join host Jabari Lyles (top R) for a discussion about cultural training for city employees, the dangers of anti-trans legislation and what trans youth need to thrive. Photos: provided by guests

Today we Pass the Mic to LGBTQ advocate and educator Jabari Lyles. His guest -- Londyn Smith de Richelieu, Baltimore City’s new Director of LGBTQ Affairs -- talks about the need to change the culture and attitude toward trans folks from within City Hall.

Then Lyles is joined by Legacy Forte, head of BMORE BLXCK , talking about resources they provide for Black trans youth and Toby, a trans tenth-grader at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, on the message he picks up from youth-centered anti-trans legislation across the US:

“They want to send the message to younger people because they want to tell them when they’re young: your existence is wrong. You shouldn’t feel safe in your existence. You shouldn’t feel ok with your existence.”

Links: Baltimore Office of LGBTQ Affairs, BMORE BLXCK, Trans Maryland resources, The PRIDE Center of Maryland, Monkeypox resources. Original airdate: 6.14.22

On The RecordWYPR ProgramsOn the RecordPass the MicBaltimore City Office of LGBTQ AffairsLGBTQ issues
Melissa Gerr
Melissa Gerr is a Senior Producer for On the Record. She started in public media at Twin Cities Public Television in St. Paul, Minn., where she is from, and then worked as a field producer for Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland. She made the jump to audio-lover in Baltimore as a digital media editor at Mid-Atlantic Media and Laureate Education, Inc. and as a field producer for "Out of the Blocks." Her beat is typically the off-beat with an emphasis on science, culture and things that make you say, 'Wait, what?'
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Sheilah Kast
Sheilah Kast is the host of On The Record, Monday-Friday, 9:30-10:00 am.
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