Advertise on podcast: Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage: Real Stories of Identity & Acceptance

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod

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: https://www.felicecohen.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/felicecohenauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felicecohen90/ Substack: https://felicecohen.substack.com/ Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0045EEHMO/allbooks 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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod

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

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod

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 childrenscove.org. 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

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod

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.

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2025 PFLAG Cape Cod

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: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2024 PFLAG Cape Cod