Summary Father Ethan Jewett shares his journey of being an out gay man in religious leadership and his advocacy for acceptance and understanding within the LGBTQ+ community. He grew up in Tampa, Florida, in a Jewish household and experienced a crisis of faith after witnessing the exclusion of elderly congregants from worship due to financial reasons. In his early thirties, he rediscovered religion and found a welcoming community in the Episcopal Church. Father Ethan discusses the challenges he faced in the ordination process and the tension between LGBTQ+ identity and the expectations of the church. He emphasizes the need for the church to be more inclusive and accepting of queer individuals. Additionally, Father Ethan shares his passion for fitness and the importance of embracing and celebrating the human body. Father Ethan Jewett discusses the difference between sinful pride and pride in oneself, the importance of body positivity, and the need for change in the church. He also talks about the role of religion and spirituality in finding centering and purpose, the significance of being oneself and living authentically, and the challenges of navigating LGBTQ relationships within the church. Takeaways Father Ethan Jewett's journey as an out gay man in religious leadership highlights the need for acceptance and understanding within the LGBTQ+ community. The Episcopal Church and other progressive denominations have made strides in accepting queer individuals, but there is still work to be done to challenge heteronormative norms and expectations. Father Ethan emphasizes the importance of embracing and celebrating the human body, countering the stigmatization of the body within religious contexts. His personal journey of blending fitness and spirituality showcases the power of physical wellness in building confidence and self-esteem. Religion and spirituality can provide a moral framework for understanding the world and living with integrity. Being oneself and living authentically is essential for personal fulfillment and maintaining integrity. Therapy and being part of a community can provide guidance and support during a crisis of faith. Body shaming is harmful and comparing oneself to others on social media can be destructive. Acceptance and self-compassion are key. The church needs to change and be more inclusive and accepting of LGBTQ relationships.Standing on My Soapbox is a podcast that tackles serious issues such as politics, religion, and minority rights. The current political climate poses threats to democracy and LGBTQ rights, making it important to have a platform for in-depth discussions. Immigration is a hot topic in the United States, with challenges in managing the influx of people and the need for a comprehensive solution. The documentary Migrant Sea sheds light on the migrant situation from Africa to Italy, giving voice to the stories and experiences of African migrants. Subscribe on your favorite distributor so you never miss an episode. You can also click the bell icon to be notified when new episodes are available. The video podcasts are on YouTube and Spotify, and the audio podcast is available at all major distributors including: iTunes, iHeart Radio, GoodPods, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts and more. If you like us, please give our episodes a 5 star rating so more people will find them in the Algorithm. Please share with your friends and follow us on social media @leftofstr8 on Instagram and Threads and Tik Tok, @leftofstr8radio on Twitter (X), and Left of Str8 Show on Facebook. Go to our website at www.leftofstr8.com to listen to all shows, enter contests, write questions to the show for Scott or Guests, and if you want to be a guest or host on the network. You can support the show on our Patreon Page for as little as $3 a month, $5 a month, or $7 a month, to help cover show expenses and other costs. you can find us over at www.patreon.com/leftofstr8

Summary Robert Kesten, the executive director of the Stonewall National Museum, Archives and Library, discusses his journey in human rights advocacy and the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Florida. He emphasizes the importance of preserving LGBTQ history and recommends reading LGBTQ-focused publications and volunteering for LGBTQ organizations. Kesten also highlights the need to protect democracy and LGBTQ rights and encourages individuals to be allies by getting involved and supporting marginalized communities within the LGBTQ community. Takeaways • Preserving LGBTQ history is essential to prevent others from defining the community and to maintain a sense of identity. • To learn about LGBTQ history, read books by respected LGBTQ writers, follow LGBTQ-focused newspapers and magazines, and support LGBTQ organizations. • The top challenges facing the LGBTQ community include preserving democracy, protecting LGBTQ rights, and maintaining a sense of identity. • To be an LGBTQ advocate, get informed, volunteer, and donate to LGBTQ organizations. To be an ally, be a friend or family member who supports and stands with the LGBTQ community. • Fundraising is crucial for LGBTQ organizations, as they often lack the resources that mainstream organizations receive. Thank you for listening to Left of Str8 Podcasts, hosted by Scott Fullerton. Left of Str8 Podcasts were created for the LGBTQ Community and our Straight Allies and our current podcasts are: “Left of Str8 Show Interviews,” where we interview celebrities and personalities from the worlds of Entertainment, Foodies, Music, Books, and Advocacy; “5 Questions With…” where we ask the guests from last week’s interviews 5 more silly and fun questions; “Standing on my Soapbox,” where we talk about more serious issues such as politics, religion, minority rights, environment, etc.; and “Bears of a Certain Age,” a lifestyle podcast mostly for gay men bears and chubs and their admirers, pushing 50 years old and up. We also have some Special Correspondents segments. Currently there is “Rainbow Gastronomy,” a special foodie segment twice a month with acclaimed chef, Chef Lynn Wheeler; and “Bent Cinema,” a special segment with cinephile Nathan Box, who talks all things movies. Subscribe on your favorite distributor so you never miss an episode. You can also click the bell icon to be notified when new episodes are available. The video podcasts are on YouTube and Spotify, and the audio podcast is available at all major distributors including: iTunes, iHeart Radio, GoodPods, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts and more. If you like us, please give our episodes a 5 star rating so more people will find them in the Algorithm. Please share with your friends and follow us on social media @leftofstr8 on Instagram and Threads and Tik Tok, @leftofstr8radio on Twitter (X), and Left of Str8 Show on Facebook. Go to our website at www.leftofstr8.com to listen to all shows, enter contests, write questions to the show for Scott or Guests, and if you want to be a guest or host on the network. You can support the show on our Patreon Page for as little as $3 a month, $5 a month, or $7 a month, to help cover show expenses and other costs. you can find us over at www.patreon.com/leftofstr8

Standing on my Soapbox: Summary Brian Derrick, the founder of Oath.vote, discusses the changing landscape of political advocacy and the importance of local and state races. He shares his experiences in LGBT activism and highlights the role of technology in political engagement. Brian also provides insights into the challenges of political advocacy and offers tips for navigating conversations with friends and family. He encourages listeners to use Oath.vote as a platform for making a meaningful impact in political races. Takeaways: Local and state races have the potential to create significant change and should not be overlooked in favor of national elections. Technology plays a crucial role in political advocacy, allowing for more efficient allocation of resources and reaching a wider audience. Engaging in conversations with friends and family about political issues requires finding common ground and focusing on areas of agreement. Oath.vote provides a platform for donors to make a meaningful impact on the issues they care about and offers personalized recommendations for political engagement. Writing to elected representatives can still be an effective way to voice concerns and advocate for change. Thank you for listening to Left of Str8 Podcasts, hosted by Scott Fullerton. Left of Str8 Podcasts were created for the LGBTQ Community and our Straight Allies and our current podcasts are: “Left of Str8 Show Interviews,” where we interview celebrities and personalities from the worlds of Entertainment, Foodies, Music, Books, and Advocacy; “5 Questions With…” where we ask the guests from last week’s interviews 5 more silly and fun questions; “Standing on my Soapbox,” where we talk about more serious issues such as politics, religion, minority rights, environment, etc.; and “Bears of a Certain Age,” a lifestyle podcast mostly for gay men bears and chubs and their admirers, pushing 50 years old and up. We also have some Special Correspondents segments. Currently there is “Rainbow Gastronomy,” a special foodie segment twice a month with acclaimed chef, Chef Lynn Wheeler; and “Bent Cinema,” a special segment with cinephile Nathan Box, who talks all things movies. Subscribe on your favorite distributor so you never miss an episode. You can also click the bell icon to be notified when new episodes are available. The video podcasts are on YouTube and Spotify, and the audio podcast is available at all major distributors including: iTunes, iHeart Radio, GoodPods, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts and more. If you like us, please give our episodes a 5 star rating so more people will find them in the Algorithm. Please share with your friends and follow us on social media @leftofstr8 on Instagram and Threads and Tik Tok, @leftofstr8radio on Twitter (X), and Left of Str8 Show on Facebook. Go to our website at www.leftofstr8.com to listen to all shows, enter contests, write questions to the show for Scott or Guests, and if you want to be a guest or host on the network. You can support the show on our Patreon Page for as little as $3 a month, $5 a month, or $7 a month, to help cover show expenses and other costs. you can find us over at www.patreon.com/leftofstr8

Summary In this episode of Standing on My Soapbox, host Scott Fullerton introduces the podcast and its focus on serious issues such as politics, religion, and minority rights. He highlights the importance of discussing these topics in the current political climate and the threats to democracy and LGBTQ rights. The first chapter delves into the hot topic of immigration in the United States, discussing the challenges and the need for a comprehensive solution. The second chapter focuses on the documentary Migrant Sea, created by Canadian filmmaker Steph Grasso, which explores the migrant situation from Africa to Italy. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with the podcast and suggest future topics. Takeaways Standing on My Soapbox is a podcast that tackles serious issues such as politics, religion, and minority rights. The current political climate poses threats to democracy and LGBTQ rights, making it important to have a platform for in-depth discussions. Immigration is a hot topic in the United States, with challenges in managing the influx of people and the need for a comprehensive solution. The documentary Migrant Sea sheds light on the migrant situation from Africa to Italy, giving voice to the stories and experiences of African migrants. Thank you for listening to Left of Str8 Podcasts, hosted by Scott Fullerton. Left of Str8 Podcasts were created for the LGBTQ Community and our Straight Allies and our current podcasts are: “Left of Str8 Show Interviews,” where we interview celebrities and personalities from the worlds of Entertainment, Foodies, Music, Books, and Advocacy; “5 Questions With…” where we ask the guests from last week’s interviews 5 more silly and fun questions; “Standing on my Soapbox,” where we talk about more serious issues such as politics, religion, minority rights, environment, etc.; and “Bears of a Certain Age,” a lifestyle podcast mostly for gay men bears and chubs and their admirers, pushing 50 years old and up. We also have some Special Correspondents segments. Currently there is “Rainbow Gastronomy,” a special foodie segment twice a month with acclaimed chef, Chef Lynn Wheeler; and “Bent Cinema,” a special segment with cinephile Nathan Box, who talks all things movies. Subscribe on your favorite distributor so you never miss an episode. You can also click the bell icon to be notified when new episodes are available. The video podcasts are on YouTube and Spotify, and the audio podcast is available at all major distributors including: iTunes, iHeart Radio, GoodPods, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts and more. If you like us, please give our episodes a 5 star rating so more people will find them in the Algorithm. Please share with your friends and follow us on social media @leftofstr8 on Instagram and Threads and Tik Tok, @leftofstr8radio on Twitter (X), and Left of Str8 Show on Facebook. Go to our website at www.leftofstr8.com to listen to all shows, enter contests, write questions to the show for Scott or Guests, and if you want to be a guest or host on the network. You can support the show on our Patreon Page for as little as $3 a month, $5 a month, or $7 a month, to help cover show expenses and other costs. you can find us over at www.patreon.com/leftofstr8