Welcome back to a very special bonus episode of IFQT! Earlier this season, we heard from queer youth in Utah about what it’s like to navigate faith and queer identity within the LDS Mormon community. To continue that conversation, we’re sharing an episode from our friend Persis Abraham’s podcast Room For Us, featuring therapist and theologian Ann Russo. Ann incorporates a Master’s in Theology into her social work practice to help people heal from religious trauma. In this episode, she talks about her own experiences with faith, growing up in a queer household, attending an ex-gay conference, and AMR, the evidence-based approach she’s developed to overcome religious trauma.

This interview with Ann was originally published on July 17, 2025 by our friend Persis Abraham on her podcast, Room For Us. With permission from Persis, we are excited to share this impactful episode with our listeners. Hosted by Hannie Saba.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS:

Please note that some resources may contain triggering content and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of, or the definitions used by, The Future Perfect Project.

⏱️ TIME STAMPS:

0:48 Host, Hannie welcome

3:19 Persis introduces Ann Russo

4:31 Growing up in queer 80s household

15:59 Common queer mental health challenges

18:30 Did Ann grow up religious?

20:00 Attending queer conversion conference

35:00 Trauma informed care

41:16 Training professionals on queer inclusion

46:48 Religious institutional harm

51:16 Taking care of yourself

54:30 Advice to Ann’s younger self

56:28 Message to queer folks feeling isolated

58:00 Outro, credits & gratitude

📝 RESOURCES/SHOW NOTES:

Visit our site for full show notes on local queer info, history, and additional resources mentioned in this episode → https://thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast

We want to hear from you! Send a voice note to our online voice message box →IFQT! Speakpipe - http://speakpipe.com/ifqt

💬 TRANSCRIPT: https://share.descript.com/view/zuwFGyGZBxy

🚨 CRISIS RESOURCES:

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+ specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s part two of our visit to Albert Einstein Academy (AEA), Northeast Ohio’s first LGBTQ+ affirming high school. In this bonus episode of I’m Feeling Queer Today!, we return to Ohio on our queer roadtrip around the country. You’ll hear a roundtable discussion with the trans students at AEA, a brand new segment called “Representation: Putting The Me in Media,” and some original writing. Plus, an intergenerational conversation between one of our episode hosts and his uncle and grandmother, discussing how they each learned about queerness. We suggest listening to Part 1 of this episode first.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS:

Please note that some resources may contain triggering content and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of, or the definitions used by, The Future Perfect Project.

⏱️ TIME STAMPS:

0:41 Intro

0:48 Hosts introduce episode

2:15 Trans students: What’s it like attending LGBTQ+ affirming school

5:12 Representation: Putting the ME in Media

12:40 Caiden & Grandma & Uncle: Intergenerational queer discoveries

17:33 Animal Love

20:25 “To My Friend” - poem by Oliver

21:42 “Ohren” - poem by Bonnie

22:43 Outro, credits & gratitude

📝 RESOURCES/SHOW NOTES:

Visit our site for full show notes on local queer info, history, and additional resources mentioned in this episode → https://thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast

We want to hear from you! Send a voice note to our online voice message box →IFQT! Speakpipe - http://speakpipe.com/ifqt

💬 TRANSCRIPT: https://share.descript.com/view/hetJaxo2xxV

🚨 CRISIS RESOURCES:

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+ specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode of IFQT!, we’re back in Ohio—this time just outside Cleveland—at Albert Einstein Academy (AEA), Northeast Ohio’s first LGBTQ+ affirming public high school. Even in the face of hostile legislation, AEA’s community stands strong, making space to process new house bills together in real time. Hear from co-founder and superintendent Kristen Thomas on how the school began, join a roundtable on gender-affirming care, and listen to students share original poetry and messages of hope for queer youth to come. This is Part 1 of 2 from our visit to Albert Einstein Academy.

📝 RESOURCES/SHOW NOTES:

Visit our site for full show notes on local queer info, history, and additional resources mentioned in this episode → https://thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast

We want to hear from you! Send a voice note to our online voice message box →IFQT! Speakpipe - http://speakpipe.com/ifqt

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS:

Please note that some resources may contain triggering content and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of, or the definitions used by, The Future Perfect Project.

⏱️ TIME STAMPS:

0:41 Host intro about AEA

1:38 HB68 update & reactions

3:33 ⚠️ AEA co-founder Kristen Thomas interview w/ Trudy Poux (⚠️ CW: suicide)

12:30 “The Moth” original poem by Leo

13:24 Roundtable on “gender-affirming care”

24:52 Message for next generation of young queers

27:46 Outro, credits & gratitude

💬 TRANSCRIPT: https://share.descript.com/view/PAlY49MvQKG

🚨 CRISIS RESOURCES:

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+ specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very special bonus episode of IFQT, we’re heading back to the place where Season 3 began: Spartanburg, South Carolina! We sat down with Stela Prado-Garrett and her mom, Dani, to talk about what it was like for Stela to come out to her family. Plus, how Dani’s untraditional Southern upbringing impacted her reaction, and why she thinks God has a sense of humor. To meet even more folks from the queer community in Spartanburg, check out Episodes 1 and 2 of Season 3.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS:

Please note that some resources may contain triggering content and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of, or the definitions used by, The Future Perfect Project.

⏱️ TIME STAMPS:

1:00 Intro w Host Hannie

1:27 📞Speakpipe Debut! Listener call-in

2:33 Stella and her mom, Dani

11:04 Outro, Credits & Gratitude

💬 TRANSCRIPT: https://share.descript.com/view/SYd2lg9xrjh

📝 RESOURCES/SHOW NOTES:

Visit our site for full show notes on local queer info, history, and additional resources mentioned in this episode → https://thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast

We want to hear from you! Send a voice note to our online voice message box →IFQT! Speakpipe - http://speakpipe.com/ifqt

🚨 CRISIS RESOURCES:

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+ specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re closing out our big queer roadtrip by taking you to the gayest town in America: Provincetown! 🌈In our season finale, we travel to Cape Cod, a peninsula off the southeast part of Massachusetts. You’ll meet some friendly folks who call Cape Cod their home year round. Plus, we’ll introduce you to The Summer of Sass, a local non-profit providing queer youth ages 18-20 the opportunity to spend the summer living and working in Provincetown. Find out why this place is a dream destination for the LGBTQ+ community and the ways that Ptown still needs to grow in order to become a truly intersectional queer utopia. This podcast episode was developed last summer through a workshop at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA.

📝 RESOURCES/SHOW NOTES:

Visit our site for full show notes on local queer info, history, and additional resources mentioned in this episode → https://thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast

We want to hear from you! Send a voice note to our online voice message box →IFQT! Speakpipe - http://speakpipe.com/ifqt

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS:

Please note that some resources may contain triggering content and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of, or the definitions used by, The Future Perfect Project.

⏱️ TIME STAMPS:

0:00 Intro w Hosts Lily & Trinity

2:43 Intro to P-Town w Hazel - 14 yo local

6:59 Intro to SASS w Kristen Becker, Founder and Director

9:48 House of SASS tour

12:15 Kristen Becker

21:41 Ad: The Queer Family Podcast

22:55 “Bird Bath” short story by Robby Piper

29:20 Cody interviews Patience “growing up summer-camping on the Cape”

35:58 Messages for Queer Youth from Ptowners

38:52 Outro, Credits & Gratitude

💬 TRANSCRIPT: https://share.descript.com/view/w28n3MP1aLh

🚨 CRISIS RESOURCES:

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+ specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s part two of our visit to Columbus, Ohio and we’re back with the queers at the Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC), the largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio solely dedicated to serving and supporting LGBTQIA+ youth since 1994. Today’s episode is an ode to special interests: from Dungeons and Dragons to Monster High dolls; from a queer tarot deck to a guitar named Sasha. The youth at KYC show us that our favorite things and hobbies can be portals to exploring and accepting who we are. We suggest listening to Part 1 of this episode first.

📝 RESOURCES/SHOW NOTES:

Visit our site for full show notes on local queer info, history, and additional resources mentioned in this episode → https://thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast

We want to hear from you! Send a voice note to our online voice message box →IFQT! Speakpipe - http://speakpipe.com/ifqt

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS:

Please note that some resources may contain triggering content and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of, or the definitions used by, The Future Perfect Project.

⏱️ TIME STAMPS:

0:55 Intro w Hosts Ky & Trudy

2:34 Felix’s Advice Column: Queer solutions to losing things

5:19 Felix’s Advice Column: Transmasc style tips

8:03 Queer Crushes: Nate & Kai

10:37 Ad: The Queer Family Podcast

11:40 Queer & Tell: Nate’s ukelele

14:00 Queer & Tell: Felix’s queer tarot

16:42 Queer & Tell: Blaine’s guitar

18:04 DnD interview w Kyros

24:57 Outro, Credits & Gratitude

🚨 CRISIS RESOURCES:

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+ specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve made it to the fourth stop on our queer roadtrip: Columbus, OH! In this episode, you’ll meet the queer youth at the Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC), the largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio solely dedicated to serving and supporting LGBTQIA+ youth since 1994. You’ll hear directly from the members of KYC’s Summer Institute, a paid program for queer youth to develop as leaders and build community. Learn what it’s really like to be a queer young person living in a “cornfield state.” Plus, an interview between a KYC regular and the center’s Civic Engagement and Advocacy Manager. This is Part 1 of 2 of our visit to Columbus, Ohio.

📝 RESOURCES/SHOW NOTES:

Visit our site for full show notes on local queer info, history, and additional resources mentioned in this episode → https://thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast#s3e7

We want to hear from you! Send a voice note to our online voice message box →IFQT! Speakpipe - http://speakpipe.com/ifqt

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS:

Please note that some resources may contain triggering content and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of, or the definitions used by, The Future Perfect Project.

⏱️ TIME STAMPS:

0:55 Intro w Hosts Ky & Trudy

1:56 Hosts introduce KYC

3:19 Youth Random Roundtable

7:52 Queer in the Cornfield State

9:47 Kaleidoscope Youth Center, an audio tour

11:27 Kyros on Growing Up Queer

14:55 Politics & Pride w Nate & Mallory

25:23 Outro, Credits & Gratitude

💬 TRANSCRIPT: https://share.descript.com/view/qJVK8Hwecg3

🚨 CRISIS RESOURCES:

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+ specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s part two of our visit to Philadelphia, PA and we’re back with the queer youth actors, theater makers, visual artists, and filmmakers at The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA.) You’ll hear original writing about what it’s like being a trans woman in Philly from two of CAPA’s artists. Then, an original poem written by a young trans actor about his experience as a first generation American born to parents who grew up in the Soviet Union. Finally, the CAPA GSA imagines themselves as queer ancestors, and offer messages of hope to the next generation. We suggest listening to Part 1 of this episode first.

📝 RESOURCES/SHOW NOTES:

Visit our site for full show notes on local queer info, history, and additional resources mentioned in this episode → https://thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast#s3e6

We want to hear from you! Send a voice note to our online voice message box →IFQT! Speakpipe - http://speakpipe.com/ifqt

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS:

Please note that some resources may contain triggering content and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of, or the definitions used by, The Future Perfect Project.

⏱️ TIME STAMPS:

0:00 Intro w Hosts Josephine & Eden

1:43 Sam’s Poem: “First”

3:55 Sam on getting involved, activism and what trans women want

7:29 Brooklyn’s Poem: “The Day I Spoke With Death” ⚠️CW: death, unaliving, suicide themes

8:51 Brooklyn on her influences, death

9:35 Midge Poem: “Golubój”

13:40 Midge post-poem interview

15:29 “I Am An Ancestor Medley” — a message to the people who come after us

19:33 Outro, Credits & Gratitude

💬 TRANSCRIPT: https://share.descript.com/view/Ipx8a5DyJxC

🚨 CRISIS RESOURCES:

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+ specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.