keywords:Rocket City Pride, LGBTQIA+, community activism, Huntsville, Pride Fest, equality, visibility, advocacy, social justice, Alabama

In this conversation, Brian Banks and Jeremiah Dameron discuss the evolution and future of Rocket City Pride in Huntsville, Alabama. They explore Jeremiah's personal journey, his activism, and the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in the region. The discussion highlights the importance of visibility, community engagement, and the need for a centralized hub for LGBTQIA+ resources and events. They also delve into the upcoming Pride Fest 2024, emphasizing the significance of participation and support from the community to foster a more inclusive environment.

• Jeremiah Dameron is the new president of Rocket City Pride.
• The LGBTQIA+ community in Huntsville lacks a central gathering place.
• Visibility is crucial for the LGBTQIA+ community's strength.
• Rocket City Pride aims to be a resource for the community.
• Pride Fest 2024 will feature local talent and community engagement.
• Community involvement is essential for the success of Rocket City Pride.
• There is a need for more LGBTQIA+ friendly businesses in Huntsville.
• Jeremiah emphasizes the importance of listening to community needs.
• The conversation highlights the challenges of activism in conservative areas.
• Jeremiah's vision includes creating a community center for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Sound Bites

"I want to feel equal."

"We can only create a more connected Huntsville."

"Visibility is often one of our greatest strengths."

Summary

Jason Minter, a gay parent and host of the podcast 'A Guide to Poor Parenting', joins Brian Banks on the Raging Hardham Podcast to discuss their experiences as parents. They talk about how they started their podcasts during the pandemic as a way to cope with the challenges of parenting. Jason shares his journey of growing up in Texas with two autistic parents and coming out as gay at 17. They also discuss their decision to adopt children through the foster care system and the process they went through. Overall, the conversation highlights the joys and struggles of parenting and the importance of support and understanding. In this conversation, Brian Banks discusses his experience as a parent and the challenges and rewards of foster care and adoption. He shares stories of the adoption process, the importance of support networks, and the lessons he has learned about himself as a parent. Brian also emphasizes the need for patience, understanding, and good boundaries when raising children. He provides resources for those interested in foster care and adoption and encourages open communication and self-reflection in parenting.

Keywords

parenting, podcasting, gay parents, adoption, foster care, challenges, support, parenting, foster care, adoption, support networks, challenges, rewards, boundaries, self-reflection

Takeaways

Starting a podcast can be a cathartic way to cope with the challenges of parenting.

Adoption through the foster care system can provide stable homes for children whose parental rights have been terminated.

Parenting can be isolating, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals, but finding support and community is crucial.

Understanding and empathy are essential when parenting children who have experienced trauma or have special needs. Foster care and adoption can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding experiences.

It is important to have a strong support network when raising children, especially those who have experienced trauma.

Good boundaries and self-reflection are essential for maintaining mental health and providing effective parenting.

The adoption process can be complex, but there are resources available to help navigate it.

Open communication and honesty with children about their past and emotions are crucial for building trust and understanding.

Sound Bites

"Parenting, as all parents, not just gay parents know, it's hard."

"There's a real shift that happens when you become a parent."

"Parenting can be kind of isolating. You lose your friends."

"In comes this group of social workers with black garbage bags and start beating on our tables saying, grab everything you can get."

"I've always been giving person, I guess you would say. Always felt like my purpose in life that I've found the thing that I come back to all the time is service to others."

"I have really good boundaries. So I am very capable of giving, I know exactly where to stop."

Summary

In this conversation, Brian Banks interviews Mallory Hagan, discussing her background, activism, and experiences as Miss America. They touch on topics such as standing up for oneself, allyship, systemic issues in the pageant industry, and the importance of empathy and understanding. Mallory shares her journey of personal growth and the impact of her platform on child abuse prevention. They also discuss the need for deeper conversations and critical thinking in politics and society. In this conversation, Brian Banks and Mallory Hagan discuss various topics including emotions, parenting, politics, and personal growth. Mallory shares her journey of learning to sit with her feelings and be present, as well as her experience as a parent and step-parent. They also touch on the importance of voting and the need for progress in local politics. Mallory emphasizes the value of journaling and self-reflection in her personal growth process. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence in navigating life's challenges.

Keywords

activism, Miss America, allyship, standing up for oneself, systemic issues, pageant industry, empathy, understanding, child abuse prevention, critical thinking, emotions, parenting, politics, personal growth, voting, empathy, compassion, emotional intelligence

Takeaways

Standing up for oneself and others is a trait that can be nurtured from a young age.

Allyship requires empathy, understanding, and the willingness to engage in difficult conversations.

Systemic issues exist in the pageant industry and need to be addressed.

Child abuse prevention is an important cause that requires ongoing awareness and support.

Deeper conversations and critical thinking are necessary for personal growth and societal progress. Learning to sit with and explore our feelings is a valuable skill for personal growth and emotional well-being.

Parenting provides an opportunity to reflect on our own childhood experiences and break cycles of trauma.

Girls and boys may express and process emotions differently, and it's important to provide support and guidance for healthy emotional expression.

Voting is crucial for creating positive change in local politics and ensuring representation for all members of the community.

Journaling and self-reflection can be powerful tools for understanding and processing emotions.

Sound Bites

"Welcome to the Raging Heart on podcast. I'm your host, Brian Banks."

"You stood up for yourself and, and"

"Where does the love of other people that are unlike myself come from?"

"I'm learning to let feelings come up instead of go down."

"The first thing is to feel it."

"Parenting is an opportunity to think about what you were doing and feeling in that age."