Jonny yields the microphone (mostly) to SIU’s The Intersectuionality Project and the Black and Queer Roundtable for a discussion of the importance of education and the educational disparities that face Black, Brown, and queer youth. Daniel, Janine, and Mendez pull from their own experience and recent research to drive a lively and informative discussion.

Jonny sits down with Janine Armstrong and Daniel Killins, both members of the Southern Illinois University Registered Student Organization (RSO), The Intersectionality Project (TIP), to discuss the Black and Queer Roundtable. They discuss very personal experiences of intersectional identities and articulate why identiy affirming organizations that explore intersectionality are so important for students in higher education. The queerness is real. The Blackness is real! And all of it is real together!

Jonny and Heather discuss the consequences of book bans and other limitations on representation and sharing inormation. They cover information about the Queer Liberation Library, set up to combat LGBTQ book bans with a digital alternative. They discuss the consequences of bans on teaching Black history as part of a misguided labeling of them “Critical Race Theory.” They also parse the difference between legislative bans and so-called “cancel culture.”

Jonny covers the Rally for Expression, including SOIL Sister Marjorie Arcana’s wonderful address to the crowd about the power of joy as resistance (special thanks to Sister Jewnita Hug for the recording!). Jonny marks the distinction between drag and trans while also showing why Anti-Trans legislators target drag, arguing that the anti-trans, anti-drag, anti-CRT, anti-sex eductation, anti-LGBTQ, book banners, and representation deniers are all playing from the same set of anxieties. In the back half of the show, Jonny shows a variety of places where anti-trans folks are contradicting themselves in their rhetoric and policy promotion.

Jonny shares the highlights of a town hall scheduled for March 13 in Carbondale with candidates running for local School Boards. Many were invited to attend, three indicated that they would, none showed up. So, the community that did come to listen and ask questions had a conversation about the serious issues facing public education, especially re: LGBTQIA+ youth. The questing and the comments were substantive. The irritation that, even in a progressive state like Illlinois, candidates can so easily shun having such conversations with their constituents was palpable. In the back third of the show, Jonny reviews legislation in Illinois meant to protect public libraries from censorship.

Jonny and Dr. Shannon Green, both Beloved Puppetistas, discuss the beginning of public puppet making workshops in anticipation of the All Species Puppet Parade on Earth Day (April 22) in Carbondale, IL. Along the way, they discuss the challenges of public pedagogy, especially for queers. They note smilarites in resistance to environmental reform and LGBTQ rights advancement. But mostly, they celebrate their joy of art, education, and environmental advocacy.

Jonny currates some recent stories about LGBTQ-affirming education and the lie of “parental choice” and “freedom.” In the back half of the show, he tries to counter the news of evergrowing amounts of proposed legislation limitiing LGBTQ rights with some stories about places where equity and acceptance are being advanced. He concludes with a rundown of upcoming LGBTQ commnity events in Southern Illinois.