BY BTL STAFF
OutCasting, public radio's LGBTQ youth program, has three new audio pieces for listeners this month.
On OutCasting (broadcast version): Across most of history and in many societies, gender is understood to be binary: a person is either male or female. But in this fascinating conversation, OutCasting youth participant Jamie talks about what it's like to be non-binary. Listen here.
Then, on OutCasting Overtime: OutCasters Callie and Alex share personal stories about being outed by friends, intentionally or otherwise. They speak about people who have made rude and homophobic comments around them, probably not knowing that they identified as LGBTQ. These experiences are common not only to Callie and Alex, but also to LGBTQ youths anywhere, and sharing them can help these people connect to others over their common struggles and find a new sense of community that they couldn't have found otherwise. Listen here.
And finally, a small, fun new feature – get to know our OutCasting youth participants a little more by listening to our OutCaster of the Month feature. Listen here.
OutCasting presents a look at issues pertaining to the LGBT community as seen through the eyes of young LGBTQ people and allies and provides insight into the broad dimensions of the LGBTQ youth experience. OutCasting, produced in New York, reaches a general audience on Pacifica Radio Network affiliate stations around the country. It is also available online at http://outcasting.mfpg.org and through iTunes.
OutCasting goes far beyond mainstream media coverage, which tends to be limited and sensationalist. And just as important as the issues they cover is the outlet that OutCasting gives to these young voices: a population still marginalized, potentially victimized, and rarely heard. The experience of being an "OutCaster" is one of empowering, meaningful expression in a safe environment, thus turning the meaning of the word "outcast" on its head. It is also a powerful educational experience. Their participants learn a wide variety of important educational skills that go into creating quality journalism which will serve them throughout their lives.
