Amanda Veasy
This interview is with Amanda Veasy, co-founder of One Love Longview, a nonprofit resource center for unsheltered, uninsured, and underserved populations. Amanda talks about the rapid rise of her organization as a response to community needs for accessible mental and physical health care. She describes the changes in her religious experiences over time, including being spurred to leave the church over her unwillingness to condemn the LGBTQ community. Amanda also talks about her methods of helping effectively by putting the individual’s desires and consent first.
Carrie Holley-Hurt
This interview is with Carrie Holley-Hurt, a seminarian studying at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Carrie tells the story of her history of activism and involvement, including her current work tracking and speaking out against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Texas. She talks about how parenting a queer child has informed her fight for equal rights and gender affirming care for trans people. Heather also shares her experiences of both admiration for her child and fears for their safety.
Lee Ann Bryce
This interview is with Lee Ann Bryce, who speaks to the liberating experience of coming out as lesbian and getting to live freely. Lee Ann attended seminary at Iliff School of Theology and became the youth director in an Episcopal Church in Boulder, Colorado before Lee Ann was effectively fired due to her sexual orientation. Lee Ann is known for preaching progressive theology and ensuring that safe spaces exist for people from all walks of life. Currently the Pastor at UCC in Fort Worth, Lee Ann is navigating being a religious leader during COVID, hosting most meetings through Zoom, and hoping that Zoom communications will continue after the pandemic.