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Life and parenting often feels so fraught, so overwhelming, and so frustrating. We’re navigating unprecedented attacks on queer and trans folks and youth. Of course, as parents, we stay vigilant, trying to anticipate what might come next so we can support and protect our kids. But even as we hunt for answers to all our practical questions, we still need something else to keep us going: sources of hope, grounding, and inspiration. Today, we get to offer you just that through the incredible work of BAGLY, the Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth—a youth-led, adult-supported organization that has spent nearly fifty years building safe spaces, affirming identities, and lifting up queer and trans young people. For half a century, BAGLY has been a beacon of belonging, envisioning a future where LGBTQ+ youth not only survive, but shine, shaping Boston and far beyond

Special Guest: Elliott-Timothy Viridian

Elliott-Timothy Viridian is an educator, writer, poet, and essayist from the greater US South. Viridian has written extensively about his upbringing, black feminist politics, and black masculinities within and around the Southern Black tradition. Viridian has spoken and continues to speak across the country on queer issues & rights.

Special Guest: Evander Ragsdale

Evander Ragsdale (he/they) is a freshman at Skidmore College studying English. He has been with BAGLY for over a year and spends his free time writing and playing ultimate frisbee.

Special Guest: Kris Cho

Kris Cho (any/all) is a queer Korean American poet and educator hailing from Mid-Missouri. They currently work at BAGLY as the Youth Leadership and Advocacy Coordinator. Prior to BAGLY, Kris worked as a Bargaining and Campaign Strategy Coordinator for the Massachusetts Teachers Association and a Slam Poetry Coach at John D. O'Bryant School for Mathematics and Science, where they are currently a poet-in-residence. They are a 2023 Best of the Net nominee, a 2024 RWW Poetry Fellow, and 2025 Periplus Fellow. Their debut chapbook Chosun Cowboy (Abode Press) will be published in 2026.

Links from the Show:

• Bagly website
• Join Mama Dragons today

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