This Is Your Q

From the ballot box to the choir loft, queer Mississippians are redefining what it means to thrive in the Hospitality State. Join us for an inspiring, multi-disciplinary panel from Mississippi Capital City Pride It’s Pride Y’all Festival featuring local leaders in civic engagement, harm reduction, mental health, the arts, and affirming faith. Discover how these diverse advocates are weaving a stronger community safety net and proving that in Jackson, queer joy is our greatest form of resistance.

In Episode 5 of This Is Your Q, host Edgar Meyer sits down with Aaron Jones, Co-Chair of Jackson Black Pride; Deja Abdul-Haqq, Director of Capacity Building Assistance Programs for My Brother’s Keeper, Inc.; and Rashad Pollard, PrEP Coordinator for Open Arms Health Care Center.
Together, they explore what it means to live openly, build community, and celebrate LGBTQIA+ life in Mississippi, particularly for Black people and other people of color. The conversation highlights the strength and resilience of Jackson’s LGBTQIA+ community, the organizations working year-round to provide support and resources, and the importance of creating spaces where people can feel seen, connected, and celebrated.
They also look ahead to Jackson Black Pride, discussing how Pride goes beyond a celebration to create lasting community, advocacy, opportunity, and connection across generations.
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

What does civic engagement actually look like beyond showing up on Election Day?
 
On this episode of This Is Your Q, we’re talking about Pride + Power, a nonpartisan civic education summit created to answer the questions many people feel like they are already supposed to know.
 
Greta, Noelle, McKenna, and Kathleen join the conversation to break down how elections and government work, why local and off year elections matter, what happens when voter registration or identity documents create complications, how citizens can engage with local government, and what it actually takes to run for office.
 
We also explore the barriers that can keep people from participating in the civic process and why understanding the systems making decisions in our communities matters long after Election Day.
 
Pride + Power isn’t about telling people who to vote for. It’s about giving people the knowledge and tools to understand their power and use it.
 
Guests:
Greta Martin, Faith in WomenKathleen O’Beirne, MS UnitedNoelle Nolan-Rider, Vote Your Pride MSMckenna Raney, ACLU of Mississippi
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

As Mississippi Capital City Pride Festival draws closer, host Edgar Meyer welcomes Pride Chair Lucas Posey, Pride Committee member Ainsley Smith, and longtime Mississippi Capital City Pride supporter and donor Robin Morgan for an inside look at what it takes to bring one of Mississippi’s most anticipated Pride celebrations to life.
From this year’s festival theme and the planning process to volunteer opportunities, vendor applications, sponsorships, and behind the scenes logistics, this episode offers listeners a front row seat to the work, passion, and community that make the festival possible. The conversation explores how local businesses, grassroots organizations, donors, and volunteers all play a vital role in creating an inclusive, welcoming, and safe celebration for everyone.
Whether you’re planning to attend for the first time, looking to volunteer, considering becoming a sponsor, or simply curious about the people and purpose behind Mississippi Capital City Pride, this episode will show you how you can get involved and help shape the future of Pride in Mississippi.
Join us as we celebrate community, connection, and the people working year round to make Pride more than a weekend, it’s a movement.
 
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

How has LGBTQ+ life in Mississippi changed over the decades, and where is it headed next?
 
Host Edgar Meyer is joined by historian Laura Heller, along with Jack Myers, Stan Nichols, and Sherry Cothren, for a powerful conversation exploring the history, resilience, and future of Mississippi’s queer community. Together, they reflect on personal coming out stories, pivotal moments in LGBTQ+ history, the importance of preserving the stories of those who came before us, and the progress that continues to shape the state’s future.
 
The panel also shares their hopes for the next generation and discusses the vital role Mississippi Capital City Pride (MSCCP) plays in fostering visibility, inclusion, and community across Mississippi.
 
In this episode:
 
The history of LGBTQ+ life in Mississippi, especially in Jackson
Personal journeys of coming out and living authentically
Milestones that shaped queer culture in the state
Why preserving LGBTQ+ history matters
A look toward the future of queer life in Mississippi
How MSCCP is building community and creating opportunities for the next generation
 
Support Mississippi Capital City Pride:
The MSCCP silent auction is underway and will conclude at the August Drag Brunch. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the upcoming MSCCP Pride Festival. Your support helps strengthen and celebrate Mississippi’s LGBTQ+ community.
 
Subscribe, share, and join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to a brighter future on This Is Your Q.

How does a movement begin? With a conversation, a need, and people willing to step forward.
In the premiere episode of This Is Your Q, host Kathy is joined by Mississippi Capital City Pride’s founding members, Lucas, Tyler, and Ashlee, along with the organization’s Pride Chairs, to share the story behind the creation of Mississippi Capital City Pride (MSCCP).
Together, they reflect on the organization’s beginnings, the vision that inspired it, and the challenges they faced while building a more connected, visible, and welcoming LGBTQ+ community in Central Mississippi. They also discuss how MSCCP has grown, the impact it has already made, and the exciting future they are working toward.
You’ll hear about the organization’s mission, favorite community events, opportunities to volunteer, and how every listener can help make a difference through membership, donations, and community involvement.
Whether you’ve been part of the journey from the beginning or are just discovering MSCCP, this episode offers an inspiring look at what can happen when people come together with a shared purpose.
In this episode you’ll learn:
The founding story of Mississippi Capital City Pride
The mission and vision driving the organization
The milestones and challenges that have shaped its growth
How community members can get involved through volunteering, membership, and donations
The hopes and plans for the future of Pride in Mississippi
Because when a community chooses love, everyone has a place to belong.
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions