Welcome to Season 2, Episode 12 of In Service to Rainbows! I'm your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and today I'm joined by Kathy (they/she), the President and founder of Wortley Pride here in London, Ontario. Kathy is a Non-Binary Lesbian whose story is one of resilience, authenticity, and service to community.

Growing up, Kathy knew they weren't like their friends—they didn't like boys the way others did. They pushed those feelings down, eventually married a man, and had children. While Kathy doesn't regret that part of their life, the truth of who they were could never stay hidden forever. After a divorce and later finding love with a wife, Kathy has stepped fully into their authentic self, supported by family and grounded in love.

Of course, authenticity doesn't make them immune to the hate that surrounds us in these difficult times. Kathy shares openly about how that has touched their life, while also showing how service to the community—and the love that comes back in return—keeps them inspired and strong.

This is a conversation about courage, truth, and the power of building spaces where all of us can belong.

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 11 of In Service to Rainbows! I'm your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and today I have the absolute honour of talking with Sista Patricia, a self-described butch lesbian whose life has been defined by pride, activism, and community.

Sista Patricia knew early in her life that she was a lesbian, and once she embraced that truth, she immediately sought out her community and dove in with both feet. In the 1970s, she stood shoulder to shoulder with others in the fight for queer rights, proud of how the community came together to demand acknowledgment and respect.

In our conversation, we not only revisit those powerful moments in queer history, but we also celebrate the present—Sista Patricia's deep honor at being chosen as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 London Pride Parade. She led the parade at the head of a group of bikers, sharing in the joy, love, and strength that Pride represents.

This is a story of resilience, solidarity, and celebration, and I can't wait for you to hear it.

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 10 of In Service to Rainbows! I'm your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and today's episode is extra special because I get to introduce you to my new co-host, Olive—or Liv, as she likes to be called.

Liv is a transgender woman who will be joining me on future episodes as we take on subject-based conversations that matter to the greater LGBTQIA+ community. In this first episode together, we talk about Liv's personal journey, and then branch out into some of the topics that affect so many of us—building and finding community, navigating life on hormones, and the complexities of family.

This is the beginning of a new chapter for In Service to Rainbows, and I'm so excited to have Liv with me as we continue these conversations. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Liv!

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 9 of In Service to Rainbows! I'm your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and today I have the privilege of sharing the story of Jennifer Wren, a remarkable trans woman whose journey to authenticity is nothing short of inspiring.

Jennifer knew early in life that she was different, but like so many in our community, she spent years suppressing her truth—dabbling in cross-dressing, burying her desires through marriage, raising children, and trying to make it all fit. When she was finally ready to embrace who she truly was, she first had to navigate the difficult process of finding medical support in Canada before traveling to the United States for gender-affirming surgery. Through it all, Jennifer had the love of her daughter and the unwavering presence of her son by her side.

Today, Jennifer stands as her authentic self—a woman, a mother, a role model, and an accomplished poet. In this episode, she not only shares her journey with us, but also reads one of her beautiful poems. Jennifer is someone I deeply admire, and I know her story will resonate with many of you too.

If you would like to purchase one of Jennifer's books you can find it at www.jenniferwennpoet.wixsite.com/home

Welcome to In Service to Rainbows! I'm your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and this is Season 2, Episode 8. In this episode, I sit down with Max, a transgender man with a story that's both fun and deeply heartfelt. Max began exploring gender expression in a unique way—through cosplay at Comic Cons, stepping into the roles of Batman, Robin, and other iconic characters. Those moments of play became powerful steps toward self-discovery.

Max shares how his family, especially his mom, has stood firmly by his side throughout his journey. That unwavering support has made all the difference as he's navigated transition, life with autism, and the challenges of social anxiety. This conversation dives into the joy of creative self-expression, the importance of family backing, and the realities of living authentically when the world feels overwhelming.

In this deeply personal episode of In Service to Rainbows, I take you inside a world where fear is weaponized, silence becomes complicity, and human beings are reduced to talking points. From a humiliating confrontation in a grocery store to the constant barrage of online hate, I share what it really feels like to be a transgender woman in today's polarized climate — and why these attacks are about much more than trans people.

This is a call to remember our shared humanity, to confront lies with truth, and to stand up — even when it's uncomfortable. Because extremism doesn't just happen in politics; it grows in the quiet spaces where good people look away.

Join me as I challenge the noise, reject the hate, and fight for a future where we see each other not as enemies, but as neighbors.

Welcome to In Service to Rainbows! I'm your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and today's episode takes a turn inward. Instead of interviewing a guest, I'm talking about something that's been weighing heavily on my heart: the decline of politics, the corruption running through it, and how that corruption has been twisted into a weapon against trans and queer people. In recent years, we've watched lawmakers use fear and misinformation to push harmful agendas, turning real people's lives into pawns in a cynical game for power.

This episode isn't just about calling out what's broken—it's about remembering what politics could be. I reflect on my favorite show, The West Wing, and how it showed me a different vision of leadership: one rooted in empathy, intelligence, and service. That show didn't just entertain me—it called me to something bigger. It reminded me that government, at its best, can be a force for good, a way to bring people together instead of tearing them apart.

It's a deeply personal conversation about what inspired me, what still gives me hope, and why we can't afford to give up—even when the system feels impossibly broken.

Welcome to In Service to Rainbows! I'm your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and in this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Rigel, a 64-year-old pansexual man who has lived boldly and authentically for decades.

Rigel discovered who he was in his teens and explored his identity before, during, and after the AIDS epidemic. He shares his insights on embracing who you are without fear—especially in today's world of instant validation and social media scrutiny. We also dive into politics, the power of your vote, and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

Rigel's story is also one of deep love and loss, as he recounts a long-term relationship with a partner who was ultimately taken from him due to illness. His journey is one of resilience, passion, and unwavering strength.

I truly enjoyed this conversation, and I hope you do too. Let's get into it!