Content Rating: Parental guidance is suggested for the designated age range (7-13 yrs); some material may not be suitable for all children due to coarse language. Host: Jessica Samuels Guest: Wilbur Turner Season 1 - Episode: 10

For the final episode in this season of Voices Unheard, we celebrate Kelowna Pride Week by delving into the city’s LGBT2Q+ history, and learning the story of a gay man who has been instrumental in fostering the Pride movement in this British Columbia community. Wilbur Turner (he/him) grew up during the 60s and 70s in rural Alberta “in a time when gay wasn't a word you heard.” His upbringing in a conservative Christian cult made it impossible for him to recognize his sexuality, and was eventually ostracized by some of his own family and the church when he finally came out after 18 years of marriage to a woman. His coming out experience led him to volunteer work in the LGBT2Q+ community; after moving to Kelowna in 2011, he became heavily involved with Kelowna Pride. Wilbur was a key part of taking a small Pride March with a few dozen in attendance, to the festival with thousands in attendance in 2019.

Content Rating: Parental guidance is suggested for the designated age range (7-13 yrs); some material may not be suitable for all children due to coarse language. Host: Jessica Samuels Guest: Nicolette Rodriguez Season 1 - Episode: 09

Nicolette Rodriguez (she/her) is our next guest on Voices Unheard. She is a 26 year old trans woman of colour who began transitioning one year ago. Nicolette was born in Edmonton, Alberta but grew up in and currently resides in Penticton, British Columbia; her family emigrated to Canada from El Salvador prior to her birth. She is Vice-President at the South Okanagan-Similkameen Pride Society, and currently works at the Penticton YMCA and is studying business. Host Jessica Samuels will chat with Nicolette about her life and experiences as a trans person and how being a woman of colour with immigrant family members continues to shape her world.

Content Rating: Parental guidance is suggested for the designated age range (7-13 yrs); some material may not be suitable for all children due to coarse language. Host: Jessica Samuels Guest: Robert Verigin Season 1 - Episode: 08

Robert Verigin (he/she/they) sometimes uses pronouns, and sometimes doesn’t, because he’s usually just referred to as “that old queen”. On this episode of Voices Unheard, Jessica Samuels is joined by Robert, who is now 68 years young and is widely known by his drag persona, Sophona Dick. Growing up queer in a small BC community in the 60s and 70s, he was outed by his father in 1968, spurring a move to the “big cities” of Vancouver and Seattle where he finally felt free to be himself. The conversation between Jessica and Robert will span decades full of fascinating and at times heartbreaking tales, including how the HIV/AIDS epidemic stole so many lives from this earth. The stories he will share are sure to provide inspiration and hope; Robert strongly believes that no matter your age, sexual identity, where you live, or what your struggles are...it really does get better.