Season Three
In Season 3, I’m Feeling Queer Today! is going on a road trip around the U.S. to answer a big question:
What is it like to be an LGBTQ+ person where you live?
So buckle your seatbelts—we’re speaking directly to the queer young people in five different U.S. cities: An LGBTQ+ youth center in the basement of a Baptist church in Spartanburg, South Carolina; a home for religious and secular queers alike in Provo, Utah; a high school for the performing arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Northern tip of Cape Cod where it’s pride month year round in Provincetown, Massachusetts; and a center opening its doors to the queer youth of Columbus, Ohio since 1994.
Forget everything you think you know about these cities and towns, and get ready to hear from the LGBTQ+ youth who call these places home.
SPARTANBURG, SC
PROVO, UT
Let us know what you think of our latest episode, share any topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast, and don't forget to tell us:
how are YOU feeling queer today?
🌈
Spartanburg, South Carolina
SPARTANBURG SHOW NOTES
➡️💖 South Carolina LGBTQ+ Support Resources!
➡️💻 Gender Wiki Resource link
-
Use this wiki to help identify your gender.
-
Valentine starts walking us through this resource at [2:35] of episode 2
➡️🌈 Queer Spartanburg Fun Facts
-
As of 2023, more than five percent of LGBTQ+ Americans come from South Carolina. (source)
-
In Spartanburg, Black Pride Week is the only LGBTQ+ event celebrated in June. Most other Pride events are celebrated in November instead! (source)
➡️🇺🇸🌈 Notable LGBTQ+ Legislation, as of summer 2025:
- South Carolina United is an informative resource tracking current 2025 LGBTQ+ bills and legislation in SC.
- This page via ACLU also tracks the status/progression of bills related to Anti-LGBTQ+ rights in SC as a state.
-
Bill H.4624 is discussed in this episode. This bill bans healthcare for transgender youth (under 18) in SC. This includes both physical healthcare and mental healthcare. It also prevents any outside funding to pay for transition healthcare (as a gofundme would, for example) and it requires school administrators to “out” transgender students to their parents, even if it is not safe to. (source: SCUnited) It allows for anyone (besides the transgender person) to define what “sex”, “gender”, and “gender transition procedures” mean. There is a penalty for not following this law. (source: billTrack)
S3E1: The Queers Behind the Baptist Church, Part 1
(Spartanburg, SC)
Welcome to Season 3 and the first stop on our queer road trip: Spartanburg, South Carolina. In this episode, you’ll meet the youth at Uplift Outreach Center, an LGBTQ+ safe space behind a baptist church and the only center in the area dedicated to serving queer youth. Find out why folks come from all across the region (“The Upstate”) to spend time at Uplift, take a tour of the center’s gender-affirming free clothing closet, bake dinosaur brownies with the Uplift Program Director, and hear directly from the hearts + minds of young people in the region. This is Part 1 of 2 of our visit to Spartanburg, South Carolina.
ABOUT THE HOSTS
🎙️ Eric Eubank (they/them) is a non-binary writer, student, and storyteller; as both a chronic overthinker and curious soul, they are currently on a journey to find beauty and joy in the everyday.
🎙️ Lily Mueller (they/she/he) is Lily is a New England based curious creative working at the intersections of queerness, disability, memory, imagination, and healing. Connect with Lily on IG / TikTok
This episode was produced by Hannie Saba, Emma Jayne Seswlosky, and our dear executive producer and mentor, Julie Novak. Julie, your legacy will live on in all of us, and in every episode of this podcast <3
S3E2: The Queers Behind the Baptist Church, Part 2
(Spartanburg, SC)
It’s Part Two of our visit to Spartanburg, South Carolina and we’re back with the youth of Uplift Outreach Center to hear their coming out stories, secret crushes, and messages of hope for the future. Plus, they share their thoughts on the passing of House Bill 4624, which bans gender affirming care for minors across the state. If you’re just joining us, welcome to our queer road trip across the country! We suggest listening to Part 1 of this episode first.
ABOUT THE HOSTS
🎙️ Eric Eubank (they/them) is a non-binary writer, student, and storyteller; as both a chronic overthinker and curious soul, they are currently on a journey to find beauty and joy in the everyday.
🎙️ Lily Mueller (they/she/he) is Lily is a New England based curious creative working at the intersections of queerness, disability, memory, imagination, and healing. Connect with Lily on IG / TikTok
This episode was recorded in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and produced by Hannie Saba, Emma Jayne Seswlosky, and our dear executive producer and mentor, Julie Novak. Julie, your legacy will live on in all of us, and in every episode of this podcast <3
Provo, Utah
FEATURING ENCIRCLE
Encircle is a nonprofit that provides support, counseling, and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and their families at multiple locations in Utah, including Provo, Salt Lake City, St. George, and Heber.
“We are committed to providing resources & support to help LGBTQ+ youth thrive as their best selves.”
PROVO SHOW NOTES
➡️💖LGBTQ+ Utah Resources (helpful places to start, not a full list)
-
Encircle! is a nonprofit providing affirming therapy, safe drop-in spaces, and creative programs for LGBTQ+ youth and families in Utah (with locations in Provo, SLC, St. George, and Heber)
-
Queer Family Therapy provides affirming therapy and letters of support for gender-affirming medical care. They also collaborate with Encircle and specialize in serving LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Utah.
-
Queer Meals offers free meals, safe spaces, and suicide prevention-trained support for queer people in Provo. They also make home visits for individuals in need of direct care and connection.
-
🏳️⚧️TEA of Utah (Transgender Education Advocates) promotes awareness, education, and legal advocacy for trans rights in Utah through public engagement and community events.
-
Utah Pride Center hosts the annual Utah Pride Festival in Salt Lake City. Also offers mental health services, youth and adult support groups, gender-affirming care navigation.
-
OUTreach Utah provides weekly support groups, youth events, and resources for LGBTQ+ teens, families, and educators across northern Utah.
-
Genderbands is an Orem-based nonprofit offering gender-affirming care grants, surgery fundraisers, and gear for trans and nonbinary individuals, plus an annual Genderfest celebration.
-
Equality Utah is Utah’s largest LGBTQ+ political advocacy group, fighting for queer and trans rights at the local and state level, and offering educational tools for schools and communities.
➡️✨Encircle Fun Fact
-
Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons (who grew up Mormon) helped fund Encircle homes across Utah, including in Provo, to support LGBTQ+ youth and families with affirming care.
➡️🌈LGBTQ+ LDS (couple starting places)
-
Mama Dragons is a nonprofit support network for mothers and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth, many of whom come from LDS backgrounds. They offer education, community care, and mental health resources to help families fully affirm their queer and trans children. Mentioned in episode 4.
-
Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends is a global organization that supports LGBTQ+ people with Mormon backgrounds. They host conferences, virtual support groups, and publish personal stories that bridge faith, identity, and healing.
➡️🎵 "This River is Wild" by the Killers
-
An acoustic version of this song is covered in episode 3.
S3E3: No Sides, Only Love - Part 1
(Provo, UT)
Welcome to the second stop on our queer road trip across the United States: Provo, Utah. In this episode, we’re visiting the home of Encircle Provo, a dedicated drop-in space for queer youth where the motto is “No Sides, Only Love.” With 42% of Utah’s population self-identifying as members of the Church of Latter-day Saints, the queer youth of Encircle have a wide range of experiences when it comes to “The Church.” Listen to original poetry from Encircle’s Writing Night, hear from someone balancing their transness with their faith, and find out how this queer community comes together, religious differences and all. This is Part 1 of 2 of our visit to Provo, Utah.
ABOUT THE HOSTS
🎙️ Peter (he/him) is potentially the most awesome and grammatically correct trans man you will ever meet. Prepare to be dazzled any time you are in the room with him because of his superior charm and 4.0 GPA.
🎙️ Siri/Maru (she/he/they) is is a queer, Nerodivergent teenager who expresses themselves through the many different forms of art.
S3E4: No Sides, Only Love - Part 2
(Provo, UT)
It’s Part Two of our visit to Provo, Utah and we’re back with the youth of the Encircle Provo house. This week, you’ll meet the superheros who keep the Encircle home up and running, including an assistant program director who’s queering ballroom dance. Plus, listen to a special interview with Encircle BFFs and episode hosts, Peter and Maru, and sit in on a Youth Friendship Circle, a signature Encircle offering that puts the home’s motto, “No Sides, Only Love,” into action. We suggest listening to Part 1 of this episode first.
ABOUT THE HOSTS
🎙️ Peter (he/him) is potentially the most awesome and grammatically correct trans man you will ever meet. Prepare to be dazzled any time you are in the room with him because of his superior charm and 4.0 GPA.
🎙️ Siri/Maru (she/he/they) is is a queer, Nerodivergent teenager who expresses themselves through the many different forms of art.