WFHB FireHouse Broadcasting

Bloomington author Donovan Walling highlights the upcoming lecture by internationally recognized theologian Bishop John Shelby Spong who will discuss his philosophy of “Progressive Christianity” at the Bloomington First United Church on Sunday February 14. Walling also shares some personal history as author of the groundbreaking anthology “Open Lives, Safe Schools”, his role as co-founder of the Quarryland Men’s Chorus and other aspects of his extensive career in education. Northern Indiana activist Linda Bentz provides updates about the united organizing efforts by various community, student and queer groups in response to an offensive cartoon published recently in the University of Notre Dame student newspaper.

Pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Bloomington Reverend David Bremer informs listeners about the upcoming symposium January 30 addressing need for increased church involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and the efforts being made to help orphans in Uganda. He also discusses his own Christian beliefs that purport acceptance, affirmation and inclusion of everyone by religious communities. Indiana University School of Education graduate student Jan Marie Steele talks about the viewing of the East Berlin film “Coming Out” and community discussion to be held Saturday 30 January at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. IU Professor of Germanic Studies and Cinema Brigitta Wagner provides background for film with an overview of the “Cinema of the WENDE” genre.

Indiana University graduate student Abigail Sewell returns to discuss the intersection of racism and homophobia and how they affect individuals and the community at large. Director of the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre Danielle McClelland and PRIDE Film Festival organizer Eric Metzler are in our studio to provide further information about this year's festival to be held on January 27-31. Indiana Equality Action President Randy Studt calls in with legislative updates and information about the status of the anti-marriage constitutional amendment once again making its way through the Indiana General Assembly. bloomingOUT also features the latest in national and international queer headline news and a community calendar highlighting local and regional events of interest to the queer community and our allies. Hosted by Helen Harrell and Sean Lemieux.

Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan stops by the studio to chat about the political gains, losses and omissions experienced by the queer community during the first year of the Obama presidency. Kruzan also highlights local progress and breaks the news that Bloomington was just recently selected by The Advocate magazine as the 4th most accepting LGBT city in the country. Director of the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre Danielle McClelland and local IU student Jurion Jaffe stop by to inform listeners about the upcoming 7th annual Bloomington PRIDE Film Festival to be held January 27-31. Jaffe especially highlights the increased level of student involvement this year and the specific film events being held on campus and at Rhino’s local youth club.

Indiana University Communication and Culture professor Mary Gray and IU graduate students Bryon Craig and Abigail Sewell are in the studio to discuss the recent murder of black gay IU English Professor Don Belton. The conversation addresses issues of homophobia and racism as well as the reactions by Indiana University and the Bloomington community to this disturbing crime committed by a veteran of the Iraq War. Indianapolis therapist Michele O’Mara talks about grief and grieving on both an individual basis and by a community at-large and how this process is experienced differently by a marginalized group such as those who are LGBT and/or black. Our featured musical artist is Canadian singer-songwriter Amy Campbell with a track from her latest album "Oh Heart, Oh Highway".

A special holiday program includes a conversation with Bloomington residents Jim Doud and Glenn Lassiter about the importance of estate planning for LGBTQ couples. Denied the right to marry in most states, hence the right to survivorship, queer couples are left vulnerable to excessive inheritance taxation and challenges to wills and testaments, making it essential to protect one’s property rights and the rights of surviving partners. Jim and Glenn share their personal experience with the challenges of safeguarding one another’s rights. Hosted by Helen Harrell and Sean Lemieux.

Bloomington North High School Counselor Greg Chaffin talks about depression and suicidal thoughts among LGBTQI students, especially during the holiday season, on a new edition of “Youth in Peril.” Mike Malone from Boxcar Books stops by to tell us about their “Naughty But Nice” fundraiser to be held at the Bluebird Nightclub on December 18, with all profits going to Boxcar and the Pages for Prisoners program. Two-spirit Yupik (Eskimo) artist, writer, speaker and activist Richard LaFortune provides insight into queer issues from a Native American perspective and in particular reveals the effects of DOMA on sovereign nations' traditional marriage rights. Currently residing in Minnesota, the Alaskan native also highlights his involvement with the “Two Spirit” documentary about the murder of Fred Martinez.

Immigration Equality communication director Steve Ralls updates us from the front lines of the battle for immigration rights reform to benefit lesbian, gay, bisexual and trangender couples and those who are HIV positive, in terms of federal legislation and grassroots organizational efforts. Commentator Lylanne Musselman presents “The Awakening: Part Two” on a new edition of "L Words". Our featured musical artist is NYC gay hip-hopper Lester Greene with “Life is What You Make It” and “If I Was Invisible”. bloomingOUT also features the latest in national and international queer headline news and a community calendar highlighting local and regional events of interest to the queer community and our allies. Hosted by Helen Harrell and Sean Lemieux.

IU sociology doctoral student and activist scholar Abigail Sewell works to create safe spaces for black same-gender loving folks on college campuses. Sewell talks about the inherent institutional mistrust of marginalized groups such as blacks and other non-white ethnic/racial groups as well as those who are LGBTQI. Michiana activist and organizer Linda Bentz describes the efforts of the Human Rights Campaign in obtaining firm legislative support for ENDA in Indiana and also highlights upcoming social events sponsored by the GLBT Resource Center of Michiana. Our featured musical artists are the Quarryland Men’s Chorus with two live tracks from their December 2007 concert. Quarryland will be performing at the Bloomington United Church of Christ this coming Sunday at 3 pm.

More than a hundred local queer folks and their allies gathered on the courthouse square in Bloomington, Indiana for the local celebration of National Coming Out Day. All across the nation on October 11 people rallied in support of LGBT equality, while others publicly shared their own “coming out” stories, coinciding with a National Equality March in Washington. bloomingOUT helped organize and host our local event, which included a surprise appearance by Bloomington mayor Mark Kruzan. We’ll get personal with Danielle McClelland, director of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, who shares her own perspective on grappling with sexual identity. We’ll also hear from transgender scientist Kay Johnson and a live set by the Quarryland Men’s Chorus in our extended coverage of National Coming Out Day, a WFHB exclusive.