In this episode we chat to LH Macbeth AKA Himish Macbeth about being a disabled drag king. We chat about struggles, successes and attitudes we’d prefer to encounter when talking about inaccessibility and end up talking about the power of joy. Whether you’re a queer, disabled person wanting to see if drag is for you or you’re a venue that wants to be more accessible – you won’t want to miss this episode.

For LH's socials:

Instagram: @LH_Macbeth or @Himish_Macbeth

Facebook: LH Macbeth or Himish Macbeth

Learn more about Simply Equality by visiting SimplyEquality.com

You can also download the show transcript.

What is neuroqueer? What is it like to find a space where you feel seen for all that you are? What gives us hope for the future?

In this episode, Sarah and Pk sit down with CJ De Barra - author, journalist and marketing person for Undressing Disability at Enhance the UK. We explore what it was like to grow up queer and neurodivergent in rural Ireland, the lengths we'll all go to to find a place that feels like we belong and how it feels when we finally do.

We also talk about CJ's work on Neuroqueerness, disability and what gives them hope for the future.

You can get "Neuroqueer: A Neurodivergent Guide to Love, Sex and Everything in Between" at Waterstones, Blackwells or ask your local indie bookshop to order you a copy!

CJ is on pretty much all socials and you should definitely give them a follow.

Learn more about Enhance the UK and the work they do

Learn more about Undressing Disability

For this Pride month we thought we'd celebrate by giving you a very special one-off episode!! In this episode we speak to a previous guest from way back in Season 1 and speak to Che Stephenson-Hunter, Sarah's wife who has recently come out as non-binary. In this episode Che talks openly about some of the challenges they've faced coming out later on in life and why they believe this time is the right time for them to embrace their authentic self. It may only be a short episode but there's a lot packed into it so grab a cup of your favourite liquid and listen on!

Links to items referred to in the episode are as follows:

Previous episode featuring Che :
Buzzsprout

Che's Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/chestephensonhunter?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=38n7pk

Che's top surgery fund https://gofund.me/44c2ed02

Laura Scarrone Bonhomme

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity Specialist

Co-Founder & Director at Affirm

https://affirm.lgbt

Skunk Anansie

https://open.spotify.com/track/1gQqkCXLsxsSSNUz6Cx02N?si=gUuV6rdLRfKgWXweO1e18A

Che's photo website Home (dorizmedia.com)

Back after the traditional (or soon to be) August break, Pk and Sarah discuss their thoughts on Equity and Equality, their understandings of the concepts, language and why Simply Equality is called Simply Equality.

Hello dear listeners. On this episode Sarah talks to Ebony Rose Dark (any pronouns) about her experience of being a V.I.P visually impaired cabaret and dance performance artist, the intersections of disability and LGBTQIA+ identity and race. There were unfortunately some issues with the audio while we weer recording and while we've tried to fix as much as possible, we know it's not perfect.

However, we hope that won't detract from the brilliant conversation with Ebony and their wonderful thoughts on his experiences and hopes. If you want to find out more about Ebony, check out their socials:
Instagram: @ebony_rose_dark
Twitter: @Ebony_Rose_Dark

If you're interested in learning more about Quiplash check out their website: https://www.quiplash.co.uk/

Hello dear listeners! Apologies for the long and unintended break, but we're back. And in time for Pride month. This is the first episode of the season and a very special episode in the life of Simply Equality. I'm joined by my business partner, Pk Kulasegram and while we briefly touch being a limited company, mostly this episode is a discussion of what it means to be queer and disabled and what Pride means to us.

The handle for the tiktok account we discuss is:
@madeline_pendleton

Do feel free to check out simplyequality.com

With apologies for the unexpected break I'm pleased to be back with a very special new episode discussing issues around mental health in the LGBTQ+ community.

According to recent government data, an estimated 3.1% of Britons over the age of 16 now identify as LGBTQ+, with the number of young people under 16 doubling over the last 4 years.

However, statistics alone only tell us part of the story.

Whilst there have been many advances in equality for LGBTQ+ people over recent years, there is still much more that needs to be done.

Although being LGBTQ+ doesn’t necessarily mean you will have poor mental health – all the evidence shows that there are alarming levels of mental ill health amongst the LGBTQ+ community, compared to those within the general population.

A recent study by Stonewall found that:

· Half of LGBTQ+ people had experienced depression and 3 in 5 had experienced anxiety

· 1 in 8 LGBTQ+ people aged 18-24 had attempted to end their life

· More than 1 in 10 trans people (12%) attempted to take their own life, compared to 2% of LGB people who aren’t trans.

· Almost half of trans people (46%) have also had thoughts about taking their own life.

With these figures rising each day; we need to make sure that our LGBTQ+ friends, family and colleagues are sufficiently supported in the workplace, and society at large.

Join Rebecca Reed (Mental Health and Suicide First Aid Trainer) and Sarah Stephenson-Hunter (LGBTQ+ Trainer, Speaker and Podcaster) as they talk about navigating language, workplace support and supportive conversations in order to become an ally of those within the LGBTQ+ community.

Want to continue the conversation? Join us on our online workshop on Tuesday 4th October @ 13:00 - 14:30 PM. Book your ticket here on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/411082377457

£5 from every ticket going to Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons Trust who work tirelessly to support young people in the LGBTQ+ community.

Find more about Rebecca Reed:

· Website: https://www.siendo.co.uk/

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-reed-cheetham/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/siendo-wellbeing

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siendo.wellbeing

· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siendo.wellbeing

Find more about Sarah Stephenson-Hunter:

· Website: https://www.simplyequality.com

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-stephenson-hunter-she-her-02225a96/

A new year, the perfect time to launch season 2 of my podcast!! I know it's been some time coming but hopefully you'll agree it's worth the wait!!

For the first episode of this new season I speak to Jennie Williams, the CEO of a UK based disability led organisation called EnhancetheUK.

I first met Jennie when we were on a panel together last year and what can I say, we hit it off immediately!!! Join me as I talk with her about the work of EnhancetheUK and her own experiences of having multiple disabilities as well as exploring her sexuality. jenny's particular passion is breaking down the taboos around disability and sex and so do be aware that we do talk about issues around access to sexual expression for disabled people particularly those in care homes as well as the subject of dating whilst disabled!!