Take the Last Bite Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity

We take a bite out of the First Nations Garden, a healing space for the Intertribal Native community of Chicago. Co-founder Fawn Pochel (they/kwe) shares the origins of this youth-led project, the importance of establishing and maintaining relationship with plant relatives, and how the garden has transformed the neighborhood and provided a community gathering place for celebrations, education, and practicing intertribal traditions. 

Additional Resources and References from this episode: 
Learn more about First Nations Garden and follow the project at @firstnationsgarden Chi Nations Youth Council – a youth organization creating safe space for Native youth through arts, activism, and education. Follow the council @chinationsyouthcouncil Indigenous Grounds – an emerging organization striving to create a more sustainable world. Follow the project @indigenous.grounds
Previous Take the Last Bite episodes that center food justice, the joys of growing and cooking food, and innovations in urban farming: 
Queers Who Make Beers – a chat with queer and trans folks in the craft microbrewing industry working to improve working conditions for marginalized service workersFerrets, Farming, and Fat-Kid Food – a segment about growing basil in shipping containers and a segment about cooking with taste-loss due to long-COVID‘Chef’ is Gender Neutral – brunch baddie Catie Randazzo talks about wanting to connect queer and trans youth to service industry skills
For questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org
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Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
Cover art: Adrienne McCormick


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We take a bite out of Chappell Roan through a brief queer history of Midwest music and media influences. Host R.B. Brooks (they/them) highlights queer and trans music artists with ties to the Midwest, how the Midwest is used intentionally in film and streaming series for dramatic effect, and the impact of Midwest stereotypes on racialized and gendered assumptions about the region.
Additional Resources and References: 
In a Queer Time and Place by Jack HalberstamRolling Stone article about Chappel Roan’s Casual release Teen Vogue culture story about Chappell Roan Right On, Cuee (Take the Last Bite interview with Black trans hip hop artist Cuee WrightFor questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org
We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org
Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
Cover art: Adrienne McCormick


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We take a bite out of local legislation with Minnesota State Representatives Liish Kozlowski (they/them) and Leigh Finke (she/her). We all have a role to play – but our roles aren’t all the same. We chat with these powerhouses about their motivations to run for office, their experiences on the legislative floor, and how Trans Refuge Bills can offer a pathway to improved living conditions for trans, nonbinary, two spirit, and intersex people.
Additional Resources and References from this episode: 
Learn more about the Transgender Justice Teach-In and check out video recordings of our previous panel discussions.For questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org
We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org
Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
Cover art: Adrienne McCormick


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We bite into a hard conversation around Nex Benedict’s death as well as the two teenagers who killed Brianna Ghey receiving life sentences after jury conviction. Robert Alberts (they/them) and host R.B  Brooks (they/them) process their rough thoughts and devastated feelings in an attempt to answer “what does it mean that the project of annihilating trans children has fallen into the hands of other children?” and also “what does justice look like in these instances?” 

Additional Resources and References from this episode: 
Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s office releases Nex Benedict’s autopsy reportTeenagers who killed Brianna Ghey receive life sentences after jury conviction TransLifeLife – a trans peer support and hotline run by trans volunteer For questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org 

We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org 

Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity 

Cover art: Adrienne McCormick


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We take a bite out of Fat Con! In January 2024, Tristan and R.B. attended Fat Con in Seattle, a celebration of fat joy featuring keynotes, a fashion show, and brunch. These fattie baddies reminisce on their glorious time at the inaugural event and share their aspirations for a Midwest Fat Fest.
Additional Resources and References: 
Learn more about Fat Con in Seattle at FatCon.orgAlso check out Philly FatCon Revisit “Trans Fat: Lessons from Large Trans Folks” via video or podcast  Timeline: The ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment” from the Columbia SpectatorFor questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org.
We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org
Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
Cover art: Adrienne McCormick


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We take a bite out of Midwest queer history! Vince Tripi (he/him, co/cos) is a homegrown historian dedicated to compiling LGBTQ+ history into digestible exhibits for pride-goers and LGBTQ+ youth. We chat about his latest project called “Flyover Country,” an exhibit highlighting LGBTQ+ firsts of the Midwest, including some wild discoveries about the first few years of the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference.
Additional Resources and References from this episode: 
Check out all of Vince’s LGBTQ+ history exhibits: https://vince.lgbt/exhibits/Learn more about MBLGTACC at mblgtacc.orgRead the full news release about the Institute receiving an award an ACPA Learn more about the Coalition for Sexuality and Gender Identities For questions, comments, or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org.
We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org
Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
Cover art: Adrienne McCormick


★ Support this podcast ★