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Queer/Trans U.S. Political Prisoners & Supporting Asian Parents of LGBTQ Children
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Out-FM show aired on April 21, 2026
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Please note: Listener-sponsored WBAI is in its annual Spring fundraising drive, continuing until April 30. We urge you to be generous in helping keep our grassroots, kick-ass station -- and Out-FM in particular -- on the air. Please donate either a one-time amount, or better yet, become a sustainer, a "BAI Buddy" -- either option at buddy.wbai.org or 833-922-
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Bob Lederer speaking at CLAGS Panel in 2026
In this segment, hear Out-FM's Bob Lederer present at an April 18th panel on "Incarceration and Queer/Trans Anti-Racist Organizing." The panel explored queer resistance to capitalism and imperialism over the past half century in the U.S., Germany, and Iran, with a focus on queers who have been incarcerated. It was part of the Queer-Class Relations Conference sponsored by CLAGS (Center for LGBTQ Studies) at CUNY (City University of New York).
The abstract for Bob's presentation:
Queer anti-racist, anti-imperialist activist/journalist Bob Lederer will present on his in-progress investigation of queer/trans Leftists who have faced incarceration for their radical, class-conscious, anti-racist politics from the 1960s until now. He will give some brief case studies and discuss how the organizing efforts of these sheroes, heroes, and theyroes offer lessons for today's anti-repression work.
A common thread in many of these persecutions/prosecutions has been guidance and sometimes direction from the U.S. government’s secret political police, the FBI. While of course this has targeted Leftists regardless of gender, gender identity or sexuality, there have also been particular attacks against people marginalized on those bases. Many victories have been won against these tactics by long-term, strategically-designed mass campaigns that exposed and resisted the inhumanity and deep injustices of these cases. Often those campaigns have been led or joined by queers alongside others.
As political repression intensifies in contemporary contexts, LGBTQI-TS+ people once again occupy visible roles in movements confronting racism, militarism, and state violence. Some have been jailed and one, Renee Good, has paid with her life. By excavating earlier moments of organized defiance, this research offers both historical grounding and strategic insight into how queer communities navigated these difficulties.
Full text of my talk is here and my PowerPoint (slide show) is here. I welcome your feedback and suggestions, as well as any questions you may have.
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Remembering Marsha Aizumi's Pioneering Work with Asian Parents of LGBTQ Children
Marsha Aizumi and Aiden Aizumi (her trans son)
Marsha and Aiden Aizumi's book
Marsha Aizumi was a beloved figure in Southern California's Asian LGBTQ community who died in December 2025, leaving behind a beautiful and powerful legacy of community-building. She mentored other activists such as Clara Lee, a mother of a queer child, who spoke with Pauline Park about Marsha's transformative love.
On April 18, community members gathered in Jackson Heights, Queens to pay tribute to Marsha Ogino Aizumi, the founder of the first chapter specifically for Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) of PFLAG: the organization originally known as "Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays." She was the parent of a trans man. A beloved figure in the LGBTQ API community, Marsha worked tirelessly to develop networks and structures of support for Asian parents of LGBTQ children.
Pauline Park (l) interviewed guest Clara Lee (r) about Marsha Aizumi's creation of a PFLAG group for Asian parents of LGBTQI children
INTRO 303 the No More 24 Act.
Home care workers, predominantely women of color, are demanding Speaker Menin to end the 24 hour workday by passing the "INTRO 303 the No More 24 Act." Insurance companies and home care agencies assign them 24 hour shifts, sometimes 4 or 5 consecutive days in a row. Many workers experience mental and physical pain. Many develop permanent back injuries, insomnia and stomach issues. For this reason, they want to end them and are near to passing a bill in City Council that would ban them, "INTRO 303 the No More 24 Act."
After over a decade of fighting and delays by the old Speaker, Adrienne Adams, workers wone a public promis from new Speaker Julie Menin that by Mid-April she would submit the bill to a vote. Her deadline passed. Mayor Mamdani and Gov. Hochul have been pressuring the Speaker to delay the bill. Workers went on hunger strike to urge Menin to stop delaying and keep her promise. Tney are demanding an end to this sexist and racist violence and decided to go on hunger strike until the bill gets submitted.
We are asking people to call Speaker Menin to stop her delays and submit the bill to a vote. Her number is 212-788-7210 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also people should call their council member and tell them to sign onto Intro 303, the "No More 24 Act"
About Out-FM
Out-FM is a weekly progressive, intersectional queer show by and for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, non-binary, gender non-conforming, intersex, queer, and questioning communities. Our program originates from listener-sponsored, noncommercial WBAI/Pacifica Radio in New York, 99.5 FM and wbai.org. Our programs are archived at outfm.org. You can also follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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Trump, the Supreme Court & Transgender Rights
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Out-FM show aired on April 14, 2026
Press play to stream show or green down arrow to download mp3 file.
Please note: Listener-sponsored WBAI is in its annual Spring fundraising drive, continuing until April 30. We urge you to be generous in helping keep our grassroots, kick-ass station -- and Out-FM in particular -- on the air. Please donate either a one-time amount, or better yet, become a sustainer, a "BAI Buddy" -- either option at buddy.wbai.org. More details on other ways to make your donation at the bottom. If you donate, we hope you will mention Out-FM as your favorite show.
Jennifer L. Levi, Transgender Rights Director at GLAD LAW
Pauline Park Outside of the US Supreme Court in 2014
About Out-FM
Out-FM is a weekly progressive, intersectional queer show by and for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, non-binary, gender non-conforming, intersex, queer, and questioning communities. Our program originates from listener-sponsored, noncommercial WBAI/Pacifica Radio in New York, 99.5 FM and wbai.org. Our programs are archived at outfm.org. You can also follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Sign up for Out-FM's Weekly Newsletter with show announcements.
Support us by following, liking and sharing our content on social media. Find us at:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutFMRadio/
- Instagram#1: https://www.instagram.com/outfmradionyc/
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