LGBTQ Representation Part 2

This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part series: LGBTQ Representation. Part one laid out the history of Queer Representation in cinema. This episode follows up by chronicling Dominick's personal experience as a gay man in the context of Tolerance, Diversity & Inclusion and Media Representation. Together, both episodes are meant to lay the groundwork for future conversations with guests equally invested in LGBTQ Representation.
           
Sharing a Reader's Digest version of his coming out essay, Jesus Shoes, Dominick takes us back to 1968, when he arrived on the planet. Despite being the peak of the Sexual Revolution, things were more backward than one might think. Derogatory terms like 'gay' and 'fag' rolled off tongues effortlessly; 'gay' was the opposite of 'cool.' Dominick threw those terms around as much or more than his elementary school-aged friends— until the moment he realized they applied to him.
            
After the vivid realization, Dominick took a  trip to the public library to research his 'condition.' At that time, the APA still listed 'homosexuality' as a mental disorder. This meant the one and only book on the shelves devoted to the topic was titled 'Preventing Homosexuality.' A quick perusal schooled Dominick on outdated Freudian tropes while predicting a grim future for him. His bullshit detector (at the tender age of 11) compelled him to close the book, rejecting its ominous prophecies for his life.
Somehow, despite that innate self-acceptance, society's negative messaging somehow 'got in' over time. The essay goes on to dissect the mechanics by which that occurs— how self-love can be eroded by exposure to negative stereotypes, tropes, and even rhetoric or innuendo. Despite  his best efforts, Dominick found himself fulfilling a cultural narrative by becoming exactly what was described in that Freudian book forty years earlier, in the form of a full-blown AIDS diagnosis. Dominick's 56year (& counting) arc is the prime example of the power of persistent narratives to manifest as reality. And our personal power to reframe those narratives. In the spirit of this podcast, we have the free will to 'tell our own stories.' This episode concludes with Dominick's journey toward reclaiming his agency in the world through self-love. It's sure to inspire!

Support the Show.

If you would like to make a one-time donation, CLICK HERE, or you can click the support button for other monthly support options.

To learn more and order Language of the Soul: www.dominickdomingo.com/theseeker

Think you would be a great guest for our podcast; please submit a request at LOTS Podcast Guest Pitch Form.

Now more than ever, it’s tempting to throw our hands in the air and surrender to futility in the face of global strife. Storytellers know we must renew hope daily. We are being called upon to embrace our interconnectivity, transform paradigms, and trust the ripple effect will play its part. In the words of Lion King producer Don Hahn (Episode 8), “Telling stories is one of the most important professions out there right now.” We here at Language of the Soul Podcast could not agree more.

This podcast is a labor of love. You can help us spread the word about the power of story to transform. Your donation, however big or small, will help us build our platform and thereby get the word out. Together, we can change the world…one heart at a time!