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Louisiana for Everyone

Queer voices have always been a vital part of Louisiana’s vibrant culture, reaching far beyond the familiar streets of New Orleans. Join Louisiana natives Ruby Porter and Leyla Hekmatdoost as they shine a light on the diverse stories of LGBTQIA+ individuals navigating life in one of America’s most complex and deeply southern regions.

Through heartfelt conversations with a variety of guests, Ruby and Leyla explore the joys, challenges, and resilience of Queer Louisiana. Each episode offers authentic insights, celebrates community, and sparks meaningful dialogue about progress, identity, and the future.

Tune in to discover the untold stories that weave our lives together and inspire understanding, pride, and connection.

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Episode 1 | January 2025 - MyaRay: City Queer in the Country

In the inaugural episode of Queer Louisiana, hosts Leyla Hekmatdoost and Ruby Porter welcome the incredible MyaRay, a Black trans woman in her late twenties who hails from Loranger, Louisiana—a small, rural town with its own unique challenges. MyaRay briefly ventured away to explore life in a bustling city, only to realize that the bonds of family and community were too important to forsake for long.

MyaRay shares her powerful journey, offering insights into her experiences as a trans woman navigating a community that often struggles to embrace her identity. Fearless in her discussions, she sheds light on the treatment of trans individuals within the broader queer community and addresses the complexities of racial dynamics in her acceptance as a Black trans woman. Join us for an enlightening conversation that highlights resilience, connection, and the importance of community in the quest for understanding and acceptance.

Queer Louisiana is a production of 501c3 Nonprofit, Queer Northshore. This episode was produced by Leyla Hekmatdoost and Ruby Porter and edited by Mike Spalt at Flydream Media. Production consultation and management by Jeremy JF Thompson. Additional introductions recorded by Anthony and Shannon Parr.

Leyla Hekmatdoost

Leyla, a proud queer woman from St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, shares a loving life with her partner, Shannon, and their blended family of eight. After losing her 13-year-old daughter to DIPG, Leyla found purpose in Queer Northshore, a non-profit uplifting the queer community. A graduate of LSU, she uses her advocacy and this podcast to share stories of resilience and Louisiana’s diversity, fostering compassion and unity among her Pelican State neighbors.

Ruby Porter

Ruby, a transgender woman from New Orleans, thrives on the Northshore as a certified veterinary physical therapist, helping pets regain mobility over her 23-year career. Embracing her true self, she found authenticity through Queer Northshore's Peer Support Group and now advocates for the community. Ruby channels her artistry into local projects like the Pride Pelican and Audrey II for local parades. Through this podcast, she shares her journey, fostering joy, understanding, and meaningful connections.