Jonathan Capehart/Jason Mida: Pride Month Recognition 2 Stories

Welcome to Disability Matters with your host Joyce Bender. All comments, views, and opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the host, guest, and callers. Now the host of Disability Matters, here's Joyce Bender.

Hey everyone, welcome, welcome to the show today. To everyone in the Americas and around the world, Every week we have new listeners from new countries every week. And so, we have China and Russia and Australia and Brazil and South Korea and Japan and Hungary and Poland, and I could go on and on. And I just want to say, today I had a meeting, Zoom meeting, with the special advisor in the U.S. State Department working on disability policy and inclusion. Around the world. And I always say, no matter where, you know, I live with epilepsy and I'm hard of hearing. No matter where you are in the world, if you have a disability, you have a disability, my brothers and sisters. So you are helping people gain quality of life, hope for employment, just by telling other people to listen to this show. So a special shout out to Richard Roberts in Brazil and Gangyang Cho in South Korea, both with the State Department, and such great friends. I love them so much. Uh, hey Yoshiko Dart, a special shout out to you. I hope you are doing well. And Highmark. Highmark is such a great company. They are one of the largest healthcare providers, uh, and this— everyone from the top has supported Bender Consulting Services and my lifelong crusade for employment for people with disabilities, young and adult, and they have been the sponsor of this show, and this is the 21st year. So, because I have all of you wonderful, great listeners, I finally have a great gift for you today. This is the one time I have this guest, Jonathan Capehart. I'm telling you, whether I've had senators, celebrities, I don't care who it is, I thought, oh my God, it's Jonathan, the great Jonathan Capehart. This is my gift to you. He is the Pulitzer Prize-winning associate editor of The Washington Post and host on MSNBC. Jonathan Capehart, welcome to the show. It truly is an honor to have someone with your superstar media power on the show today. Thank you for joining us.

Oh, Joyce, thank you very much. You are too, too kind.

Well, what a way to celebrate Pride Month with you on the show. And to all of you young people, here and around the world from the LGBTQ+ community, I always tell you, not only are you awesome, you can be anything. You can achieve goals. And look who is on here today, Jonathan Capehart. So Jonathan, let's start with your story. I know you're used to asking everyone else to tell their story. So I'm going to ask you to tell your story, like where you grew up and where you went to school and why you chose this career, maybe even what was your first job for all of our listeners. Again, thank you as we celebrate Pride Month.

Oh, wow. Well, this first question, we don't have enough time for me to go through the entire story, but I'll give you the CliffsNotes version. And my memoir is coming out in May of 2025, so you can get the full version there. But I was born and raised in New Jersey, born in Newark. We moved to North Plainfield and Hazlet, but then ended up moving back to Newark my last 2 years of high school. And I went to Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, which, as luck would have it, this past weekend was our 35th college reunion there in Northfield, Minnesota, which I cannot believe. But, you know, my wanting to be a journalist started when I was about 10 years old. I was the family tattletale. I, you know, told everybody's business and got into quite a bit of trouble for being a little loose-lipped around family. But my uncle, my Uncle McKinley, who was an electrician at 30 Rock, in Manhattan where NBC News is located, said to me, I was staying with him and my aunt, I think it was on like a vacation from school, and he said, you know, turn on the Today Show, they are doing the show from the plaza, I'm going to try to find out where the cameras are and I'll try to wave in the background. So I turn on the TV and watch. I was sensibly looking for my uncle, but I ended up watching the show, watching the Today Show. And again, as the family tattletale, watching these people on television tell other people's business, I thought it was fascinating. Like, wow, this is a job! This is a job! And so that began my fascination with the news business, my fascination in particular with NBC. And long story short, well, I'll tell you real quickly. So fast forward, I had my Carleton College interview. They were doing interviews on the East Coast at the Hilton in New York, which is about 3 blocks north of 30 Rock. So I had my interview, and then I called my uncle from a payphone because we did not have cell phones back then. And I called him and I said, "Hey, I'm just up the street. Can I come visit?" And he was used to me visiting. And so he said, "Sure, come on by." And when I got there, got up to, you know, through the minimal security that there was then, got up to where the electricians were. And he said to me, "Hey, you're here just in time. I have work to do in the nightly news office." So I was all excited because I thought I was going to meet, you know, Tom Brokaw and John Chancellor and, you know, Garrick Utley, all these people I had gotten to know from watching television. Get there, there's nobody there. It's like 9 in the morning, there's nobody there except for this one woman who was at her desk reading a tabloid newspaper, drinking coffee in one of those Greek diner paper coffee mugs, the blue and white ones, and eating a bagel. And so I was sitting on a sofa directly across from her, and I worked up the courage to Talk to her. And so I asked her if she, you know, she worked there. I said, excuse me, miss, do you work here? And she did. She introduced herself. Her name's Ann Skakeltarian and told me she worked on Nightly News. And then she asks what anybody asks a little kid when you're talking to them. So what do you want to be when you grow up? And she asked me that question. I was off to the races. You know, I want to be a Moscow correspondent for NBC News, and then trying to decide if I want to be a correspondent in London to get that foreign experience, more foreign experience, or go to the White House and get that experience. But if I go to London, I definitely want to go to the White House and then come to New York and be anchor of the Today Show. Can you imagine? So my uncle comes back and he says, okay, time to go. And so I thanked her, you know, Miss Terrien, thank you very much for talking with me and answering my questions. I get up to leave and she said, wait a minute, And she reached for a pad and she wrote down the name Kay Bradley and her phone number, rips the paper off with a flourish and hands it up to me and says, "Here, get yourself an internship on the Today Show." And that is what set me on my path.

Oh my good— okay, there you go though. You took time to talk to her. You had that initiative and you had that confidence to talk to her and Look, that one thing changed the rest of your life. Unbelievable. That is a great story. And by the way, Jonathan, we will have you back on next year in the summer to talk about that memoir, because I want all of you around the world, people with disabilities, to know. How do I know him? Well, of course, through my son that you'll be, quote unquote, you'll be hearing from in a little bit. But you know how else I know him? I see him at every disability event. I can't begin to tell you how many events he was kind enough to come and be the host, and I mean so many. I'm telling you that because I want you to know why you should buy his book. He really is supportive of the disability community. And Jonathan, we appreciate that so much. And we also have received the disability community great, great support from the LGBTQ+ community. And that is with my company Bender Consulting Services, which next year is our 30th anniversary. But as my listeners know, it's all about the employment of people with disabilities, as now our academy, the Bender Leadership Academy, is not only about that, but we have the Mary Brooker Mental Health Initiative because of all the discrimination and what has happened to young people from the community. But I've received so much support. I'm wondering, do you think that is because we in the disability community have something in common with you and the LGBTQ+ community community, which is stigma. What do you think?

Well, I mean, I think it's stigma, but it's also being mindful of our difference and our differences, one. And two, the intersectionality between the two communities, because I mean, there are folks in the disability community who are LGBTQ LGBTQ+ and vice versa. And so when you have that kind of intersectionality, that brings a greater understanding. And so, you know, for even those who might be in the disability community but not LGBTQ+, or again vice versa, there comes, I think, sort of a natural empathy to, you know, seeing someone who is not in your particular shoes or your circumstances, but recognizing when something is not right or not fair or unjust. And then when you see those things, feeling some sort of responsibility to say something about it or do something about it. And I don't mean, you know, It doesn't have to be big things like being a part of a demonstration or anything like that. It could be the smallest thing, standing up for someone in a moment where someone is alone and going through something at the hands of someone else and just being by that person, bearing witness for that person. And sticking up for that person. You know, as I get older, the more I understand how important it is to be there for people when they are at their most vulnerable. Letting them know that they are not alone in that moment. And I think if more of us were to do that, to be there in ways large and small, loud and quiet, that, that would go a long way to making things better for all of us.

Oh, 100%. That's what it's all about— presence, support, uh, being there. And as you said, I think there is, of course, in all communities, but in the disability community There is such intersectionality in many areas, but specifically one being the mental health community. And many of the young people that we have in our programs, it's amazing how many of them deal with terrible bullying. Now, these are young people from the LGBTQ+ community and with a mental health disability. And many of them are so bullied. I don't know if you ever went through that in your life, but whether you did or not, I wonder what advice you have to the young people listening to this show right now.

Well, I mean, I did go through some bullying because when I was growing up. This was back in the days when, you know, this is the '70s and the '80s when, you know, 99% of the things that we take for granted today weren't even present, or even thinking about such things, you know, wasn't even a thought, wasn't even possible. The number one thing I would say to LGBTQ+ particularly young people, young people who are dealing with mental health disabilities, is I need for them to understand that they— their being LGBTQ+ has nothing to do with their value or worth. Or if anyone says to them that, you know, because they are LGBTQ+, that they— there's something wrong with them, that that is something that they should be ashamed of. They need to understand that that is not true, that that is a lie. The great thing that young people have today that I didn't have when I was their age was that there is a much wider acceptance. I'm not saying that there's a total acceptance, there's wider acceptance of LGBTQ+ people, and particularly young people. And that if someone who's listening doesn't feel safe or supported or feels like they are alone, that they should reach out, go to— there are any number of organizations. And of course, now that I mention it, I can't think of them off the top of my head. But there are so many resources and places to turn for that support so that they don't feel alone or that they don't feel like there is something quote-unquote wrong with them. And you know, actually yesterday I was flying back from my college reunion. And we're waiting to get off, waiting to get off the plane. And there's this older cisgender straight married couple waiting to get off the plane. And I saw on her backpack resting on her luggage, it was a pin, rather big pin stuck into her bag, and it was round. That it had a rainbow on it with the words, "You are safe with me." And when I saw that, when I saw that, I just, I wish I'd thanked her. I really wanted to. And I looked at that bag and such a simple, such a simple button, such a simple message, but it meant, it meant the world. I'm a 56-year-old man and seeing that Button told me that if I got into any kind of trouble because, you know, because I'm gay, that she is someone I can go to, someone I can run to and say, "Help," or, "Can you please help me?" or, you know, "Can you please just stick with me for a moment? This is happening." Those sorts of things we take for granted today. That button did not exist when I was a young person, when I was a teenager. And so that's why I'm so emphatic in answering your question that young people, I want them to understand that they don't need to feel alone, that they don't need to feel stigma, that there is a community both LGBTQ+, but also even more so allies who are willing to jump in and help. All you need to do is ask.

Yes, and of course I'm one of them. So getting back to your question when you were talking about resources, it's BenderLeadership.org. BenderLeadership.org. Joyce Bender at benderleadership.org. But you are not alone. That is— wow, that's a great pin. I've got to get that pin. I love that. Doesn't that just say it all, those few words? So powerful. That's what— no wonder you noticed that. But think what you would have thought when you were young if you had seen that.

Oh yeah, I, you know, probably would have gone up to her and— who knows, said thank you or something. I wish I'd done it yesterday. I really, I really wish I had. But, you know, the great thing is I will see that button again, and I, and I won't make the mistake of not saying thank you.

Oh, you are so awesome, Jonathan. Uh, Jonathan Capehart, what is the name of your show on MSNBC?

It's real simple, The Saturday Show. And The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart.

And it is so good. It is. When is that on? What time of the day?

It's 6 PM Eastern time, uh, and so wherever you are at 6 PM Eastern time, it will air live. So if you are in California, it'll come on at 3, 3, 3 PM Pacific time.

All right, now listen, listeners here and around the world, you've got to go to the show. I'm telling you, I am an MSNBC person. I love that show, though. I do. I love that show. And we all need to know what's going on in the world, and we need to know it truthfully. So make sure you listen to that show. And as I said, I'll have Jonathan back on after that book comes out. But did you say May? May of 2025.

May of 2025. If that changes, I'll let you know.

Okay, may have to— for right now, May of 2025, Jonathan's memoir is coming out, and I will expect to read that part about that you were, uh, a tattletale when you were little. That is such a great story though. So Jonathan, what do you think, uh, and by the way, anyone listening to the show right now, if you're thinking 'Oh my God, I didn't know Jonathan Capehart was going to be on. I wish I would have told friends of mine.' No worries, it's on demand. Spotify, voiceamerica.com, really almost all social media venues, you can send them and they can hear the show and repost the show tomorrow. So remember, tell everyone It's on demand. We get so many people that listen at that time. Uh, Jonathan, I do have a question. In the country today, we have terrible, terrible statistics with suicidal ideation that tragically becomes suicide with a lot of people in the LGBTQ+ community, especially as Jason and I frequently talk about young, young people. In the country, you know, what do you think we could do more? What could we do more? I know at the Bender Leadership Academy that's so important to us, but what could we do more to try to reach out and make a difference?

Well, you know, I actually think it's, it's, I mean, you and so many other folks and allies are already doing so much. I actually think We need to demand more of our, of our leaders. And I'm not thinking about Democratic leaders because most of them are on the right side of these issues. I'm talking about folks on the other side of the aisle who have been using LGBTQ+ people, and young people in particular, for their own personal political gain. And there was a time when, you know, certain things would be said or done and there would be grown-ups within the party to step forward and say, "That's not me. That's not what I stand for. What this person has said is wrong." And we don't have that, seemingly, anymore on a whole host of issues. And I think to get this sort of thing to change, We need to hold people account and demand better. Demand that, you know, don't introduce this piece of legislation simply because you are trying to gain— think you're either gaining political favor or some kind of advantage. To vote against, demand that they vote against these bills. That are put up for a vote that in some instances literally put a target on the backs of LGBTQ+ young people and LGBTQ+ people in general. I just think we need to demand more of the people who are entrusted, who are given the public trust, who are there to supposedly— they're supposed to be in elective office to make people's lives better. Anytime elected officials target a particular group for vitriol from a podium or via legislation, it's incumbent upon us to not only stand up and push back against that, but also to demand that those people within that same party, who we all know better, demand that they do better. And once you start changing the conversation and changing the tone from the top, those levels where we might not think of it, but elected officials are role models for a lot of people, and they take their cues from those elected officials. Imagine if for every bigoted person who proposes legislation from a particular party, that there's someone else from within that party who stands up and says, "No, and I'm not standing for it, and here's why I'm voting against it." Even if that legislation were to pass, I think for a lot of people, particularly young people, to know that there is someone from within that same camp who is willing to stand up and fight for them tells them that they are valued, that their lives are valued, that their presence is valued. And I think if we get more of that, that will go a long way to helping young people with suicide— suicidal ideation to, I hope, grab onto the fact that the issue and the problem is not them.

Yeah, right. And I think I agree with you. It's terrible that even right here in my city, Pittsburgh, PA, that there were people afraid— that I know that said they were afraid to go to the Pride Parade because of all this stuff going on where people are working out of— not all, but sadly just a handful you know, can make a difference. We're all people. And to people in the Christian community, you know, I'm a person of faith, but I have to tell you, love your neighbor as yourself does not have edits. And I say to those of you in office that we, people with disabilities, remember intersectionality, you have a large constituency we're talking about. So I agree with you, Jonathan, and I know we only have you sadly for another minute because I could have you on for 5 hours if it were up to me. But Jonathan, you have— look what you've accomplished. You've done so much. So I have to ask you, who is your role model? Like, who has really impacted you?

Oh wow, I mean, there are so many, but I will just give you this one name. A dear friend of mine for now 25 years, we've known each other. His name is Darren Walker. He is now the president of the Ford Foundation. And he is, you know, an out gay man, out gay black man who's running one of the largest foundations in the world. He is in that job As his authentic self, he is brilliant and smart and caring and loving. He has— everyone who is friends with Darren believes that they are Darren's best friend, and that's because he treats everyone with the same love and care and enthusiasm that he does everyone else.. And so, you know, I often turn to Darren both implicitly and explicitly for advice. And so that's who I would say my role model is.

Wow, what a great choice. For those of you, if you don't know, until he made the edict about 10 years ago, he said, you know, I see all these groups that we're focused on giving monies to, but where's disability? And it is he, Jonathan, that started that at the Ford Foundation, and that now that is, since Becca Coakley went there, that is an area that they focus on also, and we have him to thank. So isn't that amazing that you would say that, and here we are on Disability Matters, and it is in fact he that has made a change in so many lives. Jonathan Capehart, you are one of my favorites. You are— you know what the thing about you? When you see him out, I mean, he's not like, hey, look out, I'm a TV star, which he is a TV star, but he is always so kind and humble, uh, and just such a wonderful person. And I am so thrilled we had you on the show today. And I know I will be seeing you very soon.

Joyce, thank you very much, as always.

It was my pleasure. Have a great day, and we'll be watching that show, Jonathan.

All right, thank you, Joyce.

Wow, that was Jonathan Capehart. Oh my God, we had a TV star on here that I love for Pride Month. And we're going to get ready to go to break, and then after break, We'll be back with our next superstar, Jason Maida. If you just joined, oh my God, you've— this show is so great today, you've got to tell everyone about it. You've got to tell everyone about it. Um, but we're going to go to break. This is Joyce Bender, America's Voice, Disability Matters on voiceamerica.com. Don't go away. We'll be right back.

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You're listening to Disability Matters. If you have a question or comment, call in toll-free at 1-866-472-5788. That's 1-866-472-5788. Now please welcome back the host of Disability Matters. Here's Joyce Bender.

Hi, everyone. Welcome back to the show. If you're you were listening the first half hour, we had the great Jonathan Capehart from MSNBC and The Washington Post as our guest as we are celebrating Pride Month. And now we go to superstar number 2, who is, yes, like a son to me. And I'm going to tell you what, oh my God, he is so, so awesome. Here's my next gift for you, and that would be Jason Maida, the president of Maida Associates. Uh, Jason, welcome to the show.

Hi Joyce, it's so good to be back.

Well, uh, before we go any further, I want you to give everyone right now your website, Jason.

Sure. So, you'll just go to midaassociates.org, and that's just M-I-D-A and then associates.org.

Okay. Why I'm doing that, everyone, like he is the most incredible person that I meet all these people because of him. But, oh, if you're having any event, your organization, this is the, this is the man for you. So Jason, first, before we continue on, I asked Jonathan, so I'll ask you, uh, first of all, I'm sure it's exciting to you to be on the same show as Jonathan. I asked him how long he knew you, um, and he thought it was at least 10 years. Is that right?

Yeah. No, at least for sure. Yeah. Jonathan is a remarkable person. And as you said, you know, he is so kind and generous with his time and the issues that he is willing to help elevate and advocate for just as an individual, just as a person who obviously uses his platform to do so much and to do so much good. So Jonathan is easily one of my favorite people, and I would also say Jonathan is a role model to me for sure.

Yeah, he— and you've known him all these years. I would guess that you would say you have seen his, his career skyrocket.

Yeah, I mean, Jonathan's career, he's had a very successful career for a long time, and definitely everything you've seen the last few years, not only does he deserve it, but he's worked extremely hard. Jonathan is an extremely focused individual who puts in the work, who puts in the time, and who treats other people really well. And I think that that comes back to you professionally and personally. So I am so excited about Jonathan's book. I am so excited for everything he is doing. And, and of course, just grateful again that he is such an active member of the LGBTQ+ community and wherever else we need him to engage.

Well, this is a great way to celebrate Pride Month and to have you with us, uh, Jason, is always a pleasure to me. But we asked him for his story. I'm gonna ask you the same thing, like where you grew up, went to school, But I never asked you this, but what made you decide to become an entrepreneur? Because being that I'm a disability-owned business, I know very well how hard it is no matter who you are or what your background is. And talk about intersectionality, you have to deal— you're coming from both communities. So Let's hear your story. Let's go back in time. Where did you grow up?

Sure, and I'll try to do the condensed and concise version, but I grew up in Tyler, Texas, which is in East Texas. It's actually a very, very beautiful place, lots of lakes and trees and really a beautiful, beautiful place. I then went to college in West Texas. I went to a school called Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. And then after that, I worked on a gubernatorial campaign in 2002 before I moved to Washington, D.C. I, in terms of starting my own business, you know, I think for a lot of folks it happens on accident or by accident because I had worked for the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which is a political action committee that works to elect LGBTQ people to office from all parties, I should mention. And I had been there for 7 years, and then about 13 years ago, I started Mida Associates. And, you know, I had originally thought maybe I would consult for a year and then go back full-time somewhere, but it really just took off. And in particular, in the disability community. And so many wonderful clients that have stayed with us over the years. I think as you know, because this is how we met, the American Association of People with Disabilities, they've been a client for 13 years. They were our very first client and they're still a client today. So yeah, being a small business owner is hard for sure, but it's also incredibly rewarding because you get to work on things you care about. You get to work with people that you want to. And so you do have some flexibility. And freedom through that. It is also extremely challenging though, because you have to always take care of your clients. You have to look for new clients. You have to take care of your team and those around you. And that takes a lot of work and it takes a lot of focus. But yeah, that's a little bit of a condensed version of my story. And, you know, happy to dive into anything if you want me to.

Well, I mean, though, I have so much to talk to you about, but that— you described that very accurately. Things happen, but boy, when you're an entrepreneur, it is 24/7. And just as you brought aboard great people, that's a key, to have the right people around you. And Jason, we did talk for a few minutes to Jonathan about stigma and bullying in the LGBTQ+ community. And I have to tell you, you're a great teacher because I've learned the most about the LGBTQ+ community from you, you know, over these 13 years and you sharing information and teaching me. I've learned so much from you, but I wanted to ask you, you know, how did you deal with stigma or bullying and, and about the Not Ashamed campaign that tries to fight that. Because as you know, this whole initiative is part of the Mary Brocker Mental Health Initiative. And you also knew Mary, and you know Mary lived with clinical depression for 40 years, president at Bender Consulting Services, and really one of my very best friends forever who we tragically lost in a hiking accident. But we will start again with your background. Did you ever have to deal with bullying? And, and how do you think this campaign can help others with the same thing?

Well, it is a really good question. You know, I was lucky in some ways with where I grew up, even though it is an extremely conservative place and probably even more so than when I was growing up. But I say that because coming out, if you will, when I was growing up and where I was growing up, it just was not an option. It is not something I ever thought about doing when I was in middle school or high school like kids are doing now. It just, it just was not a thing. It was not something that, that I would have remotely had considered. It was not safe. I would not have had the support systems if I had come out. And I would also say I was lucky because I immersed myself in so many things. So, you know, a lot of times when people feel isolated and lonely, or they are hiding a part of themselves, they retreat. And certainly I have had moments of that in my life. But in high school in particular, and even in college, I was extremely involved. I was, you know, class president every year in high school. I was student body president in college. And I share all of that because that, in some ways, that protected me from bullying, and it allowed me to put my identity into something else. Now, ultimately that was not healthy for me, and I I, you know, sort of paid the price, if you will, emotionally and otherwise once I did come out. Because for a lot of people who grew up when I grew up, who are of my age, who are Jonathan's age, who grew up in conservative environments, the repression of who we are and who we want to be, it it catches up with you. It is not something that you can ignore forever. So in some ways I was very lucky because I did not face bullying, especially because of my sexual orientation, because I was not out. And, again, I immersed myself in other things. And I think looking back on it, I did that probably to find acceptance and to find safety in my own way. But again, it caught up with me and I had to deal with that later in life for sure. And I still deal with that today.

Well, you are going to be— we have you working with us. We are a customer, customer, friend, mother, we cover it all. But Jason, I wanted to talk about the Not Ashamed campaign. Would you mind talking about it for our listeners and maybe a couple examples? Oh, now that I think of it, you'll have to get Jonathan Capehart next to make a video, Not Ashamed. But could you share a little bit about what it is and, you know, what you've accomplished so far with the people you've brought on?

Yeah, absolutely. So, Not Ashamed campaign, as you mentioned, is really in honor of Mary. And, you know, I was so blessed to know her too. And what we've done is we've created a campaign that brings together those with mental health and psychiatric disabilities, but also people who are just allies who want to speak out and say, you know, we are not ashamed as a community and a community of allies to talk about mental health. And things are better than they used to be for sure around stigma, but it does not mean that there is not a lot of pain and suffering out there and isolationism. And, you know, the impacts of the pandemic, which really I think we saw a spike in mental health disabilities and needs and the impact of the pandemic. So I think through the Not Ashamed campaign, bringing together journalists, elected officials, celebrities, you name it. We are fighting to ensure that we erase stigma ultimately. But even in the midst of stigma, we are showing people what they can do. Because one of the things I always say to people is when you have someone by you who is an ally who says to you, I am going to love you, accept you, and celebrate you regardless of what you're going through. The kind of power that you give others when you share that unconditional support and love is— it cannot be measured because what you allow people to do is to ultimately embrace themselves. Now, you would think that would be enough for us as individuals to say, I'm enough, I am okay. I do not need to be ashamed of who I am and what I am going through. But the truth is we are all human and we need people around us to validate us and to celebrate us. So, I think the Not Ashamed campaign is a crucial part of your work, of my work, and our work as a larger community for sure.

Yes, I agree with you. What— one thing that I wanted to ask you to talk about is the Trevor Project. Maybe— I think that's important for people to know about the Trevor Project. Could you share about that with our listeners?

Oh, absolutely. So I work with so many wonderful clients, and Trevor Project is among them, and I'm so privileged and honored to, to, to have them as a client because the work they are doing is truly lifesaving. You know, I will not go through all of the statistics, but just in some of the statistics that I have seen through Trevor, you know, to give you an example, 39% of LGBTQ+ young people have seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. And that includes 46% of transgender and non-binary young people. More than 1 in 10, 12%, of LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide in the past year. 50% of LGBTQ+ young people who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it. So those are just a few of the statistics, and trust me, there is much more that showcase why an organization like Trevor is so incredibly important. I think when we talk about access and you look at the 988 hotline that they have and everything that they're doing, imagine, imagine for a moment, to Jonathan's point, if this had existed when I was 15, or if this had existed when Jonathan was 15. It would have been a game changer for me. I would have known someone to talk to. I would have been able to pick up the phone and have a safe conversation. And that did not exist. But you know what? It does now. And one of the things I want to say too, just to all of us and the listeners, and I would do this whether I worked with Trevor Project or not, but they have a wonderful match going on right now, meaning that if you give, if you give a gift, your gift is going to be matched 2 times. So if you give $5,000, that becomes $15,000, and so on, up to a total of $100,000 that we are trying to raise. So if you are interested in supporting Trevor Project, just go to TrevorProject.org. And again, Trevor is just one of my clients. I, I love and promote all of my clients as much as I can. But during Pride Month, I think it is important to take a moment and talk about an organization that is so incredibly crucial to the health and the safety of our community.

Well, yes, because we're talking here about saving lives, and that— those statistics are horrendous. I mean, it's unbelievable. They're terrible. They're terrible. And that thing that Jonathan said about, um, when he was talking about the woman with the pin on, "You're safe with me." Oh, that was so powerful. And we all need. One way you can be supportive though is by supporting organizations. It's like at the Bender Leadership Academy, which again, benderleadership.org, when I'm talking to people, they'll say, "Oh, that's so wonderful what you do. That is so wonderful." And I'll say, "Okay, make a contribution." Because whether it's you know, Bender Leadership Academy or the Trevor Project, it takes money to run the organization. Everyone, when it's a not-for-profit, they don't get it. You still need money. I mean, you need money to be able to operate the organization. And as we celebrate Pride Month, we have a need to have more people just being there, being an ally, being there for people, especially during this time, especially now. So Jason, um, for young people listening to the show right now, uh, mental health disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community, um, that unfortunately are dealing with those that suicidal ideation and not believing in themselves? What advice do you have for them?

Well, my, my, my first piece of advice would be it's okay to, to acknowledge and lean in, in a way, to the insecurity and doubt and moments of feeling without direction and support. It's okay to lean into that. And what I mean by that is to not double down on those feelings, but to lean into them so that you can fully understand the support that you need. You know, we all have support around us, kind of like Jonathan was talking about the experience he just had. But we also, if we are in moments of crisis, if we are in moments of potential harm and, and I've been there too. You have to reach out to people. You cannot do this on your own. If you think you can come out on your own without support, you can't. If you think that you can be open about your mental health and psychiatric disability without support, you can't. And so I share that because the first thing you should do is ensure that you're surrounding yourself with community and and leaning into your feelings so that you can be honest about that with other people. The next thing I would say is that you do not have to be a prisoner to your past. For a long time, I lived that way. And I do not think about the past as much as I used to. It does not mean that it is not a part of me, but the truth is I cannot do anything about it. But I can do something about today. I can do something about tomorrow. I can do something about 10 years from now. So whether that's a goal I'm setting for myself or my business or being a good friend to people or being involved in different organizations, those are the things that I can focus on. And that's what I want young people who are going through this to think about is do not be a prisoner to your past. Embrace the unknown. Um, yes, coming out, it's scary, but it is also, um, the greatest thing you can do for yourself. Because when you do that, what you're doing for the first time in your life is you are fully, unconditionally loving yourself. And when you love yourself, you can do anything.

Yes, that's right. Hey, you know what, that is a great campaign, which you said, "Do not be a prisoner to your past." That is so true. That says it all. That really is a very profound statement because that is unfortunately the way it is with a lot of people in all communities. Jason, it has been an absolute pleasure joy to have you with us today on the show. Once again, if you want someone to know who is not only brilliant and kind and loving that will do a fabulous event for you, it's Jason Maida at Maida and Associates nationally. Maida and Associates, what, that's, what is that website again?

It's just midaassociates.org. And thank you for always being my greatest advocate, Joyce. I always appreciate you so much. I've learned so much from you, and I will continue to fight for disability rights. And I do that because of so many amazing leaders I've met, and that certainly includes you.

Oh, I love you too. We all do. And we end every show with a quote, and today that quote is, and this really fits with Jason and Jonathan, we're talking, we're espousing, "Hope will never be silent," said Harvey Milk. This is Joyce Bender celebrating Pride Month. Disability matters at voiceamerica.com, and in the words of I'm Mary Brocker. When you go out tomorrow, remember, choose joy.

Voice America would like to thank you for tuning in. Please join us next Tuesday at 11 AM Pacific time and 2 PM Eastern time for another installment of Disability Matters right here on the Voice America Variety Channel. We are the leader in live internet talk radio. Voice America. JoyceBender.com!

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