Welcome to In Service to Rainbows! I’m your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and in this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Rigel, a 64-year-old pansexual man who has lived boldly and authentically for decades.

Rigel discovered who he was in his teens and explored his identity before, during, and after the AIDS epidemic. He shares his insights on embracing who you are without fear—especially in today’s world of instant validation and social media scrutiny. We also dive into politics, the power of your vote, and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

Rigel’s story is also one of deep love and loss, as he recounts a long-term relationship with a partner who was ultimately taken from him due to illness. His journey is one of resilience, passion, and unwavering strength.

I truly enjoyed this conversation, and I hope you do too. Let’s get into it!

Welcome to a Special Episode of In Service to Rainbows

Hello, beautiful souls, and welcome to In Service to Rainbows. I’m your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and today’s episode is unlike any other. This one comes straight from my heart—a love letter to my trans and rainbow community.

Since coming out in 2017, my journey has been filled with moments of joy, struggle, resilience, and, ultimately, love. Love for myself, love for those who’ve supported me, and love for the incredible people who make up this community.

This special episode is deeply personal. It’s a reflection on finding my way back to the people who understand me most, the strength we share in the face of adversity, and the power of love to push back against the darkness.

To my trans siblings, to every gender-nonconforming soul, to our fierce allies, and to the chosen family who lift us up—you inspire me every day. This is for you.

So sit back, take a deep breath, and join me as I share my love letter to our community. Because together, we are stronger. Together, we are unstoppable.

Welcome to In Service to Rainbows! I’m your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and in this episode, I have the honor of speaking with Jamie Marie, a transgender woman who embraced her true self in the golden years of her life. Jamie Marie began her transition at 67, proving that it is never too late to live authentically.

Her journey is one of both joy and sacrifice. Coming out brought her immense happiness but also led to the painful loss of a long marriage. Despite this, she persevered and found unwavering love and support from her two sons, their wives, and her grandchildren. Jamie Marie’s story is a powerful reminder that living as our true selves is always worth it, no matter when we begin.

This conversation is filled with wisdom, resilience, and hope. I can’t wait for you to hear Jamie Marie’s incredible journey. Let’s get into it!

Welcome to In Service to Rainbows! I’m your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and in this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Jill, a thoughtful and passionate advocate for asexual visibility. Jill has been on a journey of self-discovery since she was 14, moving through different identities on the asexual spectrum—from demisexual to acespec to asexual. She believes in the power of labels to help people find belonging, but also in the freedom to change them as we grow.

We dive into what it means to navigate the queer community as an asexual person, the struggle for full acceptance in LGBTQ+ spaces, and the importance of making room for all identities under our umbrella. Jill shares how, even after embracing a sapphic identity and marrying her wife, her ace identity remains central to her sense of self. She also opens up about being in a relationship with an allosexual partner and how mutual respect, boundaries, and consent have been key to creating a safe, loving, and validating marriage.

This conversation is an insightful and important reminder that there’s no one way to be queer—and that every identity deserves respect and recognition. I can’t wait for you to hear Jill’s story. Let’s get into it!

Welcome to In Service to Rainbows! I’m your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and in this episode, I have the absolute pleasure of chatting with Wren from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Wren is pansexual, duogamous, and a proud parent to children who are aroace and transmasculine. This conversation was pure joy—Wren’s energy, humour, and warmth made for an incredible discussion filled with laughter and insight.

Not only is Wren a vibrant part of our LGBTQ+ community, but they are also navigating parenthood while raising kids who are finding their own paths within the community. We talk about what it means to support and uplift our loved ones, the beauty of self-discovery, and the unique experience of being both a queer individual and a parent of queer children.

Wren is also a talented musician, writing and selling their own music, and you can check out their work at www.wrennimusic.com. This episode is full of love, authenticity, and, most importantly, fun! Let’s dive in.

Welcome to Season 2 of In Service to Rainbows! I’m your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and I’m so excited to continue bringing you the stories, struggles, and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community. We are here, we are valid, and we are not going anywhere.

Kicking off this season, we have a powerful and emotional conversation with Kermmitt, a gender-fluid human who has fought tirelessly for the medical care they deserve. Their journey has been filled with obstacles—from misdiagnoses to outright discrimination, including being referred to a medical professional who turned out to be a literal Nazi. Despite the initial pushback from their family, Kermmitt has since found acceptance and support.

In this episode, we talk about gender dysphoria, the fight for bodily autonomy, and the heartbreaking failures of the medical system. There were tears, followed by my own anger at how poorly Kermmitt was treated—because everyone deserves love, respect, and proper care. The medical world needs to do better, and sharing these stories is how we push for change. Let’s get into it.

Welcome back to In Service to Rainbows, where we share the stories that uplift and inspire the LGBTQ+ community. I’m your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and today’s guest is someone whose journey is a testament to the power of love and acceptance.

Jessie, a trans person I met at the Trans Day of Remembrance ceremony in London, has come out twice in their lifetime. Unlike many in our community, Jessie had the extraordinary support of parents who simply asked, “What do you need from us?” This unwavering love has been the foundation for Jessie’s ability to thrive.

In addition to their inspiring personal story, Jessie is a gifted musician who finds joy and meaning in singing and playing music. This conversation is filled with positivity, grace, and passion, proving how transformative unconditional love can be. Let’s dive into Jessie’s story of triumph and joy!

Welcome back to In Service to Rainbows, the podcast where we shine a light on the incredible resilience and determination of the LGBTQ+ community. I’m your host, Brooklyn Vennell, and today we’re talking with Catherine—a true testament to the power of love and authenticity.

Catherine grew up as a religious conservative in Alberta, Canada. With time and support, she embraced her truth and began her transition, choosing to live with love in her heart and a commitment to helping others. At her workplace, she’s been a driving force for inclusivity, spreading joy and advocating for change that uplifts our community.

In this episode, we delve into the challenges of being trans in today’s political climate and discuss the urgent need for dialogue to bridge our differences. Our message is clear: we cannot be legislated out of existence, and we won’t allow it to happen. Let’s dive into Catherine’s inspiring journey and vision for a better future!