Wayde Louviere is based in Los Angeles where he is a respected queer elder and longtime pillar of the West Hollywood community. He carries decades of lived experience, along with a deep interest in spirituality and healing. Wayde is also a close friend and neighbor of our creative producer, Western Kramer, and we’re honored to share his story.

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In this conversation, Wayde shares what it meant to grow up gay in Louisiana in the 1960s—before “representation” existed, before anyone said the word queer out loud, and before there was language for what he felt. There were no role models, no media, and no openly queer people in his community—only silence, and the real threat of violence if you were discovered.

Wayde shares his wisdom on how to know yourself when who you are isn't reflected back to you accurately in the world. What does it mean to trust your inner truth when the world tells you you’re wrong—or that what you feel doesn’t even exist or that you should be ashamed of it?

This episode is a powerful reminder of what innercalling is really about: the light inside you that no darkness can overcome. There is an inner compass and true north within you that guides you home, even when the world is unkind. Watch to learn how Wayde survived by trusting himself, trusting who he was despite what the world around him said, watch how he demonstrates the courage of listening inward, and choosing self-trust over shame.

Thank you Wayde for joining us, and thank you to our listeners for your support!

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“I just knew. Listening to my intuition saved my life.” — Wayde

“You don’t need the world to affirm who you are if you already know it inside yourself.” — Wayde

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Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

07:45 – Growing Up Gay in the South

14:30 – Suppression, Silence, and Survival

22:10 – Discovering Community and Belonging

36:00 – Trusting Intuition

43:20 – Spirituality vs. Religion

52:40 – The AIDS Epidemic and Loss

01:07:00 – Energy, Healing, and Reiki

01:20:30 – Labels, Identity, and Discernment

01:29:00 – Advice for Younger Generations

01:31:00 – Closing Reflections

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✨ Learn more + stay connected: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Looking for kind, compassionate, evidence-based mental health care? Check out Hope+Wellness, a mental health practice founded by Dr. Victoria, where hope can be found even in the most difficult seasons of life. https://www.hope-wellness.com

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Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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