In this episode we celebrate pride month 2026! We talk about how LGBTQ+ populations intercect with the peer space in New York and interview a few special guests who share their experience working with, and as, LGBTQ+ people.

The Stonewall Riots: https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/stonewall-riots/

LGBTQ+ Identity and Mental Health Diagnoses: https://www.nami.org/community-and-culture/lgbtq/

LGBTQ+ Youth in the Foster Care System: https://chci.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FINAL.Gutierrez-Eduardo.pdf

Policy Policy Policy. Zack explains and reviews government and civics 101 and then has a discussion with our Policy Team about what, and how, we fight for systemic change that will benefit the youth and families of New York State.

Register for Family Empowerment Day!: https://www.ftnys.org/fed/

Our Policy Agenda: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kFpcg90QhCvYsKOkvf0s5szX3WMN8c9FmIsNkgYDHuM/edit?usp=sharing

Info about the queer men blood ban: https://chprc.org/news/fdas-blood-ban-reversal-for-gay-men-explained/

Peer support! From the humble beginnings in 18th century France to today in New York State, we explain what peer support is, how it relates to mental health, and have a conversations with some professional peer advocates working in the field!

Follow us! linktr.ee/ftnys

Sources!

https://mhanational.org/resources/what-peer-support/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22654945/

https://www.loveandrespectcommunityforrecoveryandwellness.org/blog/history-of-peer-support

https://www.ffcmh.org/

https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/about/

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:738da849-b78d-4429-b174-1eb894b814f6

The title theme featured is Inner Light by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300021

Artist: http://incompetech.com

Zack Kilmer introduces the Peercast, the premiere podcast from Families Together in New York State. We explain who we are, what we do, and have a discussion with our fearless leader and CEO, Paige Pierce.

Music in this episode:

Inner Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300021

Artist: http://incompetech.com

Light Expanse by the Unicorn Heads