Podcast
The Forbidden Apple
Hosted by Pelayo Alvarez & Melissa Weisz · EN
Welcome to "The Forbidden Apple" podcast, where we explore the relationship between queer people and spirituality. Melissa Weisz, a former Orthodox Jew and Pelayo Alvarez a Spanish raised Catholic meet weekly and sink our teeth into "The Forbidden Apple". We interview LGBTQ artists, activists & clergy from unique religious backgrounds. Recent guests include Arlan Hamilton, Mary Lambert, Sushant Divgikar, Rev. Troy Perry, Ryan Cassata & Senator Weinberg. Join our conversations as we discuss overcoming prejudices, find common ground, and celebrate our differences.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Becoming an LGBT Global faith leader - Bishop Joseph Tolton (Part II)
Jun 20, 202201:04:14Tap to summarizeIn Part II of this Episode, Bishop Tolton talks about his mission of creating Interconnected Justice (ICJ)- a global racial justice movement in which the continent of Africa and its diaspora build an ecosystem of self-defined and determined advocacy. Bishop Tolton works directly with leaders to build integrated justice movements connecting activists with civil society advocates, media professionals, academics, and political leaders. Bishop Tolton opens our eyes to the “invisible” influences of the West that jeopardize LGBTQ rights in Africa. You can contact Bishop Tolton and check out his mission here: https://icjustice.org/ http://tfamglobal.org/
Transcribe →Becoming an LGBT Global faith leader - Bishop Joseph Tolton (Part I)
Jun 12, 202200:59:03Tap to summarizeBishop Joseph Tolton is a legendary global faith leader and the Founder and President of Interconnected Justice - a global racial justice movement in which the continent of Africa and its diaspora build an ecosystem of self-defined and determined advocacy. Bishop Tolton shares the complexities of growing up in Harlem as a promising preacher kid with an inner conflict: feeling the devil had planted the seed of homosexuality as part of his spiritual journey. Bishop Tolton opens about about his journey from going through exoricisms to try to rid himself of the "devil", to coming to a place of self acceptance and embracing his sexuality. You can contact Bishop Tolton and check out his mission here: https://icjustice.org/ http://tfamglobal.org/
Transcribe →A Queer Feminist Activist - Dr. Stella Nyanzi
Jun 6, 202201:23:26Tap to summarizeThe inimitable Dr. Stella Nyanzi is a Ugandan queer feminist activist, human rights advocate, poet, medical anthropologist, and scholar of sexuality, family planning, and public health. At the time of our recording, Stella speaks to us from Kenya where she is taking refuge due to the current regime in Uganda where she is unsafe as a very vocal opposition. Stella shares with us about her work being a vocal activist. She talks about her time in prison and using her body and sexuality as a means of protest. Listen till the end to hear Dr. Stella read a poem that she wrote while in prison.
Transcribe →Raising the voice of sexual violence survivors with Mary Muthui TW Sexual Violence
May 31, 202200:30:58Tap to summarizeMary Muthui is a human rights activist from Kenya. She shares the stigma and violence she faced being noticeably queer, and what gave her the strength and courage to fight for herself and others. Mary talks to us about the practice of corrective rape- which is unfortunately common practice against LGBTQ individuals specifically lesbians. Mary survived this sexual violence against her and is an outspoken activist trying to end this practice often putting herself at risk to help others. Mary’s home is open 24/7 to victims of sexual violence and is often the first stop for those needing medical help, food, safety, and support. Listen to learn more about the lifesaving work she does singlehandedly. You can support Mary by donating here through Paypal: mmuthui26@yahoo.com
Transcribe →A Media Pioneer from Angola - Coréon Dú
May 22, 202201:04:15Tap to summarizeCoréon Dú is an award-winning Angolan recording artist, creative director, designer, screenwriter and producer. Coréon shares how he started creating much-needed entertainment for folks his own age in Angola, and how he became a leading voice on the forefront of change with his revolutionary content. We discuss the far-reaching impact his work has had on the representation of the LGBTQ community in Angola and beyond. Listen to hear Coréon share how he incorporates his love of Africa into everything he does.
Transcribe →It Feels Good To Be Forbidden- Val Kalende
May 15, 202200:49:09Tap to summarizeVal Kalende is an activist and founding member of Uganda's LGBTQ MOVEMENT. Val helped launch Freedom and Roam Uganda-FARUG. She shares how taking the risk to be visible has paid off in advancing LGBTQ rights in Uganda. Val opens up about her journey of going back into the closet after being a vocal LGBTQ activist to undergo conversion therapy. Her journey is one of struggle and hope and finally coming to full acceptance of her queerness. Find Val on Fb @Val Kalende To learn more about Val : https://76crimes.com/2022/02/02/unchanged-a-lesbian-christians-journey-through-ex-gay-life/
Transcribe →Asylum, a manifesto for LGBTQ refugees with Edafe Okporo
May 8, 202200:45:41Tap to summarizeEdafe Okporo is a global gay rights activist, the founder of Refuge America, and one of the most visible voices on the issue of displacement. Edafe grew up in Nigeria where religion played an important role in his childhood. Edafe shares how he was guided to pray the gay away and how he became a pentecostal pastor in this effort. An interaction with an older closeted priest made him realize he was in for a life of suffering and needed to come out to live an authentic life. Edafe talks about becoming an advocate and getting involved in LGBTQ organizations after losing many friends to AIDS due to homophobic laws and stigmas which prevent many from getting tested and treated. Due to this work, Edafe was the victim of violence from anti- LGBTQ groups in Nigeria which resulted in him seeking asylum in the US to save his life. Edafe tells us more about the asylum seeking process and how and why he created Refuge America to help the many LGBTQ refugees who come to the US to live safely. He is the author of ASYLUM, A Memoir & Mainfesto, a poignant memoir and urgent call to action for immigration justice, out June 2022. https://www.edafeokporo.com/book https://www.refugeamerica.org/
Transcribe →African Rainbow Family with Aderonke Apata
May 1, 202200:38:24Tap to summarizeAderonke is a Nigerian LGBTQ Activist and the founder of African Rainbow Family charity- a UK-Based organization that supports LGBTIQ people of African heritage and the wider Black and Asian Minority Ethnic groups. Aderonke was born and raised in Nigeria where being gay is illegal. When she was found to be a lesbian she suffered intense persecution. Aderonke fled to the UK to seek asylum. Despite fearing imprisonment and death in her country, Aderonke was not believed and she languished in the asylum system for years with her claim being repeatedly refused by the UK authorities. After a 13-year long battle Aderonke was finally granted refugee status. Aderonke shares how she has used her journey, and the tools she learned struggling to get refugee status, to now provide services for others through her charity which supports LGBTIQ refugees and people seeking asylum and campaigns for global LGBTIQ equality - standing against hate crimes and supporting communities who face constant harassment, hate crimes and discrimination heaped on them by an ignorant society because of their sexuality or sexual preferences and or gender identity. You can support the African Rainbow Family charity here: https://africanrainbowfamily.org/
Transcribe →I ran away from God - Luzie from Kenya (TW: suicide, violence, homophobia)
Apr 24, 202200:21:48Tap to summarizeLuzie talks about her struggle growing up as a Lesbian in Kenya. She opens up about the spiritual violence she suffered and being made to believe that it's demonic to be attracted to the same sex. Luzie shines a light on how gay clubs become a safe haven for many LGBTQ folks- drinking to numb the pain- and even more dire, using it as place to sleep when they become homeless once they're rejected and kicked out of their homes. Luzie also shares about being shunned from her family at the same time that she is the sole caretaker for her mom who has dementia. She hopes to be a pastor one day to other LGBTQ folks in Kenya so they don’t have to suffer like she has. Paypal info to help Luzie care for her elderly mom and her daily expenses: marienganga35@gmail.com
Transcribe →Professor of Religious Studies in Zimbabwe - Ezra Chitando
Apr 17, 202200:28:01Tap to summarizeEzra Chitando is a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Zimbabwe and co-author of “Reimagining Christianity and Sexual Diversity in Africa”. Ezra serves as Theology Consultant on HIV and AIDS with EHAIA, the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy, of the World Council of Churches. Ezra talks about the importance of diversity of opinions and how education helps in the fight to bring about equal rights for LGBTQ folks. Ezra speaks of his work educating about African indigenous spiritual practices and their accepting views on gender and sexuality as opposed to the oppressive teaching christianity brought about to their region. Buy his most recent book “Reimagining Christianity and Sexual Diversity in Africa” co-authored with Adriaan van Klinken : https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/reimagining-christianity-and-sexual-diversity-in-africa/#!/ Learn more about Ezra: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezra_Chitando
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