WFHB FireHouse Broadcasting

Southern Indiana singer-songwriter Andrea Wirth treats us to a live in-studio performance, accompanied by drummer and vocalist Kim McCrady. We talk about her personal and musical history as well as the new album coming out at the end of August. Miss Gay Indiana 2009 Courtney Anderson stops by to talk about her reigning year and the ins/outs, ups/downs and gender identity issues related to drag competition.

Transgender correspondent Ethan Bluestein provides updates about his recent top surgery and discusses issues of gender identity and personal/public presentation from his perspective as an activist and self-identified "gender queer". GLBT Michiana Resource Center volunteer Linda Pontierio highlights their third annual Pride in the Park event to be held in Mishawaka on August 29 and their open house coming up in October.

bloomingOUT is proud to welcome iconic lesbian activist Alix Dobkin, author of “My Red Blood: A Memoir of Growing Up Communist, Coming Onto the Greenwich Village Folk Scene and Coming Out in the Feminist Movement”. Dobkin made history on the music scene as a singer-songwriter and producer of "Lavender Jane Loves Women", the very first album by, for, and about lesbians. Alix reflects on the early feminist and lesbian movements, comments on present-day politics, and extolls the virtues of being a grandparent.

A special concert edition of bloomingOUT features live in-studio performances by Jan Flexon with members of her band The Dancin' Nancys, followed by another live set by folkster Kelly Zullo. Kelly will perform at Max’s in Bloomington on Friday August 6 and in Indianapolis on Saturday August 7 at the Irving Theater. That show is also an album release concert party for The Dancin' Nancys celebrating their latest, "Black Sky Goodbye".

Chinese-American author, researcher and performer Canyon Sam talks about how her early days as a radical feminist lesbian activist led to her current focus on the significance of women in cultural revolutions and armed conflicts and how their experiences differ widely from those of men. Her latest publication “Sky Train: Tibetan Women On the Edge of History” uncovers an intimate view of Tibetan feminism largely been overlooked by conventional history.

Military veteran and freelance writer Rob Smith speaks with us briefly before being interrupted by technical difficulties; we'll have him back on soon. We also talk to singer-songwriter duo Amanda Lucas and Audrey Cecil known as AL/AC about their musical careers, inspirations, performances and latest Midwestern tour that brought them to Indianapolis for Lilith Fair this week as well as a gig at Jake’s in Bloomington July 23.

Indiana University alumna and trombonist Sara Julian stops by the studio to chat about her musical career and adventures since leaving IU Bloomington. Julian plays “Lush” by Billy Strayhorn and she also shares a recording of “Tease” on which she accompanies singer Andrea Wirth.

Transgender correspondent Ethan Blustein talks about his upcoming top surgery scheduled later this month and reflects on his journey of transition. Canadian singer-songwriter Toni Vere discusses her career in music and her desire to tour in the U.S. We hear three tracks from her album “Just To Be”.

Pastor of the First Christian Church in Bloomington Reverend Mark Calvert-Rosenberger discusses the process his congregation has gone through in becoming a welcoming and accepting church. Indianapolis entertainer and long time Miss Gay Indiana University hostess Vicki St.

Gay Jewish hip-hop "spellcaster" Soce talks about his career, inspirations, aspirations and music. We hear two tracks from his album "Master of Fine Arts". Author Phil Gambone discusses his various publications, and describes his travels while interviewing individuals and collecting data for his latest book "Travels in a Gay Nation: Portraits of LGBTQ Americans".