Al's Story

In this episode, 18-year-old Al shares his personal journey of navigating gender identity and coming out as a transgender man. Set in St. Paul, Minnesota, Al reflects on the confusion and vulnerability he felt early on, especially when trying to explain his non-binary identity to his family. Through open conversations and time, Al's relationships evolved, leading to greater understanding and support. Now living as his authentic self, Al speaks with clarity and pride about the joy of being true to who he is.

What is Joy of Being?

Joy of Being is a podcast rooted in family, community, and the everyday brilliance of people living fully amid uncertainty. Centered in first-hand LGBTQIA+ narratives, these stories draw from lived experiences within families and communities to reflect strength, connection, and belonging.

In a time marked by unrest, the series emphasizes reconnection—to our shared humanity, to one another, and to the understanding that our lives are shaped through love and care. Each episode honors joy as something abundant and enduring: a radical, lived truth. The storytellers in this series are heroic, brave, and resilient—celebrating themselves and one another as an ode to being.

We ask that all of our community - listen and then share these stories widely. Help us to build an audience for these narratives that celebrate strength, understanding and support. This podcast series is available on spotify, apple podcast, amazon music and more. You can use the link above to share in your own networks. It is time to re-educate and reconnect.

Special thanks to our team of artists that are leading this initiative:
TJ Lor
Kristy Moua
Xee Reiter
Mary Richardson