To beat the heat, the BQLP sits down with Dr. Ron Buckmire to talk about how cool Math can truly be.

Dr. Ron Buckmire is the Dean of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics at Marist University. Ron has been a professor and Associate Dean at Occidental College as well as a Program Director at the National Science Foundation. Importantly, Ron has been a longtime advocate for the LGBTQ+ community since coming out in college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has passionately advocated on behalf of historically excluded youth, particularly LGBTQ+ and racial/ethnic minorities, interested in participating in Math and other STEM disciplines. Ron is a Fellow of and Vice-President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the prestigious Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). He is also a co-founder and board member of Spectra, the association for LGBTQ+ mathematicians and their allies.

This month, the BQLP sits down with a Canadian legend, second to Céline Dion herself!

"Albert McLeod is a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Metis communities of Cross Lake and Norway House in northern Manitoba. One of the founders of the Two‐Spirited People of Manitoba, Albert began his 2Spirit advocacy in Winnipeg in 1986 and became an HIV/AIDS activist in 1987. He was the director of the Manitoba Aboriginal AIDS Task Force from 1991 to 2001. In 2018, Albert received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Winnipeg. He was also a member of the sub‐working group that produced the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan Report in 2020–21. In 2020, Albert joined Team Thunderhead, the team that won the international competition to design the 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument. Based in Winnipeg, Albert works as a consultant specializing in Indigenous peoples, 2Spirit history and identity, cultural reclamation and cross‐cultural training."

Learn more at 2spiritconsultants.ca

https://humanrights.ca/author/albert-mcleod

Who says religion and queer leadership don't mix? In today's episode, the BQLP chats with Revrend Wanda Floyd of the Metropolitan Community church, based in Las Vegas Nevada.

"Rev. Wanda Floyd has over 20 years’ experience which reflects a balanced approach to healthy church life, coupled with a Master’s of Divinity degree. Strong and proven track record in church work through excellent performance as a lay minister, pastoral leader, associate pastor and full-time pastor. Experience working with church leaders, membership, and community organizations to promote Jesus Christ in the world, while leading the church through effective communication and engagement."

''Love MCC was founded in 1978 in Las Vegas, and have been working to reach those who are seeking to grow in their spiritual journey. For over 45 years, we have held services to experience the Holy in new and creative ways. We are not like other churches! Many of our people have come from backgrounds that say they are unloved, or even worse, hated by those around them. Some have faced rejection from their biological families, because of who they express themselves to be authentically, or because of whom they love and spend their lives in love. We know first hand that the love of Christ, can break through barriers and restore folks to a loving relationship with our Creator and with others. ''

https://www.lovemcclv.org/our-team