Art, Power, and Truth-Telling: Lee Bynum on Queer Leadership in the Arts

What role do the arts play in shaping a more just and truthful society?In this episode of Living Queer, host Erwin de Leon is joined by arts leader, composer, dramaturg, and advocate Lee Bynum for a wide-ranging conversation on equity, representation, and queer leadership in the arts.Lee reflects on decades of work across theater, classical music, and academia, examining why diversity onstage must be matched by equity behind the scenes. The conversation explores Maestra Music’s mission, the role of storytelling in humanizing marginalized communities, and how cultural institutions can either reinforce or challenge dominant narratives.The episode also addresses the current political moment, the vulnerability of trans and non-binary communities, and the importance of building affirming spaces where queer people—especially queer people of color—can thrive.Clear-eyed, expansive, and deeply human, this episode invites listeners to consider how art and education shape who is seen, heard, and valued.