Tell Your Pride

Host Shimmer (she/her lady women glitter pronouns) welcomes Andi Otto (he/him), executive director of Twin Cities Pride since October 2022 after 16 years as a volunteer. Andi shares how he fell into the role, why he chose to be openly trans in leadership, and the ongoing challenge of representing a diverse LGBTQIA2S+ community while making space for more voices. He highlights expanding Twin Cities Pride beyond June, including creating the Pride Cultural Art Center and the Rainbow Wardrobe, which provides free clothing, personal care items, wigs, makeup, and gender-affirming undergarments; serving over 3,000 people annually. Andi also discusses ending Fall Fest due to cost and impact, previews Pride season June 27–29 at Loring Park, and mentions expanded small business and queer authors tents plus a newly relocated “recovery backyard.” You don't want to miss this episode!

Host Shimmer welcomes Kimmy Hull, the founder of Sequeerity, a queer and POC-owned deescalation company dedicated to creating safer spaces for POCs and marginalized communities through physical presence, training, education, and community involvement. Kimmy shares how Sequeerity began as a liaison helping queer events navigate cis/hetero venues amid misgendering and misunderstandings, then expanded after George Floyd’s murder into community defense, permit-to-carry instruction, and deescalation and situational awareness training. She explains Sequeerity’s hiring and training approach, including vibe checking, shadow shifts, ongoing refreshers, and staff support. Kimmy contrasts Sequeerity with traditional security by prioritizing people’s physical, emotional, and mental safety without intimidation, discusses limited but necessary event coordination with police, and Shimmer shares a personal story of Sequeerity's supportive presence at TC Pride.This episode is an inspiring and educational conversation about reclaiming safety, investing in each other, and creating spaces where everyone can show up fully and feel protected, because true safety is something we build together!

On Episode 2 of Tell Your Pride, host Shimmer sits down with Twin Cities icon DJ DaddyRox aka Roxanne Anderson for a powerful conversation on community, culture, and creating space where it’s long been denied. From co-founding Our Space and advancing housing for trans, youth, and elder communities, to building alternatives to policing through REP, Rox shares a blueprint for collective care and liberation. They also reflect on launching RARE Productions to uplift queer artists of color and the 25-year legacy of the Power to the People stage at Pride. This episode is about vision, resilience, and what it takes to build something that lasts.

The premiere episode of Tell Your Pride starts with a powerhouse conversation. Host Shimmer welcomes Nomi Bad Boy—a two-spirited Indigenous Black transgender woman, Twin Cities Pride board chair, and celebrity hair and makeup artist whose life story is as bold as her talent.Nomi shares how she went from addiction, incarceration, and life on the margins to celebrating 14 years of sobriety andbuilding a career that’s taken her backstage at the Super Bowl, the BET Awards, and beyond. Along the way, she speaks candidly about recovery, transparency in queer communities, and the daily affirmations that helped her rebuild her life.From styling stars like Lizzo to raising children as a foster parent and single mother, Nomi’s story is about resilience, reinvention, and finding beauty in the journey.Learn more at wfnu.org/tellyourpride