The team is joined in the studio by returning guests Andy and Jason, who are back to talk about the alarming reversal of LGBTQIA+ rights in Indonesia. They discuss the presidential decree that equates LGBT culture with terrorism, and the wave of violence that has followed — a movement that actively hunts trans and queer people on the streets, undercover police using gay dating apps to target and extort, and universities asking students to sign statements disavowing LGBT+ identities. With official reports of violence climbing and leaders using the community as a scapegoat for wider unrest, they share what it's like to watch their home country turn against them — and close with a heartfelt message of love and solidarity for anyone listening.

This week the team also revisits a conversation recorded live at Bristol Pride 2023 with Sarah Jayne, the Dolly Parton tribute artist. Sarah Jayne talks about 29 years performing as Dolly, the moment Dolly herself thanked her on national television, her work with Dolly's children's literacy charity, the Imagination Library, and a very special Pride set alongside her husband, who performs as Kenny Rogers.

We chat to Joelle of the Normal Anomaly based in Houston... What began as a platform for telling stories has grown into an organisation working to change the systems behind them.

The Normal Anomaly Initiative began in 2016 as a grassroots movement rooted in digital storytelling. At a time when the experiences of Black LGBTQ+ people were too often overlooked, misunderstood, or told by others, they created space for community members to tell their own stories, challenge harmful narratives, and make visible the realities shaping their lives.

In 2018, that movement took its next step when Normal Anomaly became a nonprofit incubated at The Montrose Center in Houston, Texas. As they listened more deeply to the community, their work expanded beyond changing narratives to addressing the barriers those narratives revealed. Storytelling led to services. Services led to navigation. Navigation led to questions about why people were encountering the same barriers again and again.

Along the way, their work has reached thousands of people through direct services, capacity building, research, technical assistance, advocacy, and community partnerships. They have supported emerging leaders, helped launch Black and LGBTQ+ businesses, collaborated with academic and public-health institutions, and brought community perspectives into spaces where decisions about our health and futures are made.

They recognise that healthier communities cannot be built through isolated programs alone. They require people with the power to lead, pathways that help individuals navigate resources and care, organizations that are connected rather than siloed, and systems that can learn from the communities they are intended to serve. That is the infrastructure they are working to build.

They listen to community. right now they are using what they hear not only to change the narrative—but to help change the conditions, connections, and systems that shape people’s lives.

This week the team is joined by Irish actor, producer and presenter Derek Murphy, the creative force behind Mammy's House — a new play coming to Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate from 1st to 13th September. Set in Camden in 1985, it follows a group of Irish friends who build a chosen family together in London after leaving Ireland in search of acceptance, only to be confronted by the AIDS crisis. Derek explains how the play grew out of a talk by Irish historian and LGBT activist Dr Joseph Healy, two years of research and interviews with people who lived through the era — and why the stories of London's Irish LGBTQ+ community during the crisis have been so rarely told.

Also in the studio, Sangeeta Dewan shares the story behind her book Hope Beyond Grief. After losing her husband Mahesh to a brain tumour, Sangeeta began a journey through heartbreak, grief and healing that she hopes can guide others through their own. She reads a beautiful poem from the book and talks about the techniques that carried her through — journaling, breathing, grounding — and why she believes pain can be a transformational teacher: "You have to feel it, to heal it."

Andy and the team are joined by Leo Cole, the actor behind Ro — the young trans man whose storyline has been making waves in Hollyoaks. Leo opens up about growing up, coming out at twelve, and the moment he told his mum over lockdown after a TikTok video made everything click. He shares how his family put names in a hat and pulled out "Leo", the reality of navigating the NHS, and why being able to access the right care at the right age quite literally saved his life. It's a warm, honest and hopeful conversation about being seen, being supported, and what it means to play a character that resonates so deeply.

It's a show packed with sport, comics, and community. First up, they catch up with Anthony from the Bristol Bisons — the South West's first inclusive rugby team, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary. The Bisons are heading to Brisbane, Australia for the Bingham Cup (the Gay Rugby World Cup), named after Mark Bingham, a 9/11 hero and gay rugby player who helped prevent United Flight 93 from reaching its target. The tournament runs from 19th to 23rd August, and Anthony shares what it means to be part of a club that's grown from a small group to a herd of 60-70 members. "For a lot of us, it was finding a space that was safe," he says. "We really are our own tribe — many of us have developed lifelong friendships and found our chosen family."

Later, Chris and Nate from PrideCAF (Pride Comic Art Festival) return to the studio after a year off — and they're bigger than ever. Now taking over the entire first floor of Sparks (the old M&S building), this year's festival on Saturday 19th September will feature over 80 LGBTQ+ comic artists, up from 60 last year. Guests include Hamish Steele (creator of Dead Endia on Netflix) and Oli Hicks (co-creator of the softball lesbian romance Grand Slam Romance). Entry is free, with donations welcome, and the team are especially proud that the festival was the first LGBTQ+ dedicated comic art festival of its kind in the UK. "Comics and zines have such a rich history in queer culture," Chris explains. "They were used to spread information about the AIDS epidemic — it was very punk to be a gay comic artist."

Terry is in with the news, including a devastating Islamist terrorist attack at Berlin Pride, civil servants being banned from attending the Bristol Pride March, and Sam Smith partnering with BBC Introducing to give 10 up-and-coming musicians the chance to open for their UK residency shows.

This week, the team are replaying interviews recorded live at Bristol Pride, starting with an absolute gem — Celestine from Black Box. She's marking 10 years since she joined the iconic band, a journey that began with a panicked phone call when their singer didn't show for a gig at Ashton Court. "I got thrown in the deep end," she laughs — and 10 years later, she's still going strong, describing the connection with crowds as something truly electric. "When I look at you in the crowd and we connect in that moment, I don't know you, but my heart feels full and yours does too — so right now, we are the same." Celestine also performs with Dr. Meeker (heading to Harbour Festival next), and you can find her on Instagram at @celestinemusic.

The show also features a powerful conversation with the deaf BSL coordinator for Bristol Pride — a deaf lesbian who has been coordinating sign language interpreters for the festival for 15 years. She explains that being deaf at a festival means facing double barriers, but Bristol Pride's commitment to accessibility is unmatched. This year was particularly groundbreaking: for the first time, a deaf interpreter took the main stage. The prep is immense — she books interpreters back in January, sends them set lists, and they rehearse lyrics and music in advance to deliver those incredible dance-integrated performances. "It's one of the most normal feelings I can experience," she shares. "Sometimes I go to an event and feel left out, but at Bristol Pride I feel welcome. I feel like a normal person."

A special shout-out goes to Matt White and his husband, celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary — congratulations from all of us.

Terry is in with the news, including the shocking revelation that civil servants were banned from attending the Bristol Pride March because of the festival's stance on EHRC guidance on trans rights, the PCS union formally opposing the Supreme Court judgement on the definition of sex in the Equality Act, and the Baltimore Ferals rugby team in the US who are refusing to exclude trans athletes — "you can prise the ball out of my cold dead hands."

The show rounds out with a chat about The Odyssey and the backlash around Elliot Page's casting. "If you're annoyed that Nolan cast an LGBTQ+ person in a movie about ancient Greeks, wait until you learn about actual ancient Greeks."

We're joined by Jess from the Good Law Project, talking about the vital work they're doing using the law to fight hate and defend the trans community. Jess discusses how trans people have been made to feel unwanted in their own country, the GLP's legal challenge against GB News over broadcasting hate, and why this moment in history demands we all stand together — because "an attack on one community is an attack on all of us." She also shares why she believes we will come out the other side, even if this period is taking a heavy toll.

And from Bristol Pride itself, we caught up with the legendary Sister Sledge — Kathy and the rest of the family — just before they took to the main stage to close out the weekend. They talk about how "We Are Family" came about, why it still feels as fresh today as it did almost 50 years ago, and the incredible energy from the Bristol Pride crowd. Kathy also gives us the scoop on a brand new dance track called "Dance Dance" and shares her message for anyone still finding their confidence: "be as free as you can be."

Andy and Steffi Barnett are in the studio for this week's show, with a powerful conversation at its heart. Ez speaks to Loo Fletcher, founder of the Suicide Prevention Collective, about their new Sunflower Hub at Windmill Hill City Farm — a warm, living room-style space open every other Friday where people can just pause, have a hot drink, access confidential support, and feel less alone. They're planting 200 sunflowers in the garden as a therapeutic space, and the conversation touches on post-traumatic growth, the loneliness epidemic, and why prevention matters as much as crisis response.

Later, Andy catches up with Paul Stoodley from The Queen Shilling about Queer Beer — a brand new session pale ale (3.4%) brewed specially by Good Chemistry Brewing in Old Market. Paul opens up about his own journey with the word "queer," having grown up in an era when it was used as a slur, and how younger generations reclaiming it helped shift his perspective. The beer launches the night before Bristol Pride, with 10p from every sale going to the festival — and it's vegan, light, and refreshing to boot.

Terry is in with the news, including an NHS Trust continuing to allow trans patients to use facilities matching their gender identity despite a Supreme Court ruling, colonial-era homophobic laws in Trinidad and Tobago, and a delightfully queer revelation about the genderless nature of Minions.

The show rounds out with chat about the EHRC's 40-day consultation period ending with no government action, the UK slipping from 2nd to 22nd in European LGBTQ+ rankings, and a big reminder that ShoutOut will be live from Bristol Pride on Saturday 11th July from 10am on BCfm 93.2, Bath Sound DAB, and shoutoutradio.lgbt. Whether you're on the Downs or tuning in from home, they're bringing the best of Pride to you.

Life can be hard sometimes, especially with increased hate since Brexit. We chat to mental health practitioner, Jez Spencer, with input from ShoutOut's own mental health specialists, Ezra and Terry.

Plus, Bristol Pride is nearly upon us. The team talk through some of the events that are on right now, and what's coming.

Don't forget, you can listen live to Bristol Pride LIVE from 10am on the main day. Just visit our website and click the big "Listen Now" button.

This week on ShoutOut, Andy is joined by co-host Lucy Potter for a show packed with community, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.

First up, Steffi sits down with Nikita from SISTALAND — the Bristol-born festival that's carving out space for women and underrepresented creatives. Now in its biggest year yet, SISTALAND returns to Chew Valley Lake from 10-12 July 2026, bringing together over 500 artists, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, and industry leaders from across the UK. Born out of a frustration with the barriers and isolation so many face in the creative industries, SISTALAND has grown from a grassroots gathering into a national movement. Nikita tells us all about this year's theme, "Community Powers Change", and what to expect from a weekend of talks, workshops, performances, and genuine connection by the lakeside.

Then, Steph from Queer Surf Club joins us to talk waves, wellbeing, and why the ocean needs to be for everyone. QSC has grown from seven surfers meeting up to a community of over 120 regulars and more than 1,000 members online — all united around a simple mission: create inclusive surfing to save our oceans. Steph tells us about QSC's Bristol Pride event at The Wave, how the club started, and where it sits alongside other queer outdoor groups. We also dive into why surf culture — despite its laid-back image — can feel surprisingly exclusive and masculine, and how QSC is challenging that. Plus, if you've ever wondered "is surfing for me?", "do I need to be fit?", or "will I feel welcome?" — Steph has answers.

On today's show we take a deep dive into the upcoming EHRC guidance. What it is, what it means, where it gets it wrong, and what you can do about it. The team are joined by Jaquie.

Jaquie is a well-known figure in the Bristol LGBTQ+ community and runs Queer Tango, creating inclusive, community-led spaces based on consent, respect and safety. She’s coming to this interview with real experience of managing shared spaces in practice, so her perspective is grounded in what actually works for people on the ground, not just theory or legal interpretation.

The interview focused on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) proposal for updated guidance on single-sex spaces following the Supreme Court ruling on “biological sex” under the Equality Act. The guidance suggests that, in some situations, access to facilities like toilets or changing rooms may be based on sex at birth, while also saying people should not be left without access. This has become highly controversial, particularly for trans people, because it raises questions about how organisations are expected to apply these rules in everyday settings.

Jaquie’s key point is that, while the proposal may appear clear in legal terms, it is very difficult to apply safely and fairly in real life. Many venues don’t have alternative facilities, there is no clear or lawful way to identify someone’s sex at birth, and enforcing this kind of policy risks confrontation, misidentification and exclusion—not just for trans people, but for anyone who doesn’t fit gender expectations. From a community perspective, the concern is that the guidance could create confusion and unintended harm, while placing a heavy burden on staff and volunteers without giving them workable solutions.