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Lack of representation is one of the biggest issues facing the LGBTQ+ outdoors community. Queer adventurers don’t often see themselves represented in the marketing campaigns and media narratives of mainstream brands and companies, but queer people are out on the roads and trails doing awesome things outside every day, and today’s guest is forging the trail for LGBTQ+ representation in the outdoor adventure world with determination and infectious joy. Today In the Den, Sara is joined by national parks expert and endurance athlete Mikah Meyer to talk about a journey that shaped him, the friendships that sustained him, and the vision he’s building for a world where every person can step outside—into nature, into community, into themselves—and know they belong.

Special Guest: Mikah Meyer

Called a "professional road tripper" by REI, Mikah's 3-year, world record road trip to all 419 U.S. National Park Service sites made him the first to experience all federal parks in a single journey. He's continued that passion in the 2020s with the creation of the Outside Safe Space Program, which provides allies a simple way of making The Great Outdoors more accessible for LGBTQ+ people. Since its launch in 2020 with a Run Across Minnesota, it has sold over 100,000 symbols, become carried by REI stores nationwide, and Mikah has raised awareness for the OSS Program through a Run Across Mississippi, Run Across Nebraska, Bike Across Oregon, and other "Across" projects. The symbol's creation has helped Mikah consult major brands on the design and implementation of their first Pride products, and spawned workshops, including keynote speaking for Kansas City Design Week, about inclusive marketing to the $1+ trillion dollar LGBTQ+ purchasing power community in the United States, and beyond.

Links from the Show:

• More on Theodore Roosevelt
• Buck Island
• Outside Safe Spaces Logo Gear
• Canyon Chorus Documentary
• Join Mama Dragons today

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State laws across the country, and now even federal policies, increasingly target transgender people and LGBTQ people more broadly. Lifesaving, necessary gender-affirming care is being restricted or criminalized. Discriminatory policies and legislation, such as proper identity document bans, restrictions on participation in sports, and “sex definition” laws that police public restrooms, are attacking people in their day-to-day lives. What people may not realize, is that every one of these laws and policies affects intersex people, too, and that is why organizations like interACT are so important. From education to support, interACT is working to affirm trans and intersex folks in the fight to access lifesaving, necessary care. Today In the Den, we’ll cover some important basic information that will explain intersex conditions, and we’ll talk about how we can better support and affirm the intersex folks in our lives and in our country.

Special Guest: Bria Brown-King

Bria Brown-King (They/She) is a Black, queer, non-binary, and intersex person. Bria is the Associate Executive Director at interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth. Bria got their start in intersex advocacy in 2018 as an interACT Youth Advocate. In 2019, they became the first openly intersex person to speak about intersex issues on the steps of the Supreme Court. In their current role, Bria facilitates education on intersex issues, works to close the gap in intersex-affirming research and data collection, and serves on multiple advisory boards, representing intersex people nationally and internationally.

Special Guest: Dr. Bonnie Scranton

Dr. Scraton is a licensed clinical social worker, AASECT-certified sex therapist and sexual health educator, and an assistant professor of social work at Central Connecticut State University. She maintains a private practice and serves on a multidisciplinary team at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, where she supports children with variations in sex characteristics and their families. Motivated by both her clinical work and her lived experience as the parent of a child with an intersex variation, Bonnie's doctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania resulted in the development of Project LISTEN, a peer support and empowerment program for parents newly learning about their child’s variation. The program is designed to provide information, connection, and support for parents and caregivers, helping families ensure children grow up with agency and ownership over their bodies and medical decisions.

Links from the Show:

• Find the interACT website here
• Intersex Definitions here
• Intersex FAQ here
• Join Mama Dragons today

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The Supreme Court is currently considering two major cases brought by West Virginia and Idaho which address state-level bans on transgender female students playing on girls' school sports teams. Together, these cases could determine whether states can legally exclude trans athletes from school sports nationwide. Politicians and pundits argue about fairness, biology, and the future of women’s sports, but far too often the voices of transgender athletes themselves get lost in the noise. That’s exactly what Anna Baeth, Ellie Roscher, and Chris Mosier are trying to change. Ellie and Chris join Sara to discuss their new and groundbreaking book Fair Game, which breaks down the myths being told through personal interviews with trans athletes and includes an informative look at the research, history, and politics of gender in sports. They explore the deeper question underneath it all: what do we really mean when we talk about fairness, and why does sports participation matter—not just for elite athletes, but for every kid who simply wants to play on a team, move their body, and belong.

Special Guest: Ellie Roscher

Ellie Roscher is the author of Fair Game, Remarkable Rose, The Embodied Path, 12 Tiny Things, Play Like a Girl and How Coffee Saved My Life. Ellie teaches writing and yoga in Minneapolis. She was a two-sport college athlete, competing in gymnastics and softball, and went on to coach both at the rec, club, and high school level. Ellie holds an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in Theology from Luther Seminary.

Special Guest: Chris Mosier

Chris Mosier is a trailblazing athlete, coach, and founder of TransAthlete.com, the go-to resource on transgender inclusion in sports. He made history as the first openly trans man on a U.S. Men’s National Team and helped change International Olympic Committee policy for trans athletes. A Nike-sponsored athlete, Chris is a five-time national champion, and relentless advocate for trans rights. When not training and competing, he mentors transgender and nonbinary athletes around the globe, living out his motto of “be who you needed when you were younger.”

Links from the Show:

• Buy Fair Game here
• Ellie’s Website
• Find Ellie on IG
• Dr. Baeth’s Website
• Ellie’s Website
• Chris’s Website
• Dr. Baeth on IG
• Find Chris on IG

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