Episode 9: Leadership Lessons from LGBTQ+ Icons

In episode nine of Talking Shoppe, Essence and Emily celebrate Pride, play “work wife, work overlord, work nemesis”, then share research on LGBTQ+ icons. Essence profiles Marsha P. Johnson, highlighting her “Pay It No Mind” middle name, early life, Christian faith, activism connected to Stonewall, and co-founding STAR and STAR House to shelter unhoused trans youth. Emily profiles James Obergefell, explaining how his husband John’s ALS prompted their tarmac marriage in Maryland, their lawsuit against the state of Ohio, John’s death, the continued legal fight culminating in the 2015 Supreme Court marriage-equality decision, and Jim’s ongoing activism. They reflect on bravery, education as resistance, and community connection, then close with their weekly R.E.P.O.R.T.