In this ep, I talk about my first experience getting flamed on Bluesky after advocating for fairness and safety in women’s sports. It's a heated topic ya know, caring about the safety and rights of women and girls, especially in the LGBTQ+ and trans activist community, where that’s seen as a no-no. I talk about the smearing backlash I received for standing up for the protection of female athletes. Plus, I touch on the importance of lesbian visibility and the ongoing fight for our right to exist and be recognized, without being erased or silenced.

For a visual of the jump at Jurupa Valley High School in California track & field event, you can watch this gentleman's Youtube video:: https://youtu.be/gXTkXO_6u0A?feature=shared

New York Times poll finds 79% of Americans want to ban men who ‘identify’ as women from competing against females in sports UP from 62% in 2021 & 67% in 2023 (Gallop). https://www.campusreform.org/article/new-york-times-poll-finds-majority-americans-want-ban-men-identify-women-joining-female-sports-/27323

Here's the actual poll on it's own for those who want to see the results directly: January 2025 New York Times/Ipsos poll found that 79% of Americans support restricting transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. 94% of Republicans 67% of Democrats & 64% of Independents & other political persuasions: https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/f548560f100205ef/e656ddda-full.pdf

And here’s a 2023 Gallup poll showing that Americans had already seen enough to recognize how unfair it is for (male) trans women to compete against girls/women. Americans' Views on Transgender Athletes, 2021 vs. 2023: https://news.gallup.com/poll/507023/say-birth-gender-dictate-sports-participation.aspx

Email: info@thelesbianmafia.com

Follow on Bluesky: @thelesbianmafia.bsky.social

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelesbianmafia/

Subscribe to The Lesbian Mafia on iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lesbian-mafia/id220131747

Until we meet again,
Sandi

I talk a little about Ellen DeGeneres’ quiet exit and the strange way her legacy is being handled. Ellen wasn’t just a talk show host, she was a groundbreaking lesbian figure in mainstream media. Despite her flaws, she did pave the way for a certain kind of lesbian visibility, and it’s strange how her departure was met with silence instead of recognition.

I also want to acknowledge something important, the Lesbian Mafia is entirely my creation, but for about 2+ years into my hiatus, I became involved in writing activism on TheLesbianMafia.com & Twitter, and I wasn't working alone. While I'm proud of most of the work we did, it ended up sparking important conversations, a lot of people picked up on our ideas and it had a ton of positive impact. We helped shift the conversation around some of the harmful aspects of LGBTQ/trans activism that were going unchecked at the time. Anyway, I hope it doesn’t come across as making excuses, but I just wanted to explain that I was under an immense amount of stress as time went on, which is why I stepped away from podcasting in the first place. But, I take full responsibility for everything that was written. it was a chaotic time, and some things spiraled out of my control and went too far, and I deeply regret that, but at the end of the day, the responsibility is mine and I sincerely apologize to anyone who was hurt by those harsh words. It's been nearly a decade since then and it feels like a different lifetime ago and so far removed from where I am now, but I just wanted to acknowledge the hurt it caused anyone and apologize.

Email: info@thelesbianmafia.com

Follow on Bluesky: @thelesbianmafia.bsky.social

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelesbianmafia/

Subscribe to The Lesbian Mafia on iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lesbian-mafia/id220131747

Until next time,
Sandi

PS- I think I should start a little segment in every show where I do a ‘correction corner’ for the last language mistakes I make in the prior show. You know, the ones I realize I didn't catch until I’m lying in bed at 3 a.m., re-listening to the episode and suddenly thinking, ‘Did you just say "our life" bitch?!’ OR like the last pod "their uterus?" Too bad I don't notice until it's too late. Anyway, forgive!

For over a decade, I disappeared, not just from podcasting, but from my life. My mother was ill, and caregiving eventually became my full-time world for about 15 years. This series pulls back the curtain on some of that time, I'm sharing therapy sessions recorded during those years with my psychologist (modified voice for anonymity). It’s an unfiltered look into the struggles of balancing family obligation, lost dreams, and the challenge of remembering my-self. After so many years of giving everything to care for someone else, I was left with the terrifying realization that I didn't know who I was anymore. It felt like I'd disappeared entirely somewhere along the way, not sure when, and the hardest part has been trying to find myself again,. Even still. So these sessions aren't only about caregiving, though that’s a big part of it. Whether you're a caregiver, or someone navigating your own struggles, I hope maybe that some of my fragmented story offers connection and maybe through sharing my experience, you can learn from the challenges I've faced.

And dear God, the nursing home system is so broken beyond belief. If you think you’ll never be in this position, I hope this helps you understand how quickly things can change. It's one thing if it's just a few years, but long-term illnesses? It's a whole different reality. This is a conversation we must have, not only as a country but as a global community. When you’re faced with the reality of it, you’re shocked by what you witness.. No amount of personal wealth can save you from this mess. It's something that needs to be addressed, because when you experience it firsthand, you cannot believe how bad it truly is. We need to open our eyes, not just to learn from the past, but to ensure a better future for those in need of care and their loved ones.

Email: info@thelesbianmafia.com

Follow on Bluesky: @thelesbianmafia.bsky.social

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelesbianmafia/

Subscribe to The Lesbian Mafia on iTunes/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lesbian-mafia/id220131747

Just a heads-up, sorry if the volume's all over the place AGAIN in this episode! SORRY!

Always yours,
Sandi