Pride Theme Mix Tape
The What A Queer Family Pride Theme Mix Tape can be found on Spotify. Listen in-blog below for a more rich experience, or on Spotify for uninterrupted music. Please note below each song is a link to song lyrics for accessibility. Check out more details on how to best enjoy mix tapes.
Good day and happy Pride! I’m DJ Ponyboy welcoming you to our mix tape family; every week we gather to listen to music and share our souls with each other right here on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
There are a lot of definitions of “family”, but to me, family is a word for people who make you feel loved, accepted, like you belong, like you’re real.
True love (and I don’t mean romantic love) has the magic to turn you into a real boy (like Pinocchio) or a real bunny (like The Velveteen Rabbit).
Here is Sylvester declaring, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.
I love this quote by Maya Angelou. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Aretha Franklin gratefully declaring, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”.
I challenge you today to find a way to make someone you care about feel mighty real, and like a natural person.
Queer people have long been recognized as having a particular superpower. While it might cost me my gay card, I am going to share it with you, because in reality anyone can wield this particular superpower.
If you lack a loving family (or just crave more connection – and who couldn’t use more connection?), you can craft your own loving family tree by surrounding yourself with people you care about and who care about you.
You can set boundaries with those who would steal your joy (even if they are “blood” relatives) and stand up for yourself.
You deserve to be heard, seen, felt, and respected by those upon whom you would bestow the sacred title of family.
Rina Sawayama tells us more about it, stating, “We don’t need to be related to relate. We don’t need to share genes or a surname. You are, you are, my chosen, chosen family”, on KTMJ-DB, Denver Colorado.
“Family” by the Chainsmokers with Kygo. Rina Sawayama before that with “Chosen Family”.
Family encompasses both celebration and sorrow, and every family will inevitably experience loss. An important benefit of family is being there for each other during times of loss and grief, holding each other and knowing you are there for each other.
Our next song was written by trans artist Marissa Kay. I’d like to share this quote from her website.
“This song was inspired by the tragic murder of a transgender woman in Tampa, Florida. Although I didn’t know her personally, I went to her candelight vigil as a way of showing solidarity with the community. When I heard everyone screaming her name with candles lit towards the sky, I was moved to tears and wrote the song that very night. It’s the first song I ever wrote as Marissa.”
Here is Marissa Kay with her song, “Trans Is Love” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.
Bill Withers with “Lean On Me”.
Check in on the people you care about. Make sure they know you are there for them and they can lean on you when they’re not strong.
Sometimes we just need to hear or see it one more time to keep believing.
Speaking of being there, I think it is important to hype up the people who are important to you. Be your family members’ biggest cheerleaders.
Celebrate their accomplishments, especially if they don’t themselves. Make sure they know you see them and appreciate them for how amazing they are.
Here is Alicia Keys with “Girl on Fire” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
One of the greatest benefits of family is sharing. Sharing knowledge, resources, hugs, and time with those we care about benefits the entire community – including ourselves!
Our next song talks about sharing a safe place with someone who needs it.
“I Know A Place” by Muna on KMTJ-DB, Denver.
Muna with “I Know A Place”.
I’m DJ Ponyboy asking you: if you know a safe space like this, please share it with those who need it.
If you are looking for a place like this, please know that, while this song paints an idealized picture, safe spaces like this do exist. Even if they are often liminal and fleeting, they can give us the strength to carry on and hold our heads high, being that safe place for those around us.
Up next, the Pretenders remind us that family stands by each other, promising to be there during hard times, with “I’ll Stand By You”.
Before we continue to our final song, I’m DJ Ponyboy and I have a boon to crave.
Queer or not, I ask you to share this mix tape with someone who is a member of your family. Let them know how much they mean to you. A little connection can go a long way.
One more thing. I want to say “Thank you!” to my “real” family, my chosen family, and my radio family (that’s you!), without whom I would not be who I am today. Thank you for being yourselves and being fantastic!
Here is Sister Sledge singing “We Are Family” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.
I hope you enjoyed our time together today; I know I did. 😊
Until next time, I’m DJ Ponyboy on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado reminding you to stay gold.