Embracing Queer Identity & Healing from Bullying with Margaret Cho
6/18/202649 min
How does bullying shape the way we see ourselves, connect with others, and move through the world? In this episode, host Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with trailblazing comedian Margaret Cho and her younger comedian friend, Dylan Adler. Together, they reflect on their distinct journeys with queer identity, childhood bullying, and finding acceptance as adults. Plus, they reflect on a key mechanism of using humor to transform pain and shame. Later, Sreela is joined by organizer, author, and activist Hope Giselle. Hope breaks down the profound psychological impact of positive representation, how bullying shapes the nervous system, and how to start healing from the things we were taught to never talk about.If you or someone you love is struggling with bullying, sexual assault, or suicidal ideation, you can find resources at https://www.betterhelp.com/gethelpnow/.
00:00 Introduction: Identity, Representation, and Belonging
02:31 Margaret Cho on Growing Up Queer and Feeling Like an Outsider
09:31 Dylan Adler on Bullying and Finding Community
12:48 Finding Hope Through LGBTQ+ Representation
14:45 Building Confidence and Reclaiming Your Story
19:34 Therapy, Humor, and the Healing Process
21:53 Margaret and Dylan’s Advice for Navigating the Coming Out Journey
26:43 The Importance of Visibility and Community
27:31 Hope Giselle on the Importance of Representation
32:08 Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth
42:16 Creativity as a Tool for Healing and Self-Expression
44:53 Processing Shame and Seeking Validation
48:09 Closing Reflections: Self-Worth, Resilience, and Belonging
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSreela Roy-Greene· Host0:00
Today's conversation contains mentions of sexual assault and suicide, so please take care and be mindful of who is listening with you As I started doing stand-up really early, I got some success really quickly, and these pe- kids who would, like, bully me would, like, come to shows and pay, like, VIP prices to get a meet and greet and wanna, like, take pictures and like, "Remember when we were at school?"
Margaret Cho· Guest0:20
I'm like... I go, "No, I don't remember you [laughs] and I don't know who you are." And I, I... They, the look of disappointment and shock in their faces, and I'm like, "You know what? You really don't want me to remember. You really don't want me to remember you writing graffiti about me, like, on the, the walls of the school. Why would you think that I would forgive that?"
Speaker 3· Soundbite0:45
[keyboard clicking] Hey, can I talk to you about something? I wish you knew...
Sreela Roy-Greene· Host0:54
I wish you knew how lonely menopause felt.
Speaker 3· Soundbite0:58
I wish you knew why it's so hard for men to share their feelings. I wish you knew what it was like growing up in a low-income family. I wish you knew how hard it was not having a college degree. I wish you knew what it's like to be me.
Sreela Roy-Greene· Host1:12
Welcome back to Mind If We Talk, where you get to be a fly on the wall for mini therapy sessions and learn some mental health tips in the process. I'm your host, SriLeroy Green, a licensed mental health counselor with over 19 years of experience. In today's episode, I sit down with Margaret Cho, a trailblazing