“I believe that telling our stories, first to ourselves, and then to one another and the world, is a revolutionary act.”
Janet Mock
LATEST EPISODES
S02 E03
“Elijah Tay on the MOE Protest & Arrest”
Activist and MyQueerStorySG founder Elijah Tay opens up about the arrest that followed their peaceful protest for trans students’ rights outside the Ministry of Education in Singapore on 26 January 2021; why they did it knowing the risks, what went down in the arrest, and what’s next. Elijah also talks about their personal experiences with gender dysphoria and transphobia in schools, and their hopes for systemic change in Singapore.
S02 E02
“The Intersex Experience”
For Intersex Awareness Day on 26 October, we spoke with Aysha Bansal about what it’s like to be an intersex individual; the unique challenges they face and how it impacts their relationships.
S02 E01
“Why Pronouns Matter”
Should you ask someone’s pronouns if you’re unclear? Why do pronouns even matter? We kick off Season 2 with a special double episode on everything you need to know about using the right pronouns for International Pronouns Day on 3 October. This episode features interviews with Shan Menon, a social worker who volunteers with The T Project, a social service group aimed at improving the lives of transgender people and Aysha Bansal, a 24-year-old neuroscientist who’s non-binary and uses “they/them” pronouns.
SEASON 1
Episode 10
“National Coming Out Day”
For National Coming Out Day on 11 October, SPEQ:TRUM creator & host Jamie Nonis shares her own coming out stories and experiences from coming out at 15 in school, coming out to a relative at 25 and even coming out to a Catholic nun once, to her journey to finally being open and out in the workplace and more…
Episode 09
“10 Self-Care Rituals for Mental Wellness”
For World Mental Health Day on 10 October, we spoke with Shamini Nedumaran, a registered counsellor from Oogachaga, Singapore’s most established community-based organisation for the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode, Shamini offers self-care toolkits and practical coping strategies that anyone — LGBTQ+ or otherwise — can adopt and practice to enhance your mental wellbeing.
Episode 8
“Bisexual Pride Week”
In celebration of Bisexual Pride Week, we had a chat with Soh Lixia, a 22-year-old andro/masc presenting bisexual female who’s attracted to both men and women, has dated men, and is currently in a relationship with a ‘gold star lesbian’. We tackled gender-conforming social constructs, myths and stereotypes people often have about bisexuals, and her own experiences and discrimination she has faced from both camps – the ‘gays’ and ‘straights’. We also touch on the struggle of reconciling her faith and belief in Christianity with being true to herself. We hope you enjoy this episode and if you’re bi, HAPPY BI+ PRIDE!
Episode 7
“Leow Yangfa on Suicide Prevention & Supporting Our Loved Ones”
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, Oogachaga Executive Director Leow Yangfa shares valuable insights on suicide awareness, how suicide disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ+ community, the misconceptions about suicide, the warning signs we should look out for, and how we can better support our loved ones who may be at risk. Have a listen, help save a life.
Episode 06
“Jamie Nonis on Overcoming Internalised Homophobia & Learning to Love Yourself”
In this reverse interview, popular content creator & business owner Aarika Lee creates a safe space for SPEQ:TRUM creator & host Jamie Nonis to open up about how she overcame internalised homophobia and learnt to love herself by replacing the disempowering thoughts and beliefs about herself with a more positive self-image instead.
“If you come out to friends or colleagues and they don’t accept that, then just screw them. But if it’s your family and they look at you differently because of that, it really hurts.”
Charmaine Wong
Episode 05
“Acceptance, Belonging & The Singaporean Identity”
In this interview, filmmaker Charmaine Wong discusses the notion of acceptance and belonging vis-à-vis the Singaporean identity, as well as her personal experiences discovering she was different in pre-school then attending an all-girls convent school, being openly gay in the workplace, and her fears around coming out to her conservative Chinese parents.
“People might not have recognised how important it is to have diversity in their brand but today there’s no excuse anymore.”
Aarika Lee
Episode 04
“Aarika Lee on Diversity, Rainbow-Washing & Making a Stand”
Tune in to our exclusive interview with popular content creator & mom of two, Aarika Lee, on why the diversity is a conversation brands can no longer ignore, what they need to do to engage the LGBTQ+ community, and how brands can avoid being accused of rainbow-washing. We also discussed why it’s so important to her that her children grow up in a world where diversity is celebrated, and how she’d handle it if either of her two young kids grew up and told her they were dating someone of the same gender one day.
“Empathy is a muscle that you can develop, and exposing people to the arts increases empathy.”
Kelly Leow
Episode 03
“Why the LGBTQ+ Community Needs More Straight Allies”
As Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe said, “You don’t have to be gay to be a supporter – you just have to be human.” In this episode we speak with Kelly Leow, a fervent and passionate supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. We first met Kelly two years ago when she was a volunteer with The T Project, and we had a great chat about empathy and having the courage to stand up for the LGBTQ+ community in the face of homophobic comments, and why having straight allies can be even more powerful for the community and its causes. Kelly is now communications manager at AWARE Singapore, the gender equality organisation, and continues in her support for trans communities.
“Singapore is world-class in so many ways; it’s time society reflects that in terms of human rights issues as well.”
Jamie Nonis
Episode 02
“Growing up Gay in a Conservative Asian Society”
SPEQ:TRUM podcast Creator & Host Jamie Nonis opens up about how she first discovered she was gay and feeling like an anomaly growing up in a conservative Asian society. She also talks about her struggles with self-acceptance; from her fears of being ostracised by friends and society and feeling like she had to hide her true identity, to coming out to family and navigating family dynamics. Finally, she shares her hopes and dreams for the LGBTQ+ community in Singapore.
“If you see my gender identity first, you always see limitation. But if you see me as a person and an individual first, you will see infinite possibilities.”
June Chua, Founder, The T Project
Episode 01
“Beyond Stereotypes: Transgender Awareness & Understanding”
In this launch episode, Jamie interviews June Chua, an award-winning LGBTQIA+ activist and founder of The T Project, Singapore’s first and only social service and homeless shelter for the transgender community, on her advocacy work in raising transgender awareness in Singapore, as well as the common misconceptions about this highly marginalised group.