May 15, 2024 • 30 mins
Women from the Austin music scene talk about how the Texas abortion ban is impacting their lives.
The post Peace, Love, and Texas Women: Women in Austin music reflect on the Texas abortion ban appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Miles Bloxson (00:03):
I'm Miles Bloxson.
Elizabeth McQueen (00:04):
And I'm Elizabeth
McQueen. And this
is Paws Play, a
podcast about live
music, why it
matters, and what
comes next.
Miles Bloxson (00:14):
This season, we're
looking at how different
global and local
changes are impacting
Austin's live music
scene.
Elizabeth McQueen (00:20):
In our last episode,
we talked about climate
change.
Miles Bloxson (00:23):
And for the next two
episodes, we'll be
exploring how recent
changes to some of
the laws in Texas are
affecting our scene,
and specifically how
they're impacting women
and members of the
LGBTQIA+
community.
Elizabeth McQueen (00:36):
Initially, we
thought this would be one
episode, but then
we realized that
each topic needed
its own episode
because these are
intense, important,
and complicated
issues.
Miles Bloxson (00:46):
In this particular
episode, we're going
to explore how Texass
ban on abortions is
impacting women in
our scene.
Elizabeth McQueen (00:53):
And in the next one,
we'll look at how proposed
restrictions on drag
performances and
the ban on gender
affirming care for
minors is
affecting members
of the LGBTQIa
plus community.
Miles Bloxson (01:06):
In 2022, the Supreme
Court overturned Roe
versus Wade, which
allowed states to
create and enforce
their own abortion
laws. This triggered
a law that was already
on the books from 2021
that made nearly all
abortions illegal in
Texas.
Elizabeth McQueen (01:22):
We asked our good friend
Sergio to help us
understand the abortion
ban.
Sergio Martinez-Beltran (01:26):
Yes, my name
is Sergio Martinez
Beltran, and
I'm a national correspondent
with NPR,
and I cover immigration
now, but
used to be at the Texas
Newsroom, which is
a collaboration of
public radio stations
in Texas for
two years.
Sergio was
covering the legislature
when Roe versus Wade
was overturned,
and he told us
what the law means
for women in Texas.
(01:46):
It's very simple.
Abortions
are
basically banned
in the state of Texas
unless the
women is at
risk, like her, life
is at risk.
There are no exceptions
for rape or incest
like in other
states.
It's pretty much if the
woman is
about to die,
then an abortion
could happen.
If she has a chance
(02:06):
of not dying,
then they
have to continue with
the pregnancy.
Elizabeth McQueen (02:10):
The law also says
that if a woman
is at risk of,
quote, substantial
impairment of a
major bodily
function, then an
abortion can be
performed.
But that wording
is not well
defined in the law.
Sergio Martinez-Beltran (02:22):
In December of
2023, a
pregnant woman named
Kate Cox
challenged Texass
abortion law.
A medical doctor
had told her she
had a non-viable
pregnancy,
and so she
needed to have an
abortion, and
she sued
the state
to try to get
the care she needed.
A court said yes
initially, and
then the
(02:42):
appeals process continued.
And, takes
the Supreme Court
pretty much said that
she, you
know, they understood
her concerns.
But what the
evidence presented by the
doctor was not clear.
So long story
short, Kate Cox
could not
receive treatment
in the state, so she
had to leave the state
of Texas
and get the
abortion somewhere
else.
Elizabeth McQueen (03:02):
So abortions have
become extremely
rare in Texas.
Miles Bloxson (03:06):
According to the Texas
Department of Health
and Human Services.
In 2021, there were
over 50,000 abortions
provided in our
state.
Elizabeth McQueen (03:15):
In 2023, there
were 62.
Miles Bloxson (03:17):
The nearest place to
Austin where a woman
can get a legal
abortion is either
550 miles away
in Wichita, Kansas,
or 590 miles away
in Santa Teresa, New
Mexico.
Elizabeth McQueen (03:29):
And for some Texans,
this is a big win.
This is our governor,
Greg Abbott at
the rally for life
in 2023.
Greg Abbott (03:36):
All of us are united by
the truth that our
creator endowed us with
the right to life.
And there is no freedom
more precious than life
itself.
But this is my sad
reality.
(03:56):
For millions of
children, we're losing
their lives every year
in Texas before they
were even born.
But not
any more in
Texas.
(04:17):
Because of your
decades.
Decades of advocating
for life.
Abortion is no
longer legal in Texas.
Miles Bloxson (04:35):
We wanted to know how
this law was affecting
women in the Austin
music scene.
Elizabeth McQueen (04:40):
We heard stories
of women canceling
shows because they
had to travel to New
Mexico to get an
abortion, or of
women helping other
women get access
to abortion care.
But it was hard to get
people to talk to us
on the record.
Miles Bloxson (04:52):
But some women did
feel comfortable speaking
with us about how
these abortion laws
are affecting our
music scene.
Elizabeth McQueen (04:58):
The first woman we
spoke to was
Adrian.
Adrienne Lake (05:00):
I'm Adrienne Lake.
I'm the co-owner of
Daydream Believer
Creative with my
partner Charlie Faye,
and we are music
consultants and we
work with music
businesses, nonprofits
and artists.
And we do just a
little bit of whatever
anybody needs.
A lot of consulting,
some PR
(05:21):
they even, produced a
video here and there,
you know, you name
it, we probably do
it.
Miles Bloxson (05:27):
We asked Adrian how
she felt when the
Texas abortion law
came down.
Adrienne Lake (05:32):
It was like a punch
to the gut. You know,
on on one hand.
This is what's been
happening. We've seen
these restrictions
happening with, you
know, the queer community
and, voter
suppression.
And,
so the war on all
(05:53):
these folks and now
the war on women, no
bodily autonomy.
And that's that's
absolutely
devastating.
So when
it happened, there
were a lot of conversations
in person and online,
people saying they were
packing up and
leaving, hearing
men saying, well,
it's time for that mastectomy.
(06:15):
And, actually hearing
women saying, you
know, I guess
we're going to have,
you know, surgery to
make sure that we
aren't forced into a
bad situation.
And that was before
the Kate Cox
situation.
And so we just
recently watched all
(06:35):
those fears be
completely validated.
Elizabeth McQueen (06:38):
Can you describe what
that felt like,
seeing that
situation unfold?
Adrienne Lake (06:44):
Well, again.
Just completely.
Devastating.
It's really hard to
wrap your head around
these people in
charge of controlling
other people's lives
and bodies, and they
know nothing about
it, and they don't
care. They don't even
care if it's a
situation where, you
(07:05):
know, the child was
wanted. But there are
medical issues.
They don't care if
the mother's life is
at risk.
It's about control.
And these types
of things affect the
creative class and
people who struggle
financially more than
anybody else.
Fortunately, as
artists and
(07:27):
as people with a
platform including,
you know.
Venue owners, talent
buyers, etc. etc.
we can do something
about it. We can make
our voices heard.
And I do think that
it is our obligation
to do that.
Back when I was a talent
buyer, I
thought, wow, what a
gift it is to have
(07:48):
these actual
and figurative
platforms that we can
make statements and
do good for the community
and hold benefits and
spread awareness and,
you know, get out the
vote organizations.
So that is one good
thing that we have
going for us.
That in the fact
that, I think we're
really blessed to
(08:08):
have a great community
here in Austin, and
it's nice to know
that if something
happened, you know,
we know that there would be
a community that would
have our backs.
Elizabeth McQueen (08:20):
And then our
friend Amanda Garcia
helped us get a
group of women from
the Austin music
scene together to
talk to us about
their personal experiences
with the Texas abortion
ban.
DJ Cassandra (08:30):
Hello?
I'm DJ Cassandra.
My name is Cassandra,
and that's also my
deejay name. So I'm
also a DJ and a
composer and educator
as well, living here
in Texas, in Austin,
Texas.
Amanda Garcia Davenport (08:43):
I am Amanda
Garcia Davenport.
I am a
membership manager
at the Recording
Academy, and
I'm also a mother
and a wife and
a music fan.
Qi Dada (08:53):
So my name is Kidada.
I'm one half of Writers
Against the Storm musical
hip hop duo, and
I am a mother and I am a
wife. I'm a producer,
and I really enjoy,
elevating the spiritual
notion of women in the
world.
Cheyenne Doerr (09:10):
Yes. Hello, my name
is Cheyenne Doerr I
am, now an
independent publicist
and live event producer
working mostly in
the music entertainment,
culture spaces.
I'm also a member of
the Recording Academy
and work with Amanda
on a group in.
It's a global nonprofit
called Women in Music.
We just launched our
Austin chapter, and
(09:30):
I am currently splitting
my time between
Austin and just
generally Central Texas
in LA. So half
and half these days.
Elizabeth McQueen (09:40):
We started out by
asking them how
they felt when
the Texas abortion
ban went into
effect.
DJ Cassandra (09:46):
You know, it's just
that, feeling when
your throat, like,
drops into your
stomach, kind of like.
Oh, explicit word
and oh, explicit word
for everybody.
I know all the women
in this city and
state.
And it was just like,
(10:07):
okay, that at first.
And then, all right,
how are we going to
fight this? How are we
going to come together?
And then it was
honestly like, ever
since that like 2022,
it's just been like
really empowering,
honestly, and
like a really
(10:28):
beautiful community
connection that I
don't think would have
happened before.
Like, I mean, it was
there before, but I
think it's even more
and it's like, you
know, a lot of women
having these conversations
like off the record
and, you know, being
brought together and
talking about it and
being like, oh, you
stand for women's
(10:49):
rights. You stance,
you. Okay, I get
you.
Miles Bloxson (10:53):
Amanda. What about
you? When you heard the news.
Amanda Garcia Davenport (10:56):
Very similar
that, like,
drop in my
stomach.
Really scared
for a lot of
women in my
family, in
my community,
and scared for myself
because at
the time, my husband
and I knew that
we probably wanted
to have another baby,
but we hadn't yet.
So that was really
scary.
(11:17):
I guess a little
bit of background
before I had
my first daughter, I had
a miscarriage
and didn't
know how common
it was and
immediately found
out because this
like circle of women
came to me that were
like, me
too, or, you
know, that happened to
me and I
just learned how common
it was, and
it really
helped me be able
to kind of speak
(11:38):
about my experience
to other women that
later on that
had that happen to
them. When I had my first
daughter, I
had really
amazing pregnancy.
I felt like
I was superhuman,
and then I had a really
scary birth
where we had to be
rushed into,
an emergency C-section.
So going
(11:58):
into like
thinking about pregnancy
again and then also
knowing that I was
over 35,
which is considered geriatric,
I knew that there
was risk
associated
and that complications
could happen just
given the history that
I had
experienced already.
So it was really
scary when
everything went
down, and I
knew that I was lucky
enough to
(12:19):
know different people
within different organizations,
and I felt confident
that my doctors would always
take care of me
or help me
find proper care
if needed.
But
terrifying.
And then also
empowered at the
same time, because
then, like
knowing
that I already
had a daughter and
making sure that like,
it was my job
to protect her
(12:40):
and to have
her set up for.
Whatever she needed
to get through.
So very,
like opposite.
But all at
the same time.
Cheyenne Doerr (12:53):
Qi Dada
Qi Dada (12:54):
When I heard the news,
nothing about me was
shocked because I
feel like I come from and
represent a community
that's always used to
having the laws not apply
to them anyway, so they're
always trying to find solutions
just in case the ball
drops.
Because a lot of these
women I know, the workers
in the birth space
and in social justice
(13:15):
spaces are always looking
for solutions outside of
the system, just in case
they decide that the laws
are going to be different
and they're used to the
laws being different for
them anyway.
So they're always finding
resources and collecting
knowledge and sitting with
people who have always sat
outside of the structure
to be able to provide
(13:36):
the care necessary, should
should institutional care
not be available.
So it's kind of a
complicated thing where
obviously, like no one
wants you're once
you're protective measures
in the institutions to be
stripped from you, not when
you work and provide taxes
and, you know, do your best
(13:57):
to vote and secure
yourself in a complicated
relationship with your
country.
Nobody's looking for that.
And the amount of women
that I see fighting on both
sides of it
is really phenomenal to me
that are not trying to
separate,
regardless of their
(14:17):
philosophies are ideologies
and not trying to separate
the fact that we are
all in need of each other
because this reality.
Is is so incredibly
complicated and can sway
one way or another.
So it's imperative that we
all know where to lean and
how to lean when situations
(14:38):
become really abrupt.
Cheyenne Doerr (14:41):
Yeah, I, I would say
kind of to Qi point,
you know, I wasn't necessarily
shocked when the specific
Texas law came into
play. I remember
exactly where I was
when row was overturned
and my two female
roommates and I,
like, had a good cry
and hugged each other.
And it was just like, are
we really in this
right now? And so
obviously, of course,
when the Texas thing,
(15:02):
you know, just stamps
the the realness of
all this, it's crazy
that guns have more
rights in this state
than women,
honestly. And just
the fact that people
that are deciding these
things have no idea
the first thing about
what they're honestly
talking about. In many
cases.
Elizabeth McQueen (15:17):
Coming up after the
break, you'll hear
how these new laws
impact women
performers.
Miles Bloxson (15:22):
Welcome back to Pause
Play. In this
episode, we're
hearing how the Texas
abortion ban is
affecting women in
the Austin music
scene. And all of you
ladies have a place
in the Austin music scene.
And, you know, music
scene's beyond Austin
as well, right? How
do you feel like
these new laws impact
women performers like
as a whole?
Qi Dada (15:40):
I definitely feel like
women performers are always
kind of in a special box.
Like even if you're talking
about not just music
athletes like performers.
It's complicated because
you're already your track
of career already indicates
that you have to make
choices about whether or
not you're gonna comply as
a mother, or are you going
(16:01):
to continue being an
artist?
And so I feel like these
laws and the way that
they've played out
complicate that even
further. So now,
I have to be concerned
about whether or not my
safety, even if I do choose
that route, is in place
in a situation where I'm
already getting pushed
because it's always you're
(16:21):
always kind of like
following a carrot, almost.
You're just like, it's just
a little bit further, just
a little bit further, but a
little bit further, a little
bit further.
And so you're always trying
to balance when is
the right time.
And then now you have to
balance whether or not it's
safe for you to do so.
Just as a whole lot of
other level of stress as
a woman, because you're
(16:41):
already having to choose
your career in a family
because we're in a construct
that isn't prioritized
care.
DJ Cassandra (16:47):
I would love nothing
more than to have a
kid and still have a
career in music as a
performer.
But just like you
said, it's so
difficult and it
shouldn't be that way.
We should be able to
have what
we're born able to do,
you know, and be able
to do that, you know,
(17:08):
and we have to fight
to do that.
Miles Bloxson (17:12):
Do you have kids yet?
DJ Cassandra (17:13):
No, I don't.
And honestly, if
I were to have kids,
I don't know, that
would make me want to
move out of Texas
because I would be
worried about if
something happened in
my pregnancy.
I would not want to be
here to do that
at all because it is
terrifying reading the
stories and
(17:34):
everything.
Cheyenne Doerr (17:36):
I've always been on
the fence, honestly, about
whether or not I want kids,
especially when I think
about wanting to do
that. In theory, if
I were to in Texas,
where my family is,
but yet not feeling
like it's a safe
place to kind of do
that, especially with
the risks that go
into pregnancy and
everything, that's kind of already
been shared. And
when it comes to, you
know, the idea is if
I needed an abortion,
I'm so grateful that
I have an amazingly
(17:57):
supportive mother
who was like, if you
need to do that ever,
you just tell me not
to tell anyone else.
We'll go pretend
we're taking a vacation
somewhere, you know?
And I realize, like,
how also very lucky
and privileged that is
because so, so, so
many women in this
state and other states
where this is in place
do not have that
support system, do not
have the means.
(18:19):
So like, what do
they do? You know,
do they die? Do they
have a baby. They can't
or not ready for.
It's just really that's
that part of it really
gets disheartening
obviously. So.
Elizabeth McQueen (18:33):
I wonder to like,
do you guys find
that these laws,
do they make their
way into like the
work that you make,
not just how you
approach your career
or how you think about
like family planning,
but like the
actual stuff that
you do always.
DJ Cassandra (18:48):
I like pretty much
most of my sets,
unless it's like I'm
being hired to play,
you know, only
these artists, this
genre or whatever,
pretty much always
include a lot of,
femme artists.
And there are not a
lot of DJs who do
that. And I wish
there were more
(19:08):
because there's a lot
of different genres,
different artists, different
women in Texas,
Texas songwriters,
Texas musicians, and
they should be
celebrated and played.
And so it's like, I
want to include them.
I also want to hire
mostly women for
things.
And that,
(19:29):
you know, was always
like a yeah, but now
it's like a yeah, like
we want to support
this community, you
know, in Austin, you
know, I mean, however
much I can whenever I
travel. But mostly
Austin, I feel like
that's the same way
whenever I get hired
for events,
gigs, whatever, it's
(19:50):
women wanting to
hire me to portray
that as well, you
know? And so it's
just, yeah, that weird
like, oh, wow. This is
I've never felt it so
strong here, which is
a reason why I just
can't leave because
I'll go somewhere else
and it's just like, I, it's
maybe it's because I've been
here a long time, but
I do feel that really
strongly.
(20:13):
More more than ever
within the last two
few years, you know, a
couple of years.
Elizabeth McQueen (20:16):
Almost like the current
state of things has
made everyone
kind of lean more
into like.
Depending on each
other, hiring each
other, promoting each
other. Yeah, that
kind of thing.
DJ Cassandra (20:26):
Yeah, yeah, a lot
more. Yeah. Than it
has ever been.
Elizabeth McQueen (20:29):
And how about you, Shane?
Cheyenne Doerr (20:30):
I think, you know,
especially kind of
in the world. I'm in
with the work I do,
spotlighting great
stories and people
that get me really
excited working with
certain non-profits
like Future Front Texas,
which, you know,
from the jump, have
been throwing events
and doing a lot to really
raise a lot of awareness
around this and bring
people together and
show that, like, you
know, we still have
(20:50):
each other. We are
going to fight for the things
that we need.
And it may not take
it may not happen today,
tomorrow in a year,
ten years. But you
know, there's a lot of people
that are not giving
up and trying to
make this state a
better place.
Qi Dada (21:04):
I had a concert that I
recently produced.
Right.
And all of the focus on
that show was maternal
health, birth workers,
people who are in and
around that environment
that know quite a bit.
And for me, it was really
imperative was I became a
mother. And I think I
again, to emphasize like
(21:26):
the call per se.
Didn't necessarily come
from what went down
in legislation because,
again, these communities
have always been like, I
don't know what applies
to me and what doesn't.
And so I'm going to create
my own solutions.
So like that show came
from, you know, after birthing
my child and really getting
(21:46):
immersed in that world and
really seeing what these
women were about and what
they were doing and how,
well, you know, just the
solutions that they kept
coming up with, the
resources that they had,
the brilliance and the the
energy that they they were
providing, the information,
they were like, oh, no, we
we got this.
And I was like, more women
need to know where they can
go to feel that.
(22:08):
And so like that program,
for me, it was like a
bat signal, if
you will, so that people
know, like, yes, this is
happening.
I understand, you know, the
fear. It's legitimate.
I understand the concern is
legitimate, but they're
women who've battled all
that fear in them that have
battled all these programs
(22:29):
out here, these
legislations, and
understand that it can go
either way at any point in
time. And they have their
own systems and, you
know, structures in place
to carry and catch women
when needed, when things
are not in your favor.
And also, you know, it's
all it's
all right. I'm not going to
get on my soapbox, but it's
oh,
(22:51):
I'm not gonna do it. I'm not
gonna do it.
Miles Bloxson (22:53):
But that's
all.
Qi Dada (22:55):
Right. But that's what it's
for. So, you know, a
lot of these women
understand the colonialist
construct, the misogynistic
colonialist construct and
what it's based on, and
it's based on debasing
human lives.
The only way for you to get
super rich super fast is
to be unconcerned about
life is to obliterate care,
(23:17):
including the planet, etc.
but you have a chain of
command of what that is and
you know, people of color,
women, etc.
they're not at the top of
that. These women have used
their imaginations, saw
something greater than them
to have the kind of confidence
to be like, I'm on par,
if not greater, than the
system I'm in, so I can
create solutions for myself
regardless of where the
(23:38):
wind blows with you.
And I think that's really
powerful. And I just wanted
to highlight women who took
the time to deconstruct
themselves and to educate
themselves and to listen
to alternate sources and
to learn and care
for the human, for the
feminine body, to the
(23:58):
degree that they have.
You know what I mean? Just
like whatever degree of
care, care so important
to a healthy society.
And so I really
wanted to make sure that
people understood that that
existed, that
you didn't have to stay in
this relegated space
waiting for the other shoe
to drop, or having to exist
(24:20):
in fear because the shoe
did drop.
Like all of this exist for
you too.
And and you have a, what
they, they call hush
harbors.
They used to have these things
called hush harbors where
you would secretly go and
care for yourself.
But it's not so hush.
It doesn't have to be so
harsh. Is is perfectly
fine. You're well within
your right to find
solutions for yourself.
Miles Bloxson (24:42):
Do you all know any
women that have left
Texas, like musicians
or artists, because
of the new laws that
have been put in
place?
DJ Cassandra (24:51):
Oh, yeah.
Yes. I'm not going to
say their names, but yes,
I do like quite a few.
And I know one
specifically is a good
friend of mine who is
on her way to leaving
like two moving
outside of Texas
because of that.
And she's an incredible
singer songwriter, and
she wants to have a family,
and she does not want,
(25:13):
you know, to have the
worry here.
And it's like, okay,
well, all right,
great. We're going to
lose some incredible
women, you know, in
Texas because of this.
And it's like,
what? Why?
You know.
Miles Bloxson (25:28):
Wow. I mean, when you
were shaking your head,
I thought that you were just like.
Yeah. Miles, we hear
your question, but
you're like, no, we
know people.
Amanda Garcia Davenport (25:34):
Yeah, I know
somebody who's
had to leave,
and has come back.
And
families that
are raising daughters
that are leaving because
of that. And they
don't want to
have to
worry about their daughters.
I mean, and their daughters
are very young
and they're
just trying to get
ahead of
the big stuff
if that ever
(25:55):
happens, you know,
things ever came
their way.
Qi Dada (25:58):
Yeah, I not necessarily
leaving but not coming,
you know, I mean, people won't
come.
I had a conversation,
you know, the SP 17 bill,
for example, you know,
deconstructing di
all of that is part of this
whole package of crazy
that's going on. Who we
(26:19):
perceive is crazy.
I think it is.
And, people won't
come. It was like, I'm not
safe there. I don't know
what could happen to me out
there. I'm not coming.
You know, people who have
jobs offered to them.
They're like, I'm not coming.
I don't know, I have no
idea. Like, I'm good.
And so they, they, they
just feel such a high level
of risk being able to
relocate here.
(26:40):
You know, that goes into,
you know, women feeling
like there's a high level of
risk. As I got leave, I see
that happening as well as
people wanted to leave.
People won't come.
Miles Bloxson (26:49):
Everyone that we were
talking to lives in
Texas at least part
of the time.
And we asked them,
why did they decide
to stay here?
Qi Dada (26:57):
I don't believe in running
because you should be able to
exist the way you need to
exist wherever you want to
be.
That's what you're right as
an American is supposed to
be.
That's what it's supposed
to be.
I just believe in your
ability to be, to exist
as you want, where you
want.
Cheyenne Doerr (27:12):
I'm from Texas.
I'm from San Antonio.
Like Amanda.
Yeah. My family is
largely mostly in
Texas. And, you
know, the women, the
communities that I've
spent years and
years making.
I mean, they've shown up
for me in more ways
than one again and again.
Now, I will say a
lot of my dear friends
are moving away, not
necessarily just for
these things, but
(27:32):
yeah, Texas is home.
And, you know, I've
always seen Austin
especially like
there is this place
of opportunity, you
know, like I think
that's what's always
had me coming back
and wanting to, you
know, support
artists and women
and just, you know,
whenever possible,
maybe tie certain
events to a cause.
Not for a performative
look, you know, but
(27:53):
just because that's
just what we kind of
have to do out here.
Amanda Garcia Davenport (27:57):
Yeah, I mean, I,
I grew up here, my family's
here, Texas is
home,
and somebody's
got to do the work,
you know,
like, we can't. I'll
leave. And
we've considered
leaving Austin
once we had kids
because our family's
not here. And it would be so
much easier
to be closer to family,
you know? But
like, the
community that
(28:17):
we have
surrounded ourselves
with is so beautiful
and so special.
And,
yeah, we
could leave.
But then what
would happen?
Elizabeth McQueen (28:29):
Kasey, why do you
stay in Texas?
DJ Cassandra (28:33):
What was it that you
texted me?
Something like?
It's like.
Amanda Garcia Davenport (28:37):
Peace, love and Texas.
DJ Cassandra (28:38):
Peace love and Texas
women.
And that's why.
Because I can't
leave. I want to,
and then I'm like.
But there's always
that that, mom, we can
help that friend
that we can help that
anybody that we can
help. You know, we
can't change it if we
leave. And so I think
peace, love Texas.
(28:59):
Definitely. Yeah.
We love it, you know.
Miles Bloxson (29:06):
Peace, love and sex
as women.
Elizabeth McQueen (29:08):
Elizabeth I put
it on a T-shirt.
Peace, love and
Texas women.
Miles Bloxson (29:12):
We want to thank
Amanda Garcia for
bringing us all together,
and we want to thank Kidada,
Cassandra, Cheyenne,
Amanda, and Adrian
for being so open and
vulnerable with us.
Elizabeth McQueen (29:26):
In the next episode,
you'll hear from members
of the Lgbtqia+
community about
how proposed
restrictions on
drag performances
and the ban on gender
affirming care for minors
is affecting
them.
Miles Bloxson (29:38):
Polly's play, The
Listener, supported
production of Katy
and Katy Studios in
Austin, Texas.
It is recorded,
produced and hosted
by me, Myles Bloxham.
Elizabeth McQueen (29:47):
And me, Elizabeth
McQueen.
You can help make
this podcast happen
by donating at
KT. Org or Cut
Short. Our
executive producer
is Matt Riley.
Miles Bloxson (29:57):
Zahra Krim helps
write, record and
edit this episode.
Production assistants
by his senior signature.
Elizabeth McQueen (30:03):
Jake Pearlman and
Matt Largey also
helped with editing
and audio production.
Miles Bloxson (30:07):
Stephanie Federico is
our digital editor.
Michael Manasi is our
multimedia editor.
Elizabeth McQueen (30:12):
Special thanks to
Todd Callahan and
Peter Bad for their
technical support
and guidance.
Miles Bloxson (30:17):
Original music for
this episode was
created by the talented
Jaron Marshall.
Elizabeth McQueen (30:21):
Other music provided
by the talented
Jack Anderson and
APM.
I'm Miles Bloxson.
Elizabeth McQueen (00:04):
And I'm Elizabeth
McQueen. And this
is Paws Play, a
podcast about live
music, why it
matters, and what
comes next.
Miles Bloxson (00:14):
This season, we're
looking at how different
global and local
changes are impacting
Austin's live music
scene.
Elizabeth McQueen (00:20):
In our last episode,
we talked about climate
change.
Miles Bloxson (00:23):
And for the next two
episodes, we'll be
exploring how recent
changes to some of
the laws in Texas are
affecting our scene,
and specifically how
they're impacting women
and members of the
LGBTQIA+
community.
Elizabeth McQueen (00:36):
Initially, we
thought this would be one
episode, but then
we realized that
each topic needed
its own episode
because these are
intense, important,
and complicated
issues.
Miles Bloxson (00:46):
In this particular
episode, we're going
to explore how Texass
ban on abortions is
impacting women in
our scene.
Elizabeth McQueen (00:53):
And in the next one,
we'll look at how proposed
restrictions on drag
performances and
the ban on gender
affirming care for
minors is
affecting members
of the LGBTQIa
plus community.
Miles Bloxson (01:06):
In 2022, the Supreme
Court overturned Roe
versus Wade, which
allowed states to
create and enforce
their own abortion
laws. This triggered
a law that was already
on the books from 2021
that made nearly all
abortions illegal in
Texas.
Elizabeth McQueen (01:22):
We asked our good friend
Sergio to help us
understand the abortion
ban.
Sergio Martinez-Beltran (01:26):
Yes, my name
is Sergio Martinez
Beltran, and
I'm a national correspondent
with NPR,
and I cover immigration
now, but
used to be at the Texas
Newsroom, which is
a collaboration of
public radio stations
in Texas for
two years.
Sergio was
covering the legislature
when Roe versus Wade
was overturned,
and he told us
what the law means
for women in Texas.
(01:46):
It's very simple.
Abortions
are
basically banned
in the state of Texas
unless the
women is at
risk, like her, life
is at risk.
There are no exceptions
for rape or incest
like in other
states.
It's pretty much if the
woman is
about to die,
then an abortion
could happen.
If she has a chance
(02:06):
of not dying,
then they
have to continue with
the pregnancy.
Elizabeth McQueen (02:10):
The law also says
that if a woman
is at risk of,
quote, substantial
impairment of a
major bodily
function, then an
abortion can be
performed.
But that wording
is not well
defined in the law.
Sergio Martinez-Beltran (02:22):
In December of
2023, a
pregnant woman named
Kate Cox
challenged Texass
abortion law.
A medical doctor
had told her she
had a non-viable
pregnancy,
and so she
needed to have an
abortion, and
she sued
the state
to try to get
the care she needed.
A court said yes
initially, and
then the
(02:42):
appeals process continued.
And, takes
the Supreme Court
pretty much said that
she, you
know, they understood
her concerns.
But what the
evidence presented by the
doctor was not clear.
So long story
short, Kate Cox
could not
receive treatment
in the state, so she
had to leave the state
of Texas
and get the
abortion somewhere
else.
Elizabeth McQueen (03:02):
So abortions have
become extremely
rare in Texas.
Miles Bloxson (03:06):
According to the Texas
Department of Health
and Human Services.
In 2021, there were
over 50,000 abortions
provided in our
state.
Elizabeth McQueen (03:15):
In 2023, there
were 62.
Miles Bloxson (03:17):
The nearest place to
Austin where a woman
can get a legal
abortion is either
550 miles away
in Wichita, Kansas,
or 590 miles away
in Santa Teresa, New
Mexico.
Elizabeth McQueen (03:29):
And for some Texans,
this is a big win.
This is our governor,
Greg Abbott at
the rally for life
in 2023.
Greg Abbott (03:36):
All of us are united by
the truth that our
creator endowed us with
the right to life.
And there is no freedom
more precious than life
itself.
But this is my sad
reality.
(03:56):
For millions of
children, we're losing
their lives every year
in Texas before they
were even born.
But not
any more in
Texas.
(04:17):
Because of your
decades.
Decades of advocating
for life.
Abortion is no
longer legal in Texas.
Miles Bloxson (04:35):
We wanted to know how
this law was affecting
women in the Austin
music scene.
Elizabeth McQueen (04:40):
We heard stories
of women canceling
shows because they
had to travel to New
Mexico to get an
abortion, or of
women helping other
women get access
to abortion care.
But it was hard to get
people to talk to us
on the record.
Miles Bloxson (04:52):
But some women did
feel comfortable speaking
with us about how
these abortion laws
are affecting our
music scene.
Elizabeth McQueen (04:58):
The first woman we
spoke to was
Adrian.
Adrienne Lake (05:00):
I'm Adrienne Lake.
I'm the co-owner of
Daydream Believer
Creative with my
partner Charlie Faye,
and we are music
consultants and we
work with music
businesses, nonprofits
and artists.
And we do just a
little bit of whatever
anybody needs.
A lot of consulting,
some PR
(05:21):
they even, produced a
video here and there,
you know, you name
it, we probably do
it.
Miles Bloxson (05:27):
We asked Adrian how
she felt when the
Texas abortion law
came down.
Adrienne Lake (05:32):
It was like a punch
to the gut. You know,
on on one hand.
This is what's been
happening. We've seen
these restrictions
happening with, you
know, the queer community
and, voter
suppression.
And,
so the war on all
(05:53):
these folks and now
the war on women, no
bodily autonomy.
And that's that's
absolutely
devastating.
So when
it happened, there
were a lot of conversations
in person and online,
people saying they were
packing up and
leaving, hearing
men saying, well,
it's time for that mastectomy.
(06:15):
And, actually hearing
women saying, you
know, I guess
we're going to have,
you know, surgery to
make sure that we
aren't forced into a
bad situation.
And that was before
the Kate Cox
situation.
And so we just
recently watched all
(06:35):
those fears be
completely validated.
Elizabeth McQueen (06:38):
Can you describe what
that felt like,
seeing that
situation unfold?
Adrienne Lake (06:44):
Well, again.
Just completely.
Devastating.
It's really hard to
wrap your head around
these people in
charge of controlling
other people's lives
and bodies, and they
know nothing about
it, and they don't
care. They don't even
care if it's a
situation where, you
(07:05):
know, the child was
wanted. But there are
medical issues.
They don't care if
the mother's life is
at risk.
It's about control.
And these types
of things affect the
creative class and
people who struggle
financially more than
anybody else.
Fortunately, as
artists and
(07:27):
as people with a
platform including,
you know.
Venue owners, talent
buyers, etc. etc.
we can do something
about it. We can make
our voices heard.
And I do think that
it is our obligation
to do that.
Back when I was a talent
buyer, I
thought, wow, what a
gift it is to have
(07:48):
these actual
and figurative
platforms that we can
make statements and
do good for the community
and hold benefits and
spread awareness and,
you know, get out the
vote organizations.
So that is one good
thing that we have
going for us.
That in the fact
that, I think we're
really blessed to
(08:08):
have a great community
here in Austin, and
it's nice to know
that if something
happened, you know,
we know that there would be
a community that would
have our backs.
Elizabeth McQueen (08:20):
And then our
friend Amanda Garcia
helped us get a
group of women from
the Austin music
scene together to
talk to us about
their personal experiences
with the Texas abortion
ban.
DJ Cassandra (08:30):
Hello?
I'm DJ Cassandra.
My name is Cassandra,
and that's also my
deejay name. So I'm
also a DJ and a
composer and educator
as well, living here
in Texas, in Austin,
Texas.
Amanda Garcia Davenport (08:43):
I am Amanda
Garcia Davenport.
I am a
membership manager
at the Recording
Academy, and
I'm also a mother
and a wife and
a music fan.
Qi Dada (08:53):
So my name is Kidada.
I'm one half of Writers
Against the Storm musical
hip hop duo, and
I am a mother and I am a
wife. I'm a producer,
and I really enjoy,
elevating the spiritual
notion of women in the
world.
Cheyenne Doerr (09:10):
Yes. Hello, my name
is Cheyenne Doerr I
am, now an
independent publicist
and live event producer
working mostly in
the music entertainment,
culture spaces.
I'm also a member of
the Recording Academy
and work with Amanda
on a group in.
It's a global nonprofit
called Women in Music.
We just launched our
Austin chapter, and
(09:30):
I am currently splitting
my time between
Austin and just
generally Central Texas
in LA. So half
and half these days.
Elizabeth McQueen (09:40):
We started out by
asking them how
they felt when
the Texas abortion
ban went into
effect.
DJ Cassandra (09:46):
You know, it's just
that, feeling when
your throat, like,
drops into your
stomach, kind of like.
Oh, explicit word
and oh, explicit word
for everybody.
I know all the women
in this city and
state.
And it was just like,
(10:07):
okay, that at first.
And then, all right,
how are we going to
fight this? How are we
going to come together?
And then it was
honestly like, ever
since that like 2022,
it's just been like
really empowering,
honestly, and
like a really
(10:28):
beautiful community
connection that I
don't think would have
happened before.
Like, I mean, it was
there before, but I
think it's even more
and it's like, you
know, a lot of women
having these conversations
like off the record
and, you know, being
brought together and
talking about it and
being like, oh, you
stand for women's
(10:49):
rights. You stance,
you. Okay, I get
you.
Miles Bloxson (10:53):
Amanda. What about
you? When you heard the news.
Amanda Garcia Davenport (10:56):
Very similar
that, like,
drop in my
stomach.
Really scared
for a lot of
women in my
family, in
my community,
and scared for myself
because at
the time, my husband
and I knew that
we probably wanted
to have another baby,
but we hadn't yet.
So that was really
scary.
(11:17):
I guess a little
bit of background
before I had
my first daughter, I had
a miscarriage
and didn't
know how common
it was and
immediately found
out because this
like circle of women
came to me that were
like, me
too, or, you
know, that happened to
me and I
just learned how common
it was, and
it really
helped me be able
to kind of speak
(11:38):
about my experience
to other women that
later on that
had that happen to
them. When I had my first
daughter, I
had really
amazing pregnancy.
I felt like
I was superhuman,
and then I had a really
scary birth
where we had to be
rushed into,
an emergency C-section.
So going
(11:58):
into like
thinking about pregnancy
again and then also
knowing that I was
over 35,
which is considered geriatric,
I knew that there
was risk
associated
and that complications
could happen just
given the history that
I had
experienced already.
So it was really
scary when
everything went
down, and I
knew that I was lucky
enough to
(12:19):
know different people
within different organizations,
and I felt confident
that my doctors would always
take care of me
or help me
find proper care
if needed.
But
terrifying.
And then also
empowered at the
same time, because
then, like
knowing
that I already
had a daughter and
making sure that like,
it was my job
to protect her
(12:40):
and to have
her set up for.
Whatever she needed
to get through.
So very,
like opposite.
But all at
the same time.
Cheyenne Doerr (12:53):
Qi Dada
Qi Dada (12:54):
When I heard the news,
nothing about me was
shocked because I
feel like I come from and
represent a community
that's always used to
having the laws not apply
to them anyway, so they're
always trying to find solutions
just in case the ball
drops.
Because a lot of these
women I know, the workers
in the birth space
and in social justice
(13:15):
spaces are always looking
for solutions outside of
the system, just in case
they decide that the laws
are going to be different
and they're used to the
laws being different for
them anyway.
So they're always finding
resources and collecting
knowledge and sitting with
people who have always sat
outside of the structure
to be able to provide
(13:36):
the care necessary, should
should institutional care
not be available.
So it's kind of a
complicated thing where
obviously, like no one
wants you're once
you're protective measures
in the institutions to be
stripped from you, not when
you work and provide taxes
and, you know, do your best
(13:57):
to vote and secure
yourself in a complicated
relationship with your
country.
Nobody's looking for that.
And the amount of women
that I see fighting on both
sides of it
is really phenomenal to me
that are not trying to
separate,
regardless of their
(14:17):
philosophies are ideologies
and not trying to separate
the fact that we are
all in need of each other
because this reality.
Is is so incredibly
complicated and can sway
one way or another.
So it's imperative that we
all know where to lean and
how to lean when situations
(14:38):
become really abrupt.
Cheyenne Doerr (14:41):
Yeah, I, I would say
kind of to Qi point,
you know, I wasn't necessarily
shocked when the specific
Texas law came into
play. I remember
exactly where I was
when row was overturned
and my two female
roommates and I,
like, had a good cry
and hugged each other.
And it was just like, are
we really in this
right now? And so
obviously, of course,
when the Texas thing,
(15:02):
you know, just stamps
the the realness of
all this, it's crazy
that guns have more
rights in this state
than women,
honestly. And just
the fact that people
that are deciding these
things have no idea
the first thing about
what they're honestly
talking about. In many
cases.
Elizabeth McQueen (15:17):
Coming up after the
break, you'll hear
how these new laws
impact women
performers.
Miles Bloxson (15:22):
Welcome back to Pause
Play. In this
episode, we're
hearing how the Texas
abortion ban is
affecting women in
the Austin music
scene. And all of you
ladies have a place
in the Austin music scene.
And, you know, music
scene's beyond Austin
as well, right? How
do you feel like
these new laws impact
women performers like
as a whole?
Qi Dada (15:40):
I definitely feel like
women performers are always
kind of in a special box.
Like even if you're talking
about not just music
athletes like performers.
It's complicated because
you're already your track
of career already indicates
that you have to make
choices about whether or
not you're gonna comply as
a mother, or are you going
(16:01):
to continue being an
artist?
And so I feel like these
laws and the way that
they've played out
complicate that even
further. So now,
I have to be concerned
about whether or not my
safety, even if I do choose
that route, is in place
in a situation where I'm
already getting pushed
because it's always you're
(16:21):
always kind of like
following a carrot, almost.
You're just like, it's just
a little bit further, just
a little bit further, but a
little bit further, a little
bit further.
And so you're always trying
to balance when is
the right time.
And then now you have to
balance whether or not it's
safe for you to do so.
Just as a whole lot of
other level of stress as
a woman, because you're
(16:41):
already having to choose
your career in a family
because we're in a construct
that isn't prioritized
care.
DJ Cassandra (16:47):
I would love nothing
more than to have a
kid and still have a
career in music as a
performer.
But just like you
said, it's so
difficult and it
shouldn't be that way.
We should be able to
have what
we're born able to do,
you know, and be able
to do that, you know,
(17:08):
and we have to fight
to do that.
Miles Bloxson (17:12):
Do you have kids yet?
DJ Cassandra (17:13):
No, I don't.
And honestly, if
I were to have kids,
I don't know, that
would make me want to
move out of Texas
because I would be
worried about if
something happened in
my pregnancy.
I would not want to be
here to do that
at all because it is
terrifying reading the
stories and
(17:34):
everything.
Cheyenne Doerr (17:36):
I've always been on
the fence, honestly, about
whether or not I want kids,
especially when I think
about wanting to do
that. In theory, if
I were to in Texas,
where my family is,
but yet not feeling
like it's a safe
place to kind of do
that, especially with
the risks that go
into pregnancy and
everything, that's kind of already
been shared. And
when it comes to, you
know, the idea is if
I needed an abortion,
I'm so grateful that
I have an amazingly
(17:57):
supportive mother
who was like, if you
need to do that ever,
you just tell me not
to tell anyone else.
We'll go pretend
we're taking a vacation
somewhere, you know?
And I realize, like,
how also very lucky
and privileged that is
because so, so, so
many women in this
state and other states
where this is in place
do not have that
support system, do not
have the means.
(18:19):
So like, what do
they do? You know,
do they die? Do they
have a baby. They can't
or not ready for.
It's just really that's
that part of it really
gets disheartening
obviously. So.
Elizabeth McQueen (18:33):
I wonder to like,
do you guys find
that these laws,
do they make their
way into like the
work that you make,
not just how you
approach your career
or how you think about
like family planning,
but like the
actual stuff that
you do always.
DJ Cassandra (18:48):
I like pretty much
most of my sets,
unless it's like I'm
being hired to play,
you know, only
these artists, this
genre or whatever,
pretty much always
include a lot of,
femme artists.
And there are not a
lot of DJs who do
that. And I wish
there were more
(19:08):
because there's a lot
of different genres,
different artists, different
women in Texas,
Texas songwriters,
Texas musicians, and
they should be
celebrated and played.
And so it's like, I
want to include them.
I also want to hire
mostly women for
things.
And that,
(19:29):
you know, was always
like a yeah, but now
it's like a yeah, like
we want to support
this community, you
know, in Austin, you
know, I mean, however
much I can whenever I
travel. But mostly
Austin, I feel like
that's the same way
whenever I get hired
for events,
gigs, whatever, it's
(19:50):
women wanting to
hire me to portray
that as well, you
know? And so it's
just, yeah, that weird
like, oh, wow. This is
I've never felt it so
strong here, which is
a reason why I just
can't leave because
I'll go somewhere else
and it's just like, I, it's
maybe it's because I've been
here a long time, but
I do feel that really
strongly.
(20:13):
More more than ever
within the last two
few years, you know, a
couple of years.
Elizabeth McQueen (20:16):
Almost like the current
state of things has
made everyone
kind of lean more
into like.
Depending on each
other, hiring each
other, promoting each
other. Yeah, that
kind of thing.
DJ Cassandra (20:26):
Yeah, yeah, a lot
more. Yeah. Than it
has ever been.
Elizabeth McQueen (20:29):
And how about you, Shane?
Cheyenne Doerr (20:30):
I think, you know,
especially kind of
in the world. I'm in
with the work I do,
spotlighting great
stories and people
that get me really
excited working with
certain non-profits
like Future Front Texas,
which, you know,
from the jump, have
been throwing events
and doing a lot to really
raise a lot of awareness
around this and bring
people together and
show that, like, you
know, we still have
(20:50):
each other. We are
going to fight for the things
that we need.
And it may not take
it may not happen today,
tomorrow in a year,
ten years. But you
know, there's a lot of people
that are not giving
up and trying to
make this state a
better place.
Qi Dada (21:04):
I had a concert that I
recently produced.
Right.
And all of the focus on
that show was maternal
health, birth workers,
people who are in and
around that environment
that know quite a bit.
And for me, it was really
imperative was I became a
mother. And I think I
again, to emphasize like
(21:26):
the call per se.
Didn't necessarily come
from what went down
in legislation because,
again, these communities
have always been like, I
don't know what applies
to me and what doesn't.
And so I'm going to create
my own solutions.
So like that show came
from, you know, after birthing
my child and really getting
(21:46):
immersed in that world and
really seeing what these
women were about and what
they were doing and how,
well, you know, just the
solutions that they kept
coming up with, the
resources that they had,
the brilliance and the the
energy that they they were
providing, the information,
they were like, oh, no, we
we got this.
And I was like, more women
need to know where they can
go to feel that.
(22:08):
And so like that program,
for me, it was like a
bat signal, if
you will, so that people
know, like, yes, this is
happening.
I understand, you know, the
fear. It's legitimate.
I understand the concern is
legitimate, but they're
women who've battled all
that fear in them that have
battled all these programs
(22:29):
out here, these
legislations, and
understand that it can go
either way at any point in
time. And they have their
own systems and, you
know, structures in place
to carry and catch women
when needed, when things
are not in your favor.
And also, you know, it's
all it's
all right. I'm not going to
get on my soapbox, but it's
oh,
(22:51):
I'm not gonna do it. I'm not
gonna do it.
Miles Bloxson (22:53):
But that's
all.
Qi Dada (22:55):
Right. But that's what it's
for. So, you know, a
lot of these women
understand the colonialist
construct, the misogynistic
colonialist construct and
what it's based on, and
it's based on debasing
human lives.
The only way for you to get
super rich super fast is
to be unconcerned about
life is to obliterate care,
(23:17):
including the planet, etc.
but you have a chain of
command of what that is and
you know, people of color,
women, etc.
they're not at the top of
that. These women have used
their imaginations, saw
something greater than them
to have the kind of confidence
to be like, I'm on par,
if not greater, than the
system I'm in, so I can
create solutions for myself
regardless of where the
(23:38):
wind blows with you.
And I think that's really
powerful. And I just wanted
to highlight women who took
the time to deconstruct
themselves and to educate
themselves and to listen
to alternate sources and
to learn and care
for the human, for the
feminine body, to the
(23:58):
degree that they have.
You know what I mean? Just
like whatever degree of
care, care so important
to a healthy society.
And so I really
wanted to make sure that
people understood that that
existed, that
you didn't have to stay in
this relegated space
waiting for the other shoe
to drop, or having to exist
(24:20):
in fear because the shoe
did drop.
Like all of this exist for
you too.
And and you have a, what
they, they call hush
harbors.
They used to have these things
called hush harbors where
you would secretly go and
care for yourself.
But it's not so hush.
It doesn't have to be so
harsh. Is is perfectly
fine. You're well within
your right to find
solutions for yourself.
Miles Bloxson (24:42):
Do you all know any
women that have left
Texas, like musicians
or artists, because
of the new laws that
have been put in
place?
DJ Cassandra (24:51):
Oh, yeah.
Yes. I'm not going to
say their names, but yes,
I do like quite a few.
And I know one
specifically is a good
friend of mine who is
on her way to leaving
like two moving
outside of Texas
because of that.
And she's an incredible
singer songwriter, and
she wants to have a family,
and she does not want,
(25:13):
you know, to have the
worry here.
And it's like, okay,
well, all right,
great. We're going to
lose some incredible
women, you know, in
Texas because of this.
And it's like,
what? Why?
You know.
Miles Bloxson (25:28):
Wow. I mean, when you
were shaking your head,
I thought that you were just like.
Yeah. Miles, we hear
your question, but
you're like, no, we
know people.
Amanda Garcia Davenport (25:34):
Yeah, I know
somebody who's
had to leave,
and has come back.
And
families that
are raising daughters
that are leaving because
of that. And they
don't want to
have to
worry about their daughters.
I mean, and their daughters
are very young
and they're
just trying to get
ahead of
the big stuff
if that ever
(25:55):
happens, you know,
things ever came
their way.
Qi Dada (25:58):
Yeah, I not necessarily
leaving but not coming,
you know, I mean, people won't
come.
I had a conversation,
you know, the SP 17 bill,
for example, you know,
deconstructing di
all of that is part of this
whole package of crazy
that's going on. Who we
(26:19):
perceive is crazy.
I think it is.
And, people won't
come. It was like, I'm not
safe there. I don't know
what could happen to me out
there. I'm not coming.
You know, people who have
jobs offered to them.
They're like, I'm not coming.
I don't know, I have no
idea. Like, I'm good.
And so they, they, they
just feel such a high level
of risk being able to
relocate here.
(26:40):
You know, that goes into,
you know, women feeling
like there's a high level of
risk. As I got leave, I see
that happening as well as
people wanted to leave.
People won't come.
Miles Bloxson (26:49):
Everyone that we were
talking to lives in
Texas at least part
of the time.
And we asked them,
why did they decide
to stay here?
Qi Dada (26:57):
I don't believe in running
because you should be able to
exist the way you need to
exist wherever you want to
be.
That's what you're right as
an American is supposed to
be.
That's what it's supposed
to be.
I just believe in your
ability to be, to exist
as you want, where you
want.
Cheyenne Doerr (27:12):
I'm from Texas.
I'm from San Antonio.
Like Amanda.
Yeah. My family is
largely mostly in
Texas. And, you
know, the women, the
communities that I've
spent years and
years making.
I mean, they've shown up
for me in more ways
than one again and again.
Now, I will say a
lot of my dear friends
are moving away, not
necessarily just for
these things, but
(27:32):
yeah, Texas is home.
And, you know, I've
always seen Austin
especially like
there is this place
of opportunity, you
know, like I think
that's what's always
had me coming back
and wanting to, you
know, support
artists and women
and just, you know,
whenever possible,
maybe tie certain
events to a cause.
Not for a performative
look, you know, but
(27:53):
just because that's
just what we kind of
have to do out here.
Amanda Garcia Davenport (27:57):
Yeah, I mean, I,
I grew up here, my family's
here, Texas is
home,
and somebody's
got to do the work,
you know,
like, we can't. I'll
leave. And
we've considered
leaving Austin
once we had kids
because our family's
not here. And it would be so
much easier
to be closer to family,
you know? But
like, the
community that
(28:17):
we have
surrounded ourselves
with is so beautiful
and so special.
And,
yeah, we
could leave.
But then what
would happen?
Elizabeth McQueen (28:29):
Kasey, why do you
stay in Texas?
DJ Cassandra (28:33):
What was it that you
texted me?
Something like?
It's like.
Amanda Garcia Davenport (28:37):
Peace, love and Texas.
DJ Cassandra (28:38):
Peace love and Texas
women.
And that's why.
Because I can't
leave. I want to,
and then I'm like.
But there's always
that that, mom, we can
help that friend
that we can help that
anybody that we can
help. You know, we
can't change it if we
leave. And so I think
peace, love Texas.
(28:59):
Definitely. Yeah.
We love it, you know.
Miles Bloxson (29:06):
Peace, love and sex
as women.
Elizabeth McQueen (29:08):
Elizabeth I put
it on a T-shirt.
Peace, love and
Texas women.
Miles Bloxson (29:12):
We want to thank
Amanda Garcia for
bringing us all together,
and we want to thank Kidada,
Cassandra, Cheyenne,
Amanda, and Adrian
for being so open and
vulnerable with us.
Elizabeth McQueen (29:26):
In the next episode,
you'll hear from members
of the Lgbtqia+
community about
how proposed
restrictions on
drag performances
and the ban on gender
affirming care for minors
is affecting
them.
Miles Bloxson (29:38):
Polly's play, The
Listener, supported
production of Katy
and Katy Studios in
Austin, Texas.
It is recorded,
produced and hosted
by me, Myles Bloxham.
Elizabeth McQueen (29:47):
And me, Elizabeth
McQueen.
You can help make
this podcast happen
by donating at
KT. Org or Cut
Short. Our
executive producer
is Matt Riley.
Miles Bloxson (29:57):
Zahra Krim helps
write, record and
edit this episode.
Production assistants
by his senior signature.
Elizabeth McQueen (30:03):
Jake Pearlman and
Matt Largey also
helped with editing
and audio production.
Miles Bloxson (30:07):
Stephanie Federico is
our digital editor.
Michael Manasi is our
multimedia editor.
Elizabeth McQueen (30:12):
Special thanks to
Todd Callahan and
Peter Bad for their
technical support
and guidance.
Miles Bloxson (30:17):
Original music for
this episode was
created by the talented
Jaron Marshall.
Elizabeth McQueen (30:21):
Other music provided
by the talented
Jack Anderson and
APM.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.