Twin Cities Pride Amplified

Twin Cities Pride Amplified

Twin Cities Pride Amplified is a program dedicated to all things LGBTQIA+ community, both here in the Twin Cities area, and beyond. Hosted by TC Pride’s Executive Director Andi Otto and Executive Assistant Rina Heisel, no topic is off limits as we discuss queer rights, culture, health, and events taking place around the metro area. Pride is more than just a weekend in June; the LGBTQIA+ community deserves celebration, elevation, and support all year, so tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest community and TC Pride news. Allies are always encouraged to tune in!

Episodes

October 6, 2025 45 mins
This week Kelsey Alto takes over the show once again as she continues her conversation with TC Pride executive director Andi Otto. What do drag kings, the Burnsville Mall food court and frosted cookies have in common? Find out this week as dive into the story of Andi’s life!
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This week Kelsey Alto takes over the show as our usual host, Andi Otto, will be in the hot seat! You’ll get to learn a lot more about Andi, including his journey from lesbian to wife to Mom to trans Dad.
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This week Andi and Rina are joined by Dr. Kade Goepferd, the Chief Education Officer and the past Chief of Staff for Children’s Minnesota, the Medical Director of Children’s Minnesota Gender Health Program and a pediatrician in the Children’s Minneapolis Primary Care clinic. We talk about what going back to school means for LGBTQ youth,…
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This week Andi and Rina get to know Hannah Wydeven, owner of Solcana Fitness in Minneapolis. Solcana is a queer owned, women owned gym designed for all body types. We’ll talk to Hannah about the inspiration behind the gym, their amazing drop dead lift gorgeous event and how you can get involved.
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This week Andi Otto gets real about the concerns of the LGBTQ community. Andi shares his perspective on what it’s like to live as a trans person right now, from something simple as taking his kids back to school to attending the State Fair. We’ll also talk about what we can do as a community…
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Andi Otto and Rina Heisel are joined by Dobbs DeCorsey, the Director of the Pride Cultural Arts Center. We’ll chat with Dobbs about all the great things happening at the PCAC, what to expect if you stop by for a visit, and how you can get involved.
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It’s back to school time! Andi and Rina are joined by Tara Martini of Becoming Together Therapy and Wellness. While it can be exciting, back to school can also bring stress and anxiety, especially for LGBTQ+ students and families. We’ll share tips for smoother transitions to school, how parents can help ease anxiety and ways…
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This week Andi and Rina are joined by Hannah Edwards, executive director of Transforming Families. This incredible Minnesota non profit is doing some great work with transgender, gender non-conforming and questioning youth along with their families. We’ll talk about their monthly gatherings, upcoming events and support that they offer in Minnesota.
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This week Andi Otto and Rina Heisel welcome back Anne Sutkowi-Hemstreet, the founder and director of Rainbow Collective for Change (https://www.rainbowcollectiveforchange.org/), a Twin Cities organziation looking to help connect Rainbow families from allover the area, from rainbow play dates, workshops the new book mobile and more!
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Andi and Rina are joined by TC Pride’s Director of Programming, Kelsey Alto. Kelsey will tell us all about the great programming coming up this fall as we continue to celebtrate our community. Fall programming includes the career fair, book fair, Trunk or Treat, the epic rainbow wardrobe open house and more!
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As many of you know, we lost a trans icon and trailblazer in Minnesota recently, Julie Daffyd. In her honor, we’re replaying a conversation we had with Julie on April 13, 2024.  
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In part 2 of our series on trans parents, Andi and Rina continue their conversation with two Moms who have some incredible trans and gender fluid children. They’ll talk about navigating family relationships, finding community, communicating with schools and how they became advocates.
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This week Andi and Rina talk to two Moms who have some incredible trans and gender fluid children. They’ll talk about what their experience has been like, what do they wish more people understood about their journey and how to navigate what’s happening in 2025. This is the first part in a two part series.
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This week Andi and Rina recap Twin Cities Pride 2025! They talk about community award winners, family fun day and everything that went down at the festival and parade. Plus what else is ahead in 2025.
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This week Andi and Rina discuss all things 2025 Twin Cities Pride weekend! You’ll learn about all things from transportation to parking, the Stronger Together Parade and even this year’s new bull ride! Tune in and learn more about this year’s festival.
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This week Andi and Rina are joined by Jillian Hiscock, owner of a Bar of Their Own and TC Pride’s small business owner of the year. We’ll talk about Jillian’s inspiration behind her women’s sports centered bar, how she made it happen and why you should check it out!
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This week Andi and Rina discuss the sponsorship dilemma many Pride festivals are experiencing, including Twin Cities Pride. Some of TC Pride’s sponsors aren’t returning this year, whether it was by their choice or TC Pride’s. It’s a complex situation that’s not all bad news. Andi and Rina will tell you why!
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This week Andi and Rina visit with Tara Martini from Becoming Together Therapy and Wellness Collective. They’ll talk about the impacts our kids face in the summer months, especially in the LGBTQ+ community. We’ll give you all the tips, tricks and how to prepare for this summer!
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This week Andi and Rina visit with TC Pride’s director of programming, Kelsey Alto. June is fast approching, and TC Pride has lots of events planned, from Cheers to Pride, Family Fun Day, Youth Night and so much more! Tune in for all the details!
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This week we highlight the Twin Cities Pride Artist in Residence program. Now in its third year, the program has been expanding in lots of ways! Learn all about it in this episode!
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