19. JP Der Boghossian
What it means to be both queer and Armenian. The journey of identity that led to the founding of the queer Armenian library.
I have been so excited to share this interview with you all since the first time I spoke with him. Our guest on this week’s show is J.P. (DARE Boh-goh SEE Yahn). JP has done many different amazing things in his life including being a classically trained shakespearean actor and Chief Diversity Officer.
Given the amazing person that JP is I’m sure that we could have easily made whole podcasts about either of those, but the reason that I invited JP on is because he is the founder of the Queer Armenian Library.
We were able to talk about his childhood in multiple countries, deciphering the multiple identities that he grew up with and searching for the Home that he belonged in.
The absolute hardest thing about producing this podcast is limiting our conversations, because JP and I really could have gone on for so much longer about anything and everything!
Among the topics that we were unable to cover is JP’s podcast. JP is the host of “This Queer Book” where he has conversations with guests from across the LGBTQ rainbow about the queer books that saved their lives.
As always, I have the links here for you to go follow the podcast and JP in the description.
I was really moved by JP and his story. Being able to hold what appear to be contradictory identities so gracefully and so naturally wanting to share with others that they are not alone is so inspirational. It’s a story that we can all learn from regardless of who we are.