Pride in the Plains is a podcast takeover dedicated to amplifying queer voices across the often-overlooked Great Plains region. This project aims to shed light on the unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of LGBTQ+ individuals living in various regions of the plains. In a region where queer narratives are frequently underrepresented, Pride in the Plains provides a platform for diverse perspectives and authentic storytelling. Through engaging interviews, personal stories, and thought-provoking discussions, the podcast explores how LGBTQ+ individuals navigate identity, community, and resilience in areas that might not always be seen as welcoming or inclusive.
Hosted by Kaitlyn Richards, a queer woman, Pride in the Plains seeks to foster connection and understanding by highlighting the voices of those who are often marginalized. Each episode brings listeners into the lives of people making a difference, confronting challenges, and celebrating victories, all while navigating the complex landscape of queer existence in the plains.
Kaityln Richards
With a distinguished academic background and a profound commitment to community service, Kaitlyn Richards has made remarkable strides in both environmental sciences and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Pursuing a Master’s in Natural Resource Sciences with a focus on Hydrological Sciences at UNL, she complements her academic achievements with a strong record of leadership and community engagement. As a recipient of the Student Luminary Award and multiple university honors, including the Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contributions to the LGBTQA+ Community, Kaitlyn has demonstrated exceptional dedication to promoting inclusion and diversity.
Podcast episodes
Introduction
For the spring semester of 2025, our Great Plains Student Storyteller is doing a podcast takeover! Kaitlyn Richards is a masters student in the School of Natural Resources at UNL. This semester, she is hosting Pride in the Plains, a podcast dedicated to amplifying queer voices across the often-overlooked Great Plains region.
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Found Family
We asked our audience to share their stories of being LGBTQ+ on the Great Plains, so this episode features our first community interview with historian and artist Autumn Langemeier (she/her).
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Finding and Fighting for Love
Student Storyteller Kaitlyn Richards' podcast takeover continues with an interview with Jennifer Lentfer, a poet and artist as well as a communications strategist. Jennifer responded to Kaitlyn's call for for people to tell their story of life as an LGBTQ+ person living on the Plains and spoke about the journey of finding her person.
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Advocacy for All
Student Storyteller Kaitlyn Richards' podcast takeover continues with an interview with Mar Lee (they/them). Mar is a Nebraskan who has spent years organizing and advocating with community members across the state on issues related to queer liberation, food production and access, sexual and domestic violence prevention, and much more. Hear about their journey from a growing up in a rural community to becoming a force for advocacy in Nebraska in this episode. Mar responded to Kaitlyn's call for for people to tell their story of life as an LGBTQ+ person living on the Plains.
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Mixoge (Sacred Person)
Cory DeRoin speaks about his experience as mixoge, an Otoe word translated as "sacred person" — someone who possesses a masculine and feminine spirit. DeRoin, a proud member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Bear Clan, is the current mayor of Red Rock, Okla., and is deeply committed to supporting tribal communities culturally, spiritually, and economically. DeRoin’s volunteer work includes volunteering with the Pawnee Seed Preservation Society, where he aids in corn harvesting in Oklahoma and Nebraska. His career and volunteerism reflect his lifelong mission to uplift tribal communities, and he remains dedicated to advancing their growth and visibility across Indian Country.
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Wichita's Queer History Project
A team from Wichita State University's Department of History is documenting queer history in Wichita, Kansas, in a new photo history book from Arcadia Publishing. Dr. Jay Price, chair of history of WSU has overseen a series of photo history books about different historical topics in the region, with the newest one focused on the deep history of the LGBTQ community in Wichita. Our student storyteller Kaitlyn Richards talked with Dr. Price along with graduate student Derek Landwehr and Center of Wichita's Chair Brent Kennedy about this project, which will release in June 2025.
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