‘Be an Ally: Voice Out for Your Queer International Friends’

About Voices of Us: 
'Voices of Us' (VOU) is a podcast that shares authentic stories from LGBTQIA+ international students, alumni and allies. 

This episode is part of the project “Voices of Us Ripples.” 

In today’s episode of Voices of Us, we will be speaking with Muskaan and Beaw, both of whom are young international students and strong allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. For Muskaan and Beaw, an LGBTQIA+ ally is someone who fully supports their queer friends, strives to understand challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, and stands in solidarity with their queer friends. Growing up in different cultures, Muskaan and Beaw have different stories of how they’ve become allies. Muskaan and Beaw also talk about potential resistance and backlash of being an ally, and some tips on being a supportive ally are shared.   

About the host: 
Born and raised in Sichuan, China, Feifei Liao (she/her) is dedicated to bringing queer international students and allies together through storytelling, curiosity and shared experience while championing inclusion, diversity and equity. As a creative producer, curator, facilitator, multicultural consultant, contemporary dancer, public speaker, recovery educator and advocate, elevating others to explore their full potential and enabling silent voices to be heard and expressed are Feifei’s heartland.  
Follow Feifei: feifeicuriosity.com  

About the speakers:
Muskaan (she/her) is a passionate advocate for change and inclusion, delivering meaningful contributions across policy, education, and mental health. She thrives on transforming ideas into action and is committed to creating supportive and welcoming spaces. A passionate ally for LGBTQ+ rights, Muskaan stands firm in her belief that allyship is crucial for progress. Her vibrant energy and enthusiasm shine through in all her efforts, driven by her conviction that a better world is possible when everyone has a seat at the table. 

Beaw (she/her) is a proud global citizen with a passion for psychology and diversity. She is an upbeat graphic designer and illustrator for the OurPoint3 community. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is studying for a Master of Teaching Secondary (specialising in psychology and media arts) as an international student at Monash University. She is firmly setting her sights on a career path that empowers individuals and promotes mental health and well-being in innovative ways. Beaw also thrives on helping people find happiness in their life journey, including embracing themselves. She prioritises her commitment to fostering inclusivity and acceptance as an LGBTQIA+ ally. 

About Our Point 3: 
Our Point 3 is a not-for-profit organisation bringing LGBTQIA+ international students, alumni and allies together, to enable our community to grow and thrive in an inclusive, welcoming and equitable world.  

Voices of Us Production Team: 
Feifei Liao (she/her) - Founder, executive director, host  
Yihan Li (she/her) - Podcast Coordinator  
Jespher Wen (he/him) - Communications Officer  
Seng Doi - Podcast Engineer  
Tom Zeng (he/him) - Project Support Officer 

Connect with Our Point 3 
Like and subscribe to our channels to stay updated with new episodes 

Website: https://www.feifeicuriosity.com/ourpoint3 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourpoint3.org 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourpoint3/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ourpoint3 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ourpoint3 

@ourpoint3 #voicesofus #VOUep9 

Voices of Us Ep. 9: Beaw and Muskaan: Be an Ally: Voice Out for Your Queer Interantional Friends

Melbourne musicians The Orbweavers performed a live set at Library at the Dock in March 2018. Their musical compositions reflect the changes industrialisation brought to local creek and river environments across Melbourne’s history. Listen to them speak about their research and hear them perform songs about our local waterways.

The Orbweavers live at Library at the Dock

Regrets; we've got a few! In this episode Bern and Louise talk books they wish they hadn't read. And not just because they didn't like them...

Bern’s books:
Flowers for Algenon / Daniel Keyes
Lord of the Flies / William Golding
The Little Prince / Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Louise’s books:
The Corrections / Jonathan Franzen
Girl on a Train / Paula Hawkins
M Train / Patti Smith

Music by Flapjack Industry Records (milesrecommends.com/label)

Dear Reader E35 Books We Wish We Hadn't Read

Ever had a book reduce you to tears? Bern and Louise have, which is why they talk tearjerkers in this episode of Dear Reader. Get the tissues ready...

Bern’s books:
My Sister’s Keeper / Jodi Picoult
Tell the wolves I’m Home / Carol Rifka Brunt
The Fault in Our Stars / John Green

Louise’s books:
The Book Thief / Markus Zusak
Atonement / Ian McEwan
Their Eyes Were Watching God / Zora Neale Hurston

Music by Flapjack Industry Records (milesrecommends.com/label)

Dear Reader E36 Tearjerkers

Discover art on the wild side, library card superpowers and the women that shaped our city in the latest edition of Melbourne Magazine.

This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Narrated by David Tredinnick.

Visit news.melbourne.vic.gov.au and subscribe to receive the latest news direct to your inbox.

Melbourne Magazine June to July 2018

It's cold outside and even colder between the pages as Bern and Louise delve into Scandinavian crime novels. Rug up, grab a hot chocolate and make sure the door is locked cause these are sure to give you the chills...

Bern's Books:
The Snowman / Jo Nesbo
Night Rounds / Helene Tursten
Jar City / Arnaldur Indriðason

Louise's books:
The Snowman / Jo Nesbo
Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow/Smilla's Sense of Snow / Peter Høeg
The Return of the Dancing Master / Henning Mankell

Music by Flapjack Industry Records (milesrecommends.com/label)

Dear Reader E37 Scandi Crime

Discover fun ways to keep fit, health tech with heart and the secret life of urban butterflies in the latest edition of the City of Melbourne’s Melbourne Magazine. 

This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. Your narrator is James Wright.

Visit news.melbourne.vic.gov.au and subscribe to receive the latest news direct to your inbox.

Melbourne Magazine Spring 2018

Claire Hooper, comedian and co-host of The Great Australian Bake Off, reveals her Desert Island Books in conversation with librarian and host, Natalie Mason.

Claire Hooper's Desert Island Books December 2018

Summer is here and it isn't only hot on the streets...it's hot in between the pages as well! Bern and Louise discuss erotic tales, from fiction to nonfiction and the compilations in between. Can you handle the heat?

Bern's Books:
Little Birds / Anaïs Nin
Bad Behaviour / Mary Gaitskill
Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure (Fanny Hill) / John Cleland

Louise's Books:
Erotic Stories (Everyman's Pocket Classics) / by Rowan Pelling (Editor)
Why Is Sex Fun?: The Evolution of Human Sexuality / Jared Diamond
Dangerous / Jax (Jacquelyn Frank)

Dear Reader E38 Erotic Tales

Learn how to grow a wildlife garden on your balcony, and find out what's in store at YIRRAMBOI First Nations Festival and Moomba in the latest edition of the City of Melbourne’s Melbourne magazine. 

This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. 

Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

Visit news.melbourne.vic.gov.au and subscribe to receive the latest stories direct to your inbox.

Melbourne Magazine March to May 2019

Rediscover Melbourne as we innovate and evolve, see secret spaces under lockdown and meet community champions in the latest edition of Melbourne magazine. 

This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. 

Your narrator is David Tredinnick.

Melbourne Magazine January to June 2021

City, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
East Melbourne, 122 George Street, East Melbourne
Kathleen Syme, 251 Faraday Street, Carlton
Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Prom
narrm ngarrgu Library, 141 Therry Street, Melbourne 
North Melbourne, 66 Errol Street, North Melbourne
Southbank Library at Boyd, 207 City Road

Voices of Us Ep. 9: Beaw and Muskaan: Be an Ally: Voice Out for Your Queer Interantional Friends

City of Melbourne Libraries

Related tracks