What was it like to be gay when no one talked about it? How did you come to know who you were when no one around you even acknowledged it was possible?
These are the questions I asked my guest today, Wayde Louviere — a respected queer elder and longtime pillar of the West Hollywood community who grew up gay in the Catholic Deep South in the 1950s and 60s, at a time when there was no language, no representation, and no safe way to be who he was.
Wayde and I talk about:
Identity & coming out:
Growing up gay in the Catholic Deep South in the 1950s and 60s
Having no language or concept for being gay as a young person
Dating women and getting engaged while suppressing his true identity
The moment he finally admitted to himself he was gay
What it felt like to come out in an era when it wasn't safe
The AIDS crisis:
Living through the AIDS epidemic as a gay man
Losing friends and community members to the virus
The drug AZT and how it affected people
Surviving an era that decimated the gay community
Spirituality & energy:
How he protects his energy field
Working with crystals and selenite
Palo santo cleansing and spiritual practices
Not believing in hell and what he thinks happens after death
Identity & labels:
Whether labels help or limit us
Why he thinks validation has to come from within
The difference between inner knowing and needing external affirmation
Pronouns and identity in today's culture
Wisdom & resilience:
What 71 years of living teaches you
Finding ease and peace after a lifetime of hiding
How openness has led him to richer experiences
Protecting your peace and who you let into your field
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“I just knew. Listening to my intuition saved my life.” — Wayde
“You don’t need the world to affirm who you are if you already know it inside yourself.” — Wayde
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Episode Highlights
00:00 – Introduction
07:45 – Growing Up Gay in the South
14:30 – Suppression, Silence, and Survival
22:10 – Discovering Community and Belonging
36:00 – Trusting Intuition
43:20 – Spirituality vs. Religion
52:40 – The AIDS Epidemic and Loss
01:07:00 – Energy, Healing, and Reiki
01:20:30 – Labels, Identity, and Discernment
01:29:00 – Advice for Younger Generations
01:31:00 – Closing Reflections
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