Apr 3 2024
Episode 5- Echoes of Resilience: The Courage to be Berend
Send us a Text Message.This script captures a deeply personal and candid interview between Jill and their long-time friend, Berend. Born in Calgary and adopted into a white, conservative family, Berend shares his challenging journey of growing up as a black, gay individual in an environment marked by racism and homophobia. He recounts his early years, struggles with identity, faith, and belonging, and his eventual ventures into acting, writing, and producing. Despite numerous challenges, including dealing with HIV, alcoholism, grief, and loss, Berend's story is one of resilience and self-forgiveness. He discusses the importance of finding one's community, navigating the complexities of relationships and self-acceptance, and the transformative power of storytelling and creative expression. The conversation also touches on the impact of the AIDS crisis, the significance of supporting each other through grief, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. 00:00 Welcome to Turbulent Beauty: A Candid Conversation00:15 Discovering Identity: A Journey Through Adoption and Self-Discovery01:20 Embracing Difference: Navigating Childhood as a Gay, Adopted Child05:06 Finding One's Tribe: The Path to Self-Acceptance and Community09:21 The Drag Scene: Learning Life Skills in a New Family11:14 Confronting the AIDS Crisis: A Community in Turmoil14:52 Unity and Resilience: The Power of Community Support16:18 Facing New Challenges: The Fight for Rights and Recognition21:32 Passing the Baton: Empowering the Next Generation22:33 A Personal Battle: Living with HIV23:07 Battling Personal Demons and Finding a New Path23:41 A New Beginning: College and Self-Discovery23:52 Facing the Reality of HIV Diagnosis24:54 Moving to Vancouver: A Fight for Survival26:09 The Harsh Reality of Living with AIDS26:59 Relationships and Love in the Shadow of Illness28:41 The Journey to Sobriety and Acceptance34:05 Rediscovering Passion: From Acting to Writing38:13 Navigating Grief and Embracing Life's Challenges44:22 Reflecting on the Past and Forgiving Oneself