Stony Brook’s WUSB 90.1/107.3 FM launched a new radio show, Rainbow Talks, according to an April 27 announcement. The program is hosted by Rosanna Cuttone, coordinator of the LGBTQ+ Center in the Department of Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement.
The show aims to present authentic stories from LGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty and allies at Stony Brook University. Each episode includes conversations about identity, work and life experiences while also highlighting campus resources and events.
Cuttone said that typical LGBTQ+ narratives often focus on struggle or policy but do not always capture the full spectrum of experience: “I wanted to build something that highlights the joy, identity and creativity that make our community so vibrant.”
The first episode featured Aleecea Denton, residence hall director for Chávez Hall. Denton discussed her journey from music education to higher education administration and reflected on coming out at age 21 as well as her approach to authenticity in professional spaces. “One of the main things that I like to focus on in terms of my identity is just being authentic, especially when you talk about professionalism,” Denton said. “I definitely believe that you can bring as much of yourself to the workplace as you feel comfortable doing.”
Denton also spoke about neurodivergence—specifically living with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder—and how it shapes her support for students: “It just means that you know this little bit of information and you can navigate things differently because of it… Definitely a superpower, I would say.” Cuttone noted many visitors to the LGBTQ+ Center are also navigating neurodivergence and emphasized creating sensory-friendly spaces.
National trends affecting LGBTQ+ communities were discussed during the episode—including rollbacks in protections elsewhere—but both Cuttone and Denton highlighted New York State’s legal safeguards while acknowledging challenges faced by peers nationwide. Both described their work with students as deliberately hopeful despite these challenges.
“Ultimately, I believe this show is important because representation matters,” Cuttone said. “But beyond that, authentic representation matters… When people are given the space to show up fully as themselves… it also strengthens the entire community.”
