We had the good fortune of connecting with Barrie and Laurenzo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Barrie and Laurenzo, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Using our inherent skills and talents to benefit the LGBTQ+ community and to help create a happier, healthier, more compassionate world

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Barrie is a queer, non-binary Content Creator, Singer/Songwriter, producer and artist. They aim to bring value to the world by helping people to be their most authentic selves. Barrie is currently working on a series (Queer Songs 4 You) where they create a personalized song for an LGBTQ+ individual (or ally) and then film a live reaction of that person listening to their song. Laurenzo is a queer, non-binary Content Creator as well. Their online mission is to educate the general public on issues of gender and sexuality and to affirm and encourage LGBTQ+ individuals around the world. In 2020, they received their PhD in Italian Studies at The Ohio State University with specializations in Film Studies, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. They have also collaborated with organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Merit America, and YouTube to forward other tangential advocacy projects.

This shoutout is specifically focused on their collaborative work and recent project – the Self Care Series – a 10 episode series airing on YouTube this Pride Month. This project originated during COVID when both individuals were establishing more dedicated self care practices and discovering new ones. Over the course of the past year, Barrie moved to Columbus, OH from Los Angeles, CA to be closer and work together with their partner, Laurenzo. As Laurenzo was building out the structure of the project, they asked Barrie to join them because it would be more fun and enriching to collaborate on sharing their self-care practices with the LGBTQ+ community online.

The series was created to support the queer community in offering tools and practices that can be used to support our general wellbeing. As minority individuals in society, we are often faced with more discrimination and harassment in our daily lives than others. In turn, we can really benefit as a whole through these collective healing tools. The series’ episodes focus on body and nutrition, mind and creativity, spiritual practices, community and more.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We dedicate our shoutout to Mouse – Laurenzo’s recently passed cat – who taught them the power of unconditional love and acceptance. And, Barrie’s parents, Jill and Jay, and brother Matthew for their endless support and encouragement.

Website: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRD3OyxS97O2vfBYwZh914ApUGorzdUV_

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adesso.laurenzo

Other: Barrie’s TikTok: @barrierose Barrie’s Instagram: @barrierose Barrie’s YouTube: @barrierose Laurenzo’s TikTok: @adesso.laurenzo

Image Credits
second image taken by : Kevin Lowery

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