Bliss Cortez has lived in Nashville for over a decade; focusing on their passion of film and multimedia production, creative direction, local art spaces, and being the Nashville Regional Producer for The Moth. Most recently, Bliss started "Bliss and the Trash Plants," a mutual aid organization that collects food donations and overstock from local gardens, farms, and businesses to build grocery and supply kits for straight, queer, or trans black, indigenous, people of color struggling with food, housing, and finances.

In our conversation, Bliss shares the quandary of never quite feeling like they belonged in church. And yet, we learn that it's the community service efforts of churches over the years that have inspired the work Bliss organizes today.

Bliss was raised Mexican Catholic and is still loosely spiritual. They identify as black latinx, nonbinary, poly, and queer with the gender pronouns they/them.

Follow Bliss on Instagram @blissfulpinkmaggit. To learn more about Bliss and the Trash Plants and how you can donate and volunteer, be sure to follow @blissandthetrashplants and sign up for their mailing list.

For Reflection: How do you create a sense of belonging in your neighborhood?

Resources: Bliss founded and recommends joining the “QTPOC Nashville” Facebook Group for support here in Nashville. Definitely check that out.

Out Loud is a podcast by and for queer people of faith in the South. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and join our mailing list for updates. Support the show financially by becoming a Patreon member, or by leaving a one-time donation on our website. Hosted by Greg Thompson. Edited by Cariad Harmon. Theme music by JP Rugierri. Recorded in Nashville, TN.