By Jake Naylor

The LGBTQIA+ community has always thrived through storytelling. Long before social media and livestreams, our history was passed from person to person, preserving experiences, lessons and victories that might otherwise have been forgotten. Today, the Las Vegas PRIDE Podcast continues that tradition, creating a space where community members can share their journeys, celebrate their accomplishments and inspire the next generation.

Meliton Kleiner-Lai with DJ Lexto

Hosted by Mr. Las Vegas PRIDE 2026, Meliton Kleiner-Lai, the podcast brings together a diverse range of voices from across Southern Nevada and beyond. Recent episodes showcase exactly what makes our community so vibrant: resilience, creativity, advocacy and connection.

One powerful episode features longtime community advocates Judy Bowne and Amie Dorsey. Their conversation serves as both a history lesson and a call to action. Bowne, a transgender elder whose life experiences stretch back to the era surrounding the Stonewall movement, shares firsthand accounts of a time when simply existing openly as a transgender person required extraordinary courage. Alongside Dorsey, the discussion explores the importance of preserving LGBTQIA+ history, supporting one another across generations and maintaining unity during challenging times.

Their message is clear: the rights many enjoy today were earned through decades of activism, sacrifice and perseverance. By sharing these stories, the podcast helps ensure that younger generations understand both how far we’ve come and why continued engagement remains so important.

In a completely different but equally inspiring episode, Las Vegas DJ David “LEXTO” Renteria offers listeners an inside look at life behind the decks. Known for energizing dance floors throughout the city and serving as a favorite at Las Vegas PRIDE events, LEXTO discusses his journey from discovering electronic music as a child to becoming one of Southern Nevada’s most recognizable LGBTQIA+ DJs.

Beyond the music, the conversation explores authenticity, community and the role entertainment plays in creating safe and welcoming spaces. LEXTO’s humor and infectious personality shine throughout the episode, but so does his commitment to bringing people together through music. His story highlights the creativity and passion that fuel many of the artists who help shape Las Vegas’ LGBTQIA+ nightlife and event culture.

The podcast also turns its lens toward the people who help preserve our community’s memories. In an engaging conversation with photographer Megan Williams, listeners gain insight into the importance of documenting LGBTQIA+ life through imagery. Williams, who has spent years photographing Las Vegas PRIDE and Pride celebrations across the country, discusses her passion for capturing authentic moments and ensuring that all members of the community are represented.

Her perspective offers a reminder that Pride is more than a parade or festival. It’s found in everyday moments of joy, friendship, self-expression and belonging. Through her camera lens, Williams helps tell the visual story of our community, creating lasting records of the people and events that define each generation.

Taken together, these three episodes illustrate the heart of the Las Vegas PRIDE Podcast. One episode preserves our history. Another celebrates our culture and creativity. The third documents the people who make our community visible. Each conversation offers a unique perspective, but all share a common thread: the belief that every story matters.

As Las Vegas PRIDE continues to expand its programming and community outreach, the podcast serves as an important platform for education, visibility and connection. Whether listeners are learning about the struggles that paved the way for modern LGBTQIA+ rights, discovering local artists and entertainers, or meeting the community members working behind the scenes to preserve our history, the podcast offers something for everyone.

Most importantly, it reminds us that Pride is not just an event held once a year. It is a living, evolving community built on shared experiences, mutual support and the courage to tell our stories.

New episodes of the Las Vegas PRIDE Podcast are released regularly and are available online. Tune in, listen, learn and become part of the conversation.

This article was originally published in the 2026 Summer, Arts & Entertainment issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.