A virtual platform by and for folks who are 2SLGBTQ+

Speaking of Happy is a virtual outlet that includes amazing stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) people and our community allies! These stories are shared via interviews on our Speaking of Happy live stream show, encompassing stories from all walks of life and sharing about what local organizations are doing for our community. With our other show, Frankly Speaking cohosts Eli Rigatuso and Avalisa Ellicott have frank conversations with other transgender, nonbinary, two spirit, and gender-diverse folks about what we experience in our everyday lives. And we have an all-new season in store for you in 2023!

Here are a couple of our favorite interviews from past seasons! 

With a breakthrough cover feature in Men’s Health magazine, multiple appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and the CEO of the Point of Pride nonprofit that’s helped over ten thousand people receive gender-affirming garments and surgeries, Aydian Dowling is an admired household name in the transgender community. On this episode of Frankly Speaking, Aydian shares about his new project, The Trace App.

Mila Jam joins us to have a frank conversation about intersectionality and inclusion within our community! And we will also chat about her music, and the latest smash hit, It’s Raining Them!

If you or someone you know has an inspirational life story that would help others, please get in touch with us by phone at (402) 881-0656 or by email at eli@speakingofhappy.com so that we can connect and capture that story to celebrate and share with others.

Listen to our older podcasts published on the site to learn about local individuals and organizations focusing on LGBTQ+ advocacy in the Omaha Metro area. We will have new podcasts coming soon! You may find older podcasts by clicking on Radio Show above or here.

We also offer our Transgender Experience Training either virtually or in person

The training includes the following:

  • Terminology as it relates to being transgender, nonbinary, two spirit, and gender diverse
  • A Day in the Life of a black transgender woman – Avalisa Ellicott shares her lived experience
  • Cisgender privilege – what does this mean? Which includes real-life exercises/scenarios.
  • The anatomy of an apology – not all apologies are genuine apologies. Find out what kind of apologies you’re using and whether or not they are genuine.
  • Myths vs. Facts provides a fun way to learn what the facts are about what it means to be transgender in today’s world.

Contact Eli Rigatuso for more information or a quote at elirigatuso@gmail.com

Founder

Eli Rigatuso is an Omaha, Nebraska, native who identifies as queer. He is a transmasculine Two-Spirit of the Menominee Nation. And is easily one of the most compassionate souls you will ever meet. As an artist, photographer, and video producer/director, Rigatuso has over 35 years of experience in his field. He has owned and operated a video production company since 1995 and has work experience in television, radio, and digital media. Eli is a social media expert and has experience as an on-air talent using his voice to help move the needle toward more inclusive spaces!  

An outspoken Equal Rights Activist who has served his community in various ways since the mid-’90s, Rigatuso was instrumental in raising funds for the Campaign against 416 in early 2000 and helped found and served on the board of Heartland Pride. Heartland Pride is a local 501c3 nonprofit which hosts The Pride Festival in Omaha, and since its inception, it has operated with a positive budget and has grown year over year.

Rigatuso was recognized as one of The Bloc 50 over 50 Community award recipients in 2021 and was awarded the Heartland Youth Pride Marsha P Johnson changemaker award 2019 for his work in helping create Heartland Pride as well as his continued advocacy as an outspoken visible person of transgender experience. During Pride Month in June of 2019, we hosted a series of LiveStream events called Pride on the Patio, where Rigatuso interviewed folks in the Omaha area who identify as transgender and hosted a Speaking of Happy LIVE! event at the Tiny House Bar. You can watch that episode here. Rigatuso is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a BA in Communication, a 2018 Fellow of the New Leaders Council, and a graduate of Leadership Omaha Class 42, The Best Class Ever! 

He works full-time at Bellevue University as their Senior Producer/Director in the Design/Development group. He spends most of his free time on Speaking of Happy, a space he created to share the stories of people living in the Midwest who identify as LGBTQ through Livestream events.

You can watch some of his Livestream events on our Facebook page.

Eli has hosted a podcast and writes a blog sharing his personal journey as a queer transmasculine Two Spirit of the Menominee Nation as he navigates his personal and professional transition. He is in the process of writing his memoir. Rigatuso is a public speaker and facilitator and loves to help organizations and local businesses create open and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ people, especially his transgender, non-binary, two spirit, and gender-diverse siblings.

His current artistic venture is working on a project he hopes will challenge our perception of the gender binary. The project consists of a series of self-portraits with only subtle differences that will challenge the viewer’s concept of what is male and female. He hopes to challenge the concept of the gender binary. He will pave a pathway to greater acceptance of the gender spectrum. Eli is determined to make a difference in his community.

Mr. Rigatuso is a highly trained public speaker and facilitator and has done a variety of presentations and workshops with local businesses and organizations interested in creating open and affirming spaces for transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming folks living in the Omaha area. Rigatuso delivered the keynote address at the Inaugural CouncilBluffs/Omaha LGBTQ Workplace Culture Summit in 2019, cofacilitated a presentation for the Conference on Opportunity, Diversity, and Equity on Moving Beyond the Binary, and has facilitated presentations for the following organizations and businesses: Norfolk Area Pride board, Heartland Family Services, The Hope Collective, Inclusive Communities, Teammates, College Possible, College of St. Mary’s, UNMC, Bryan College of Health, Cox Communications, The Radisson Hotel Group, Union Pacific, LinkedIn, Verizon and many more. Here is what folks are saying about the training he offers with Avalisa Ellicott and about Eli:

“What made the training most impactful was the willingness of Eli and Avalisa to integrate their lived experience throughout the training. In so doing, they captured our heads and our hearts. They were super engaging and helpful; truly one of the best trainings I’ve ever attended. I highly recommend this training and the work of Eli Rigatuso and Avalisa Ellicott. Be prepared to be transformed.” ~John Jeanetta, President & CEO of Heartland Family Services

“Eli Rigatuso brought an incredible perspective to the employees at Oath and myself. He’s a natural speaker, who captivates his audience and undoubtedly compels them to understand and empathize with individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community. He spoke passionately on his personal life story, his work in the Omaha community, transgender issues, and rethinking the social constructs of gender. Not many understand the struggles and frustrations of non-binary, transgender, and two spirit identifying humans, but Eli brought these diverse identities to light in hopes that we can all become more open-minded, knowledgeable, and able to make a positive impact in the lives of LGBTQIA+ folks.” ~Austin Christensen, Creative Solutions Manager, Ad Creative Tech

“Eli brings an authentic voice and courageous spirit to his work and advocacy. He has an uncanny ability to speak to his audience in a way that makes you feel you have known him your entire life. That level of comfort allows people to lean in and open their hearts and minds.” ~Alexis Sherman, Director of Multicultural Initiatives, College of St. Mary’s

“Eli Rigatuso’s training on GLBTQIA issues was simply fantastic. He is such an authentic presenter, who really tried to make each and every person in the training feel safe, while discussing a sensitive topic. Eli helped us to understand what it feels like as a GLBTQIA person through words. I feel that everyone walked away with a greater understanding of what it is like to walk in the shoes of somone who may have a different sexual orientation. I can’t thank him enough for such a thought-provoking presentation.” ~Megan Moslander, Development Officer, College Possible.

“Eli Rigatuso’s presentation and discussion around the topid of Transgender lives was very powertul and important. The topics concerning transgender folks lives can be stressful and uncomfortable at times but Eli did a wonderful job helping people to challenge their preconceived expectations and grow in their knowledge while still feeling comfortable and not guilty. Eli did a great job of helping peole feel comfortable asking questions and not feeling stupid or ignorant.” ~Sinjhen Campbell, Tech-Connected College Coach, College Possible.

“I feel Eli’s presence and educational discussion is a welcome approach to a sometimes stressful topic in any group environment.” ~ Jill M., Mutual of Omaha  

Mr. Rigatuso was selected as a 2018 Fellow with the New Leaders Council Omaha and completed their training in May of 2018! Through this experience, Rigatuso launched the Speaking of Happy Patreon page, which is a way for him to find support in the community to fund his work with Speaking Of Happy, given it is a labor of love! Become a patron by clicking here. Rigatuso has also mentored Rachel Fox NLC 2019 Graduate and creator of the non-profit You Go Girl committed to encouraging, empowering, and inspiring girls and young women! Rigatuso has also mentored numerous young people in our community and provided support for parents who have kiddos who have come out as transgender, nonbinary, two spirit, and gender-diverse.

2018-2019 Purple Profiles of Courage with the Alzheimer’s Association of Nebraska

And as if all of the above wasn’t enough, Mr. Rigatuso was nominated and selected as a Purple Profiles of Courage Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Association of Nebraska. He has been interviewed numerous times and had numerous vignette’s produced about his relationship with his mother, who was diagnosed with the disease many years ago. He shares his journey as a caretaker here. He was also highlighted on Chronicles on KETV Channel 7; you can find that video here. Rigatuso is determined to continue to help others understand what it is like walking this path with their family members who have been diagnosed. Unfortunately, The Mama was taken from us in 2020 by COVID. The week after losing our beautiful matriarch Eli himself was hospitalized with covid and was a heartbeat away from being intubated. Thankfully his resilience kicked in, and he overcame his illness and battled back to health. This battle has served to renew his dedication to the work he does.

If you would like to support our efforts, please check out our Patreon Page!

You can learn more about what Patreon is by watching this video.