E 10: Morgxn & Gabriel: Building a Home in the Heartland
Standing Tall with Gloria Johnson
Morgxn & Gabriel: Building a Home in the Heartland
Air Date: 09/09/2026
Guest: Morgxn, singer-songwriter and activist; Gabriel Starner, therapist and co-founder of Fruity Farm
Host: State Rep. Gloria Johnson
Episode Summary
Gloria sits down with musician and activist, Morgxn and his husband, therapist Gabriel Starner, to talk about Fruity Farm, the agroforestry farm they run in Sumner County, which they have cultivated into a genuine safe haven for Pride in a county that offered none.
They get into the farm's pawpaw orchard and regenerative growing practices, and the wild story of how Fruity Farm became Sumner County's Pride venue after local business owners and even a church backed out under pressure. What started as a last resort turned into Affirming Sumner, a full-blown celebration and a hub of community and resistance.
They also dig into a tense meeting with a Republican state representative over a "religious freedom" same-sex marriage bill, the farm's lost USDA/NRCS greenhouse funding, and what keeps Morgxn and Gabe hopeful in Tennessee's current political climate.
Check out Affirming Sumner on September 19th! RSVP here.
Listen to Morgxn’s album Heartland, out now!
Topics Covered
How Gloria first met Morgxn and Gabriel at the Capitol rotunda in 2023, after the expulsion of Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson
Fruity Farm's pawpaw orchard and agroforestry/regenerative growing practices
The backstory of Fruity Farm hosting Pride after other Sumner County venues withdrew
Love Rising and the broader intersection of Tennessee's music scene and LGBTQ+ activism
A "religious freedom" bill affecting recognition of same-sex marriage, and a tense meeting with the bill's Republican sponsor
Losing approved USDA/NRCS greenhouse funding under the Trump administration
Ag Committee fights over pesticide liability, and framing politics as "right vs. wrong" rather than left vs. right
Local wins: a flipped Sumner County commission seat
Morgxn's music, the Heartland album and an unreleased follow-up record
What gives Gloria, Morgxn, and Gabriel hope going forward
Follow:
Morgxn: @morgxnofficial
Gabriel Starner: @gabrielmaxstarner
Fruity Farm: @fruityfarmtn
Affirming Sumner, the volunteer group organizing Pride at the farm: @affirmingsumner
Notable People Mentioned:
Olivia Hill: Nashville Metro Council member; referenced in the episode as Tennessee's first openly trans elected official
Rory Edmonds: Sumner County Commissioner, referenced as having recently flipped the seat
Rep. Chris Todd: Tennessee State Representative, referenced as sponsor of the bill discussed; flag: verify his current committee assignments and bill sponsorships before publishing, as legislative details can change quickly
Riley Gaines: a Sumner County resident and "America First" advocate
Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson: Tennessee State Representatives
James Talarico: Texas state legislator referenced in connection with a campaign
Sheri Crabtree: pawpaw researcher at Kentucky State University