Queer bookstores have long been more than just places to buy books, serving as cultural hubs, safe havens, and essential spaces for connection, representation, and affirmation within the LGBTQ+ community. As we navigate an increasingly hostile political landscape, building and sustaining these spaces is not only an act of resistance, but one of resilience and solidarity.

In this episode, Greg Newton and Donnie Jochum, co-founders of the Bureau of General Services—Queer Division (the Bureau), join us to explore what it takes to create and maintain queer infrastructure, how the Bureau continues to provide a platform for storytelling and connection, and what the future holds for this essential community space.

Additional Resources:

• Learn More About the Bureau of General Services – Queer Division
• Follow the Bureau on Instagram
• Subscribe to the Bureau on YouTube
• Follow the Bureau on Facebook
• Follow Greg on Instagram
• Follow Donnie on Instagram

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Many gay men grow up internalizing social norms that dictate how they should act, love, or present themselves—distorting their sense of self and making it harder to connect authentically with others. But we can begin to heal when we embrace radical acceptance, challenge outdated narratives, and learn to show up for ourselves with compassion.

In this episode, Sam Fogarty, a licensed therapist and clinical supervisor at myTherapyNYC, joins us to explore the power of affirming, authenticity-centered therapy and how we can begin to unlearn shame by making space for a more expansive, self-loving version of ourselves.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 121. Unpack Your Gay Emotional Baggage (with Dr. Jason Durant)

Additional Resources:

• Learn More About myTherapyNYC
• Follow myTherapyNYC on Instagram
• Subscribe to myTherapyNYC on YouTube
• Follow myTherapyNYC on Facebook
• Connect with myTherapyNYC on LinkedIn
• Follow myTherapyNYC on Twitter
• Follow Sam on Instagram

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Previously, we explored the concept of love bombing, where one partner overwhelms the other with excessive affection and attention early in a relationship to mask manipulative intentions. This behavior often sets the stage for a narcissistic relationship, a toxic dynamic in which one partner uses charm, control, and emotional manipulation to maintain power.

In this episode, Mack Ciccone joins us to share his journey of leaving a narcissistic relationship and offers insights on reclaiming autonomy and redefining personal boundaries.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 29. Love Bombing

Additional Resources:

• Love Bombing Defused: Spot Red Flags, Reclaim Boundaries, and Heal from Toxic Romance
• Read Take a Bow. Narcissistic Discard. (Part 1)
• Read Live to Tell

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Previously, we discussed our iconic pop queens and how their songs typically fit into distinct categories that hit an emotional button that appeals to gay men. These categories often include themes of empowerment, heartbreak, resilience, and self-expression, resonating deeply with the LGBTQ+ community, particularly gay men, who find solace and strength in these anthems.

In this episode, we continue our Gay Icons series with none other than… Cher. From her decades-spanning career as a singer, actress, and style icon to her outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, Cher has become a symbol of reinvention, resilience, and unapologetic individuality.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 04. Pop Icons and Their Gay Emotional Appeal
• Listen to Episode 25. Gay Icons: My Name is Kylie
• Listen to Episode 41. Gay Icons: The Queen of Disco
• Listen to Episode 58. Gay Icons: Our Friend, Dorothy
• Listen to Episode 127. Gay Icons: The Queen of Pop (with Stefan Mreczko)

Additional Resources:

• Pop Icons and Emotional Resonance: The Deep Connection Between Gay Men and Pop Music
• Kylie Minogue: Celebrating a Legacy of Resilience and Artistic Reinvention
• Donna Summer: The Queen of Disco and Her Enduring Legacy
• Judy Garland: The Enduring Legacy of Hollywood’s Timeless Star and Gay Icon
• Cher (Wikipedia)
• Cher Singles Discography
• Cher Albums Discography
• Cher's 'Believe' Turns 20: How the Song Helped Bring Auto-Tune into the Mainstream
• Cher Recalls Being the 'First' to Use Auto-Tune on 'Believe' Record After Argument with Producer
• Cher Accepts iHeartRadio Icon Award With Unforgettable Speech, Performance

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For gay men, humor has long been a powerful tool for resilience, offering both a means of survival through marginalization and a way to reclaim joy and identity. As queer comedy evolves and gains mainstream visibility, it remains a radical act of authenticity, resistance, and connection—especially during Pride, when celebrating visibility and community is more important than ever.

In this episode, Michael John Ciszewski joins us to share his journey as a queer comedian and explore how humor fuels authenticity, activism, and connection during Pride and beyond in today’s ever-evolving cultural and political landscape.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 33. Self-Deprecating Humor: Am I Crying or Laughing?
• Listen to Episode 34. GBF: Gay Best Friend
• Listen to Episode 135. Don't Be A Mean Gay

Additional Resources:

• Self-Deprecating Humor’s Effect on LGBTQ+ Mental Health and Self-Esteem
• From Sidekick to Main Character: Unpacking the 'Gay Best Friend' Trope and Its Impact on Queer Men
• Learn More About Michael John
• Follow Michael John on Instagram
• Follow Michael John on TikTok
• Subscribe to Michael John on YouTube
• Follow Michael John on Twitter

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We've previously explored how LGBTQ+ history has often been overlooked, ignored, or deliberately erased, demonstrating the importance of remembering and honoring our past. Despite ongoing attacks from the current administration aimed at censoring or rewriting queer history, LGBTQ+ historians continue to preserve it, ensuring that our stories and the figures who shaped them are not forgotten.

In this episode, Keith Stern, author of Queers in History, joins us discuss the evolution of his groundbreaking encyclopedia over the past three decades and how understanding our history can empower future generations and strengthen today’s activism.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 145. Resisting Erasure: Preserving LGBTQ+ History (with Michael Venturiello)

Additional Resources:

• Learn More About Queers in History
• Learn More About Keith Stern

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The current state of LGBTQ+ rights and politics reflects both significant progress and mounting challenges, with ongoing debates over transgender rights, workplace protections, and marriage equality. Activism, rooted in the community’s historic struggle for equality, continues to drive the Pride movement’s call for visibility, justice, and protection against rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric.

In this episode, Mari Nemec, Advocacy Counsel for the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, joins us to discuss the evolving fight for LGBTQ+ rights, the vital role of legal advocacy in countering political threats, and how Pride remains a powerful reminder that activism, visibility, and community are essential to securing lasting equality.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 06. Gay Panic Defense
• Listen to Episode 20. Don't Say Gay
• Listen to Episode 46. Obergefell v. Hodges and the Ongoing Fight for Marriage Equality
• Listen to Episode 67. 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis

Additional Resources:

• The LGBTQ+ Panic Defense: A Threat to Our Safety and Equality
• The Ripple Effects of the "Don't Say Gay" Bill on LGBTQ+ Communities
• The Fight for Marriage Equality Isn’t Over: Obergefell & Beyond
• How 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis Threatens LGBTQ+ Freedoms and Civil Rights
• Learn More About the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association
• Follow the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association on Instagram
• Connect with the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association on LinkedIn
• Follow the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association on Facebook
• Subscribe to the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association on YouTube
• Follow the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association on Twitter

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While Pride is often seen as a time for parades and rainbow flags, it can also be a reminder of the trauma, shame, and disconnection that many LGBTQ+ people, especially gay men, carry within themselves. Yet Pride can also be a time of reclamation, offering an opportunity to honor queer joy and reconnect with our desires and authentic selves.

In this episode, Court Vox, a leading somatic sex educator, surrogate partner, and founder of The BodyVox, joins us to discuss how we can heal through pleasure and reclaim Pride as a celebration of embodied authenticity, connection, and the radical act of embracing our fullest selves.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 5. 05. Interpersonal Vulnerability: Overcoming the Fear of Rejection
• Listen to Episode 22. Deeper and Deeper: Building Emotional Intimacy
• Listen to Episode 108. Celebrate Queer Joy
• Listen to Episode 146. The Velvet Rage

Additional Resources:

• The Power of Vulnerability in Building Authentic Gay Relationships
• Emotional Intimacy in Gay Relationships: Overcoming App Culture and Building Deeper Connections
• Learn More About Court
• Follow Court on Instagram
• Follow The Body Vox on Instagram
• Follow The Body Vox on Twitter
• Follow The Body Vox on Facebook

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In previous episodes, we discussed how pop culture has long served as a powerful space for gay men to find representation, expression, and community, offering both a reflection of their struggles and a source of empowerment. Within this space, dolls and collectibles further provide a medium for gay men to explore themes of identity, often becoming symbols of empowerment and nostalgia within queer culture.

In this episode, Chris Angelo, a Bratz collector, joins us to discuss the intersection of his queer identity with collecting and why pop culture collectibles provide a source of community for LGBTQ+ people.

Additional Resources:

• Follow Chris Angelo on Instagram
• Follow The Bratz Barista on Instagram

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In recent years, "twink death"—the idea that a young, slim gay man loses social value as he ages out of the "twink" category—has gained traction as a viral online concept. Though often treated as a humorous social media trend, it highlights the deeper issues around ageism, body image, and the pressure to conform to narrow beauty standards within the gay community.

In this episode, we unpack the cultural categorization of twinks, explore the origins and implications of "twink death," and discuss how gay men can challenge ageist beauty standards and embrace aging with pride.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 32. Gay Men and Body Obsession
• Listen to Episode 60. Is 30 Gay Death?

Additional Resources:

• The Pressure to Achieve Perfection: Body Obsession in the Gay Community and Its Impact on Self-Worth
• Debunking 'Gay Death': How Gay Men Can Age with Pride
• Twink (Urban Dictionary)
• Twink (Dictionary.com)
• Twinkie (Collins Dictionary)
• What is a Twink?
• Twink (Wikipedia)
• Twink Death (Urban Dictionary)
• Twink Death (Know Your Meme)
• Twink Death and Its Consequences
• Exoletus (Wikipedia)
• Twink Death: Is the Party Really Over?
• Twink Death

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