Since the 1890s, the term queer was initially used as a derogatory slur against gay men until it was later reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community as a symbol of empowerment and inclusivity. Today, it’s used non-offensively as an inclusive term that embraces a wide spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities within the community.

In this episode, we're taking a look into the etymology of the word queer, tracing its origins as a slur, and examining the pivotal moments and motivations behind the LGBTQ+ community's powerful reclamation of the term.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Bonus 12. Spooky Storytime
• Listen to Episode 03. Surviving Another Pandemic
• Listen to Episode 23. Let's Talk About the F Word
• Listen to Episode 51. ACT UP: Silence = Death

Additional Resources:

• Queer (Etymology)
• Queer (Definition)
• How the Word ‘Queer’ was Adopted by the LGBTQ Community
• Marquess of Queensberry
• ‘Queer’ History: A History of Queer
• Oscar Wilde Trial
• Reviled, Reclaimed and Respected: The History of the Word 'Queer'
• Come Out!

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In recent years, several states have enacted bans on queer books, citing unsubstantiated claims ranging from content deemed inappropriate to concerns about age-appropriateness. These bans have restricted access to diverse and affirming literature for the LGBTQ+ community, leading to feelings of erasure and marginalization, and hindered the representation and visibility of queer identities, which is crucial for fostering understanding and acceptance.

In this episode, Alexander Rigby, a New York Times Bestselling Editor at Penguin Random House and curator of the publisher’s LGBTQ+ Network, joins us to discuss the impacts of queer book bans on LGBTQ+ people, how Penguin Random House is continuing to promote queer voices, and ways the LGBTQ+ community can support queer authors and push back against unjust book bans.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 95. Take a Page from #GayBookstagram (with Rod Lujano)
• Listen to Episode 101. Sci-Fi: The Future is Queer (with TQ Sims)

Additional Resources:

• Learn More About Alexander Rigby
• Follow Alexander on Instagram
• Follow Penguin Random House LGBTQ+ Network on Instagram
• Check Out Pride in Your Words
• Follow Penguin Random House on Instagram

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Heterosexism is a system of attitudes, biases, and discrimination that privileges heterosexuality and marginalizes and oppresses LGBTQ+ people. This pervasive bias can lead to significant negative impacts on LGBTQ+ individuals, including increased rates of mental health issues, social isolation, and barriers to accessing healthcare and other essential services.

In this episode, we’re delving into the concept of heterosexism, exploring how it manifests in various aspects of society, the trauma it can inflict on LGBTQ+ individuals, and strategies for overcoming this pervasive bias.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 39. We Are Family: Part 1 (with Michelle Loveless)
• Listen to Episode 59. Say Bye Bye Bye to Bi Erasure (with Sam McClain)
• Listen to Episode 63. The Stonewall Riots
• Listen to Episode 69. That's So Gay (You Really Shouldn't Say That)

Additional Resources:

• Homophobia Definition
• George Weinberg
• Heterosexism (Definition)
• The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets
• Heroes of Stonewall: Craig Rodwell
• Beyond “Homophobia”: Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century
• Prejudice, Social Stress, and Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: Conceptual Issues and Research Evidence
• The Context of Anti-Gay Violence
• Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism
• Heterosexism & Homophobia
• Heterosexist Microaggressions, Student Academic Experience and Perception of Campus Climate: Findings From an Italian Higher Education Context
• Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation
• How Heterosexism Can Be Traumatic
• How to

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In previous episodes, we explored pop culture’s resonance with the LGBTQ+ community, serving as both a reflection of societal changes and a source of representation and validation. Pop icons in music, film, television, and other media often highlight diverse narratives and characters that resonate with the experiences and identities of LGBTQ+ people while advocating for equal rights and visibility.

In this episode, Carmine Davis, singer and host of The Carmine Davis Show, joins us to discuss his relationship with pop culture, icons who have inspired his career, and how inclusive pop culture can be a positive force of change for the LGBTQ+ community.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 04. Pop Icons and Their Gay Emotional Appeal

Additional Resources:

• Learn More About Carmine Davis
• Follow Carmine Davis on Instagram
• Tune in to The Carmine Davis Show
• Stream All Friendship is Romantic
• Book Carmine Davis on Cameo

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Art has been a vital form of expression for queer people, providing a powerful platform to explore, celebrate, and communicate their identities, experiences, and struggles in a world where their voices are often marginalized.

In this episode, Jacoby Nordberg joins us to discuss his experiences as a queer artist, exploring how art serves as a profound medium for expressing his identity and the broader impact of art in empowering and giving voice to the LGBTQ+ community.

Additional Resources:

• Learn More About Jacoby Nordberg
• Follow Jacoby on Instagram
• Follow Jacoby on TikTok
• Check Out Jacoby’s Portfolio

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LGBTQ+ individuals often struggle to find their community and a place of support, encountering societal stigma and discrimination that can make it challenging to connect with others who share their experiences and understand their unique needs. LGBTQ+ individuals who also have autism often navigate a complex intersection of identities, facing distinct challenges and experiences that require support and understanding.

In this episode, Max Korten joins us to discuss his experiences as a gay man with autism, queer dating with a developmental disability, and how we can all work together to make the LGBTQ+ community a more inclusive space.

Additional Resources:

• Follow Max Korten on Instagram

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Located at the northern tip of Cape Code in Massachusetts, Provincetown is a coastal town renowned for its vibrant arts scene and historic significance and celebrated as a premier gay tourist destination known for its inclusive atmosphere, lively LGBTQ+ events, and welcoming community.

In this episode, we’re diving into Provincetown's rich history, exploring how it evolved into a premier gay tourist destination and uncovering the vibrant tapestry of its queer heritage.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 17. Mobsters & Mos: How the Mafia Owned Gay Nightlife
• Listen to Episode 24. Gay Villages: Won't You Be My Gaybor‪?
• Listen to Episode 65. 65. Fire Island 

Additional Resources:

• US Census Bureau
• A Brief History of Provincetown, Massachusetts
• How Ptown Got So Gay, Gay, Gay
• Why Is Provincetown So Gay?
• Cape Queer? A Case Study of Provincetown, Massachusetts
• The Pilgrim House
• The Pilgrim House Hotel (May 17, 1973)
• Fantasia Fair: Miscellaneous Documents
• Womencrafts
• Provincetown Business Guild
• Carnival
• Ptown Hacks (Towleroad 2015)
• Bear Week Provincetown
• Bear Week

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LGBTQ+ advocacy dates back to early 20th-century efforts, such as the formation of the Society for Human Rights in 1924, and gained momentum with landmark events like the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which galvanized a global movement for equality and rights. Despite significant progress, ongoing advocacy is crucial to combat persistent discrimination, ensure legal protections, and promote societal acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide.

In this episode, Anthony Munger, Program Manager for the Louisville Pride Foundation and a licensed social worker, joins us to discuss the importance of continued LGBTQ+ advocacy, especially around areas impacting LGBTQ+ health.

Additional Resources:

• Follow Anthony Munger on Instagram
• Learn More About Louisville Pride Foundation

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The Trump administration had a detrimental impact on LGBTQ+ rights by rolling back protections and supporting religious exemptions that allowed discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Looking ahead to the 2024 election, The Heritage Foundation has published Project 2025, a 920-page extremist policy agenda and staffing blueprint with conservative ideals, for the next Republican administration to swiftly implement upon taking office in January 2025.

In this episode, we’re dissecting the Heritage Foundation's conservative influence, including its significant impact on the Trump administration's policies, and why Project 2025 poses a serious threat to LGBTQ+ Americans and democracy at large.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 30. Gay Sex Education (or the Lack Thereof)
• 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 Heritage Foundation
• Mandate for Leadership
• How One Conservative Think Tank is Stocking Trump’s Government
• Kevin Roberts
• Donations Have Surged to Groups Linked to Conservative Project 2025
• Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise
• The White House Gender Policy Council
• Congressional Leaders Form Task Force to Counter Project 2025 and Defend Democracy
• Sign the Petition to Reject Project 2025
• Sign the Petition Urging Congress to Pass the Equality Act

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In today's challenging real estate market, aspiring home buyers grapple with rising prices, limited inventory, and intense competition, making the pursuit of homeownership more difficult than ever. To add a layer of complexity, gay home buyers may encounter challenges such as discrimination, limited representation, and concerns about acceptance in certain neighborhoods, highlighting the ongoing need for a more inclusive and affirming real estate environment.

In this episode, Ryan Windt, a Philadelphia-based real estate agent, joins us to share key factors that LGBTQ+ people should be mindful of when house hunting, along with homebuying tips and myths.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 24. Gay Villages: Won't You Be My Gaybor? 
• Listen to Episode 106. Long Live Queer Nightlife (with Amin Ghaziani) 

Additional Resources:

• Send Ryan Your Real Estate Inquiries
• Follow Ryan on Instagram
• Why You Should Let a Gay Realtor Help You Find Your Next Home!
• Why Gayborhoods Matter: The Street Empirics of Urban Sexualities
• Once a Crucial Refuge, ‘Gayborhoods’ Lose L.G.B.T.Q. Residents in Major Cities

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