Dear Queer,

Dear Queer,

By Alena Papayanis & Lauren HogarthComedySociety & Culture
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Dear Queer, episodes

  • Hanlan’s to Here: The Evolution of Pride in Toronto

    In this episode, we explore the roots of Pride in Toronto, how activism shaped it, and the many ways we can all show up for Pride in ways that feel authentic. We also share listener traditions, talk about navigating Pride with social anxiety, and reflect on how we cultivate queer joy.

    Support Queer Organizations in Toronto!

    Rainbow Railroad

    The 519

    21 min
  • Queer Skepticism in a Conspiracy Age with Nathan Radke

    This week, we’re joined by Nathan Radke, who is a professor, author, and co-host of The Uncover Up podcast and Alena’s colleague. Nathan helps us dive into what makes conspiracy theories so compelling and why they are everywhere right now.

    We also explore the surprising connections between conspiracy culture and the queer community, from historical persecution and coded communication to the fine line between healthy skepticism and harmful paranoia.

    Plus, we tackle the big questions:

    • Why do conspiracy theories feel so satisfying?
    • How do you talk to a loved one who’s deep in a rabbit hole?
    • Are aliens real!?

      • FIY:

      Canada's equivalent to the Stonewall riots occurred on February 5, 1981, when Toronto police raided four gay bathhouses in a coordinated operation known as Operation Soap. The mass arrests galvanized the LGBTQ2S+ community, resulting in mass protests that eventually laid the foundation for Toronto's annual Pride parade

      Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

      36 min
    • Taking Reality Television Seriously with Victoria Ennis

      On this episode, we cover what’s going on in reality TV right now, including (obviously!) the Summer House Scamanda Scandal and Mormon Wives. We talk about why we are enamoured with Love on the Spectrum, introduce some new shows to each other, and cover some oldies but goodies.

      Victoria’s shows:

      • Traitors (Number one favourite show)
      • The Bachelor
      • The Bachelorette
      • Love on the Spectrum
      • Love is Blind
      • Beverly Hills and Atlanta Housewives
      • Queer Ultimatum
      • Summer House
      • Vanderpump Rules
      • Southern Charm

        • Miss Education Podcast

        @victoriaen__

        Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

        43 min
      • Peter Knegt from Queer Cinema Club in Toronto drops by Dear Queer,
        • What makes something “queer cinema”? 
        • Why queer films are important
        • Why Birdcage is a Queer film landmark
        • Casting heteros in Queer roles
        • Is a movie a good first date?

          • Go see Peter at Queer Cinema’s home, the Paradise Theater on Bloor St.

          @queer.cinema.club

          @peterknegt

          Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

          Transcript:

          27 min
        • KB Brookins on Writing, Identity, and Becoming

          Trans Writer KB Brookins joins us to talk about:

          • Their memoir, Pretty
          • The importance of finding your people
          • Having mentors
          • Writing things down when it's hard to say the thing out loud
          • Refined rage
          • Not excusing behaviours but giving them context
          • Trans news that doesn’t suck

            • Links:

            https://bookshop.org/p/books/pretty-a-memoir-kb-brookins/46b2a7822f45f3a6

            https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTqNmhvEfdi

            https://transnews.substack.com

            Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

            30 min
          • Dear Queer Does Heated Rivalry

            And yes, the lesbians are watching!

            Tune in for our takes on:

            • The characters, the quiet negotiations
            • Why we are NOT here for the critiques
            • But are here for straight people celebrating a queer romance
            • Why are we all crying in episode 5
            • Cottage Cottage and more Cottage
            • Is Heated Rivalry the new Pink Shirt Test?

              • This and a whole lot more on this week's Heated Rivalry Episode! Thank you, Jacob Tierney, Connor Storrie & Hudson Williams!

              SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

              Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

              20 min
            • Happy Holigays: Listener question edition

              On this week's episode, we give the gift of dating advice

              • What are we thinking about going into the holidays
              • How to DTR a non-traditional relationship, and what is a QPR?
              • Dating and kids: Is it a deal breaker?
              • Green flags when dating a parent
              • What to do if you are the only queer in your family over the holidays

                • SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

                Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

                24 min
              • Understanding Anger with Robin Lacambra

                On this week's episode, we learn all about our anger.

                • What is it?
                • What's going on in our bodies when we're experiencing anger?
                • What can we do to get in touch with our anger before it gets out of hand?
                • What are some physical/somatic things we can do for ourselves to expel or manage anger?

                  • Robin Lacambra (she/they) is a queer Filipinx creative, speaker, and facilitator. Drawing from somatic relational psychotherapy, mindful movement, and conflict mediation, Robin’s work aims to demonstrate how interconnected we are, highlighting our shared responsibility to co-create a just and liberated world.

                  Alongside their roles as the creator of GOODBODYFEEL Movement & Therapy, the director of the Safer Spaces Project, and a counsellor at SACHA (Sexual Assault Center of Hamilton Area), Robin works with individuals, groups, and organizations to foster self-awareness, resilience, and healthier relationships.

                  LINKS

                  https://www.goodbodyfeel.com

                  https://www.instagram.com/saferspacesproject/?hl=en

                  SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

                  Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

                  24 min
                • Sorry, Not sorry? Robin Lacambra on How to Truly Apologize

                  Welcome to season two of Dear Queer. We will have episodes coming out every other Thursday.

                  Please enjoy this episode with our favourite apologizer and relational psychotherapist, Robin Lacambra.

                  This weeks Topics include:

                  • Why is it hard to apologize
                  • How do we apologize
                  • How to best set yourself up to get the apology you're hoping for

                    • Robin Lacambra (she/they) is a queer Filipinx creative, speaker, and facilitator. Drawing from somatic relational psychotherapy, mindful movement, and conflict mediation, Robin’s work aims to demonstrate how interconnected we are, highlighting our shared responsibility to co-create a just and liberated world.

                    Alongside their roles as the creator of GOODBODYFEEL Movement & Therapy, the director of the Safer Spaces Project, and a counsellor at SACHA (Sexual Assault Center of Hamilton Area), Robin works with individuals, groups, and organizations to foster self-awareness, resilience, and healthier relationships.

                    LINKS

                    https://www.goodbodyfeel.com

                    https://www.instagram.com/saferspacesproject/?hl=en

                    SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

                    Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

                    29 min

                  About Dear Queer,

                  From the publisher's feed

                  A Podcast for your queer stories, questions & advice you wish your younger self had or you need right now. Hosted by Alena Papayanis and Produced by Lauren Hogarth