A quick update to discuss (read: rant) about the recent slate of anti-LGBTQ laws, Disney's BS, and the need to hold onto each other as we fight for our existence. Things feel pretty bleak right now, but we are not fighting alone, and they are not going to win.

We'll be back soon with a series of episodes based on the stripes of the pride flag. Stay safe.

SPOILER ALERT. It was a Thursday in November, during a fraught election, and suddenly everyone was talking about the TV show Supernatural and destiel. What year is it again? Twitter was celebrating that they finally made a queer pairing canon just before the show ended. But did they really? We discuss the Supernatural finale, the great love confession that sent an angel to super hell, the heteronormative obsession with queer tragedy, and the better future we all deserve.

Contribute to the Castiel Project, organized by fans to benefit the Trevor Project here: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/3037563.

Or buy one of our "For Love" designs, the proceeds of which go straight to the Castiel Project, here: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/63041849.

What is queerbaiting? How does it work? Is it really so bad?

As the LGBTQIA community has gained a louder voice, queer fans have become more vocal about the need for queer characters in mainstream stories. Creators have taken notice. Unfortunately, in many cases, creators are more willing to treat the possibility of queer characters as a little inside joke with the fans than as a serious possibility. Queerbaiting — coding a character as queer or hinting at a possible queer relationship to capture fans with no intention of actually portraying it as such — is on the rise. And it’s hurting fans.

Queer stories aren’t a joke, and fans deserve better than to be teased with the possibility of seeing their lives represented.

Join us for a quarantine special episode. In this time of pandemic and healthcare shortages, it's even more important that you understand how to navigate the complicated American healthcare system (or, for international listeners, that you understand our plight). So our resident working Pharmacist has compiled her best advice from working with patients in a retail pharmacy on how to help your pharmacist help you and how to navigate insurance. Listen to find out all the things she wishes all her customers knew!

Ever wanted to create an intimate and stirring bedroom scene but can’t put the first word down? Do you find yourself fumbling in the dark after your story “fades to black”? Whether you’re an accomplished pervert looking for a few tips or a blushing newbie looking for a start, let us turn on the light! Sex scenes are a glorious staple of fanfiction and romance alike, and we’re here to set the score straight — but mostly queer and pan and GNC — on the basics of writing erotica for yourself and others so that you don’t die of embarrassment in the process. Trust us, it’s fun!

Find the accompanying presentation to follow along here: https://prezi.com/view/ZN7FddRFolqyzmdQvoy1

Our bonus episodes feature reviews of various horror movies based on the casual, extremely unscientific thoughts we had on the ride home from the theater - or, more likely, those twenty minutes of debrief on the couch while Netflix autoplays another trailer. This week's bonus minisode is a review of Crimson Peak (2015) by Guillermo del Toro.

Representation matters. Stories matter. Stories inspire us, educate us, heal us, and unite us. Stories show us what is possible. We all need to see ourselves reflected in those possibilities, from the fantastic to the mundane. And this is especially true for those of us in the queer community. More diverse media representation is incredibly important, but not all representation is created equal. Write stronger characters, tell better stories, and maybe save a life when you join us in making queer lives visible.

Conversational in tone and academic in content, this super geeky and super queer podcast examines stories and why they matter. In Media Rep covers media representation, how to tell good stories, and the impact of the stories we love on our lives. Also, fandom, general geekery, and Internet culture for the initiated and the noob alike. Find us on Twitter @InMediaRep, check out the Shotguns and Sage project and our original fiction at ShotgunsandSage.com, and subscribe to the show! New episodes every other Friday, and the first episode launches March 6.