Intrinsically Ordered

Pope Francis has passed—and within hours, I sat down with Justin from Empty Chairs for an off-the-cuff emergency podcast. As a gay ex-Catholic and a gay current Catholic, we unpack Pope Francis’s complicated legacy on LGBTQ issues. Did he really change anything? Did he do enough? Or was it all just nice-sounding words with no lasting impact?

We talk about our own experiences inside the Church, from being denied vocations to being fired for our sexuality. We also dive into the real theological documents vs. the media narrative, and what the Church might look like under the next Pope.

If you want an honest, emotionally raw, and well-informed queer Catholic perspective—you’re in the right place.

00:00 Introduction and Emergency Podcast Setup
00:46 Initial Reactions to Pope Francis' Passing
02:05 Pope Francis' Legacy on Queer Issues
03:06 Media Reactions and Public Perception
04:06 The 'Who Am I to Judge?' Controversy
05:53 Pope Francis' Ambiguity and Pastoral Approach
07:29 Conservative Backlash and Church Politics
09:06 Pope Francis' Stance on Homosexuality and Church Teachings
11:26 Personal Stories and Church Discrimination
22:45 Pope Francis' Impact on Vocations and Priestly Celibacy
27:35 Addressing the Pope's Controversial Statements
28:22 Personal Experiences with Church Rejection
29:28 Pope Francis' Legacy and Impact
30:37 Hopes and Fears for the Next Pope
33:40 Challenges for LGBTQ+ Catholics
38:53 The Future of the Catholic Church
42:42 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

To be a guest on the episode, visit my YT channel and send me an email.

Pope Francis has passed. And as someone who was once on the path to becoming a conservative Catholic priest—and now lives openly as a gay man—his death hits hard. In this video, I break down what Pope Francis actually did for LGBTQ Catholics. From his famous “Who am I to judge?” to his quiet yet revolutionary support of queer ministries, this pope changed the vibe of the church, even if he never changed the doctrine.

For outsiders, it may be hard to grasp how radical just saying “You are welcome here” really was. In this episode, I reflect on his legacy, what’s at stake in the election of the next pope, and why so many LGBTQ Catholics now feel uncertain and afraid.

If you want to join the conversation, hop in my Discord or support this work on Patreon

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background
00:36 Pope Francis' Approach to LGBTQ Issues
01:04 Key Moments and Quotes from Pope Francis
01:45 Pope Francis' Actions
02:35 Impact on LGBTQ Catholics
04:02 Pope Francis' Legacy and Media Strategy
06:33 Concerns About the Future of the Church
09:08 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

To be a guest on the episode, visit my YT channel and send me an email.

In this episode of the Intrinsically Ordered Podcast, I sit down with Minh (  @Kenapologeticscatholic   ) a Catholic apologist and street evangelist, for one of the most intense and philosophical debates I’ve had on the show. We dive deep into the question of homosexuality from Catholic, secular, and philosophical angles—covering everything from natural law, metaethics, and sexual ethics to kink, bestiality, and gender abolition.

As a queer ex-Catholic, I challenge Minh on the idea that gay sex is somehow less moral or meaningful. Minh presents two dense arguments based on Catholic philosophy—and I try to pull them apart with both real-world data and a more progressive ethical lens.

This one isn’t for the faint of heart—but it’s a vital, rigorous discussion about what it means to be moral, sexual, and human.

YouTube: youtube.com/@kenapologeticscatholic
Instagram: kenio02
Gmail: [email protected]
Discord: kenapologeticscatholic

0:00 – Introducing Minh & the Debate Framework
3:12 – My Argument: Homosexuality Doesn’t Cause Harm
7:30 – Minh’s Claim: Morality Needs God
12:42 – Can You Prove Gay Relationships Are Good?
19:05 – “The Slavery Analogy” – Minh’s First Counter
24:40 – The Burden of Proof Debate
30:18 – Minh’s Argument #1: Bisexuality is Morally Preferable
40:11 – I Respond: Love Isn’t a Math Problem
47:50 – Minh’s Argument #2: Empty Pleasure & Gay Sex
59:15 – Can Gay Love Be Romantic Without Reproduction?
1:05:22 – Ice Cream, Moms, and Lesbian Dates
1:12:10 – Consent, Sex, and Society’s Role
1:18:44 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Minh

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

To be a guest on the episode, visit my YT channel and send me an email.

In today's episode, I unpack the mental model I use when Christians try to impose their beliefs—especially around queer rights. I compare their moral arguments to veganism (yes, really) to show how the more forcefully someone wants to control others, the more evidence they need to bring to the table. Faith alone doesn’t cut it.

I walk through four levels of moral imperatives and the kind of proof each one demands. From personal convictions to theocratic dogma, I explain why your certainty should match your evidence—especially if you're trying to take away my rights. This isn’t just theology—it’s epistemology.

00:00 – I Treat Homophobic Christians Like Vegans
00:30 – What Counts as a Moral Imperative?
01:00 – My Journey: From Latin Mass to Deconstruction
01:36 – Level 1: Personal Belief Requires No Proof
02:57 – Level 2: Gentle Advocacy Needs Some Evidence
05:02 – Level 3: Telling Others What to Do? Prove It.
07:46 – Level 4: Forcing Belief = Irrefutable Proof Required
10:50 – Don't Get Stuck in the Weeds—Know the Burden
13:00 – Final Advice for Deconstructing Listeners

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

To be a guest on the episode, visit my YT channel and send me an email.

Leaving a fundamentalist or conservative form of Catholicism is more than just walking away from a church—it’s walking away from an entire worldview, identity, and sometimes your community. In this episode of Intrinsically Ordered, Evelyn from the podcast Leave Laugh Love joins us for an honest, vulnerable, and occasionally funny conversation about leaving faith as a queer person. We talk about the emotional process of leaving, what healing looks like, building a new life, and practical steps for anyone questioning their faith. Whether you’re deconstructing, doubting, or just curious, this is for you.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:27 Evelyn's Background and Journey
01:30 Starting the Podcast and Providing Resources
02:11 Personal Stories of Faith and Doubt
03:20 Understanding Fundamentalist Catholicism
05:50 The Process of Deconstruction
08:49 Navigating Relationships and Friendships
15:54 Making Practical Plans to Leave
18:19 The Role of Therapy and Support Networks
25:00 Life After Leaving Religion
38:09 Sunday Mornings Without Mass
38:35 Navigating Belief and Morality
39:06 Empathy and Self-Discovery
41:44 Finding Purpose After Leaving Religion
42:47 Exploring New Communities and Hobbies
44:34 Redefining Life and Meaning
49:20 Grieving and Reconstructing
52:17 Navigating Relationships Post-Religion
55:42 Embracing a New Life
01:05:23 Final Thoughts and Resources

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

To be a guest on the episode, visit my YT channel and send me an email.

In this episode, I discuss my journey from being a traditional Catholic to questioning and ultimately leaving the faith. I delve into the ambiguities and contradictions within Catholic teachings about sin and morality. Sharing personal stories, I highlight the lack of clarity on what actions might lead someone to hell. Using a Spider-Man meme analogy, I illustrate the contradictory views held by different Catholic authorities. I question the Church's claims of having definitive answers to moral issues, pointing out the inconsistencies and confusion among priests and church documents. Join me as I explore these complexities and talk about how my life has improved since moving away from fundamentalist Catholicism.

00:00 Introduction: A Personal Story
00:33 Questioning Catholic Teachings
00:56 About the Channel
01:18 Understanding Catholic Sins
03:20 The Spider-Man Meme: Illustrating Contradictions
04:43 The Confusion of Catholic Doctrine
05:55 The Gray Areas of Morality
07:59 The Subjectivity of Sin
09:24 Conclusion: Moving Beyond Traditional Catholicism

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

To be a guest on the episode, visit my YT channel and send me an email.

In this episode of the Intrinsically Ordered Podcast, I sit down with guest Cameron Riecker, a prominent Catholic YouTuber, discuss the complexities and uncertainties within Catholic moral teaching. We dive deep into the distinctions between venial and mortal sins, the ambiguity in moral guidelines, and the impact of these ambiguities on the lives of faithful Catholics. Cameron shares his personal journey into Catholicism and offers his perspective on dealing with moral dilemmas and church teachings. The conversation touches on practical examples such as the morality of certain sexual acts within marriage and what is permissible on Sundays, highlighting the challenges of living a Catholic life amid differing interpretations and teachings.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:37 Discussion on Venial vs. Mortal Sins
05:17 Examples of Disagreement Among Catholics
07:47 Analogies and Moral Principles
10:44 Debating Moral Ambiguities
12:31 The Role of Church Authority and Flexibility
19:20 Moral Obligations and Reduced Culpability
27:22 Debating Catholic Teachings on Foreplay
28:00 Historical Context and Church Rulings
29:18 Moral Obligations and Church Authority
30:38 Controversies on Sunday Activities
31:26 Theological Nuances and Personal Interpretations
34:56 Pragmatic Concerns and Faith
41:03 God's Will and Human Understanding
51:01 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

To be a guest on the episode, visit my YT channel and send me an email.

Join the community and join the group discussion on discord: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

As someone who was once a zealous traditional Catholic—praying daily rosaries, attending Latin Mass, and even discerning monastic life—I've since deconverted and now reflect critically on the movement from personal experience.

This isn’t a theological takedown. It’s a candid, off-the-cuff reflection on what I saw inside the movement, why it appeals to so many (especially young people and converts), and the serious questions it raises about growth, retention, and cultural relevance.

We’ll cover: Why the movement feels powerful but might not be sustainable, the illusion of rapid growth in Latin Mass parishes, why many kids raised traditionally still leave the Church, the tight link between American conservatism and traditional Catholicism, how convert zeal often idealizes tradition without fully understanding it, whether you’re deep in the trad world, newly curious, or trying to make sense of what’s happening in the Church today, I hope this video gives you something to think about.

00:00 Personal Background and Deconversion
00:48 Setting the Stage: Traditional Catholicism
02:26 The Appeal and Growth of the Movement
02:58 Why This Topic Matters
03:36 Personal Journey Through Traditional Catholicism
05:39 Lack of Data and Personal Observations
06:52 Illusion of Traditional Growth
10:18 Retention and Conversion Issues
12:24 Geographical and Political Context
16:27 Convert Dominated Movement
19:23 Mental Health and Traditionalism
21:57 Interpersonal Issues in the Movement
22:43 Surface Level Kindness and Parish Politics
25:21 Cult-like Dynamics and Isolation
26:58 Performative Holiness and Scrupulosity
29:58 Intellectualism and Apologetics
31:59 Misconceptions of Happiness and Fulfillment
39:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

To be a guest on the episode, visit my YT channel and send me an email.

For years, I begged God to make me straight. I read every book, watched every lecture, and tried every method of "healing." But what if being queer isn’t something to fix? What if it's something you could choose — not out of rebellion, but out of love, honesty, and freedom?
In this deeply personal episode, I reflect on my journey from internalized homophobia to joyful self-acceptance, from Catholic doctrine to queer community. We explore the concept of identity, the weight of “coming out,” and what it really means to choose love — without conditions.

00:00 – I Begged God to Make Me Straight  
01:23 – Would I Choose to Be Straight Now?  
02:07 – Growing Up Catholic and Closeted  
03:01 – “I Am” vs. “I Experience”  
04:13 – Why Christians Fear the Words “I Am Gay”  
05:14 – Identity, Honesty, and the Label “Queer”  
07:42 – The Fork in the Road: Queer vs. Christian Paths  
10:09 – Why I Chose the Queer Path — And Found Life

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

To be a guest on the episode, visit my YT channel and send me an email.

I got to sit down with a professional catholic apologist to have perhaps the most comprehensive discussion on natural law & gay marriage. We originally planned an hour discussion on a number of topics but found enough to get into just on this issue - and then went for almost two hours. I enjoyed having a thoughtful, long-form discussion on such an emotional topic. Joe's liked talking enough with me that he'll be posted the entire conversation on his channel - so perhaps we'll have an influx of dialogues with other prominent apologists.

(00:00) - Catholic Sexual Ethics and LGBTQ Rights
(11:43) - Natural Law and Catholic Sexual Ethics
(21:43) - Ethical Frameworks in LGBTQ Dialogue
(26:10) - Moral Absolutes in Societal Legislation
(33:21) - The Biological Basis of Marriage
(41:30) - Defining Marriage and Parenting Rights
(46:14) - State Interest in Marriage Potency
(50:16) - Legal Recognitions of Marriage Potency
(01:01:36) - Sexual Double Standards and Societal Morality
(01:08:08) - Exploring Ethics in LGBTQ Relationships
(01:19:28) - Same-Sex Marriage and Family Dynamics
(01:23:51) - Exploring Marriage Potency and Legal Recognition

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

To be a guest on the episode, visit my YT channel and send me an email.