Isn't It Queer

Jonny interviews Mackie Obando who just released his first original queer-themed song and music video, "Desprederse de la Luna." You can check out the video here. In the back half of the show Jonny is joined by Heather to talk about the wild lies coming up as October Surprises and how they really don't seem to be working. At the center of most of the drama is misuse of new technologies. On this theme, Jonny provides information about his upcoming show in the Kleinau Theatre, "AI, Robot." Devised with a cast of four, the show explores how how long lasting fascination with robots and AI has created a lot of stories that are more about what it means to be human than they are about machines. Several robot stories play important roles in confirming nonormative sexualities and nonbinary genders.

Jonny and Heather lean into Banned Book Week with some contemplation about what illusion of control book bans give. In the back half of the show, they discuss the court cases on the Supreme Court's fall docket that are likely to impact the LGBTQ+ community. They find some hope that when these distractions from the real problems in the country by targetting queer and trans people finally are revealed for what they are, the support for the LGBTQ+ community will grow. With reference to historical precedent for that hope, they share information about upcoming LGBTQ+ History Month events. You can find a complete schedule here: https://smrc.siu.edu/lgbtq/programming/lgbtqia-history-month-2026/

If you are interested in winning a pair of free tickets to the Drag Ball, send an answer to this question by 12 pm CT on Friday 10/9  to [email protected]: "Which communities' histories overlap in Drag history, especially Drag Balls?"

Jonny and Heather check back in on the Trumpfoolery. Is it the end of the nation or the end of this authoritarian grab? White shoes? In this stormy political wheather, they check in on the double whammy LGBTQ+ students received this week as the Department of Education removes Title IX protections against discrimination for queer and trans students , and it is also firming up its federal loan limits on degrees that don't lead to professions earning enoungh money--so sorry if you wanted to major in music, art, social work, or (checks notes)...education??? In the back half of the show they revew latest evidence that transphobia isn't earning as much campaign punch as it used to. Take note, Ohio! So, is it better to not throw trans people under the bus because it is politically ineffective or morally wrong? White shoes?

Jonny and Heather welcome Juniper Oxford to the show. Juniper is the coordinator for Southern Illinois University's Paulette Curkin Pride Resource Center and responsibe for planning the university's events for LGBTQIA+ History Month. We take this opportunity to check in on how the Resource Center and DEI programs, in general, are doing in Southern Illinois despite a national assault on such support. This year's history month continues a four year trend of increasing in size as our community comes together to celebrate its history. Link to the schedule forthcoming, but trust that we will keep you posted throughout the coming month about the myriad events on the calendar.

Jonny and Heather welcome back Dan and Rey, who are visiting Southern Illinois again from Texas. They share their enthsiasm for the queer supporting communities of Southern Illinois and offer some insider perspectives on various political struggles in Texas. The four of them discuss Trumpapalooza, Ken Paxton, James Talarico, Governor Abbot, and the growing hopes that the blue side of purple Texas might make some serious gains in 2026. Along the way, there is also some talk of cryptids, armadillos, improv comedy, hot weather, and lots of woodland adventures.

Jonny and Heather honor the legacy of Gloria Steinem. They note her significant contributions to women's rights as well as some slower points of development in her inclusivity with that struggle. They then turn from mourning Steinem to celebrating the birth of Heather O'Malley -- 58 years old, 25 of them living post transition. They use Heather's story to make the case for how trans rights are part of the women's rights movement, both are liberatory feminism challenging the oppressive norms of patriarchy. Along the way, they celebrate a recent song by Rosie O'Donnell and friends, the hypocrisy of Milo Yiannopoulos, and local performance opportunities--all with references to Judith Butler and J.L. Austin on performativity.

Jonny amd Heather lament the recent loss of Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, and Peter Cullen. They review the significant contributions these performers have made to LGBTQ+ advocacy and identity. In the back half of the show, Jonny taps into Heather's military expertise to explain the consequesnces of some of the recent developments with the Pentagon, focusing initially on continued persecution of trans service people but extending beyond that to what are the possible consequesnces of firings and court cases.

Jonny and Heather celebrate the 16th Birthday of Isn't it Queer (8/24) by leaning into the queer joy of our community. They extend an invitation to others to come on the show and share their passions and interests and informations about events and organizations. In the back half of the show, Heather interviews YouTube creators and anmiation producers Elijah "Not So Average Fangirl" and Mosco "Wee lass Reacts" of Dragonfly Creations.

Jonny interviews local, former SIU research Professor, Kyle, who was the target last year of a Libs of TikTok smear campaign. With only Libs of TikTok's doctored screen shots, Kyle was put on administrative leave and charged by local police with indecent exposure. Locals community members made a web page called The Saluki Stroker, tracking down the sites of the screen shots and otherwise sensationalizing the case. A year and a half later, the plea deal with the court has been reached and Kyle is able to talk about the impacts of this event. We did not cover this story on air at the time because it was clearly, to us, a hate-based media campaign meant to stir up the community. Instead, we made this statement on our web page.Now that the legal machinations are seemingly over, we are honored to talk with Kyle about his experience. In general, this whole kerfuffle is a caution about the legal system used as a weapon even when prosecutors don't have a strong case. It is also a lesson about the dangers of communities rushing to judgement.

Jonny and Heather bid farewell to summer, at least on an academic calendar. They posit that while things aren't great for the LGBTQ+ community in the US right now, there are plenty of places around the planet that demonstrate things could be worse. They then use this frame to examine how assaults on our rights aren't really working well lately while the pushback is getting stronger and more effective. In the back half of the show they consider new AG Todd Blanche and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed as evidence of bad choices on the Right and good choices on the Left for making things even better. They then invite listeners to respond to LGBTQ Nation's poll for how we think the midterm elections will affect us. Follow the link and share your opinons.