Isn't It Queer

Jonny checks in on continued pressure to drop the FDA guidelines restricting MSM from donating blood or blood products like plasma, Jonny and Caleb then discuss various permutations of racism during the pandemic, with particular focus given to the lynching of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.

Jonny reviews some of the recent resistance to wearing face masks in public, linking it (marking similarities and differences) to safer sex campaigns and the heightened use of prophylactics during the early years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. He also discusses the appointment of a gay diplomat from the Obama administration to a top position in the Biden campaign. And, well, Murder Hornets. Because of course there are murder hornets.

Jonny weighs in on President Trump's medical speculation over UV light and injecting disinfectant. He then reviews the Trump Administration rule allowing healthcare providers to refuse treatment to trans people, even while some doctors explore hormone therapy as a treatment for CoViD-19. He closes out the show with reports on Zoom sex parties, data on the impacts of pandemic on LGBTQ people, and virtual adaptations to the summer's big queer events.

Jonny reviews recent anti-CoVid-19 restriction protests, the decision to cancel or postpone Pride events, and the "covert" spread of anti-LGBTQ legislation during the pandemic. He also reviews local events celebrating Earth Day in a pandemic-compliant way. Finally, he ends with a series of more uplifting stories about how LGBTQ people and allies are responding to the pandemic.

Jonny puts some names to the numbers, reviewing some prominent LGBTQ activists, allies, and healthcare providers who have been early victims of CoVid-19. He also reviews some of the religious conservatives gloating over these deaths as well as some who have died from defying the the shelter in place and social distancing protocols. Finally, we share a couple of announcements about how local events are adapting to the pandemic (cancellations, postponements, and virtual versions of the events).

Jonny reviews some current reporting about how some health policies during the CoVid 19 pandemic perpetuate discrimination. He reviews recent developments in the FDA's ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood or plasma, the dangers of making exceptions to social gathering for churches, and the failure of many states and agencies to collect data about how the pandemic is impacting minority communities. Also included are announcements about how local events are adjusting to the social distancing and shelter at home protocols.

Jonny interviews original host of the show, Billy Rogers, about strategies for getting through the time stuck at home. Jonny and Caleb then discuss the return of ACT UP to protest the politics of antiviral medications, before turning to a discussion of "Tiger King."

Coronavirus has shut down our live broadcast via Carbondale, IL's WDBX FM 91.1; we are pre-recording the show from our homes and sending it in to the station. But the silver lining is that we now have a good digital recording to offer as a podcast on our formerly established platforms. The station's digital recorder broke a little over a year ago and they started archiving the shows at WDBX.org. It was always our intention to get these back up and running; it took a pandemic to make that happen.

In this episode, Jonny and Caleb discuss how we are weathering the states "shelter at home" order.

Jonny is joined by Caleb to discuss (and gush over!) the FX series "Pose" as well as to chronicle a recent and disturbing resurgent trend of associating LGBTQ people with pedophilia.

Jonny and Danette discussthe new Religious Freedom Task Force from AG Sessions, recent cases of anti-LGBTQ discrimination in a St. Louis retirement community and on Alaska Airlines, a review of what has happened with the military trans ban on the one year anniversary since its announcement via Twitter, and a brief review of recent court victories for LGBTQ communities worldwide.