View the corresponding photographs for this week’s episode on the Romantic Queers Blog!

This week, Kate and EmLee talk with burlesque performers Joona Bae and Bleue Deveaux. Joona and Bleue open up about their individual burlesque journeys. They each share how the art of burlesque has empowered them to explore their queerness and play with gender expression.

Joona Bae is a nationally traveling performer from Chicago, IL who adds a much-needed spoonful of gochujang to the burlesque world by sharing their sensuous, seductive, and one-of-a-kind art. Since debuting in 2023, Joona has participated in eight different burlesque festivals, including Minneapolis, Show Me, and Ohio Burlesque Festivals, and performed in thirteen different states!

Find Joona on Instagram @joonabae.

To learn more about Bleue and see where she will perform next, be sure to follow her on Instagram @bleue_deveaux.

Next week, join us for Part 2 of our conversation where we'll learn about how Joona and Bleue developed a queer platonic relationship through burlesque and social media.

To connect with EmLee and Kate and to see photos of our podcast guests, visit @theromanticqueers on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

If you have a story to share, send us an email at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

Our intro music was created by suno.com.

Resources:

• Metro Detroit Burlesque Academy with Eartha Kitten