Let's be perfectly Queer Podcast

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Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go-to LGBTQIA+ Australian podcast for all things queer 🌈

Why is a five-year-old boy having a crush on a girl considered cute, but having a crush on another boy suddenly means he's "too young to know"?

In this episode we look at one of society's biggest double standards: why do we assume children are straight until proven otherwise?

From innocent childhood crushes to the all too familiar phrases "it's just a phase" and "I'll tell you when you're older", we're exploring how society treats LGBTQIA+ identities differently from heterosexuality, and the  impact this can have on queer kids.

Archie shares his own experiences of growing up queer, being dismissed by adults, and how those messages affected his confidence and ability to explore his identity.

We also dive into:

• Why heterosexuality is treated as the default from childhood.
• How LGBTQ+ relationships are unnecessarily sexualised.
• The difference between protecting children and making queer identities taboo.
• How parents and adults can have honest, age-appropriate conversations about LGBTQ+ identities.
• Why children should be allowed to explore who they are without being pressured into labels.

Because if children aren't too young to be straight, why are they suddenly too young to be gay?

Whether you're LGBTQIA+, questioning your identity, a parent, an ally, or simply someone who's never thought about this double standard before, this conversation is for you.

💬 We want to hear from you! Were you ever told you were too young to know your sexuality or that being queer was just a phase? Share your experiences in the Spotify comments or join the conversation on Instagram.

Join us as we dive into this weeks episode.... And until next time... stay perfectly queer!

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Support the show

Patreon:

If you love what we would do and would like to support the show it is only $1.13 Aud a month to help keep this podcast going. 

A big heartfelt thank you from us for all your support! It means the world to us.

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Send us a message

Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go-to LGBTQIA+ Australian podcast for all things queer 🌈

On today's episode we're talking about the Fruit Machine, a Canadian government-backed attempt to identify gay people using science.

Yep... you read that right. A machine that was supposed to tell whether someone was gay.

We chat about why the Canadian government believed gay people were a security threat and the devastating LGBT Purge that affected thousands of LGBTQIA+ people.

And while the Fruit Machine itself ultimately failed, we ask a bigger question: what happens when prejudice gets dressed up as science?

Content warning: This episode discusses LGBTQIA+ persecution, discrimination, psychological abuse and sexual assault.

In this episode, we're chatting about:

• The bizarre and disturbing history of the Fruit Machine
• How the Canadian government tried to detect gay people
• The LGBT Purge in Canada
• LGBTQIA+ people, national security and the Cold War
• How science was used to justify homophobia
• Government surveillance and the persecution of queer people
• What the Fruit Machine can teach us about LGBTQIA+ discrimination today
• Why learning queer history still matters

If you'd like to learn more about the Fruit Machine, we also recommend checking out the documentary The Fruit Machine by Sarah Fodey.

Join us as we dive into one of the most bizarre, heartbreaking and important stories in queer history.... And until next time... stay perfectly queer!

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Support the show

Patreon:

If you love what we would do and would like to support the show it is only $1.13 Aud a month to help keep this podcast going. 

A big heartfelt thank you from us for all your support! It means the world to us.

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Send us a message

Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go-to LGBTQIA+ Australian podcast for all things queer

On today's episode of Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, we chat with Sean Landis, co-founder and artistic director of Fruit Box Theatre, an LGBTQIA+SB theatre company based on Gadigal land.

We're talking all about queer theatre, representation and Fruit Box Theatre's production of Cruise by Jack Holden, a play that explores queer nightlife, love, community and the AIDS crisis.

Sean takes us behind the scenes of how Fruit Box Theatre began, why community-led storytelling matters, and the responsibility of bringing queer history to the stage. We chat about the importance of remembering those who came before us, the way grief and joy can exist together, and why we need more diverse queer stories, particularly stories by trans writers, on Australian stages.

We also get into what actually makes theatre queer, the challenges of funding and producing LGBTQIA+ work, and why creating a space where queer people can see themselves represented can mean so much.

🎭 In this episode, we're chatting about:

• How Fruit Box Theatre came to life a
• Cruise by Jack Holden 
• The responsibility of honouring LGBTQIA+ history 
• Why queer joy, community and connection matter.
• What makes theatre queer
• The need for more trans writers, intersectional stories and diverse LGBTQIA+ voices.

A huge thank you to Sean for joining us and sharing the heart behind Fruit Box Theatre and their production of Cruise.

Check out Fruit Box Theatre and Cruise through the links in our show notes.

So join us as we talk all things queer and theatre.... And until next time... stay perfectly queer!

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fruitboxtheatre/?hl=en
• Website: https://www.fruitboxtheatre.com.au/
• Sydney Ticket Links (9-31 Oct): https://www.seymourcentre.com/event/cruise/
• Melbourne Tickets Links (11-21 Nov): https://www.theatreworks.org.au/2026/cruise

#LetsBePerfectlyQueer #QueerPodcast #LGBTQIA #QueerTheatre #FruitboxTheatre 

Support the show

Patreon:

If you love what we would do and would like to support the show it is only $1.13 Aud a month to help keep this podcast going. 

A big heartfelt thank you from us for all your support! It means the world to us.

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Send us a message

Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go-to LGBT Australian podcast for all things queer

In this episode of Let’s Be Perfectly Queer, we talk about the reality of constantly coming out as LGBTQIA+ and the mental load that comes with it.

Coming out is often portrayed as one big conversation with your family or friends. But what happens when you start a new job? Meet a new doctor? Make new friends? Or a complete stranger makes an assumption about your partner?

Suddenly, you're faced with the same question again: Do I say something? Do I correct them? Do I let it go? Is this actually a safe space?

In this episode:

• The never-ending reality of coming out
• The mental load of constantly deciding whether to come out
• The everyday assumptions about being straight and cisgender
• Protecting your energy vs making something a teaching moment
• The pressure to explain your relationship and identity
• Why using the word "partner" can be more inclusive
• Coming out is a choice, not an obligation=

Join us as we talk about the never-ending process of coming out, queer identity, LGBTQIA+ safety and the mental exhaustion that can come with constantly explaining who you are.

And until next time... stay perfectly queer!

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

If you have found anything we have spoken about in this episode difficult or triggering, you can reach out to the following services:


AUSTRALIA:
Phone:

• Lifeline is available 24/7 – 13 11 14
• QLife (LGBTQI+ support): 1800 184 527
• Beyondblue is available 24/7 - 1300 224 636
• Crisis Care Helpline is available 24/7 – 1800 199 008
• Kids Helpline (ages 5–25): is available 24/7 – 1800 55 1800
• RUAH Community Services is available 24/7 - 13 78 24

Online:

• Head to health online chat  - headtohealth.gov.au
• RUAH Community Services - ruah.org.au or [email protected] 

AROUND THE WORLD:

• Trevor Project (US): 866-488-7386 or www.thetrevorproject.org
• Trans Life Line (Canada): (877) 330-6366
• Trans Life Line (US):  (877) 565-8860
• OutLine Aotearoa: 0800 688 5463 or online https://outline.org.nz/chat/
• LGBT Ireland: 

Find more resources:

https://safeinourworld.org/news/global-lgbtq-support/

Support the show

Patreon:

If you love what we would do and would like to support the show it is only $1.13 Aud a month to help keep this podcast going. 

A big heartfelt thank you from us for all your support! It means the world to us.

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Send us a message

Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go to LGBT Australian podcast for all things queer.

Small talk is BACK!.. Kind of.. we chatted more than I thought!

In this episode of Let’s Be Perfectly Queer, we dive into some of the LGBTQIA+ topics, conversations and headlines that have caught our attention recently.

First up: the Australian Census. 
Are the new LGBTQ+ questions enough to give us an accurate picture of Australia's queer community? And what happens when people are still living at home or aren't in a position where it feels safe to be openly LGBTQIA+?

Then, we're talking about that phrase we're all sick of hearing: "Stop shoving your sexuality down our throats." Is queer representation really being forced on people or are people simply uncomfortable seeing LGBTQIA+ lives represented in the same way heterosexual relationships always have been?

We also discuss rainbow capitalism and why some major brands appear to be scaling back their Pride support. Were they ever genuine allies, or was supporting the LGBTQIA+ community only worthwhile when there was money to be made?

Plus, Japan is introducing a nationwide LGBTQ+ education program but can education alone create genuine inclusion when same-sex marriage still isn't legally recognised?

And finally, we talk about the songs that hit a little differently when you're queer. Is Part of Your World secretly a queer anthem? Why does Reflection resonate so strongly with so many trans and queer people? And what Disney song meant something completely different to you when you were growing up?

In this episode:

• LGBTQIA+ questions in the Australian Census
• Being queer while living at home and staying in the closet
• Is LGBTQ+ representation really being "shoved down our throats"?
• Pride, backlash and rainbow capitalism
• Brands scaling back their LGBTQIA+ support
• LGBTQ+ education in Japan
• Can education change attitudes without equal legal rights?
• Is Part of Your World a queer anthem?
• The queer meanings we find in Disney songs
• Reflection, Go the Distance and the songs that helped shape us

Join us as we chat about a range of queer topics.. and until next time... stay perfectly queer!

Support the show

Patreon:

If you love what we would do and would like to support the show it is only $1.13 Aud a month to help keep this podcast going. 

A big heartfelt thank you from us for all your support! It means the world to us.

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Send us a message

Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go to LGBT Australian podcast for all things queer.

If you ever watched a childhood cartoon and thought “Hang on… were they queer?”, this episode is for you.

This week on Let’s Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, Archie and Katie dive into one of the most fascinating and complicated parts of LGBTQIA+ representation in media: queer coding.

From the age-old debate over Bert and Ernie to Tinky Winky and Ursula, we explore the childhood characters that generations of queer people have seen themselves in, even when those characters were never officially LGBTQIA+.

But why did queer coding happen in the first place?

We go back to the Hays Code and a time when openly queer characters were rarely allowed on screen, forcing writers and filmmakers to communicate queerness through mannerisms, relationships, fashion, personality and subtext. 

We also unpack the darker side of queer coding, particularly the long history of queer-coded villains and what happens when the only characters who seem to reflect you are the bad guys.

And then there's the big question: does it matter what the creators intended if queer audiences found genuine representation in those characters?

In this episode we discuss:

• Whether Bert and Ernie were actually queer
• What queer coding really means
• The history of the Hays Code and LGBTQIA+ censorship
• The childhood characters we may have completely missed were queer coded
• Why so many Disney villains have queer-coded traits
• Ursula, Scar, Jafar, Captain Hook and the history of the queer-coded villain
• Tinky Winky, SpongeBob, Velma, Shego, Elsa and more
• What happens when queer representation is associated with villains, outsiders and "the other"
• Why positive LGBTQIA+ representation in children's media matters

Whether you're LGBTQIA+, an ally, a cartoon lover, or someone who has ever looked back at a childhood character and thought “OH… I get it now”, this episode will have you questioning everything you watched growing up.

So… who was your queer-coded childhood character? 👀

🎧 Listen now, and let us know who you saw yourself in growing up... And until next time, stay perfectly queer! 🌈

Links we found useful when researching this episode:

• Liberal Arts Emerging Scholars
• Queer coded characters paper 
• Queer coded characters journal
• NBC  - Bert and Ernie are a gay couple 
• First they came for Bert and Ernie
• Bert and Ernie don't have a sexual orientation
• Queering my childhood
• The importance of lgbtq+ representation in childrens media

Support the show

Patreon:

If you love what we would do and would like to support the show it is only $1.13 Aud a month to help keep this podcast going. 

A big heartfelt thank you from us for all your support! It means the world to us.

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Send us a message

Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go to LGBT Australian podcast for all things queer.

If you've ever heard someone say being LGBTQIA+ is "unnatural," this episode is for you.

This week on Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, Archie sits down with Lee Pivnick and Nicolas Baird, co-founders of the Institute of Queer Ecology, to unpack one of the most fascinating intersections of science, nature and queerness.

From gay swans and bonobos to trans clownfish (yes, Finding Nemo got it wrong), we explore the incredible diversity of sexuality, gender and relationships found throughout the natural world. But this conversation goes far beyond animal facts.

We dive into what queer ecology actually is, how science has historically overlooked queer perspectives, why biodiversity matters, and how viewing nature through a queer lens can change the way we think about ourselves, our communities and the planet.

In this episode we discuss:

• What queer ecology actually means
• Same-sex relationships throughout the animal kingdom
• Gender-changing fish and the real story behind Finding Nemo
• Bonobos, gay swans and surprising animal behaviour
• Climate change, biodiversity and conservation
• Why "it's not natural" is one of the weakest arguments against LGBTQ+ people

Whether you're LGBTQIA+, an ally, a science nerd or simply curious, this conversation will completely change how you think about nature

🎧 Listen now to learn about more than just gay swans... And until next time, stay perfectly queer!

Follow the Institute of Queer Ecology:
https://www.queerecology.org
Instagram: @queerecology
Instagram: @instituteforpostnaturalstudies

Support the show

Patreon:

If you love what we would do and would like to support the show it is only $1.13 Aud a month to help keep this podcast going. 

A big heartfelt thank you from us for all your support! It means the world to us.

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Send us a message

Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go to LGBT Australian podcast for all things queer.

This week we're joined by Tay from Australia's queer indie band FVNERAL to chat about their new EP Chosen Family, what it means to find community, and how music can connect LGBTQ+ people.

We dive into Tay's journey as a trans non-binary person, the fear of coming out, finding the language to understand yourself, and why chosen family can be one of the most powerful forms of resistance. We also talk about building a proudly queer band, collaborating with other LGBTQ+ artists, the importance of visibility, and the musicians who helped shape Tay's identity, from My Chemical Romance and Laura Jane Grace to SOPHIE, boygenius, and MUNA.

Whether you're queer, questioning, an ally, or simply love hearing honest conversations about identity and creativity, this episode is packed with heartfelt stories, laughs, and reminders that you don't have to figure everything out alone.

In this episode we discuss:

•  What "chosen family" really means 
•  Coming out as trans and non-binary 
•  Building a queer-led band 
•  The importance of LGBTQ+ representation in music 
•  Why visibility still matters 
•  The artists who inspired Tay's journey 
•  Advice for young queer and trans people

🎧 Listen now to Tay's journey through music... And until next time, stay perfectly queer!



Links to FVNERAL: 

• Instagram: @fvneralworld
• Tiktok: @fvneralworld
• Youtube: @fvneralworld
• Facebook: @fvneralworld

Support the show

Patreon:

If you love what we would do and would like to support the show it is only $1.13 Aud a month to help keep this podcast going. 

A big heartfelt thank you from us for all your support! It means the world to us.

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Send us a message

Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go to LGBT Australian podcast for all things queer.

Why do so many LGBTQ+ people walk into a doctor's office already expecting to feel dismissed, misunderstood, or unsafe?

This week on Let's Be Perfectly Queer, we're joined by physician, educator, advocate and proud parent Dr. Lulu to unpack the realities of LGBTQ+ healthcare.

From growing up in Nigeria surrounded by homophobia, to navigating her own queer identity, raising a transgender daughter, and becoming one of the leading voices in affirming healthcare education, Dr. Lulu shares an honest and deeply personal conversation about bias, allyship, and what truly inclusive care looks like.

Together we discuss:

• Why many LGBTQ+ people avoid medical care
• The experiences transgender people face in healthcare settings
• How doctors can unintentionally harm queer patients
• The power of asking questions with compassion and consent
• Dr. Lulu's "Find Me, Feel Safe, Trust Me" framework for affirming care
• Her upcoming book First Do No Further Harm: Becoming Allies in White Coats
• Why there is still hope for families, parents, and healthcare providers to learn, grow and become better allies

Whether you're LGBTQ+, a parent, healthcare worker, educator, or simply want to understand how to create safer spaces for queer people, this conversation is full of insight, empathy, and practical ways we can all do better.

🎧 Listen now to hear Dr Lulu's experience... And until next time, stay perfectly queer!

How you can connect with Dr Lulu

Websites

• Dr. Lulu’s Pride Corner: https://drluluspridecorner.com
• Angels Haven Incorporated: https://angelshaveninc.org

Social Media

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CypCwaSvB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlulu?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Instagram (Dr. Lulu’s Pride Corner): https://www.instagram.com/drluluspridecorner?igsh=MXE1M2IwNWhyMG9paQ==
• Instagram (Coach Udaku): https://www.instagram.com/coachudaku?igsh=MWF6dGYwb2VicWxmYg==

Podcasts

• Ask A Black Woman Podcast (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@AskABlackWomanPodcast
• Moms 4 Trans Kids (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/ng/podcast/moms-4-trans-kids/id1708676679

YouTube

• Dr. Lulu’s Pride Corner: https://youtube.com/@drluluspridecorner?si=WSAVPycmgU5QVLn-

Support the show

Patreon:

If you love what we would do and would like to support the show it is only $1.13 Aud a month to help keep this podcast going. 

A big heartfelt thank you from us for all your support! It means the world to us.

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈

Send us a message

Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go to LGBT Australian podcast for all things queer.

Have you ever noticed how many LGBTQ+ people also seem to be neurodivergent?

In this episode of Let's Be Perfectly Queer, Archie and Katie explore the growing research showing a significant overlap between queer identities and neurodivergence. From autism and ADHD to gender diversity, bisexuality, asexuality, and transgender identities, researchers are discovering connections that challenge traditional ideas about identity and what society considers "normal."

We unpack:

•  Why autistic people are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+
•  The connection between ADHD, gender diversity, and sexuality
• What the latest research says about being "neuroqueer"
• The Double Minority Effect and its impact on mental health
• Personal experiences of being queer and neurodivergent
• Why support, understanding, and community matter more than ever

While researchers are still exploring why this overlap exists, one thing is clear: nobody should have to hide who they are to fit into society's expectations.

Whether you're queer, neurodivergent, both, or simply curious, this episode offers insight, lived experience, and an important conversation about identity, belonging, and acceptance.

🎧 Listen now to learn about the overlap of neurodiversity and queerness... And until next time, stay perfectly queer!

Trigger Warning: Discussion of mental health, suicidality, discrimination, and healthcare experiences.

If you have found anything we have spoken about in this episode difficult or triggering, you can reach out to the following services:

Phone:

• Lifeline is available 24/7 – 13 11 14
• Beyondblue is available 24/7 - 1300 224 636
• Crisis Care Helpline is available 24/7 – 1800 199 008
• Kids Helpline is available 24/7 – 1800 55 1800
• RUAH Community Services is available 24/7 - 13 78 24

Online:

• Head to health online chat  - headtohealth.gov.au
• RUAH Community Services - ruah.org.au or [email protected] 

Links we found useful when researching for this episode:

• https://www.audhdpsychiatry.co.uk/queerness-and-neurodivergence/
• https://neurodivergentinsights.com/trans-autism/
• https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/mental-health-among-autistic-lgbtq-youth-apr-2022
• https://learnfully.com/the-link-between-neurodiversity-and-the-lgbtqia-community
• https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/autism-lgbtq-identity/
• https://nhsdorset.nhs.uk/neurodiversity/living/lgbtq/
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/eating-disorders-among-gender-expansive-and-neurodivergent-individuals/202506/the-link-between
• https://www.audhdpsychiatry.co.uk/queerness-and-neurodivergence/
• https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/attention-deficit-disorder-add-or-adhd

Support the show

Patreon:

If you love what we would do and would like to support the show it is only $1.13 Aud a month to help keep this podcast going. 

A big heartfelt thank you from us for all your support! It means the world to us.

Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈