Queer 101

Hey y’all.

Welcome back to Queer 101 — Season 2 is here, and I’m switching things up.

This season, we are getting more real-time, more responsive, and more in conversation with you. Instead of only focusing on monthly books and interviews, I’ll be digging into the queer and trans issues showing up in the news, in our communities, on our feeds, and — unfortunately — in election-season attack ads.

And yes, I want to hear from you. Drop your thoughts in the comments, send me your questions, DM me your reactions, and tell me what you want us to unpack next. This is Queer 101, but we are not doing passive learning over here. We are building language, context, and community.

In this episode, I’m asking the question a lot of us are exhausted by but cannot afford to ignore:

Why do politicians keep targeting trans people?

I break down the anti-trans political playbook, how LGBTQ people get used as wedge issues during election season, why culture-war panic distracts from housing, healthcare, wages, and survival, and how we fight back through coalition-building, local voting, and real organizing.

But it is not enough to just listen you have to take action. So here are some of the action items we discussed in today’s show.

1. Research your local ballot.
    Look up who and what will be on your ballot before Election Day. Local races matter.
   
   
   
2. Text three people.
    Ask them if they have a voting plan. Not “are you voting?” — a plan. When, where, how, and what they need.
   
   
   
3. Get specific.
    Do not let politicians hide behind vibes. Ask what they support on healthcare, housing, wages, war, schools, trans rights, labor rights, and community safety.
   
   
   
4. Build across movements.
    Trans rights, labor rights, racial justice, healthcare, housing, and anti-war work are connected. The opposition knows that. We should too.

The anti-trans panic is loud. But our communities are louder when we are informed, connected, and ready.

Follow us at:

• @peppermint247
• @pridehousemedia

Write to us at:

• [email protected]

Hey y’all,

Big changes are happening on Queer 101. This week, I’m back with Hugh the Historian to catch up on a nonstop summer — from Hugh’s tour for his book My Bad, to my unforgettable moment as a NYC Pride Grand Marshal, to the release of Survival of the Thickest on Netflix.

We’re also sharing an important update: the Alstora Queer 101 Book Club is coming to an end for now because our schedules are getting busier, but please keep sending your queer book recommendations our way.

Then we move from Pride to politics, breaking down key primary results and progressive campaigns, including Justin Pearson, Cori Bush, Wesley Bell, Donovan McKinney, and Abdul El-Sayed, while talking about dark money, policing, militarization, transphobia, and the political attacks facing LGBTQ+ communities right now.

And finally, Hugh shares some major personal news: he’ll be stepping back from weekly episodes of Queer 101 as he begins his new role as lead historian for the American LGBTQ+ Museum, opening in New York City in 2028. Don’t worry — he’ll still be back with updates.

Thank you for being part of this Queer 101 journey with us. Class is still in session. 💖

Topics: LGBTQ+ history, queer politics, trans rights, Pride, progressive elections, American LGBTQ+ Museum, Peppermint, Hugh Ryan, Queer 101 podcast

Follow us at:

• @peppermint247
• @hughoryan
• @pridehousemedia

Write to us at:

• [email protected]

Hey y’all, tt’s just me, Peppermint this week on Queer 101 while Hugh is on his book tour (My Bad go get it!) — and we have a lot to unpack.

In this solo episode, I break down what happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, why the event matters for a free press, and why politics, media, and comedy don’t always mix gracefully.

We’re talking about Donald Trump’s July 24, 2026 remarks, including:

• His ongoing feud with journalists
• Comments aimed at CNN’s Kaitlan Collins
• A Bud Light joke referencing Dylan Mulvaney
• How trans people continue to be used as political punchlines

I also revisit the Bud Light backlash, Trump’s claims about financial losses, and what it says about the broader climate for trans and nonbinary communities.

Beyond the headlines, I spotlight key 2026 midterm races, including:

• Abdul El‑Sayed vs. Haley Stevens in Michigan
• Omar Fattah in Minnesota

Plus, I share Dylan Mulvaney’s response calling for support of trans youth and nonbinary people — and why staying engaged matters, even when politics feels like one big distraction cycle.

If you care about:

• Trans rights and LGBTQ+ advocacy
• Media freedom and political messaging
• The 2026 midterm elections
• How pop culture and politics collide

This one’s for you.

Follow us at:

• @peppermint247
• @hughoryan
• @pridehousemedia

Write to us at:

• [email protected]

Hey y’all 💋 it’s Peppermint — and I’m literally recording this from the streets of New York City.

Yes. Taxis. Sirens. Sidewalk energy. All of it.

In this episode of Queer 101, Hugh and I are catching up on everything — from his cross‑country book tour to what’s happening right now in NYC politics, LGBTQ+ rights, Pride season, and the upcoming midterm elections.

Hugh just wrapped an incredible national book tour, and we talk about his stop in LA at the ASU FIDM Fashion Museum, where he revisited his iconic ’90s fashion looks with Michelle T. We love a fashion history moment — especially when it’s queer, nostalgic, and a little chaotic.

Meanwhile, I’m checking in from outside on the streets of New York (yes, we’re outside-outside), and I reflect on this season of my life — from filming to watching the final season of Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest to navigating this very intense political climate as a trans woman living in America.

We get real about:

✨ Finding joy during stressful political times
 🏳️‍🌈 Pride Month and the Queer Liberation March in NYC
 🏙️ The recent New York rent freeze
 💰 The pledged $15 million toward trans healthcare funding
 🗳️ The 2026 midterm elections and why local politics matter
 📰 Media narratives, party accountability, and why we shouldn’t idolize politicians

As people who live and work in New York City — and who care deeply about LGBTQ+ rights, trans healthcare access, and housing justice — Hugh and I truly believe local power shapes our daily lives more than we think.

We talk about how to stay engaged without burning out. How to celebrate Pride while still demanding more. And how to hold politicians accountable — even the ones we like.

This episode is funny, a little shady (because you know I can’t help myself), but also grounded in the reality of what queer people are navigating in 2026.

If you care about:
 • LGBTQ+ news
 • NYC politics
 • Trans healthcare funding
 • Rent freezes & housing justice
 • Pride and the Queer Liberation March
 • The 2026 midterm elections
 • Queer culture & pop culture

You’re in the right place.

Thanks for being here with us — on the sidewalks of NYC and beyond.

Make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and send us your questions for the next episode of Queer 101.

Love you. Stay engaged. Stay fabulous. Stay human. 💖

Follow us at:

• @peppermint247
• @hughoryan
• @pridehousemedia

Write to us at:

• [email protected]

Hey y’all, it’s Peppermint. 💕

I had to jump in here today  to break down a devastating Supreme Court decision that affects transgender girls and women across the United States.

The Supreme Court has sided with West Virginia and Idaho, allowing states to ban transgender girls and women from playing on girls’ school sports teams—from middle school through college. In West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox, the Court backed laws that define who counts as a “girl” strictly by sex assigned at birth, rejecting arguments under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Let me be clear: this decision doesn’t just impact two states. It sends a message to trans kids across the country that their identities can be legislated away. In this special episode, I break down what the Court decided, what it avoided, and why this ruling puts transgender youth—and the future of equal protection—on the line.

BPJ is an 11‑year‑old trans girl who challenged West Virginia’s ban with support from organizations like the ACLU and Lambda Legal. And while this ruling is devastating, I talk through why it’s narrower than it could have been—and why that matters.

But this isn’t just about trans girls.

I explain how these sports bans open the door to increased policing of all women’s bodies—especially cisgender women, women of color, and women with intersex traits. We’ve already seen this scrutiny directed at athletes like Caster Semenya, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Simone Biles, and even Michelle Obama—women whose bodies have been publicly questioned simply for not fitting narrow expectations of femininity.

This episode is personal. It’s political. And it’s urgent.

If you care about LGBTQ+ rights, Title IX, women’s sports, bodily autonomy, and the future of equality in America, this conversation is for you.

Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this episode, and make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s next.

Follow us at:

• @peppermint247
• @hughoryan
• @pridehousemedia

Write to us at:

• [email protected]

Hey y’all, it’s Peppermint. 💕

As we approach the 57th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising  I wanted to ground us in something real: Pride is not just a party. It's a protest. It’s protection. It’s survival.

On this episode of Queer 101, I’m breaking down why legal documents — passports, birth certificates, IDs — are not just paperwork. They are power.

Right now, we’re witnessing coordinated anti-trans legislation across the United States. I walk you through what’s happening and why it matters.

• Efforts to deny gender-affirming care for trans people in prison
• States like Kansas moving to strip gender markers from birth certificates and IDs
• Anti-trans additions connected to the SAVE Act
• Policies that could block bathroom access and medical care
• Supreme Court moves that could allow schools to out trans students without consent
• Louisiana’s “Restoring Biological Truth Act”
• Mississippi proposals to report mismatched gender markers to ICE
• The real-life passport struggle involving Caitlyn Jenner’s “M” marker issue

I talk about how monopolistic systems control access to healthcare, housing, employment, and safety — and how when those systems shift, trans people are the first impacted.

Because when your ID doesn’t match your lived identity, everything becomes harder:
 Travel.
 Voting.
 Healthcare.
 Employment.
 Freedom.

This episode is about understanding the moment we’re in. It’s about recognizing that anti-trans laws are not isolated incidents — they’re coordinated efforts.

And it’s about remembering that Pride began as resistance.

So…

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay powerful.

Because Pride is more than a parade.

It’s survival.

Follow us at:

• @peppermint247
• @hughoryan
• @pridehousemedia

Write to us at:

• [email protected]

Hey y’all — it’s Peppermint, and welcome back to Queer 101, the podcast where we talk queer history, queer culture, queer books, and the stories we definitely didn’t learn in school.

Hugh is on his book tour (go grab My Bad for your summer reading list!), so this week it’s just me. And since it’s Pride Month, I wanted to revisit some of our most powerful conversations about activism, trans rights, and the queer leaders who shaped our movement.

Because Pride didn’t start with a party. 

It started with a protest.

In this episode, I reflect on:

• Why some queer stories get erased — even in the age of social media
• The legacy of Marsha P. Johnson and why her full story matters
• The case of trans women like Alice Correa and how quickly names disappear from headlines
• What activism really means — is it marching? organizing? living openly? all of the above?
• Why queer activism must stay connected to working-class struggles
• The truth about anti-trans rhetoric, especially around trans women in sports
• And how capitalism influences politics, sports, and even our movements

As we head toward the anniversary of Stonewall, this episode is about remembering where we came from, honoring the activists who fought before us, and recommitting to the work ahead.

Because our history is not optional. It’s essential.

Happy Pride. Stay proud. Stay loud. And keep fighting the good fight.

Follow us at:

• @peppermint247
• @hughoryan
• @pridehousemedia

Write to us at:

• [email protected]

Summer School - classes are now in session, y’all.

Before we get into it — yes, we’re going biweekly for the summer (because Pride season is Pride‑ing), but don’t panic. We’ll be back to weekly episodes before ya know it. In the meantime, I’m booked, busy, and SO honored to be serving as Grand Marshal New York Pride March, and season three of Survival of the Thickest wil be back. Hot queer summer energy only.

Now — onto today’s ‘lesson’.

Let me begin by saying I could not be more proud of co-host and friend the brilliantHugh Ryan. This week we are talking about his new memoir, My Bad: A Personal History of the Queer ’90s and Beyond — out today!! Also available as an audiobook read by Hugh himself (which I love).

We get into why the 1990s were such a pivotal moment in queer history:
- The shift from analog life to the early internet.
- From queer invisibility to mainstream visibility post‑AIDS crisis.
- From mega‑clubs and nightlife freedom to the always‑online world we live in now.

Hugh shares a seventh‑grade classroom moment that shaped how he understood queerness, what it felt like to grow up queer in the ’90s, and how New York City nightlife became a sanctuary. 

We talk about queer isolation, remix culture, disappearing before social media (remember privacy?), and the complicated trade‑offs of mainstream acceptance.

If you’ve ever wondered how the queer ’90s shaped the world we’re living in now — this one is for you.

📚 Click here to order your copy of  My Bad now.

Follow us at:

• @peppermint247
• @hughoryan
• @pridehousemedia

Write to us at:

• [email protected]

Hey y’all. It’s me, Peppermint.

This week on Queer 101, Hugh and I are doing what I call a real ‘Pep Talk’— because let’s be honest, the attacks on LGBTQIA+ people (especially trans folks) are escalating, organized, and intentional.

We’re not imagining it.

From the DOJ arguing that queer legal protections are somehow “anti‑Christian,” to the 197‑page blueprint to roll back Biden‑era LGBTQ+ policies, to a counterterrorism strategy that literally labels “transgender ideology” as a threat — we are watching a coordinated attempt to dehumanize trans people and strip away rights.

And yes. We name it.

We talk about:

• Project 2025 and what it actually means for trans rights
 • The smear campaign around “transgender ideology”
 • Copycat ID laws like Mississippi’s targeting trans people
 • Schools like Smith College being investigated for admitting trans women
 • Pride censorship — including attempts to block tributes to Marsha P. Johnson
 • J.K. Rowling’s ongoing anti‑trans rhetoric and why it matters
 • Billionaire power, culture‑war distractions, and destabilization tactics
 • Why the Met Gala optics matter (hi Bezos 👀)
 • The “Ball Without Billionaires” calling out labor exploitation

And most importantly — what we do about it. (Call the Govenor)

Because this episode is not about doom.

We are not powerless.

We are organized.
We are informed.
And we are not going back.

Let’s get into it.

AND CALL THE GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S OFFICE 518-474-8398

Follow us at:

• @peppermint247
• @hughoryan
• @pridehousemedia

Write to us at:

• [email protected]

Okayyyy y’all Pride season is officially ON — and we are starting with a Queer 101 deep dive into the ICONIC ’90s downtown New York City queer nightlife scene that literally shaped mainstream culture.

Yes. I said literally.

Hugh the Historian and I get into how queer artists, trans pioneers, club kids, and AIDS activists built the culture everyone copies today.

We’re talking:

✨ Wigstock
 ✨ Ballroom culture
 ✨ Club Kids
 ✨ DIY queer fashion
 ✨ ’90s drag and nightlife performance
 ✨ AIDS activism
 ✨ The origins of Silence = Death

And of course we discuss Hugh’s new book “My Bad” (availabe now for pre-order).

I share stories about the LEGENDARY Connie Fleming and Lina Bradford — from door culture to runways to George Michael’s “Too Funky.” Meanwhile, Hugh breaks down how over 120 interviews helped uncover the truth about how queer labor in downtown clubs fueled fashion, gender expression, political activism, and eventually… pop culture.

Yes, Madonna. Yes, brands raiding the clubs. Yes, Giuliani cracking down on nightlife.

And we also talk about something real: how much queer history was almost lost — because of AIDS, pre-digital culture, and systemic erasure.

This episode is about queer history, trans visibility, Pride, activism, nightlife culture, and why what we create right now still matters.

Because queer art doesn’t just reflect culture.

It builds it!

—------------------

Click here to pre-order Hugh’s book “My Bad”

Follow us at:

• @peppermint247
• @hughoryan
• @pridehousemedia

Write to us at:

• [email protected]