Queer Queeries

"How did Queer slang come about?" "What is the difference between my gender identity, sexuality, and my romantic identity?" "What is the difference between appropriation vs. appreciation?" "How has our vernacular evolved?"

On this week's episode, I interview the author of the new book The Queen's English: The LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases, Chloe Davis (she/her). Chloe had the idea for the book in 2006 when she landed her first job as a professional performing artist at a Philadelphia-based dance company. She remembered hanging with some of the MVP's of the cast where they would laugh, joke, "kiki", but many of the jokes sounded like code to her. One day she decided to ask what some of these words and phrases meant, and they went on to break it down. From that point, she became obsessed and kept a list of all of the words and phrases she was learning. As she traveled the country performing, she learned more terms from other LGBTQIA+ artists and performers, friendly strangers in gayborhoods, at LGBT Centers, and during Pride events. She remembers jokingly telling a friend that this was a fully developed language and there should be a dictionary for these words. “When you write it,” he said, “call it The Queens’ English. It’s a language for all the queens.”

On this episode, we discuss Chloe's journey with creating the book. We also discuss the beauty and expansiveness of Queer vernacular. We get into things such as: 

• The appropriation of Queer vernacular and AAVE through mainstream culture and other queer spaces.
• The importance of giving credit to the communities where these terms originated.
• The freedom and power with labels (i.e. gender, sexuality, romantic identity).
• How words have evolved and been reclaimed.

...and so much more.

Follow The Queen's English and Chloe Davis:
Queen's English Website
Queen's English Instagram
Chloe Davis Instagram

Organization of the Week: The Audre Lorde Project
Learn
Donate

Resources for Further Learning:
"Lavender Language, The Queer Way to Speak"
"LGBTQ Definitions Every Good Ally Should Know"

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"Did you have a queer role model growing up?" "How can we be role models to younger queer folk?" "How do we make connections with queer people of a different generation?" "How do we create accurate representation of queer people in performance?"

On this week's episode, I interview my good Judy, collaborator, director, theatre maker, and Canadian, Tom Delbello (he/him). We discuss the importance for queer people to have role models and the impact of making intergenerational connections with other queer people. A study done by PMC Labs says that 60% of LGBTQ+ youth have healthy role models to look up to but only 33% are accessible. The numbers are even worse for BIPOC and Transgender youth. Tom and I get into growing up in two different eras where the visibility and representation was far less than it was now. We talk about the scariness and importance of being the first in our communities to come out, and how that can help others accept their own queerness. We find that being a role model means to lead the way, make space for others, and doing something before anyone else tells or asks you to. We also talk about the disconnect that sometimes exists between younger and older generations of queer people and the necessity for both to listen and learn from each other.

Also, as we are both theatre makers, we also talk about the change of queer representation in theatre over the years: how to evolve older works, queer actors playing queer roles, and much more.

Follow Tom:
Instagram

Organization of the Week: Brave Trails
Learn
Donate

Resources for Further Learning:
"LGBT Youth Need Role Models"

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"How has Queerness--queer expression, lifestyle, identity--evolved?" "How has your Queer identity changed over time?" "What gives you hope to keep going?" "What does the next stage of Queer evolution look like?"

On this episode, I have the immense pleasure of speaking with Chitah Daniels Kennedy (any pronouns), a San Marcos, TX based drag artist/mother, actress, storyteller, and enchantress. Chitah is someone who has truly gotten to see the evolution of LGBTQ+ acceptance, vernacular, and identity. She has witnessed it not just through her own life and career but through the countless drag children and other Queer babies who have the honor of meeting her. Growing up, Queerness was ever present in her life, even if she didn't have the words to name it. She shares about the uncle she had who was a famous San Antonio drag performer in the 70's as well as the butch lesbian cousins she had to look to as examples. There was something about them that she was both drawn to and scared of. Chitah and I talk about this common experience for a lot of younger Queer people because there is something we see that we identify with. However, the fear comes form the uncertainty of how we will be perceived once we explore this. She shares how she eventually leaned into her more queer qualities, and there she found her power.

Throughout the episode, we take you through Chitah's incredible journey: to growing up in a very conservative middle Texan town; to moving to New York City and finding her drag identity in the 90's in the East Village alongside the likes of Laverne Cox and Peppermint; to realizing her trans identity during a time when the visibility for trans identifying people was extremely limited and stigmatized; to moving back to her hometown in Texas and seeing a new Queer culture bubbling under the surface; to becoming the mother of countless drag children and helping create a flourishing community of LGBTQ+ individuals in her hometown. Chitah's story is truly epic, but the best part about it all is that her motto is, "just keep going." She shares how she has no end goal; that by always actively seeking joy she knows she will find her bliss and things will work out.

Follow Chitah:
Instagram

Organization of the Week: Queerbomb
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Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"Why would someone get involved in politics?"  "Why should LGBTQ+ individuals care about our political system?" "What inspires you to keep going in a seemingly rigged system?" "How  do we make real change in our political system?"

On this episode, I'm joined by Congressman Sam Park (he/him) of Georgia House District 101 to discuss the current state of the American political system.  Born and raised in Georgia, Sam is the grandson of refugees from the Korean War and the son of immigrants. It is largely due to his mother--who worked tirelessly to provide for her family and make sure her kids had a fair shot at the American dream--that he decided to run for office in 2016. Just after Sam passed the bar exam in 2014, his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Luckily, due to public health insurance, like Medicaid and Medicare, she had access to healthcare and a fighting chance. Because she had this access, Sam and his family were able to have a long goodbye with her, and she lived to see her son become the first Asian American Democrat and first openly gay man elected to the Georgia State Legislature. It was through the process of taking his mom to chemotherapy appointments and caring for her that he realized the life and death importance of healthcare. In 2016, he unseated a three-term Republican and made history with a grassroots, people-powered campaign.

In addition to discussing Sam's political journey, we also talk about the importance of knowing our history in order to create the future we want, the current backlash we are seeing with Jim Crow-like legislature being passed nationwide, the importance of working to enfranchise those who have been disenfranchised by the political system, and the necessity of using our voice by casting our vote at all levels of elections.

Follow Sam:
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Organization of the week: Southerners On New Ground
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Resources for Further Learning:

• Danica Roem's Message to LGBTQ Youth: 'You have to care' about politics
• Georgia’s restrictive new voting law, explained
• Meet Sam Park, First Openly Gay Man Elected to Georgia Congress

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

Welcome to Season 2 of Queer Queeries! "That’s Queeries double e, not queries single e, cause queries single e is straight not gay." I can’t believe it has been a year since I launched this show, and here I am at the beginning of another season full of more incredible conversations with Queer people whom I’m so inspired by. Thank you so much for tuning into this show. Get ready to enjoy a whole other season full of incredible guests and conversation.

Follow Us:
Website
Instagram
Facebook

Resources for Further Learning:
"A surge in legislation targeting trans youth 'could come at the literal cost of lives,' advocates warn"
"Supreme Court Lets Philadelphia Religious Adoption Agency Block LGBTQ Foster Parents"
"1 in 6 Gen Z adults are LGBT"

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"Who is one of your dream guests for this show...?"

SURPRISE! This week I'm so excited to release a special episode with an incredible Queer that I've been admiring and wanting to talk to for so long...

Marti Allen Cummings (they/them) is an NYC based drag artist and activist/community organizer. Marti is currently running for a city council seat in Manhattan's 7th Council District on the West Side of Manhattan.

On this special episode, Marti and I discuss their unconventional way of becoming a drag queen and moving on to become one of the country's most recognizable drag artists. We also discuss the moment they chose to do more with their drag and get into community organizing and politics, how drag queens and Queer people in general need to get political, and lastly what has given us both hope for the future.

Follow Marti:
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Organization of the week: The Ali Forney Center
Learn
Donate

DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS MAY 27TH!
Register to Vote in the NYC primaries and Elections

Resources for Further Learning:
The First Drag Queen Was A Former Slave: William Dorsey Swann
This Drag Queen Was The First Openly Gay American To Run For Office: José Sarria

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

On the Season 1 finale of Queer Queeries, we look towards the future and what we can all do to take strides forward in visibility, rights, and protection for LGBTQ+ people.

Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/queer.queeries/) and stay tuned for news on upcoming Bonus episodes and when Season 2 will be released.

Email thoughts, feedback, or anything you'd like to say to [email protected]

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"What is the hardest part of raising a child who's gay?" "When did you know?" "What was your impression of the LGBTQIA+ community before having a gay child?"  "What can I, as a parent, do for my Queer child and other Queer children?"

On this final interview of the season, I interview my parents, Kathy and Jay Eibler (she/her, he/his), about their experience of raising a gay child and their journey from no exposure or knowledge about the Queer community to being fully immersed in it and two of the biggest advocates I know. As two kids of the 60's, born into small town Midwestern homes, both my parents really had no knowledge of the Queer community. Both of them said they weren't fully aware of the community until the AIDS crisis. However, looking back, with the knowledge they have now, they both say how there were probably more Queer people around them than they were aware of. They both say how it was always as a result of shame around being gay or lesbian that they feel is what kept people from being out.  We also discuss my coming out journey and the impact it had on our family: how the impact of what society thought about gay men and specifically in a Christian environment negatively affected us. Both my parents believe me being gay was a wake up call for both of them. They share where they felt they succeeded, what their mistakes were, and lastly, advice they have for parents and adults on how to make our society a safer, more loving and accepting place for Queer children.

We also discuss:

• Impressions of people who acted outside gender norms
• The evolution of language around Queer people
• Their struggle of internalizing a lot their fears around me being gay as opposed to externalizing it onto me
• Why Queer people have to prove themselves in their career in order to be loved because  they have their queerness going against them
• How can parenting shift in terms of allowing kids to self identify and not feel like their kids are being sexualized

Resources for Further Learning:
Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family: https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Erased-Memoir-Identity-Family/dp/0735213461/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2POFKN0JGK4W8&dchild=1&keywords=boy+erased&qid=1604171835&sprefix=boy+erased%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-2
Living Right: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Right-Laila-Ibrahim-ebook/dp/B01EVMC2I0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NEOAYSLRXJ8R&dchild=1&keywords=living+right+by+laila+ibrahim&qid=1604171880&sprefix=living+right%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1
How We Sleep at Night: https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Sleep-At-Night/dp/1499725388/ref=sr_1_2?crid=YBM7WZVLIZ2U&dchild=1&keywords=how+we+sleep+at+night&qid=1604171968&sprefix=how+we+sleep%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-2

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"Why do we have such hesitations when discussing sex?"  "What can we learn from the BDSM community?" "How have we assigned gender to roles in sex?"  "How is sex a form of self love?"

This episode contains mature content.

In continuing the discussion from last week on Sex, I interview Natalie Rivera (she/her), host of the How I F*ck podcast: a show that aims to debunk myths and misconceptions about sex by interviewing people of different backgrounds, identities, communities, and lifestyles. I talk with Natalie about why she decided to start her show, not only as a way to learn herself but to help bring awareness to any disparities or sexual movements that are overlooked in mainstream media. We also discuss our society's discomfort with discussing sex in casual conversation, sex as a form of self love, how we have gendered certain roles in sex, and her own experience as a bi woman and the bi-phobia she experienced both in life and in sex.

...Wow, that's a lot fo sex. But hey, like Natalie says, talking about sex is fun and important because it is one of the most human things about us.


Follow How I F*ck podcast:
Website: https://www.howifckpodcast.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howifckpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HowIfckpodcast

SNaPCO:
Learn: https://www.snap4freedom.org
Donate: https://www.snap4freedom.org/donate

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón

"Why do we have shame around discussing sex?"  "Do you feel shame around discussing sex? Having too much sex?"  "Why are fear and sex so integrally linked?" "What is 'pegging'?"

This episode contains mature content.

On this episode, I interview original Grover in The Lightning Thief  musical, fierce slam poet, and incredible human, Jorrel Javier (he/him), and we are here to discuss everyone's favorite three letter, adult activity.....SEX. Sex is such an integral part to not only Queer culture but all cultures because we all have such a complicated relationship with it. For Queer people it is especially complicated because it is one part of us that has been shamed for much of our lives. Then when we get the chance to learn about it, it is often through a very skewed, incorrect leans--through mediums like porn--which is often a detriment to our mental health, relationships with others, and ourselves, and overall growth. Jorrel and I delve into how our society developed from ancient cultures where sex and Queer people where such and integral part of society to carrying shame and hesitation around discussing it: why we feel so ashamed discussing it, how religion has taught us to fear it, acceptability for men vs. women when expressing sexuality, how Gay men equate our self worth to how much sex we have and who we do it with, how we shame people in certain roles within our community, and so much more. The list goes on. This is a Sex Ed episode not just for Queers but also for the straights. It is time we destigmitize something that is one of the most human things in our world.

We also get into Queeries such as:

• Prerequisites for sex.
• How feeling and discussion around sex trickles down from older generations.
• Fear based around sex and the act of losing one's virginity
• How porn negatively teaches us how sex is supposed to go
• Our preferences being rooted in misogny and the "white ideal"
• Daily diligence and doing work--that will never be done-- for the betterment of our community

Queer Glossary:

• Two Spirit:  Native American two spirit people were male, female, and sometimes intersex individuals who combined activities of both men and women with traits unique to their status as two spirit people. In most tribes, they were considered neither men nor women; they occupied a distinct, alternative gender status. 

Follow Jorrel:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jorrel_/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JorrelFromWork
TEDx Texas State Talk "Being Purple in a World of Reds and Blues": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5495EAtxP4

Art Hoe Collective:
Donate to [email protected] on PayPal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthoecollective/

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón