Queer Talker

Elliott Brady is a musical theatre performer, content creator and host of the Agony Uncle podcast. But the confident person he is today is a long way from the young Elliott who spent years being bullied for being gay before he even fully understood what being gay meant.

In this episode of Queer Talker, Elliott opens up about growing up in a small town without queer people around him, being called gay from primary school and why, for years, he resisted the identity other people had used against him.

We talk about the journey from hiding parts of himself to finding the confidence to express his queerness openly, including the years when he wouldn’t hold his boyfriend’s hand in public and would instinctively try to appear straight.

Elliott also takes us inside his career in musical theatre, from discovering dance and falling in love with Wicked to graduating just as COVID shut down the industry. He shares the incredible advice that stopped him from walking away from performing altogether, and what life is really like performing on cruise ships.

But one cruise contract became a deeply difficult experience. Elliott speaks candidly about struggling with his mental health at sea, reporting a company manager for alleged sexual harassment and feeling trapped in an environment he couldn’t escape.

Back in the UK, joining Come Alive! became something very different. Elliott explains how the show, its cast and the character he created helped rebuild his confidence, challenge his social anxiety and become a louder, freer version of himself.

We also talk about chosen family, creating Agony Uncle and why, after everything his younger self went through, the advice he’d give him now is simple: it’s going to be okay.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Elliott Brady and his journey

02:21 Growing up LGBTQ in a small town

05:40 First exposure to queer culture and role models

07:32 Finding confidence through musical theater

15:40 Impact of theater roles on self-acceptance

21:52 Graduating during COVID and career challenges

25:32 Life on ships and the camaraderie among performers

28:42 Dealing with mental health struggles on ships

35:48 Returning home and rebuilding confidence

49:30 Launching and managing the Agony Uncle podcast

54:24 The importance of community and authenticity

58:43 Advice for younger self and embracing life's journey

Agony Uncle:

Website - https://shows.acast.com/agony-uncle

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agonyunclepod

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@agonyunclepod

Connect with Ben Cicchetti:

Website - https://www.queertalker.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@queertalker

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti

What happens when you ask two husbands what gets on their nerves? Toenails in the bath, dishwasher disputes and absolutely no hesitation.

Adam joins me fresh from his Queer Talker interview, alongside his husband and returning guest Ali, for a couples edition of Queer Panic. We get into who made the first move, saying “I love you”, a New York proposal and the everyday habits that test a marriage.

There’s also a zombie apocalypse, a debate over who would make the better Traitor and a karaoke performance you can judge for yourself. And beneath the teasing, they share the wedding moments they’d relive and the words that capture what they love about each other.

Funny, affectionate and occasionally a little too honest. Welcome to Queer Panic.

Follow Queer Talker for more LGBTQ+ conversations, and tell me: what’s the one habit your partner has that drives you mad?

Connect with Ben Cicchetti:

Website - https://www.queertalker.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@queertalker

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti

Adam Imber is one half of Husbands Ali and Adam, a married gay couple who have built a huge online community by sharing their lives, their relationship and the different identities that make them who they are.

But becoming so proudly visible is something Adam’s younger self might never have imagined.

In this episode of Queer Talker, Adam opens up about growing up Jewish, coming to terms with his sexuality and why accepting himself proved harder than being accepted by the people around him.

We talk about meeting his husband Ali, how their relationship helped Adam become more confident in his identity, and the incredible experience of bringing their Jewish and Turkish backgrounds together for their wedding. Adam shares what it meant to stand beneath the chuppah surrounded by both families, and why having a rabbi there felt particularly powerful after his experiences growing up. adam-ben.txt

Adam also talks about becoming one half of Husbands Ali and Adam, why they decided to share their relationship publicly and the importance of showing that sexuality, faith and culture don’t have to exist separately. For Adam, that visibility is partly about becoming the representation he wishes he’d had himself. adam-ben.txt

We also discuss mental health, Adam’s ADHD diagnosis, dealing with negativity online and why talking openly about his own experiences has helped him realise just how far he’s come. adam-ben.txt

It’s a conversation about love, identity, faith, visibility and finally learning to be proud of every part of who you are.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Adam's background

02:13 Early years and discovering sexuality

03:46 Struggles with faith and identity

07:04 Family reactions and support

10:56 Visibility and representation in the LGBTQ+ community

16:05 Adam and Ali's interfaith relationship

23:10 Wedding day and cultural significance

26:58 Impact of sharing their story

30:13 Mental health and self-acceptance

35:03 Advice for young LGBTQ+ people

40:11 The power of community and support organizations

Connect with Ben Cicchetti:

Website - https://www.queertalker.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@queertalker

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti

Gabriel Clark is back, but this time there’s no time to overthink his answers.

The Tip Toe and Hollyoaks actor faces Queer Panic, revealing his animated childhood crush, his most irrational ick, the skill he once lied about having in an audition and which Russell T Davies show he’d save above all others.

Plus, why star signs could get his queer card revoked, which of his characters would be an absolute nightmare to date, and the unexpected queer icon he’d like to have a drink with.

For the full story of Gabriel’s journey from Bolton to Hollyoaks and Tip Toe, watch or listen to his full Queer Talker conversation.

Connect with Ben Cicchetti:

Website - https://www.queertalker.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@queertalkerTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti

Growing up gay in Bolton, Gabriel Clark struggled to see people like himself reflected back at him. He even convinced himself that if he wanted to become a successful actor, staying in the closet might be part of the deal.

Today, Gabriel is one of the stars of Russell T Davies’ Tip Toe, playing Mikey, the confident, proudly queer Northern character he wishes he’d been able to see growing up.

In this episode of Queer Talker, Gabriel opens up about growing up under the shadow of Section 28, discovering queer representation through Doctor Who, coming out and unexpectedly seeing his sexuality become tabloid news while starring in Hollyoaks.

We talk about the brutal online backlash he faced after taking over the role of Ollie Morgan, why Jock Night transformed his relationship with his sexuality and body, and what it meant to work alongside a queer cast and crew on Tip Toe.

Gabriel also shares why he believes openly LGBTQ+ actors still face barriers in the industry, why using his platform to speak about human rights matters to him, and the responsibility he feels to be the openly gay Northern actor he needed when he was younger.

It’s an incredibly open conversation about representation, ambition, chosen family, queer joy and discovering that there really is a place for you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gabriel Clark and his journey

02:14 Growing up in Bolton and early influences

03:59 Experiences of growing up queer in the North

05:56 The role of performance in self-expression

07:46 Representation of LGBTQ+ characters on TV

09:50 Coming out during the pandemic and media reactions

11:48 The industry’s approach to openly gay actors

13:59 The significance of authentic storytelling

16:00 Opportunities and challenges for queer actors

18:07 The importance of diverse environments in acting

20:02 Gabriel’s journey with the character Mikey in Tiptoe

22:06 Creative process behind content creation and writing

24:04 Dealing with online backlash and mental health

25:57 The power of visibility and activism

28:01 The experience of playing a recast on Hollyoaks

29:48 The significance of being openly gay in the industry

32:09 Gabriel’s advocacy and using his platform

34:06 The importance of representation for young queer people

35:57 The journey of self-acceptance and empowerment

37:53 The creative and collaborative process with Russell T. Davies

39:51 The impact of diverse and inclusive work environments

42:13 Gabriel’s advice to his younger self and others

44:00 The future of LGBTQ+ representation in media

46:02 Closing thoughts and message of pride

Connect with Ben Cicchetti:

Website - https://www.queertalker.com 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@queertalker

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti

Kaue Garcia and Ryan O’Neill are back, and this time they’re facing Queer Panic.

The owners of Keighley Cougars and Keighley Town FC take on Queer Talker’s rapid-fire questions, revealing their first celebrity crushes, favourite queer film and TV show, who made the first move, who takes longer to get ready and, crucially, who would survive longest in a zombie apocalypse.

We also discover why Kaue refuses to watch the UK version of Queer as Folk, why Ryan thinks hiding is a legitimate zombie survival strategy, and what happens when they’re asked to describe each other in just one word.

For the full story of Kaue and Ryan’s relationship, their journey into professional sport and why they believe LGBTQ+ visibility in football and rugby matters, listen to their full Queer Talker episode.

Connect with Ben Cicchetti:

Website - https://www.queertalker.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@queertalker
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti

What happens when two queer kids who never felt like they belonged in sport grow up and buy a rugby club and a football club?

Kaue Garcia and Ryan O’Neill are the owners of Keighley Cougars Rugby League Club and Keighley Town Football Club, but their relationship with sport hasn’t always been an easy one.

In this episode of Queer Talker, Kaue and Ryan open up about growing up gay on opposite sides of the world, experiencing bullying, coming out, finding each other in a Bangkok nightclub and building a life and businesses together.

They also share the extraordinary story of how they came to own Keighley Cougars, why they decided to put LGBTQ+ inclusion at the heart of the club, and what happened when rainbows, drag queens and Pride arrived at the rugby ground.

We talk about homophobia in sport, trans inclusion, allyship, taking their values into football and why creating spaces where LGBTQ+ people genuinely feel they belong matters.

And after 14 years of marriage, multiple businesses and now two sports clubs, Kaue and Ryan reveal how they somehow still manage to work, live and build everything together.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kaue and Ryan's journey in sports and activism

01:50 Kaue's childhood in Brazil and early experiences with bullying

04:03 Ryan's boarding school experience and coming to terms with his sexuality

07:06 How their personal journeys led to owning and transforming sports clubs

14:56 The inception of the Pride game and inclusivity initiatives at the clubs

25:14 Challenges and successes in creating a welcoming environment

35:03 The role of visibility and representation in sports communities

45:06 Balancing commercial realities with social values in club management

54:50 Advice to their younger selves and future generations of LGBTQ+ youth

Connect with Ben Cicchetti:

Website - https://www.queertalker.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@queertalkerTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti

Before KY Kelly was one of the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season eight, she was a kid putting on shows in her living room and running upstairs in her mum’s fluorescent pink catsuit.

In this episode of Queer Talker, KY joins Ben Cicchetti to talk about growing up knowing she was different, secretly watching Queer as Folk, coming out at 16 and the friends and family who helped her find the confidence to be herself.

KY opens up about the creation of the Queen of Lubrication, why drag became an armour that gave her a confidence Anthony didn’t always have, and why she wanted to represent more mature, old-school British cabaret queens on Drag Race UK.

We also talk about LGBTQ+ representation, her experiences performing in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, standing alongside the trans community, protecting queer spaces and the reality of mental health behind the makeup, wigs and performance.

Plus, KY reveals why she applied for Drag Race three times, how she’s preparing for the inevitable social media opinions, and the advice she’d give the little kid performing in that fluorescent pink catsuit today.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to KY Kelly and episode overview

02:24 KY Kelly's childhood, early performances, and feeling different

04:55 First awareness of LGBTQ+ community through media and real life

06:23 Realization of queerness during high school years

08:11 Journey to authenticity and coming out at 16

09:48 Family support and the importance of chosen family

12:08 Discovering drag and performing as a form of self-expression

13:45 How KY Kelly developed the drag persona and name origin

17:24 Confidence in drag and the impact of stage presence

18:40 Decision to join Drag Race UK and feeling ready

20:06 British drag culture and its influence on KY Kelly

21:45 The story behind the name KY Kelly

22:15 Telling queer stories through musical theatre and its impact

24:26 Representation in media and the importance of visibility

25:28 Challenges faced by the trans community and advocacy

30:56 Handling social media hate and mental health strategies

41:25 Advice to younger self and closing thoughts

Connect with Ben Cicchetti:

Website - https://www.queertalker.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@queertalker

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti

What happens when you finally stop adapting to the person everyone expects you to be and start living as yourself?

Multi-award-winning activist Adelle Barker transitioned at 36, after spending much of her life feeling lost, confused and, in her words, simply adapting to get through.

In this episode of Queer Talker, Adelle opens up about the early signs she didn’t yet understand, secretly exploring her femininity, the fear of being discovered and the moment she finally realised she didn’t have to pretend anymore.

We talk about what meaningful trans inclusion actually looks like in the workplace, why LGBTQ+ employee networks matter, navigating visibility in the current climate and the idea behind her brilliantly named newsletter, I Don’t Know How to Be Trans.

Adelle also explains why there is no handbook for transition, why every trans person’s experience is different, and why her advice to young LGBTQ+ people is simple: trust your instincts and bet on yourself.

An open, funny and deeply human conversation about authenticity, visibility and discovering the freedom of waking up as yourself.

Chapters

00:00 Queer Panic rapid fire questions

07:43 First awareness of LGBTQ+ identities

11:30 Early signs of queerness and secret dressing

14:00 Acceptance and living authentically

17:06 Meaningful trans inclusion at work

20:58 Messy process of transitioning and embracing mistakes

23:31 Realization that you don’t need to have everything figured out

34:38 Balancing visibility with self-care

38:02 Advice to younger self and young LGBTQ+ people

40:06 Closing remarks and message of community support

Connect with Ben Cicchetti:

Website - https://www.queertalker.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@queertalker

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti

Growing up in St Kitts & Nevis, Alexander Hayden never questioned whether he was gay because, as he explains, “I didn’t know the closet existed.”

In this episode of Queer Talker, Alexander shares what it was like growing up in the Caribbean, where same-sex relationships were illegal, moving to boarding school in the UK, and slowly discovering who he really was.

We talk about code-switching between two versions of himself, the emotional moment he returned home after the law changed, living with a visible difference, and why representation matters for LGBTQ+ people growing up in countries where acceptance is still a work in progress.

Alexander also takes us behind the scenes of I Kissed A Boy, reveals what it was really like arriving as the final bombshell, reflects on the show’s cancellation, and explains how the experience changed his life.

This is an honest conversation about identity, confidence, belonging and learning that you don’t have to hide who you are.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Queer Panic

04:58 Growing up in the Caribbean and cultural identity

07:02 Discovering the queer community and first experiences

10:11 Coming out and self-acceptance journey

14:55 Decriminalization in Nevis and returning home

16:59 Using platform to support Caribbean LGBTQ+ communities

20:46 Dealing with visible differences and confidence

24:56 Joining 'I Kissed a Boy' and show experience

29:51 Lessons learned from the show and personal growth

36:00 Advice to younger self and LGBTQ+ community

Connect with Ben Cicchetti:

Website - https://www.queertalker.com 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@queertalker⁠

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti