A major fashion magazine says it's "gender fluidity" when a (heterosexual) celebrity couple swaps clothes occasionally, leading to a backlash then an apology. Delving into the thorny topic of 'essentialism' within queer communities in the first part of a two-part episode, Benjamin and Simon wonder what is gained (and maybe lost) when we locate even an idea like gender performance within particular and essential identities.

'Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are part of a new generation who don’t see fashion as gendered', by Maya Singer: http://www.vogue.com/article/gigi-hadid-zayn-malik-august-2017-vogue-cover-breaking-gender-codes

'Vogue apologizes for Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik 'gender-fluidity' cover story': http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/07/15/vogue-apologizes-for-gigi-hadid-and-zayn-malik-gender-fluidity-cover-story.html

Even though we all would have preferred otherwise, "allies" were in the spotlight during this year's Pride Month, raising the question: what role should allies play within queer activism, and even within queer communities themselves? Simon and Benjamin pit pragmatism against idealism in a discussion about how far we should go to be inclusive.

'To Abercrombie & Fitch: No, The Pride Community Isn’t ‘Everybody’', by Alex Hollander: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/to-abercrombie-fitch-no-pride-isnt-for-everybody_us_59420ad9e4b0d99b4c921155

'Gym brand explains LGBTI alphabet in stunning video - but leaves out asexuals', by Stefanie Gerdes: https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/watch-gym-brand-explains-lgbti-alphabet-stunning-video-leaves-asexuals/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even though we all would have preferred otherwise, "allies" were in the spotlight during this year's Pride Month, raising the question: what role should allies play within queer activism, and even within queer communities themselves? Simon and Benjamin pit pragmatism against idealism in a discussion about how far we should go to be inclusive.

'To Abercrombie & Fitch: No, The Pride Community Isn’t ‘Everybody’', by Alex Hollander: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/to-abercrombie-fitch-no-pride-isnt-for-everybody_us_59420ad9e4b0d99b4c921155

'Gym brand explains LGBTI alphabet in stunning video - but leaves out asexuals', by Stefanie Gerdes: https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/watch-gym-brand-explains-lgbti-alphabet-stunning-video-leaves-asexuals/

Tired of heavy podcast topics, week after week? Benjamin and Simon have the podcast for you, delving into pop culture to find meaning in queer cultural representation and asking the big questions, like: did your parents ever catch you watching Queer as Folk? And have you ever urinated next to a minor celebrity?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tired of heavy podcast topics, week after week? Benjamin and Simon have the podcast for you, delving into pop culture to find meaning in queer cultural representation and asking the big questions, like: did your parents ever catch you watching Queer as Folk? And have you ever urinated next to a minor celebrity?

Homonationalism: it's a big word and kind of a complex idea, but with LGBTI rights increasingly a flashpoint for cultural conflict around the globe Simon and Benjamin decide to wade in. At this international intersection of colonialism, racism and queerphobia, is it even possible to make a positive difference?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Homonationalism: it's a big word and kind of a complex idea, but with LGBTI rights increasingly a flashpoint for cultural conflict around the globe Simon and Benjamin decide to wade in. At this international intersection of colonialism, racism and queerphobia, is it even possible to make a positive difference?

The recent arrest of a journalist charged with offences relating to child pornography gets Benjamin and Simon thinking about the long-standing association made in public debate between queers and pedophilia. Are we as past this sort of fear mongering as we'd like to imagine, or has the moral panic never really gone away?

News story about Ben McCormack's arrest: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/a-current-affair-reporter-ben-mccormack-charged-over-child-porn-allegations-20170406-gvf2rx.html

Daily Mail coverage: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4396550/Dating-profile-Grindr-Current-Affair-s-Ben-McCormack-emerges.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4388528/ACA-s-Ben-McCormack-directed-father-son-incest-film.html

Sarah Schulman Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.schulman.56/posts/10158279914035188

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From marriage equality to Safe Schools, it seems like everything our communities are fighting for at the moment involves the state granting either recognition or protection to queer people. Benjamin and Simon go head-to-head with the state in a discussion that asks: why should we critique the status quo? And more importantly, where might that leave us?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From marriage equality to Safe Schools, it seems like everything our communities are fighting for at the moment involves the state granting either recognition or protection to queer people. Benjamin and Simon go head-to-head with the state in a discussion that asks: why should we critique the status quo? And more importantly, where might that leave us?