Queertowne

No friendships were harmed in the making of today’s boozy brunch episode of Queertowne. In an attempt to evade the ceaseless Texas heat, the QT gang - Mase, Javi, Charlie, and Kristen - gather together for a spicy conversation and some chilled cocktails. This episode’s Hot Topic takes a brief dip into the sometimes icy and often spicy waters of emotions brought on by fast friendships in the queer community, and closes out with a rousing round of Queertowne Quiz Time. Crack open a cold bev and give this episode a listen!

Today’s all new episode of Queertowne features a wide ranging conversation with Erica Nix, a queer and trans-inclusive body positive activist and personal trainer who’s resided in Austin since 1999. Erica (she/they) is a performance artist, photographer and even former mayoral candidate who opened up to us about Austin’s queer community and the significance of preserving the people and places that have defined this cherished town, plus the body-positive euphoria behind her empowering approach to working out.

Today’s all new episode of Queertowne features a sharp and surprising conversation about how we’re surviving this extremely hot summer, how we feel about certain queer adjacent labels, and - of course - a very silly round of Queertowne Quiz Time.

For our season two finale of Queertowne, Mase is joined by our producer Kristen Washington (she/her) and guest host Charlie Blaine (they/them) for a captivating conversation with Aira Juliet, the creator and host of Black and Queer AF. Aira (she/her) opens up about her experiences as a Black performer in Austin and why she felt called to create the show, as well as the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the show from the Black LGBTQIA+ community and what she's excited to bring to the show over the coming months. We then poured a bit more wine to discuss some of our favorite nightclub experiences (Mom, don't listen to this part!) and then buckle up for our goofiest version of Queertowne Quiz Time to date. Thanks for hanging with us in Queertowne this season!

In this episode of Queertowne, Mase and Javi sit down with Charlie Bonner and Adri Pérez, two noted political activists who've been organizing against and drawing awareness to the unprecedented wave of anti-LGBTQ bills currently moving through the 2023 Texas Legislative Session. Charlie (he/him) and Adri (they/them) explain how our state legislature operates, why they continue to advocate for a more inclusive Texas, and what folks can do to support the important work already being done.

In this episode of Queertowne, Mase and Javi sit down with two members of Austin's queer South Asian community - Dr. Debarun Majumdar and Ananyaa Ravi - for a moving conversation on their experiences emigrating from India as a queer person and what it's been like settling in Austin. Deb (he/him) opens up about why he founded Khush ATX, a now 200 person organization for queer Desis in Central Texas, how it's felt being one of the only out gay members of his generation in Austin, and what about this current political climate compelled him to marry his partner of 13 years.

In this episode of Queertowne, Mase and K Wash sit down with stand up comedian Brandi Davis, host of Cabin Fever Comedy. Brandi (they/she) walks everyone through some famous lesbian romances before answering Mase's rapid fire questions about love, sex and the 512. Laughs ensue!

In this episode of Queertowne, Mase and Javi sit down for their first one on one conversation in a year. Honestly we're not even sure if we can list off everything that's discussed in this moving, hilarious, and very very gay episode.

In this episode of Queertowne, the gang sits down with comedian Ivy Le, who isn't just out of the closet, she's outside. Ivy (she/they) opens up her podcast, The Fear of Going Outside (FOGO), as well as her queer open mic show, Tongue & Cheek. Mase then leads Ivy and Javi through a round of Queertowne QuizTime, which Laura enjoys judging for the first time. Laughs ensue!

In this episode of Queertowne, Mase and Laura sit down with Armin A. Dorri, a doctoral student at the University of Texas. Armin (he/him) researches factors that influence health and well-being among LGBTQ+ populations, and aims to answer specific questions - like what can we do to encourage folks to seek out resources? - in an effort to improve their lives.