Surface Level

Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – when will folx learn to trust Black women?

This week, we're thrilled to welcome director, producer, and screenwriter Lee Daniels to our Surface Level family. We’ll dissect the theme of trusting Black women in his new film, The Deliverance. We’ll also highlight some of the Black women who have helped shape our perspectives, address the unique challenges faced by Black trans women, and explore why Lee consistently creates complex work for this widely underrepresented group. We’re excited to return with fresh content between seasons and hope you enjoy it.

We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – are you ready to go beyond the surface level with us?

With this episode, we close another chapter in the journey of Surface Level. For the ninth time, we open the floor to questions from you, our Surface Level Insiders. We explore a range of topics, including dating, sex, work life, parenthood, and more. It’s a fun way to wrap up this season. We’re excited to take some time to develop the next part of this story. Until then… stay curious.

We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – what role does porn play in our understanding of sex?

We round out Throb, our season on sex, with an exploration of our past and present relationship with pornography. We discuss our initial introduction to porn and the positive and negative impacts it had on us as young adults. We then explore its role today, both privately and with a partner. We close by discussing sexual desires we have seen on screen that we are interested in exploring in real life.

We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – how important is sexual compatibility?

This week, we explore the value placed on sexual compatibility when considering romantic partners. We discuss our role in fulfilling our partners' various desires, how honest we have been about our own desires in new relationships, and methods of fulfillment that do not rely solely on our partners. Long-term partnerships are complex, with sex being just one aspect for many. Is sexual compatibility a deal breaker, or is it not an issue at all based on your relationship style?

We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – are we ready for Queer men to sing about sex?

This week, we're thrilled to welcome music artist serpentwithfeet to our Surface Level Family. We'll dive into the overtly sexual themes of his latest album, Grip, and examine how these themes have been received by the community at large. Are there differences in how we perceive romance versus sexual intimacy in music? And how can we support queer male artists with the same enthusiasm we show to beloved female pop stars? We’ll wrap up the episode by sharing some of our favorite queer artists who are telling powerful stories about intimacy.

We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – do HIV criminalization laws increase stigma?

This week, we are excited to welcome Robert Suttle, a social justice advocate, to our Surface Level Family. We'll be discussing his personal experiences and advocacy work concerning the impact of HIV criminalization laws on Queer communities. Many of these laws, enacted in the 80s and 90s, do not align with current scientific understanding and perpetuate stigma and shame. HIV status is a private health matter and should not be used as a weapon against vulnerable populations. In this episode, we explore the harm caused by using legal punishment to address a health crisis.

We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – are you sexual on social media?

We're thrilled to announce a two-part crossover episode with special guests, Busy Boys Uncensored. In part two, we welcome Jah and Sekani into our Surface Level family. Together, we delve into how sex and dating have permeated everyday social media apps. Is there shame associated with expressing sexuality or stepping outside of gender norms on these platforms? We conclude with some personal disclosure about aspects of our sexuality that might surprise those who only know us through social media. Sex, as we've discovered, is everywhere; our interactions with it vary across different platforms.

We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – are hookup apps in their flop era?

We're excited to announce a two-part crossover episode featuring special guests, Busy Boys Uncensored. In part one, we welcome Mayce and Damontae into our Surface Level family. Together, we delve into the culture of "the apps" and their profound impact on our sexual interactions. We explore generational differences, questioning whether these platforms have made connections more or less meaningful, and ponder if we now have access to too much of a good thing.

We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – what language should we use to discuss STIs?

Part of maintaining a healthy sex life involves regular screenings for STIs. Over time, the way we discuss this topic has taken a negative turn. The question "are you clean?" has become synonymous with STI disclosure, adding public shame to the personal stigma people feel if they test positive. We discuss how to approach these conversations with sexual partners and address the stigma surrounding discussions about HIV in the media. Finally, we share advice we've learned over time on how to manage these conversations effectively. STI and HIV disclosure should not be sensationalized or shamed. We aim to contribute to reducing stigma in this week's episode.

We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – how do we reduce harm when drug use and Queer sex intersect?

This week, as we delve into a sensitive topic, we welcome Andrea Rodriguez, Community Cultivation Coordinator for Dance Safe, to our Surface Level Family. This episode explores the realities of drug use among Queer folx and how to provide comprehensive information and support. Harm reduction destigmatizes drug use, and organizations like Dance Safe provide participants with fact-based knowledge about the effects of various substances. We also examine the phenomenon of “chem sex” among Queer folx and discuss ways to support friends and family whom we suspect may be overindulging. As cultural attitudes toward drug use evolve, we believe our discussions and support for individuals should evolve as well. We encourage everyone to keep an open mind, as this episode sheds light on an important topic that taught us a great deal.

We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.