PRIDE

Yes, Donald Trump won. And yes, the Republicans took the Senate. But this week, we’re focusing on the bright spots—the key milestones for the LGBTQ+ community that give us hope. Join us as we talk with Ryan Adamczeski from The Advocate about hard-earned progress, from marriage equality protections in state constitutions to history-making victories in Congress. Trailblazers like Sarah McBride, Zooey Zephyr, and others have made their mark, and LGBTQ+ representation in the U.S. House has reached new heights.In uncertain times, these victories remind us of our resilience and the power we hold as a community. Together, let’s honor these wins and the impact they bring to our journey forward.

Some friendships defy labels—and today’s guests, Chris Renfro and Fin Argus, are living proof. Known for roles in Queer as Folk, The L Word: Generation Q, Clouds, and more, Chris and Fin invite us into their journey of building a “Best Friend Force” and celebrating queer joy through their podcast, One of Us.Together, we’ll explore what it means to be “platonic lovers,” the role of identity and community in their lives, and how they’re creating space for candid conversations with incredible guests like Dylan Mulvaney and Margaret Cho. Plus, Levi’s African Grey parrot, Suki, makes an appearance, proving she’s just as much a character as Chris and Fin.Follow One of Us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneofus.podFollow them on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oneofus.pod

She's a sexy, campy, horror icon and the Mistress of Darkness herself, Elvira. Beloved for her vampire sex appeal and satire, Elvira has been in numerous films and even inspired a comic book character. The woman behind the character, Cassandra Peterson, has been sitting on her throne as the Queen of Halloween for 40 years. But a revelation in Cassandra's memoir had us falling in love with Elvira all over again. Cassandra is queer and has been in a relationship with a woman for decades. Today, We speak with Cassandra about creating the character Elvira, her decision to come out, and how Elvira is celebrating the spooky season. Check out Cassandra's book Yours Cruelly, Elvira here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/yours-cruelly-elvira-memoirs-of-the-mistress-of-the-dark-cassandra-peterson/17373922Your host is Levi Chambers, co-founder of Gayety.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation across platfroms @Pride.*This episode originally aired in 2021.

In today’s episode of the Pride Podcast, host Levi Chambers sits down with world-renowned medium Tyler Henry to discuss his new Netflix show, Live From the Other Side. Tyler shares how he connects with the other side in real-time, offering healing and closure to celebrities like Billy Porter and Ricki Lake, as well as everyday individuals seeking answers. With Halloween just around the corner, we dive into the spookier aspects of his work and explore whether Tyler ever finds it eerie.We also touch on Tyler’s thoughts about the classic book Many Lives, Many Masters, the emotional weight of his live readings, and how LGBTQ+ individuals may have a unique connection to the spiritual world. Whether you’ve lost a loved one or are just curious about life after death, this episode will leave you feeling hopeful and inspired.And remember, you can watch Live From the Other Side now streaming on Netflix.

This week, we sat down with Madison Bailey, the talented actress behind Kiara from the Netflix series Outer Banks. Madison shares her journey as a queer actor and how she subtly infuses her character with queerness, even in a show that doesn’t focus on LGBTQ+ storylines. We explore the themes of belonging, identity, and societal divides in Outer Banks, and Madison reveals some of the physical challenges in the role. Part one of the new season of Outer Banks is streaming now on Netflix!Keep up with Madison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonbaileybabe

Did Abraham Lincoln have a hidden romantic life we’ve never been told about?In this episode, Pride Correspondent Caitlynn McDaniel steps in for Levi to explore an untold part of history–Abraham Lincoln's intimate relationships with men. We’re talking about the new documentary Lover of Men, directed by Sean Peterson, which explores the never-before-seen letters and historical evidence that challenge the traditional view of one of America’s most revered presidents.Caitlin is joined by Sean and historians John Stauffer (Harvard) and Tom Balsersky (Occidental College) to discuss how this film sheds new light on Lincoln’s emotional life and what it means for how we understand history today. What We Talk About:The inspiration behind Lover of Men and why Lincoln’s relationships with men were hidden for so long.Surprising historical evidence, like love letters, that paints a new picture of Lincoln’s life.How 19th-century views on sexuality compare to today.Check out Lover of Men on Instagram @loverofmenfilm or go to loverofmen.com to find screenings near you.

A few weeks ago, we spoke to Raquel Willis and Eliel Cruz, two of the organizers of the Gender Liberation March, which took place on September 14th. Today, we’re talking to writer, advocate and podcaster Kevin Ortega Rojas about his experience at the march. He’ll share his thoughts on how joy as resistance and why uniting generations is so important for the future of LGBTQ+ rights. 

Today we set sail with an old friend of the pod who originally joined us back in 2019 to teach us all about the queer history of pirates, Dr. Rebecca Simon. This time, Rebecca dives into the lives of two legendary female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Reed, featured in her new book Pirate Queens. We discuss their journey into piracy, their relationship, and how they subverted traditional gender roles in battle. Plus, Rebecca shares her thoughts on pirate depictions in media today. Come aboard and discover the hidden history of these iconic women pirates!Learn more about Dr. Rebecca Simon: https://rebecca-simon.com/Follow Rebecca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piratebeckalex/*This episode originally aired on Juny 22, 2022

Camp Lost Boys is a place where age, sexual orientation, race, religion, and political leanings don’t matter. But all the campers have one important thing in common: they’re all trans men.Rocco Kayiatos, co-founder of Original Plumbing magazine and Camp Lost Boys shares his journey as a rapper, the challenges of navigating healthcare, and why creating safe, inclusive spaces like Camp Lost Boys is essential for the trans male community. Learn more about Camp Lost Boys: https://www.camplostboys.org/Follow Camp Lost Boys on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camplostboysThe Intentional Man Project: https://theintentionalmanproject.org/Original Plumbing Magazine: https://originalplumbing.bigcartel.com/ Follow Rocco on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roccokatastrophe/*This episode originally aired on May 6, 2020 

Professor Andrew Lear is an expert on ancient Greek and Roman sexuality. And that makes him the perfect person to explore the complexities of same-sex relationships in ancient Greece, including the role of pederasty and whether ancient Greece can truly be considered a "gay utopia." Learn more about Professor Lear's Oscar Wilde Tours: https://www.oscarwildetours.com/*This episode originally aired on January 1, 2020

Right now, the US is kind of a sh*tshow when it comes to our civil liberties. In the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, we’re facing all kinds of threats on our rights.And that’s why on September 14th of this year, a historic march is set to take place in our nation’s capital. Today, we’re speaking with Raquel Willis and Eliel Cruz, the visionary organizers behind the first-ever Gender Liberation March on Washington, DC.Together, we’ll discuss the significance of the march, the intersection of crucial issues like abortion rights and gender-affirming care, and the collective vision of a world where bodily autonomy and self-determination are non-negotiable. Join the Gender Liberation March on September 14, 2024: https://www.genderlib.com Follow the Gender Liberation Movement on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genderlib Learn more about Raquel Willis and her book The Risk It Takes To Bloom: https://www.raquelwillis.com/bloom 

Where do psychedelic drugs and healing trauma converge for the queer community? Mind-altering plants have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and medicinal purposes. And despite the changing regulations in recent history, they’ve made a big comeback. Naturally occurring compounds like psilocybin (magic mushrooms), ayahuasca, and Ketamine, as well as synthetics like LSD and MDMA have been making headlines recently as a possible key to healing from complex trauma and treating anxiety and depression. Today, we’re sitting down with writer, professor, and now proponent of psychedelic-assisted therapy, Greg Wrenn. Greg’s book Mothership: A Memoir of Wonder and Crisis follows his journey through unpacking and healing from his own trauma through a mixture of Ayahuasca and exploring coral reefs. Greg explains how these plants– when used responsibly– can be the key to unlocking the help that people need and why we in the LGBTQ+ community should be rethinking our relationship with the planet. Learn more about Greg and buy a copy of his book here: https://www.gregwrenn.com/

hen you think about professional sports, you probably don’t think of it as a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community. And that’s because it hasn’t been. But regardless of current underrepresentation, the queer community has always been a part of the sports world. Fast forward to modern day, one man is making sure the queer community has a spot on the field. Today on PRIDE, we’re sitting down with the first openly bi-sexual pro-football player, Defensive End for the Dallas Cowboys R. K. Russell. He’ll tell us about what it means to be queer in a space traditionally dominated by hetero-normativity, why we need to be uplifting our queer athletes, and how the simple act of journaling can radically uplift your mental health. Get R. K. Russell's Huddle Journal here: https://baronfig.com/products/huddle-mens-journal

If you’ve ever been to a gay or queer-focused bar you’ve probably heard the term Gay Water as slang for the classic vodka soda mixed drink. This slang term dates back to the original Stonewall Inn and has been a staple amongst the queer party scene. And yet… the vast majority of beverage brands are owned by cis, hetero, middle-aged white men. This lack of meaningful representation opened up a perfect opportunity for a queer-owned and queer-focused ready-to-drink cocktail brand to step into the space. Enter… Gay Water! Today on PRIDE, Gay Water Founder Spencer Hoddeson is sitting down to give us the rundown on how a queer brand can enter a legacy space and what he hopes Gay Water as a brand can do for the queer community. Follow Gay Water on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkgaywater

In a world where social media shapes how we perceive and connect with the world, content creators can play a huge role in building community and spreading positive messages. Today, we’re talking with Chris Stanley, a dynamic gay content creator, known for his engaging presence across YouTube and TikTok. From funny memes to candid street interviews, Chris has carved out a niche that not only entertains, but also resonates within the LGBTQ+ community.In our conversation, we delve into Chris's journey from his very first viral video to his role now as a full time content creator, musician, and filmmaker. He shares the profound impact his family has had on his content and how he hopes to inspire other young queer individuals and their families. Chris also opens up about the challenges of content creation, the rewarding moments that make it all worthwhile, and his creative process. We explore his ventures into filmmaking with his recent short film "Second Thoughts" and his plans for the future, including more films, music, and street interviews.Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stanchrisHear Chris’s new single: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrF-ttgvCGQ Watch Chris’s short film:https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=8nwS0RmzA6LoyxVD&v=EyC3Vb8VT9M&feature=youtu.be

If there were a competition for the most difficult to manage space as a queer person, the Mormon church would definitely be a contender. But that hasn’t stopped our guests today from fighting for a world where their faith and relationship can coexist. Today on PRIDE, we’re sitting down with Charlie Bird and Ryan Clifford to explore their complex and ever-changing relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Charlie shared the beginning of his story with us back in 2020 and now just a few years later, he’s back and he’s married! Together, Charlie and Ryan tell us about how they balance their Mormon identities with their identities as gay men, how their love story has helped foster meaningful conversations with church members, and their recent viral video series honoring the iconic album covers of Taylor Swift. Follow Charlie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrcharliebirdFollow Ryan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsryancliffordLearn more about Charlie’s books: https://mrcharliebird.com/

This week on PRIDE, we’re taking a look back to host an encore of our episode with Dr. Daniel Pfau. Daniel is going to tell us about their discoveries about the history of queerness and the place the LGBTQ community has in the scientific world.

Is healthcare a right or a privilege? Amid a national debate, one group finds itself in the crosshairs - the transgender community. Today, we’re diving headfirst into a hot-button issue that’s making waves in news and politics - the critical role of mental health support in gender-affirming care.This week, we’re speaking with Dr. Angela Rodriguez, a renowned plastic surgeon and the founder of ART Surgical in San Francisco. Dr. Rodriguez is a trailblazer providing comprehensive, gender-affirming care beyond medical interventions. She believes in holistic well-being and ensures her patients receive top-tier care, including mental health support, social services, and advocacy. We’ll talk about how she approaches comprehensive care for transgender patients beyond surgical interventions and the importance of mental health support in gender-affirming medical practices and how we can better support our loved ones in their journey.Learn more about Dr. Angela Rodriguez’s practice: https://www.artsurgical.net/

Wrestling and the WWE have been the cornerstone of masculinity since their creation. Despite the fancy colors and over-the-top costumes, bulging muscles, and manly screams, the queer community is still a part of this world. So, what would it look like if a former WWE star completed a full trans-feminine journey and returned to the ring? Today on PRIDE, we’re inviting Gabbi Tuft to tell us about what her journey from the ring to high heels has been like, how she is going to return to the ring to compete as the new age villain, and how she started a fitness brand that is helping countless women.

In honor of the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, we’re releasing a special episode with a co-owner of the famous Stonewall Inn Stacy Lentz. In case you didn’t know the Stonewall Inn was the epicenter of the queer liberation movement and is considered a vital piece of history. Around the mid-90s the Stonewall Inn was on the verge of closing its doors for good. However, Stacy and a few other queer activists bought the Inn to keep its story alive. Stacy is going to tell us about why Stonewall is so important to queer culture, how Stonewall is giving back to the community, and what you can do to help support this important mission.