Sex With Sophie

In this episode of The Sex With Sophie Podcast, Sophie shares an engaging and heartfelt interview with her dear friend Arron McGill, aka Carmen Banks. Arron, a talented drag performer, passed away unexpectedly on July 8th, 2024, ten months after this interview was recorded. Arron reflects on his life as a drag queen and gay man living with undetectable HIV, offering insights into his personal journey, the artistry of drag, and the societal challenges he faced. Sophie weaves together humor, raw emotion, and critical reflection to showcase the vibrant, complex person Arron was, ensuring his voice and story shine brightly. While his passing adds poignancy to this episode, it stands as a celebration of Arron’s talent, resilience, and the joy he brought to those around him. 00:00 Remarks 03:50 Introduction 08:41 What a Drag Queen is 11:30 What a Drag Queen Isn't 15:38 Feminine v Masculine 18:50 Carmen's Style 21:20 Perceptions of Drag and PRIDE 25:43 More About Arron 26:49 Drag Show Prep 31:24 Drag Shows v Pageants 36:21 Tips for Baby Drag Queens 40:12 Drag Traps 43:46 Societal Views on Drag Queens 49:11 Do Drag Queens Have Help? 52:07 Where Carmen Ends and Arron Begins 55:43 Arron's Journey 01:01:59 Arron's Marriage 01:04:30 Gay Open Relationships 01:15:23 On Being HIV+ 01:23:46 HIV Resources and Support 01:29:06 Resources for Drag Queens 01:31:49 Community Support for Drag 01:37:53 The Future of Drag 01:41:35 Wrapping Up I'M NOT INTO DRAG. WHY SHOULD I CARE? Even if drag isn’t your thing, this episode touches on issues that transcend the art form. It’s not just about drag—it’s about humanity, resilience, and the fight for equality. Arron McGill’s story highlights universal themes: the importance of authenticity, the courage to live boldly in the face of societal judgment, and the need for systemic change in areas like healthcare. Whether you’re LGBTQIA+ or an ally, this episode offers a window into a world that’s creative, complex, and often misunderstood. It’s a chance to learn about the beauty and challenges faced by those who use art to express themselves and push boundaries. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that the personal is political, and everyone’s story deserves to be heard. ABOUT THE $EX WITH SOPHIE PODCAST The $ex With Sophie Podcast looks to collect the very subjective experiences of individuals from unique walks of sexual life. My hope is that by the time each discussion is concluded, you will feel that I've done you justice if you share a similar lifestyle as my guests', or that you have found some common ground with those who initially seemed very different from you. MORE WAYS TO WATCH OR LISTEN Watch on $ex With Sophie: https://withsophie.co/podcast/drag-queen Become a member for exclusive podcast extras! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SexWithSophie Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sex-with-sophie/id1710370109 ABOUT $EX WITH SOPHIE The flagship offering of With Sophie, LLC, $ex With Sophie, is a collection of resources to provide real-world information about what happens behind closed doors. While the podcast is publicly available, members who sign up for a FREE account can also access quizzes, the Ask Sophie video advice column, and several community features. Paying members gain access to exclusive podcast content, our version of a guided meditation, and coming soon, courses and a documentary-style video series upon completion. Visit https://withsophie.co to learn more.

The 30 Reasons Telethon was held in support of Sex With Sophie's recent campaign to bring Wholesome Adult Sex Education Courses to the world. Viewers tuned in for a fun program that featured Sophie's wild stories, co-host Meesh's commentary, and music from Mad P, Sophie's rapping alter ego. The telethon is over, but you can still support by joining Sex With Sophie on a FREE membership plan and upgrading if any of Sophie's 30 reasons resonate with you: withsophie.co My 30 Reasons Why wholesome, inclusive, empirical, adult sex education is sorely needed (with timestamps): Reason 30 (00:56) - All about parental guidance and learning about sex from my Dad's porn collection. Reason 29 (05:03) - Ace/Aro Exclusion. Why are these orientations not known about more ubiquitously??? Reason 28 (08:46) - My mom found out I was no longer a virgin, thanks to an HPV false alarm. Reason 27 (11:26) - I have PCOS, like almost 20% of all women. Why is there no real info or treatment options? Reason 26 (14:52) - There's no real information about how to go about lesbian sex. Reason 25 (17:23) - I was completely ignorant about FTM Trans issues. Reason 24 (28:18) - Basic things, like shaving your legs, are gender-affirming care. Reason 23 (32:14) - A boy told me that I wouldn't get pregnant if I didn't cum. Reason 22 (34:57) - My Mom had me checked to see if my hymen was still intact. Reason 21 (38:35) - My first time having sex, my boyfriend asked if I was really a virgin. Reason 20 (41:03) - The G Spot. Enough Said. Reason 19 (43:03) - As your body changes, your sex life may need to adjust. Reason 18 (45:56) - Little girls aren't allowed to explore their sexuality in the same way little boys are. Reason 17 (48:52) - My husband was diagnosed with a varicocele. Reason 16 (50:31) - I learned about periods from "Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret." Reason 15 (53:52) - A smaller endowed gentleman rocked my socks. Size does NOT matter! Reason 14 (55:29) - My Sex at 70 podcast episode enlightened me about men with ED. Reason 13 (56:52) - My misconceptions around ass-play. Reason 12 (01:01:43) - Lesbians know wayyyy more about foreplay than the rest of us. Reason 11 (01:03:51) - When I first learned to masturbate, I felt incredibly ashamed after. Reason 10 (01:06:44) - I used to have horrible folliculitis. Reason 09 (01:09:21) - My male friend was raped and not taken seriously at all. Reason 08 (01:13:31) - I, too, was raped and didn't accept it due to a lack of knowledge. Reason 07 (01:17:05) - Kink and BDSM are more about communication and trust than how it's presently portrayed. Reason 06 (01:20:34) - A man I was with removed the condom halfway through. Reason 05 (01:22:36) - The. Rabbit. Ain't. SHIT! It took me far too long to find good sex toys. Reason 04 (01:24:42) - Is it possible to get eaten out too much? Reason 03 (01:26:43) - I dated a man with an insane porn addiction. Reasons 02 + 01 (01:30:19) - Everything I do is so my two girls don't grow up feeling 'less than' like I did. This was a fun, but wildly profound event to raise funds for a great cause, 'because porn isn't real life.' If we don't build this new way forward together, though, pornography may continue to be just about all we have for information about the birds & the bees. Join Sex With Sophie for FREE if any of my reasons resonate with you: withsophie.co

Pamela educates Sophie about the Asexuality and Aromantic spectrum and shares their experiences as an "AceAro" being living in a sex-fueled world. Namely, the city of Los Angeles.

Phadonya and Angel help me put my finger on what makes lesbian sex so amazing. We also dig into the intersectionality of being Black, female, and gay.