PRIDE

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yvie Oddly took the world by storm when she strutted her way to victory in the eleventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Her unique style and boundary-pushing performances earned her a spot as one of the most influential drag queens, as recognized by New York Magazine in June 2019.In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the wonderfully weird world of Yvie Oddly, whose unconventional drag persona has been described as “the oddest drag queen in history.” Her drag persona, far from being a beacon of femininity, celebrates the strange and the extraordinary, inspiring a generation to embrace their quirks, stand tall in their uniqueness, and dare to be different.And for all you Yvie Oddly fans out there, get ready to add a new title to your reading list. Her memoir, All About Yvie, Into the Oddity, is out now. See more of Yvie and order book here: https://oddlyyvie.com/Follow Yvie on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/oddlyyvie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2022, Donia Kash made a significant mark in television history as the first openly nonbinary actor to lead a Hallmark film, portraying the character of Suzette in The Secrets of Bella Vista. This week on PRIDE, they share their insights from that groundbreaking experience. Plus, we delve into Donia's multilingual upbringing, and discuss their personal journey into the world of performing, including their martial arts skills.We'll also talk to Donia about their new movie on Tubi, Slay, where drag queens take slaying to a whole new level when vampires attack, what it means to be “out” in the industry as an non-binary person, and how we can retell so many characters' stories beyond the binary. Keep up with Donia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donia.kash/?hl=enWatch Slay on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/100017977/slay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us on a journey to Roanoke, Virginia, a small city in the Appalachian South with a vibrant, untold queer history. Despite its conservative surroundings, Roanoke stands as a resilient hub for LGBTQ+ life. In this episode, we welcome Dr. Samantha Rosenthal, author of "Living Queer History, Remembrance and Belonging in a Southern City." Through a blend of personal memoir and meticulous historical research, Samantha illuminates the hidden stories of Roanoke's LGBTQ+ community. We'll explore how these local histories enrich our understanding of American queer history and inspire a more inclusive future. Tune in for a compelling narrative of remembrance, resilience, and belonging.Learn more about Samantha and her work.Learn more about the Southwest Virginia LGBTQ+ History Project.Support local book shops and find a copy of Samantha's book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Pride, we explore the profound journey of surrogacy through the inspiring story of Zarah Hilliard, a young queer mom and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Zarah shares her experiences as she embarks on her second surrogacy journey, helping same-sex couples start families. We also hear from Daryl and Randall, two dads who worked with Zarah to bring their son Caleb into the world. This episode highlights the significance of Surrogacy Awareness Month, the enduring bonds formed through surrogacy, and the power of human connection, support systems, and the diverse paths to parenthood within the LGBTQ+ community. So join us to celebrate the gift of life and the endless forms of family and love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on PRIDE, we get a behind the scenes look at the hit Netflix series, Baby Reindeer with Nava Mau who plays Teri. ​​The darkly funny and intense seven-part series is based on the real story of Richard Gadd, who stars as Donny, a comedian who is relentlessly stalked by a woman after he offers her a free drink at the bar he works at. The series dives into the complex dynamics of obsession and its profound impact on personal identity and security. Today, we have the privilege of delving into Nava's dynamic career, her role as Teri in the thought-provoking series 'Baby Reindeer,' and her ongoing work in film and social advocacy. We'll also get a sneak peek into her latest project, All the Words but One, an independent short film she wrote and directed, with the amazing Lilly Wachowski as Executive Producer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve come a long way, Pride listeners. Six weeks ago, we started on this journey to better understand the queer history of the United States. And re-listening to this series, which we originally aired in 2020, we're reminded of how many extraordinary stories there are. We began by looking at the many genders in the indigenous nations of pre-colonial America and their persecution by Western explorers. We looked at the first settlers in the original thirteen colonies, the founding fathers, homoeroticism in the white house, drag shows in Harlem, and the beginning of the term homosexual. Today is the final part of our six week series on the Queer History of the United States. We’re back with best-selling author and LGBTQ+ historian Dr. Eric Cervini and we’ll also hear from Michelle Esther O’Brien, a scholar living in New York City who helped organize an amazing exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots with the New York Public Library back in 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week we learned that the 15th president of the United States, James Buchanan, may have been gay. Unfortunately, we also learned he was kind of garbage, so we’re not going to claim him. Today, we forge ahead into Part 5 of our series on the queer history of the United States. Not only is our guide, best-selling author and LGBTQ+ historian Dr. Eric Cervini, back to help us, but we also have John Beynon, professor of Literature at Fresno State University to teach us about the life of Oscar Wilde, and his contribution to the global conversation about same-sex love. So to put us in the right era: The civil war is over. It’s the late 1800s. And we’re going to go all the way until just before the Stonewall riots in 1969. That’s about 100 years to cover, so buckle in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s an election year again. And the first time we aired this series – A Queer History of the United States – was the last election year, 2020. This year, we have a record-breaking choice between the two oldest men in the history of the presidential race. And four years ago, they set that record for the first time. But we’re not here to talk about today’s lackluster presidential choices. Historically speaking, there hasn’t been a lot of diversity when it comes to United States presidents. In fact, besides Barack Obama, the position has exclusively gone to older white men. One of those white men (JFK) was Catholic and that was a big deal. He was also one of the youngest at 42. Another old white guy (James Buchanan) was… gay? Maybe. Today we’ll talk about him, his companion, and their relationship in the years just before the Civil War. Best-selling author and LGBTQ+ historian Dr. Eric Cervini is with us again this week as we dive into part 4 of our series on The Queer History of the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you think about it, it’s kind of funny that almost everything we know about the personal lives of historical figures we learned by snooping in their letters and diaries. Without phones and email and DMs, the things that weren’t said out loud were only written down on paper and lucky for us, sometimes saved for posterity. Today on Pride, we’ll read some things that were written between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. There are some surprisingly suggestive letters between Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens,the diary entries of two women in Vermont in the early 1800s, and also a few pretty explicit letters from early frontiersmen. Best-selling author and LGBTQ+ historian Dr. Eric Cervini is with us again as we dive into part 3 of our series on The Queer History of the United States, which we originally aired in 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you studied the revolutionary war in school, you probably learned about Paul Revere’s midnight ride, Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “Common Sense,” and the Declaration of Independence. You might have even learned about Baron von Steuben, the Prussian Lieutenant General who whipped the American Troops into shape during the darkest hours of the Revolutionary War. But chances are, your history teachers left out the part where that same Baron von Steuben was probably gay. Today on Pride, we’re moving into part 2 of our series on The Queer History of the United States, which originally aired in 2020. Our guide is Dr. Eric Cervini, best-selling author and LGBTQ+ historian. As we learn about the era of the revolutionary war, we’ll learn about two war heroes who were honored despite their transgressions. And one Lieutenant who was chased out of town. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The history of the United States is probably a bit more queer than you realize. Starting today on the show, we’re revisiting one of our favorite series: a six part deep dive into the queer history of the US, which we originally aired in 2020. Our guide throughout this epic journey is none other than Dr. Eric Cervini, the award-winning author, producer, and historian of LGBTQ+ politics. His first book, The Deviant’s War: The Homosexual vs. the United States of America, was a NYT bestseller and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Today, in part 1 of this six part series, we start with the indigenous people of North America with Harlan Pruden, a First Nations Cree scholar and community organizer known for his work in the two-spirit community. From there, we'll move into the Conquistador’s effects on those native people, and finally, end with the British Colonies.*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on PRIDE, we welcome Julia Turshen, a New York Times best-selling cookbook author and… powerlifter! Like a lot of us, Julia struggled with body image and the societal pressure to take up less space. Powerlifting has helped her learn to love what her body can do. We’ll talk about how she became one of the best-known cookbook authors in the US, her cultivation of a queer domestic life through her weekly Zoom cooking classes, and how Roxane Gay helped her share her transformative experience with powerlifting through a new essay collection.Julia Turshen’s ROXANE GAY & series essay, called “Built for This: The Quiet Strength of Powerlifting” is now available on Everand.com, a digital content subscription.You can read or listen to it here (this link will automatically apply a promo code that gives you a 60 day free trial to Everand). If you already have an Everand/Scribd account, you can read the essay here or listen to it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on PRIDE, we sit down with Jim Fielding, former Disney retail president and author of All Pride, No Ego, A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically. Jim breaks down his journey as a queer executive moving through more conservative spaces, how a love for a brand and fictional character isn’t enough to drive growth in your career, and how imperative it is to live an authentic life no matter what. Check out Jim's book here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/moments-of-truth-lessons-for-leading-and-living-authentically-jim-fielding/19599749?ean=9781394165285 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the cost of entering the public eye as a trans person? As the pendulum starts to swing back on queer rights in the world, we need trans advocates now more than ever. We sat down with Mercury Stardust to look back on the last three years of her time in the public eye, from her impact on TikTok to her New York Times Bestselling book Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. What’s next for Mercury, and would she do it all again? Despite the price she pays, Mercury is steadfast in her dedication to trans joy. Together with Jory (alluring skull on TikTok), she will be raising funds for gender-affirming care for the third year running with Point of Pride. Donate to Point of Pride here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/point-of-pride/2024-tiktok-a-thon-for-trans-healthGrab a copy of Mercury's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Sound-Renter-Friendly-Guide-Repair/dp/0744079071 Learn more about Mercury here: https://mercurystardust.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you don’t know anything about PrEP, the short answer is that it is a preventive medicine that reduces the risks of contracting HIV/AIDS with up to 99% effectiveness. While this is an incredible step in eradicating this disease, the new problem to solve is the distribution and access to the drug. In this episode of PRIDE, we sit down with Tristan Schukraft. He's the CEO of Mistr, one of the largest sexual health companies prescribing PrEP, owner of one of the biggest gay hotels in Puerto Rico, and, as Blade Magazine would describe, the CEO of Everything Gay. We’ll discuss his early career, why he feels that creating and running Mistr is vital to not just the queer community, and some advice to any future entrepreneurs out there.Learn more about Mistr here: https://heymistr.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on PRIDE, we uncover the true history of the queer pioneers with Professor of American History at Washington State University Peter Boag. Having dedicated a large portion of his life to studying a broader American history in the West and its intersection with queerness, Peter has unique insight into the life and achievements of the various LGBTQ+ people during the turn of the century.Read Peter Boag's book, Re-Dressing America's Frontier Past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grindr, synonymous with LGBTQ+ casual dating, has reshaped queer community interactions since its 2009 launch by Joel Simkhai. Now with over 13.5 million global users, it's influenced late-night humor and news while facing scandals and critiques for its anonymity feature—intended to protect users in hostile environments, yet sometimes misused for spreading hate or unsolicited content.This week, Joel Simkhai introduces his new app, Motto, (now active in NYC) aiming to improve the queer dating scene. He discusses learning from Grindr's darker aspects and his vision for enhancing queer dating app reputations worldwide.Learn about Motto here: https://www.findmotto.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that queerness in the West is at least 140 years old? The original cowboy community was biracial, bilingual, and homosocial. Two men getting married in far-flung places like Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming wasn’t a rarity - it was commonplace.In this episode of PRIDE, we sit down with Rebecca Scofield, a professor at the University of Idaho who specializes in gender and sexuality in the American West to discuss the origins of Gay Rodeo, how the LGBTQ+ community was integral in settling the Wild West, and how to keep the Rodeo as queer as ever. You can buy a copy of Slapping Leather: Queer Cowfolx at the Gay Rodeo, the book Rebecca Scofield co-authored with Elyssa Ford here: https://uwapress.uw.edu/book/9780295752136/slapping-leather/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2023, roughly 81% of all cannabis retailers were owned by cis white men across all legal states. However, a 2020 study performed at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs showed that the LGBTQ+ community consumes the plant at a much higher rate than the heterosexual community. So why haven’t more queer-owned cannabis retailers opened in the varied legal states? Green Qween Cannabis in downtown Los Angeles aims to change this narrative. By focusing on the local queer community and supporting the neighborhood, Green Qween has created a new hub for the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we’re sitting down with the founders, Taylor Bazley and Andrés Rigal to discuss how and why a community-based marijuana business can drive social change and inclusion.Learn more about Green Qween here: https://thegreenqween.com/Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopgreenqween/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever seen a gay explorer on TV going on extreme wildlife adventures and introducing audiences to the wonders of nature? Neither had we, but that’s exactly what Dan O’Neill is changing. Not only is he a skilled independent filmmaker and presenter, but he is also pursuing a PhD in zoology, specializing in remote expeditions and conservation biology. Today, Dan will be walking us through his current expedition, as well as reflecting on his recent film projects like “Giants,” which puts audiences face-to-face with the most gigantic animals to ever walk the planet.So, grab your explorer hats and load up on bug spray as we embark on an exciting journey to explore the incredible life of a wildlife enthusiast who's not just making waves but also sparking positive change in the world of science and natural history television.Connect with Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danowildWatch Giants on Curiosity Stream: https://curiositystream.com/collections/183 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Propeller is a community-supported social impact platform– the first of its kind. And they connect non-profit organizations, like the Human Rights Campaign, with artists, festivals, and events, to create marketing campaigns that combine activism with unforgettable experiences. Last year, in 2022 alone, Propeller had over 1.3 million registered users, raised $5 million and inspired 7.6 million actions for causes that matter. Look at what Aly & AJ did, raising over $100,000 for The Trevor Project and To Write Love On Her Arms during their spring headline tour. And Demi Lovato has partnered with Propeller twice to raise money and bring awareness to the organizations they love. Today, we’re talking with Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign, and Brandon Deros, Founder and CEO of Propeller, about how their collaboration is reshaping activism through art and social engagement.Learn more about the Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/Learn more about Propeller: https://www.propeller.la/From Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aydian Dowling first soared into the limelight when he became one of the finalists for Men's Health magazine's "Ultimate Guy" competition, an achievement that echoed far beyond the confines of the publication itself. He ended up as the first trans man to ever appear on the cover. After that, he went on the Ellen Degeneres show and started his career as a speaker, activist, and entrepreneur focused on building community for LGBTQ+ folks everywhere.Aydian Dowling first soared into the limelight when he became one of the finalists for Men's Health magazine's "Ultimate Guy" competition, an achievement that echoed far beyond the confines of the publication itself. He ended up as the first trans man to ever appear on the cover. After that, he went on the Ellen Degeneres show and started his career as a speaker, activist, and entrepreneur focused on building community for LGBTQ+ folks everywhere.Learn more about Point of Pride: https://www.pointofpride.org/Download the Trace app: https://www.thetrace.app/Follow Aydian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alionsfearFrom Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step into the vibrant universe of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' with host Levi Chambers in this illuminating episode. We begin by tracing the roots of Casey McQuiston's debut masterpiece — an LGBTQ+ romantic comedy that effortlessly melded politics and royalty, capturing the hearts of readers worldwide. As this modern love story transitions from beloved book to highly anticipated film, Levi examines the nuances of the adaptation process, probing into the challenges and triumphs of transferring a narrative from page to screen. Featuring an in-depth conversation with the film's visionary, playwright, and filmmaker Matthew López, listeners get an exclusive look into the inspirations and aspirations that shaped the cinematic rendition.But the episode doesn't stop at the film's silver-screen journey. Levi delves deeper, discussing broader themes: the story's role in redefining representation in media, its influence in reshaping perceptions of love in a politically charged environment, and its testament to breaking barriers in the modern romance genre.A captivating blend of behind-the-scenes insights, profound societal reflections, and a dash of royal charm — this episode offers both fans and newcomers an intimate understanding of the whirlwind journey of 'Red, White & Royal Blue.' Whether you're eager to relive Alex and Prince Henry's enchanting romance or curious about the intersection of love, politics, and film-making, Levi has prepared a royal banquet of insights.From Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amidst the escalating AIDS crisis of the early 1990s, a wave of homophobia cascaded across the US. LGBTQ-related hate crimes didn't merely rise, they skyrocketed, creating a chilling climate of fear nationwide. And in New York City, the epicenter of culture anddiversity, the queer community found itself locked in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a serial killer who had made gay men his chosen prey.Based on the book, "Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York" by Elon Green, the new MAX documentary uncovers the unnerving narrative of the murders of gay men in the New York area between 1988 and 1992, unraveling the horrifying mystery of how a relentless killer evaded justice for these heinous crimes foran eerily protracted span.This week, we chat with film makers, Howard Gertler and Anthony Caronna to discuss the chilling four-part documentary, Last Call, and hear firsthand experiences from the creative team on what care went into crafting the series, the powerful narratives they wove together, and the current w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of Nascar, you’re probably not thinking about how the sport can contribute to LGBTQ+ rights. But thanks to one young racecar driver, that’s changing for the better.This week, we talk with NASCAR driver Zach Herrin. In love with racing since the age of 5, he sped towards his dreams and turned pro by 16. As a young person, his most authentic self was constantly challenged by the hypermasculine world of racing. So he opted for a pit stop and stepped away from the sport at just 17. Shifting gears allowed Zach to get in touch with his most authentic self as an out professional athlete. Now, he’s ready for a comeback. So, buckle up and get ready for queer lap around the track. Follow Zach on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zach.herrinLearn more about Racing Pride: https://racingpride.com/Learn more about Lambda Legal: https://lambdalegal.org/ By Straw Hut Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Pride, we explore the Culinary Arts Program based out of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. The Los Angeles LGBT Center provides services for more LGBTQ+ people than any other organization in the world. They have nine different locations throughout Los Angeles. And today's story is about something really special happening at the Anita May Rosenstein campus, which made headlines back in 2019 when it first opened both because of the massive fundraising they did and the ambitious nature of the project.We originally talked with Nick Panepinto, the Director of Culinary Programming at the LA LGBT Center about the importance of mentorship in the LGBTQ+ community. But as we learned more about the program-- an intensive 3-month curriculum that not only trains students in the kitchen but also feeds the community-- we were increasingly inspired and we decided we needed to see it for ourselves.We talk with Nick about how this amazing program brings people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities – housed and unhoused, cis-gendered and trans and everything is between – how it brings folks together around food. And then, with the help of our Pride Correspondent Kris Reaves-Andrews, we visit the Anita May Rosenstein Campus to try the coffee at Liberation Coffee House, see the kitchen in action, and to meet two graduates of the culinary program. Learn more about the LA LGBT Center: https://lalgbtcenter.org/Learn more about the Culinary Program: https://lalgbtcenter.org/images/Youth/CP20_Culinary_Arts_Brochure.pdfBrought to you by Straw Hut Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

REDDIT TALK BONUS EPISODE: Please enjoy this recording from our most recent chat with Kevin Aviance, drag performer and club personality, whose hit "Cunty" was sampled on the recent Beyoncé track "Pure/Honey." We invite you to join live future talks by following the subreddit r/lgbt, and we will continue to share recordings of talks as they become available. We're so excited to have partnered with r/lgbt for live weekly Reddit Talks recapping our episodes and providing a platform for listeners and Redditors alike to ask questions and engage with other LGBTQ+ people.Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.Have an LGBTQ+ story to share? Email us at [email protected] is produced by Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Daniel Ferrera.*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We decided to cancel this week’s episode of The Pride Podcast in light of the hateful and violent acts that took place in Colorado Springs at Club Q on Saturday night. LGBTQ+ people are used to swallowing the indignities, big and small. We accept them as a reality of being LGBTQ+ in this world. If this is you, know that your anger, your fear, and your grief are valid. Do not suffer in silence. Let the people in your life in. Lean on your allies. We need one another now more than ever.We want to extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.Daniel AstonDerrick RumpKelly LovingAshley PaughRaymond VanceProduced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe it’s the movies, maybe it’s the cold weather, or maybe it’s just in our heads... Either way, the holiday season often brings pressure to find romance, and dating as a queer person can sometimes feel like a minefield. Add in a lack of inclusive language on dating apps and the whole prospect can seem overwhelming. Bumble, Hinge, Grindr, HER, Tinder… Though some are more inclusive than others, they often fall short. But one app is trying really hard to improve the dating experience for the LGBTQ+ community.Almost 20 years ago, OK Cupid introduced online dating to young people. On this week's episode, we’ll hear about OK Cupid’s history of inclusivity and what sets it apart from other dating apps and more from Michael Kaye, the Associate Director of Global Communications at OkCupid. Send us your stories about online dating as a queer person! We love to hear from you: [email protected] host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. This episode was also produced by Frank Driscoll. It was written and edited by Maggie Boles and Daniel Ferrera.Do you have a queer story to share? Email us at [email protected]*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Produced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Beyoncé released her newest album, Renaissance, a few months ago, she paid homage to a culture that shaped who she became as a performer. In her liner notes she said: “Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long. This is a celebration for you.”Today, we talk to one of those pioneers, Kevin Aviance. We learn how a young boy in Richmond, Virginia went from singing Aretha Franklin in his sister's dress to being inducted into the famed House of Aviance in Washington DC, and later sampled on the biggest album of 2022. We talk about the different schools of drag and how the scene has changed over the last 30 years. Does the mainstreaming of drag make the world a safer place? Plus, hear the song that Beyoncé lifted up and celebrated on her track Pure/Honey. Follow Kevin Aviance on instagram: @kevinavianceofficialYour host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Maggie Boles and Daniel Ferrera.Do you have a queer story to share? Email us at [email protected]*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Produced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Spooky Season, Pride listeners! Have you ever heard someone call Halloween Gay Christmas? To help us explore the very queer origins of Halloween, we’ll spend some time with two experts in the realm of queer history: Michael Bronski and Marc Stein. We’ll look at what exactly it is about Halloween that makes it feel like Gay Christmas and what some of those Halloween celebrations looked like in the middle of the 20th century, specifically in Philadelphia. We’ll also hear from the one and only Tammie Brown, whose Halloween Spectacular is out now on Out TV, about her own experiences with Halloween as a drag queen. And finally, we’ll look at how Halloween can remind us of our power and serve as a tool for activism.Tammie Brown’s Halloween Spooktacular is out now on OUTtv.com and on AppleTV+ via the OUTtv Channel until October 31st. Watch it here and follow Tammie on Instagram. Read Michael Bronski's book, A Queer History of the United States.Read more from Marc Stein on his faculty page . Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. It's written by Maggie Boles and edited by Daniel Ferrera.Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? Email us at [email protected]*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Produced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

REDDIT TALK BONUS EPISODE: Please enjoy this recording from our most recent chat with Levi, traveling nurse and activist Brian "PozRN" Thomas, and Reddit's r/lgbt community asnwering all your monkeypox-related questions as a follow up to Episode 5: Monkeypox. We invite you to join live future talks by following the subreddit r/lgbt, and we will continue to share recordings of talks as they become available. We're so excited to have partnered with r/lgbt for live weekly Reddit Talks recapping our episodes and providing a platform for listeners and Redditors alike to ask questions and engage with other LGBTQ+ people.For more information on the 2022 monkeypox outbreak in the US, please visit: cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypoxYour host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected] is produced by Levi Chambers, Frank Driscoll, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Frank Driscoll and Daniel Ferrera.*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Produced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week is queer comedian and viral content creator Rob Anderson. Rob is best known for his short form sketches, parodies and comedic series "Gay Science", which tackles harmful queer stereotypes by answering questions like: "Why Are Gay Men Terrible Drivers" and "Why Gay Men Can't Sit In a Chair Properly." Amassing over 2 million social media followers, his comedy thoughtfully explores relatable LGBTQ+ issues in unique and sardonic ways.On today’s episode, we learn how Rob went from small town class clown to big city marketing positions at Grindr, Uber, and The Infatuation to global TikTok sensation, author, musical artist, and stand-up comedian. We also discuss the differences between online and on-stage performance and, his upcoming North American comedy tour “Heartthrob Live,” and why it’s important for him to be a vocal advocate for the queer community.You can purchase tickets to “Heartthrob Live” at heartthrobanderson.com/tour. They are selling out fast, so don’t wait!Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Frank Driscoll, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Frank Driscoll and Daniel Ferrera.Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Produced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here at PRIDE, we have been feverishly following Guillermo and Nandor’s will-they-won’t-they relationship for the last four seasons of What We Do in the Shadows. So you can imagine how thrilled we were when Guillermo came out as gay in the latest epsiode. We're even more thrilled to have the iconic actor Harvey Guillén join us on today's episode to disucss his character Guillermo's journey to self-actualization over these past four seasons, and how the actor's queer, Mexican-American identity has imbued his character with a depth and authenticity that make Guillermo a true fan-favorite. We also discuss the new companion podcast to the TV show, Behind the Shadows, which Harvey hosts.Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Frank Driscoll, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Frank Driscoll and Daniel Ferrera.Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Produced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest today, Brian Thomas, is a traveling nurse, activist, openly HIV+ health educator, and one of the 9,500 American’s to test positive for monkeypox so far–a diagnosis he has been sharing openly on his popular TikTok account PozRN, in the hopes of curbing the spread of the virus and stigmatization by raising awareness about the disease, especially given the harmful misinformation that the virus only targets queer men.On today’s episode, Brian shares critical info about monkeypox and his personal experience with the virus, stresses the need for a stronger national response to the outbreak, and gives safety tips to prevent transmission and spread.For more information on the 2022 monkeypox outbreak in the US, please visit: cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypoxYour host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Frank Driscoll, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Frank Driscoll and Daniel Ferrera.Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Produced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

REDDIT TALK BONUS EPISODE: Please enjoy this recording from our most recent chat with Levi, pirate historian Rebecca Simon, and Reddit's r/lgbt community recapping Season 2, Episode 3: Pirate Queens.We invite you to join live future talks by following the subreddit r/lgbt, and we will continue to share recordings of talks as they become available. We're so excited to have partnered with r/lgbt for live weekly Reddit Talks recapping our episodes and providing a platform for listeners and Redditors alike to ask questions and engage with other LGBTQ+ people.Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected] is produced by Levi Chambers, Frank Driscoll, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Frank Driscoll and Daniel Ferrera.*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Produced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

REDDIT TALK BONUS EPISODE: Please enjoy this recording from our most recent chat with Reddit's r/lgbt community recapping Season 2, Episode 2: "This Christian High School Fires Gay Coaches." We invite you to join live future talks by following the subreddit r/lgbt, and we will continue to share recordings of talks as they become available. We're so excited to have partnered with r/lgbt for live weekly Reddit Talks recapping our episodes and providing a platform for listeners and Redditors alike to ask questions and engage with other LGBTQ+ people.Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected] is produced by Levi Chambers, Frank Driscoll, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Frank Driscoll and Daniel Ferrera.*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Produced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. In our previous conversatio, we covered a more general history of pirates and the queerness many male pirates expressed through clothing and sxuality–like the gentleman pirate Captian Stede Bonnet, and the infamous Black Beard. We also discussed her book Why We Love Pirates: The Hunt for Captain Kid and How He Changed Piracy Forever.During our 2019 discussion, Rebecca also briefly touched on two notable female pirates who dressed like men in battle, subverted they’re femininity into a weapon, and may have even been Lesbian Lovers. These two badass pirates were Anne Bonny and Mary Reed, and they left quite an impression on me and our audience back in 2019. So when I heard that Rebecca had recently written the first full length book on the history of Anne and Mary, I had to have her back on the pod to share her findings, and give Anne, Mary, and all women pirates the platform they deserve. In today’s four part episode, we will learn about how Anne Bonny and Mary Reed became pirates, how their relationship unfolded, the research that went into writing Pirate Queens, and Rebecca's thoughts on depictions of pirates in the media today.So yee scallywags, come aboard the PRIDE ship, and join us as we uncover the treasures of Anne and Mary’s buried history.Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.This episode of PRIDE was produced by Levi Chambers, Frank Driscoll, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Frank Driscoll and Daniel Ferrera.*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

REDDIT TALK BONUS EPISODE: Each week on PRIDE, we share stories by and for the LGBTQ+ community where we unearth overlooked queer history, celebrate community change-makers, and share stories of our collective trials and triumphs. The best part of the PRIDE podcast is the diverse community of queer people and allies who have supported, shared, and been a part of these inclusive conversations. That’s why I’m so excited for our PRIDE family to grow even more by partnering with Reddit’s subreddit r/lgbt for live weekly Reddit Talks recapping our episodes and providing a platform for listeners and Redditors alike to ask questions and engage with other LGBTQ+ people.Please enjoy this recording from our first, introductory chat with the r/lgbt community. We invite you to join live future talks by following r/lgbt, and we will continue to share recordings of talks as they become available.We're proud to have you.Produced by Straw Hut Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Playboy Magazine is one of the most recognized companies around today. The adult magazine, easily identified by its logo of a rabbit in a bow tie, challenged sexual restrictions and frequently celebrated women's bodies on their covers. Though their audience is traditionally white, cis, straight men, you might be surprised to learn that the magazine has a long-running history of LGBTQ+ advocacy. Today, you can see their advocacy proudly displayed on the front pages of their digital publication. In this episode, we speak with the first gay Editor and Chief of of Playboy, Shane Michael Singh and cover: Playboy’s queer history How the magazine supports the queer community today Shane’s story of coming to terms with his sexuality and his journey to becoming Playboy’s Editor and Chief, and his latest impactful work with the Trevor Project. Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Frank Driscoll, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Frank Driscoll and Daniel Ferrera.Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denounce your sexuality or lose your job. That was the ultimatum offered to two athletic coaches at Valor Christian High School in Highland Ranch, Colorado. Inoke Tonga was a coach for the boys volleyball team before he was fired in 2021 for being gay. One year earlier, lacrosse coach Lauren Benner was forced to leave her position for the same reason--her sexuality didn’t align with the school’s beliefs.In today’s four part episode, Levi speaks with Lauren and Inoke about their positions at Valor, the events that led to their termination, and how this intolerant environment will continue to affect the faculty and students if change doesn’t come soon. We also chat with Lucy Sarkissian, a young but resilient advocate and student of Valor who organized several protests against the school’s policies.Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Frank Driscoll, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Frank Driscoll and Daniel Ferrera.Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PRIDE is back for Season Two! To celebrate the last day of Pride Month, and to kick off the rest of Pride Year, Levi Chambers sits down with queer historian, author, and professor Alex Espinoza to explore the intimate and radical history of gay cruising. Today's four part episode will: Cover the basics of cruising Explore its long history Unlock its secret code And consider the impact of COVID and dating apps on this enduring sexual practice. Alex Espinoza was born in Tijuana, Mexico to parents from the state of Michoacán and raised in suburban Los Angeles. He holds a BA in Creative Writing from the University of California-Riverside and an MFA from UC-Irvine’s Program in Writing. His first novel, Still Water Saints, was published by Random House in 2007 and was named a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection. The book was released simultaneously in Spanish, under the title Los santos de Agua Mansa, California, translated by Lilliana Valenzuela. His second novel, The Five Acts of Diego León, was also published by Random House in March 2013. His fiction has appeared in several anthologies and journals, including Inlandia: A Literary Journey Through California’s Inland Empire, The Southern California Review, Flaunt, and the Virginia Quarterly Review. His essays have been published at Salon.com, in the New York Times Magazine, in The Other Latin@: Writing Against a Singular Identity, in The Los Angeles Review of Books, Los Angeles Magazine, and as part of the historic Chicano Chapbook Series. He has also reviewed books for the LA Times, the American Book Review, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and NPR. His awards include a 2009 Margaret Bridgeman Fellowship in Fiction to the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, a 2014 Fellowship in Prose from the National Endowment for the Arts, a 2014 American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation for The Five Acts of Diego León, and a 2019 fellowship to MacDowell. His newest book, Cruising: An Intimate History of a Radical Pastime, was published by The Unnamed Press in June, 2019. Alex is also deeply involved with the Puente Project, a program designed to help first-generation community college students make a successful transition to a university. He lives in Los Angeles with his partner Kyle and is the Tomás Rivera Endowed Chair of Creative Writing.Be sure to follow Alex on twitter. Your host is Levi Chambers (he/him), founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials. Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com. PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Frank Driscoll, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Frank Driscoll and Daniel Ferrera.Have an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected]. *This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing QUEEN OF HEARTS: a new kind of blind dating game show, hosted by Jujubee (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Dragnificent). The Queen of our hearts guides singles through a series of sexy games and challenges to see if they can find their one true love-for-now. Sure to make you laugh, follow QUEEN OF HEARTS wherever you get your podcasts. Or you can listen early on Amazon Music or early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery Plus in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app: wondery.fm/Pride_QoH Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you consider leaving your job, moving across the country, and buying a ranch with no farming experience? It sounds like the making of a Hallmark original movie. But that’s precisely what husbands John Kanell, and Brian Dow did. These two fathers traded their lives in Los Angeles for idyllic country life in Connecticut, running their own farm. They started a YouTube channel where they shared pieces of their lives, which has budded into a hugely successful business and a published cookbook. Be sure to follow John and Brian on YouTube! And pre-order Preppy Kitchen: Recipes for Seasonal Dishes and Simple Pleasures.Your host is Levi Chambers, co-founder of Gayety.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @Pride.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.Your producers are Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson and Edited by Silvana AlcalaHave an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Pride, we're embracing the Valentine season and chatting with a TikTok power couple who have the ability to make their followers swoon with the press of one upload button. TikTok superstars Nicky Champa and Pierre Boo have amassed an audience of nearly 24 million across their platforms. But being in a same-sex relationship in the public's eye comes with its challenges. Today, Nicky and Pierre share with us their love story, their highs and lows, and how they navigate the pressure to be perfect online. Be sure to follow Nicky & Pierre on TikTok!Your host is Levi Chambers, co-founder of Gayety.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @Pride.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.Your producers are Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson and Edited by Silvana AlcalaHave an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coined the "Gen Z Whisperer” by the New York Times and “The Beauty King” by The Guardian, Hyram Yarbro is a beauty influencer with over 12 million followers across his various social handles. Today on Pride, we talk to Hyram about the grueling pressure that comes with giving public beauty advice, his new line of sustainable skincare products, and how to walk the talk when it comes to social issues. But first, we’ll go back to where it all began – with a gay boy in Arizona dreaming of a way out.Be sure to follow Hyram on TikTok!Your host is Levi Chambers, co-founder of Gayety.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @Pride.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.Your producers are Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson and Edited by Silvana AlcalaHave an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Pride, we are speaking with Will Sterling, an actor, writer and director based in Los Angeles, California. Will hosts a podcast called “History Rated R” with his co-host Craig Smith. Throughout this episode, Will is going to share clips taken from their podcast, History Rated R and give us more insight into Craig and how he came to be a walking contradiction in terms of his sexuality, beliefs and political party affiliation.Be sure to check out History Rated R, out now!Your host is Levi Chambers, co-founder of Gayety.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @Pride.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.Your producers are Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson and Edited by Silvana AlcalaHave an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Pride, we're going to be talking about some seriously misjudged creatures - spiders and scorpions - and how these joint-legged invertebrates sent one scientist on a path towards scientific discovery, conserving natural resources, and uniting the community of LGBTQ+ people in STEM.Be sure to follow Lauren on Twitter!Your host is Levi Chambers, co-founder of Gayety.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @Pride.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.Your producers are Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson and Edited by Silvana AlcalaHave an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Sponsored by:Let's Get CheckedLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marcos Chin is an artist whose work includes intersectional representation of queer stories and Asian stories. Today we are talking about his body of work. Being a commercial artist, Marcos has had to work in spaces where his artwork may be considered “bad for business”. We talk about how he navigates his career as a professional artist while also being able to stay authentic and true to who he is as an artist.Be sure to follow Marcos on IG!Your host is Levi Chambers, co-founder of Gayety.Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @Pride.Want more great shows from Straw Hut Media? Check out or website at strawhutmedia.com.Your producers are Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson and Edited by Silvana AlcalaHave an interesting LGBTQ+ story to share? We might feature U! Email us at [email protected].*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.Sponsored by:Let's Get CheckedLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices