This Way Out: The International LGBTQ Radio Magazine

A trans masculine teen from OutCasting Overtime discovers that people are a lot nicer when they think you’re a guy (a commentary by Declan, produced by Marc Sophos). Recalling former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s infamous 2007 visit to New York for the U.N. General Assembly shows that the Islamic regime hasn’t changed much in the intervening 15 years. And in NewsWrap: Cuban voters resoundingly pass a new Family Code that includes marriage equality and queer couples’ right to adopt children, Italy’s right-wing shift at the polls is bad news for LGBTQ+ rights campaigners, two additional suspects in the Oslo Pride shooting spree are arrested, a Polish teen is busted for chalking a pro-LGBTQ+ message on the sidewalk in front of a church in Toruń, Virginia’s proposed anti-trans policies prompt a students to stage a statewide walkout, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s rebuke of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ refugee hoax tops Twitter, and there will be no "Bros" rom-com in the Middle East, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Tanya Kane-Parry and Joe Boehnlein (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the October 3, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Our 1800th episode finds an eerie resemblance between the stories we reported the last week of September 1992 — fighting to secure state-level rights in Colorado and California … and oh, that Florida — and today’s conservative trends. And in NewsWrap: more than 10,000 opponents of queer rights march through the streets of Istanbul demanding a ban on “LGBTQ propaganda,” Roman Catholic bishops in Belgium defy the Vatican to authorize celebrations affirming same-gender couples, the U.S. Southern Baptist Convention cuts ties with two LGBTQ-welcoming congregations, the Mexican state of Durango gets marriage equality by gubernatorial decree, the U.S. state of Montana yields to an injunction blocking its ban on birth certificate gender changes, Tennessee’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio come under fire because of their gender-affirming care programs for young people, a Texas judge expands her injunction to halt “child abuse” investigations into P-FLAG and other families of transgender youth, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Marcos Najera and M.R. Raquel (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the September 26, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Statistics show that LGBTQ youth are at greatly increased risk of self-harm — a fact that hit home for OutCasting Overtime’s Isha when tragedy struck (produced by Marc Sophos). Queer students at New York’s Orthodox Jewish Yeshiva University and Utah’s Mormon Brigham Young University are pressing for their rights, following a trail blazed at Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma (a “This Way Out Rewind” from 2002 with Jeff McKissack of the LGBTQ alumni organization ORU-OUT interviewed by Lucia Chappelle). And in NewsWrap: Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe says his government would not oppose a bill to decriminalize consensual relations between queer adults, Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela promises free gender-affirming healthcare, thousands enjoy peaceful Prides in the Polish cities of Katowice and Lublin, electoral wins for the far-right Sweden Democrats alarm LGBTQ activists, Montana’s Health and Human Services Department aims to ignore an injunction against tightened rules for birth certificate gender changes, a woman inspired by false claims of underage gender-affirming surgeries to phone a bomb threat into Boston Children’s Hospital is arrested, Peppa Pig’s pal Penny Polar Bear has two mummies, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Melanie Keller and John Dyer V (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the September 19, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

The 2021 Best Indie Book Award for an LGBTQ coming of age novel prize went to Dwayne Ratleff’s “Dancing To The Lyrics.” Is the story of a queer African American boy growing up on the tough streets of Baltimore, Maryland fiction, memoir or both? (Eric Jansen of “Out in the Bay,” interviewer) And in NewsWrap: Chiléan voters reject an inclusive new Constitution despite the widespread desire for progressive reform, Liz Truss fills her Cabinet with homophobic Tories when she takes over as the U.K.’s new Prime Minister, Iran for the first time condemns two women to death for their queer activism, a Texas federal district judge allows religious objections to block coverage for free PrEP under the Affordable Care Act, Washington state's conversion therapy ban withstands a federal appeal, activists dispatch angels to defend a Pride drag show at Brigham Young University, an Idaho librarian checks out after enduring unhinged harangues about books that were never on her shelves, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Michael Taylor Gray and Sarah Montague (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the September 12, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Grammy-winning countertenor Anthony Roth Constanzo talks about his unique style and gender-bending repertoire from Phillip Glass’ Akhnaten to his collaboration with transgender singer-songwriter Justin Vivian Bond (interviewed by Brian DeShazor). Host Billy Eichner and winners Bad Bunny and Dove Cameron lead the queer contingent at the MTV Video Music Awards! And in NewsWrap: The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court finds the “sodomy” and “buggery” laws of Saint Kitts and Nevis unconstitutional, India’s Supreme Court supports legal protections and social benefits for same-gender couples, Belgrade EuroPride organizers say Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had no right to cancel their upcoming event, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals favors religious healthcare professionals’ right to refuse trans patients treatment, a Kansas teacher wins compensation for a suspension incurred for refusing to use a transgender student’s correct name and pronouns, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro faces jail time on charges related to lies connecting COVID-19 vaccinations to HIV/AIDS, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Tanya Kane-Perry and David Hunt(produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the September 5, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Once upon a time a Drag Queen Story Hour meant family fun, not a potentially violent protest. The U.S. national organization’s Executive Director Jonathan Hamilt tells the heartwarming tale of how it all began and what it’s mission really is (interviewed by KOOP-Austin’s Liz Ross). Radclyffe Hall’s “The Well of Loneliness” is known for being depressing, but another look at the lesbian classic of 1928 discovers new meaning (a 2002 essay by Queer Life and Literature correspondent Janet Mason). And in NewsWrap: Singapore will repeal its ban on male gay sex while maintaining marriage inequality, Hong Kong appeals court refuses to recognize an activist’s U.S. marriage to his husband, Vietnam’s government declares that being LGBTQ is not a “disease,” New Zealand offers formal apologies to conversion therapy survivors, Texas Christian church pays the price for its homophobic “Hamilton,” and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Joe Boehnlein and MR Raquel (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the August 29, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Transgender activist Rikki Nathanson won her discrimination case against the government of Zimbabwe in 2019, but ongoing harassment forced her to leave home. Now she’s Senior advisor of the Global Trans program for OutRight Action International, and our special guest on the final chapter of “Queerly Yours, Profiles in Courage with Roger Q. Mason” (produced by Brian DeShazor and Roger Q. Mason, with music and audio engineering by David Gonzalez). And in NewsWrap: Taiwanese WorldPride 2025 organizers cancel after failing to reach a naming agreement with InterPride, a U.S. federal appeals court rules that the Americans with Disabilities Act covers gender dysphoria, Boston Children’s Hospital faces death threats spurred by accusations that it performs gender-affirming surgeries on under-age patients, lone out NFL player Carl Nassib signs a one-year deal with Florida’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, lesbian WNBA star Brittney Griner appeals her drug possession sentence as Russian prisoner exchange negotiations continue, thousands demonstrate to support Serbian Orthodox Church Bishop Nikanor Bogunoviċ saying that he’d use a weapon against EuroPride in Belgrade, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Elena Botkin-Levy and David Hunt (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the August 22, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Don’t you wish Gore Vidal were here? The famed — and infamous — gay author, playwright, candidate and essayist who scandalized the literary world and enraged the political world died on July 31, 2012. To honor the anniversary of his passing, and to acknowledge his indelible mark on U.S. history, we have excerpts from a 2008 interview with Democracy Now!’s Amy Goodman. Ready and willing to answer all questions, or “It’s not my job to educate you”? OutCasting Overtime queer youth commentator Declan sees both sides of the issue of being the go-to “expert” on LGBTQ+ issues for friends and family, but sometimes would like to just have dinner (produced by Marc Sophos). And in NewsWrap: Sexual Minorities Uganda is shut down despite its pending appeal for NGO status, Florida denies gender-affirming care coverage under Medicaid, an eight-year-old trans girl’s family challenges Tennessee’s “bathroom bill,” hundreds march through Montreal to celebrate Pride after the official parade is abruptly cancelled, a Louisiana orphan’s pre-school blocks her advance to kindergarten when she’s adopted by her married lesbian aunt, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Marcos Najera and Melanie Keller (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the August 15, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

In the high school laboratory of trans science teacher Sam Long, the biology curriculum is undergoing a transition. His conversation with Black Filipinx plus size nonbinary queer artist of color Roger Q. Mason continues This Way Out’s special series, “Queerly Yours, Profiles in Courage” (produced by Brian DeShazor and Roger Q. Mason, original music and sound engineering by David Gonzales). And in NewsWrap: lesbian basketball star Brittney Griner sentenced to nine years in Russian penal colony on questionable drug charges, Hungary’s Christian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban wows Conservative Political Action Conference, vandalized Chicago-area bakery zoned out of hosting drag brunches and all other events, Michigan’s Supreme Court upholds protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Sarah Montague and Michael LeBeau (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the August 8, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

The particular threat of the monkeypox virus outbreak for men who have sex with men is exposed at the Los Angeles Blade Monkeypox Town Hall, co-sponsored by and the City of West Hollywood, California. Journalist John Fenoglio moderates a panel including Dr. Leo Moore of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Marianna Marroquin of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Dan Wolhfeiler of Building Healthy Online Communities, and actor-writer-producer Matthew Ford (who recently recovered from the disease). And in NewsWrap: tens of thousands march with Pride in Budapest against Orban’s homophobic government, Berlin Pride unites in love against war and hate, Russia rebuffs a prisoner swap offer to free WNBA star Brittney Griner, 22 U.S. states fight the federal policy guaranteeing school meals equality, a neo-Nazi is arrested at a Boston Drag Queen Story Hour protest, Britain’s Aida H Dee faces off against aggressive bigots, an anti-equality Republican U.S. Senator only respects his gay son’s marriage, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by David Hunt and Wendy Natividad (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the August 1, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Dozens of U.S. House Republicans join Democratic representatives to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would finally get the Defense of Marriage Act off the books — and codify same-gender and interracial marriage equality! Our coverage includes highlights from the floor debate, analysis from GayUSA TV and a dash of obligatory Cruz-y venom. And in NewsWrap: the European Commission takes Hungary to the Court of Justice over its “no promo homo” law, Andorra approves marriage equality, a Taipei court bends the rules to approve the marriage of a gay Taiwanese-Japanese couple, a U.S. federal court blocks President Biden's trans protection orders, a Greek gay activist's killer goes free after serving two months of a 10-year prison term, No. 1 Russian female tennis player Daria Kasatkina comes out, Christian zealots zap Seoul's Queer Culture Festival, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Elena Botkin-Levy and Joe Boehnlein (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the July 25, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Queerly Yours, Dorian Wood Our “Queerly Yours, Profiles in Courage with Roger Q. Mason” series continues as our award-winning Black Flilpinx plus size nonbinary queer playwright of color chats with genderfluid Los Angeles multi-disciplinary artist Dorian Wood about professional and personal creativity. And in NewsWrap: Russian lawmakers propose extending the homosexual “propaganda” ban to include adults, a Russian court rules that LGBTQ activist Yulia Tsvetkova’s “Vagina Monologues” blog isn’t porn, Bucharest Pride defies a Romanian “no promo homo” bill, Iraqi lawmakers plan to officially criminalize consensual adult same-gender sex, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton would gladly defend a reinstated state sodomy ban, Pennsylvania’s Governor Tom Wolf vetoes a trans school sports ban, Houston Sunday Drag Queen Brunch patrons repel a misguided invasion, a hearing on the impact of overturning Roe v. Wade becomes a lesson in trans existence for hard-right U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Michael LeBeau and Melanie Keller (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the July 18, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

A queer teen reveals the importance of their bond with a transgender friend whose family is oppressively unsupportive (an OutCasting Overtime commentary by Carys, produced by Marc Sophos). Brittney Griner reaches U.S. President Joe Biden on a personal level when her wife Cherelle’s efforts fail to get a response from the administration about the WNBA star’s imprisonment in Russia. And in NewsWrap: Slovenia’s Constitutional Court grants immediate marriage equality and adoption rights to same-gender couples, the High Court of Antigua and Barbuda overturns laws banning male-to-male and other sexual activities, Iran executes another gay man, Nigerian activists try to intervene in the stoning sentence levied against three gay men, Singapore’s law against sex between men is not being enforced, Turkish riot police break up Ankara’s Pride effort, Ireland’s Panti Bliss schools a rightwing protester at Drag Queen Story Hour, and Berlin mosque unfurls the rainbow flag, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Sarah Montague and Marcos Najera (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the July 11, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Admiral Rachel L. Levine is our guest for the first part of “Queerly Yours, Profiles in Courage with Roger Q. Mason.” Join the Black, Filipinx, plus-size, gender non-conforming, queer artist of color for this series of conversations with transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming thought leaders from around the world. And in NewsWrap: Riot police nab hundreds in Istanbul and make more arrests at Pride events across Turkey, five Dublin Pride party-goers are attacked by thugs, thousands pay tribute to the victims of a shooting rampage on queer venues in Oslo, anti-queer religious counter-protesters drowned out in Glasgow, Pride celebrated across South America, Kyiv Pride organizers march with Polish queers and their allies, armed U.S. white supremacist Proud Boys menace story time, Florida teachers and queer students take cover as “Don’t Say Gay” goes into effect, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Joe Boehnlein and David Hunt (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the July 4, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

The Texas Republican Convention builds a bunker of hate, but Strands for Trans launches a cutting, clandestine counter-attack led by Billy Porter and Lynae Vanee! Sounds before, during and after the world-changing LGBTQ rebellion at New York City’s Stonewall Inn that initiated an era of Pride. And in NewsWrap: Admiral Rachel Levine comments on how the overthrow of Roe v. Wade threatens U.S. queer rights, Japanese plaintiffs Machi Sakata and Yuki Kawata face the rejection of their marriage equality case with other activists at the Osaka District Court, the global governing bodies for water sports and rugby effectively ban trans females from competition, Sao Paulo Pride parades before millions to an anti-Bolsonaro tune, RuPaul reads the riot act to anti-drag queen lawmakers, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Joe Boehnlein and David Hunt (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the June 27, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

U.S. President Joe Biden greets his White House Pride Party by signing an Executive Order touching a broad range of hot-button LGBTQ+ issues. Bonnie J. Morris carries the ball for generations of female athletes in “What’s The Score: 25 Years of Teaching Women’s Sports History” (interviewed by Brian DeShazor). And in NewsWrap: Tel Aviv hosts Israel’s happiest Pride, German thugs beat Karlsruhe Pride-goers in a fiery assault, Maryland homes are consumed by rainbow flag-burners, white supremacists target Pride picnic in northern Idaho, the U.S. rightwing expands its war on Drag Queen Story Hour, rainbow erasure sweeps the Middle East, Disney kisses off "Lightyear" censors, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Wendy Natividad and Michael LeBeau (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the June 20, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

The story of Pride as heard through the LGBTQ+ music that made a movement’s soundtrack, put into perspective by Steve Sims in this edition of Queer Music Focus (including The Tom Robinson Band, Sandy Rapp, Jon Gilbert Leavitt, Tundo Olaniran, The Deisel Tykes and more). And in NewsWrap: Thailand’s Cabinet sends a civil partnership proposal to Parliament, the Czech president vows to veto marriage equality, Istanbul’s peaceful Pride is attacked by riot police, Ohio’s House votes to verify student athletes’ genitals, drag queen readings rile rightwing hate “groomers,” U.S. Rep. Lieu tells Christian congressional homophobes to come to Jesus, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by John Dyer V and Melanie Keller (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the June 13, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

As the festival season hits full gear in the US, OutCasting Overtime queer youth broadcaster Shoshana is heading for New York City with a couple of parades and some helpful lessons already under her belt (produced by Marc Sophos). Mattachine Society and Radical Faerie founder Harry Hay and International Gay and Lesbian Archives founder Jim Kepner explore the beginnings queer theory looking through what they call “the gay window” in a classic 1975 conversation. And in NewsWrap: Jerusalem Pride organizers and supportive government officials parade despite credible death threats, Florida Senator Marco Rubio burns an army base library’s Pride Month plan for Drag Queen Story Time, South Africa’s Robben Island puts Pride where the infamous political prison was, Australia’s new Labor-majority government boasts a record number of female Cabinet members and eight out MPs, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Lucia Chappelle and David Hunt (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the June 6, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Gay researcher, author and historian Gert Hekma passed into history himself on April 19th. His groundbreaking 2004 book, “Homosexuality in The Netherlands from 1730 to Modern Times,” is still only available in Dutch, but soon after its publication correspondent Barry McKay sat down with Hekma for an extended English discussion of his work. And in NewsWrap: Australian P.M. Scott Morrison’s anti-queer coalition government is defeated by Labor’s Anthony Albanese, the Church of Scotland will allow same-gender marriage ceremonies, Austria lifts its sexual orientation and gender identity-based blood donor ban, Indiana’s legislature overrides the veto of an anti-trans school “bathroom bill,” Oklahoma doubles down against trans youth and choice, Montana’s Health Department invents “emergency” rules to block birth certificate gender changes, a Dallas judge keeps a pediatric trans clinic open to new patients pending trial, Ellen DeGeneres bids farewell to her talk show, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Michael Taylor-Gray and Marcos Najera (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the May 30, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Straight teen Tomás was called gay when he was five, leading him to learn and help teach others how to be a queer ally (an OutCasting Overtime youth commentary produced by Marc Sophos). We honor the passing of famed lesbian activist Urvashi Vaid with excerpts from a 2012 conversation about her book, “Irresistible Revolution: Confronting Race, Class and the Assumptions of LGBT Politics” (interviewed by Chris Thomas “Out FM,” WBAI-New York). And in NewsWrap: a Lublin court overturns resolutions establishing two Polish “LGBT-Free Zones,” Lithuanian lawmakers settle for a disappointing civil unions law, a federal court clogs Tennessee's warnings on trans-welcoming toilets, IDAHOBIT and respect win in West Wimmera Shire, Blackpool forward Jake Daniels comes out, Britain mints Pride, Morrison falls Down Under, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Wenzel Jones and John Dyer V (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the May 23, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Reports from May of 2012 recall the watershed moment when President Barack Obama (with a push from then-Vice President Joe Biden) announced that he had finally come around to support marriage equality, featuring Freedom to Marry attorney Evan Wolfson, Congressmember Barney Frank, Mayor Cory Booker, Secretary Colin Powell, the NAACP’s Benjamin Jealous and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. And in NewsWrap: Texas Supreme Court re-authorizes “child abuse” investigations into the families of transgender children, Dallas county judge orders trans pediatric clinic to re-open its services, procedural legislative maneuver gives Louisiana’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill a second chance, Russia extends WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner’s detention amid prisoner exchange rumors, lesbian Pussy Riot pair escapes Putin’s crackdown on rights activists, Greek ban on conversion therapy excludes consenting adults, Republican U.S. Senators call for warning labels on LGBTQ-inclusive children’s programming, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Joe Boehnlein and David Hunt (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the May 16, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

The unprecedented leak of an early draft of their ruling on a Mississippi abortion rights case reveals the U.S. Supreme Court’s intention to overturn both of the key decisions that have guaranteed those rights — Roe vs. Wade and Planned Parenthood vs. Casey — with dire implications for the civil rights of LGBTQ people. Andy Humm and Ann Northrop (GayUSA) discuss the legal details with ACLU LGBTQ and HIV Project Director James Esseks; President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senators Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, Representative Pramila Jayapal and Secretary Hillary Clinton respond to the judicial crisis; late night television comedians Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert satirize the political hypocrisy. (Pacifica Radio News/KPFA’s Christopher Martinez contributed to this report.) And in NewsWrap: Sarajevo court slams anti-LGBTQ hate speech, Eswatini queer rights acknowledged in legal loss, Nigerians protest harsh anti-cross dressing bill, U.S. Justice fights Alabama’s ban on trans healthcare, Floridians won’t say pay for DeSantis’ Disney retaliation tax, Louisiana’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill dies, alarming report finds half of U.S. queer kids consider suicide, Black lesbian makes White House Press Room history, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Sarah Montague and Melanie Keller (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the May 9, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Excerpts from a May, 1997 interview with Tasmanian activist Rodney Croome celebrate the 25th anniversary of the repeal of Australia’s last state sodomy law (Sydney correspondent Greg Reading). Maiden, North Carolina Baptist preacher Charles L. Worley vitriolic rant about “how to get rid of lesbians and queers” went viral in May, 2012. 640305 And in NewsWrap: Canadian blood donors draw equal treatment, Baja California governor blocks conversion therapy ban, Russia fines social media for “gay propaganda,” Missouri school district bans “safe” classrooms, Victoria town rejects IDAHOBIT rainbows, Disney refuses to “Doctor” Saudi’s “Multiverse,” and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Marcos Najera and Michael Taylor-Gray (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the May 2, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

In his zeal to retaliate against the state’s biggest company for opposing his “Don’t Say Gay” agenda, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis may have bought taxpayers a Walt Disney World of trouble, while cynical conservatives offer Mickey Mouse arguments — and pose a serious political threat (also featuring White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Fox News host Laura Ingraham and University of Central Florida Political Science Professor Aubrey Jewett). Michigan state Senator Mallory McMurrow boldly faces down a Republican attack characterizing her pro-LGBTQ position as “pedophile grooming,” and demonstrates how straight, white, suburban progressives can take back the moral high-ground. And in NewsWrap: Russian LGBT Network funder the Sphere Charitable Foundation is dissolved by court order, South Korea’s Supreme Court says the military can’t imprison service members for same-gender sex, marriage equality loses a first round in the Navajo Nation Council’s committee process, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoes both a “Don’t Say Gay” bill and a ban on transgender student athletes, Montana’s new law making surgery a prerequisite for changing gender markers is hit with a temporary injunction, Florida’s Health Department gives biased guidance against gender-affirming care for trans kids, a Nevada school board candidate declares homosexuality unconstitutional, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by John Dyer V and Elena Botkin-Levy (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the April 25, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

“Don’t Say Gay” laws spreading across the U.S. are allegedly to protect young students, but OutCasting Overtime’s LGBTQA+ youth commentators see through the deception and dissect the nefarious motives (OutCaster Tomas, produced by Marc Sophos). As “Tom Dooley Sails To Infamy” (read by Dan Roberts), producers Judd Proctor and Brian Burns row into broadcasting retirement and share their own “History of ‘The Rainbow Minute’” (read by Sally Holzgrefe) to bid farewell. Plus gay Missouri Democratic Representative Ian Mackey’s passionate arguments against a state anti-trans sports measure fails to move majority Republicans, but it does go viral! And in NewsWrap: Alabama bans “divisive” instruction and gender-affirming care, Tennessee’s “straight marriage” law left at the altar, Jalisco joins Mexico’s marriage equality states, Virginia stops gay-saying while Maryland stops bias, Kentucky trans sports ban vaults over governor’s veto, Australian trans sports ban gets Prime support, Dumbledore’s love life stays closeted in China, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Sarah Montague and Wenzel Jones (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the April 18, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Some of our favorite LGBTQ artists and their friends — like Doja Cat featuring SZA, Brothers Osborne, St. Vincent, Brandi Carlile and Tyler, the Creator — take home honors and deliver highlight moments at the 64th Grammy Awards ceremony, ably covered by Steve Sims of Queer Music Focus. From Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” firestorm to the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki’s fire hose, from Ohio state Rep. Jean Schmidt’s cowardice to Alabama state Rep. Neil Rafferty’s courage, from New York Mayor Eric Adams’ welcome and back around to Florida’s exclusion, conservative Republicans and queer rights advocates are locked in combat around the U.S. Philadelphia public health hero Dr. Walter J. Lear is honored in a “Rainbow Minute” (read by Soda Nobuhle, produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns). And in NewsWrap: Hungarian autocrat Orban wins despite losing anti-queer referendum, U.K. backslides on trans rights, Qatar warns World Cup guests to come without rainbows, Tennessee nearly wrecks marriage to make it unequal, U.S. top court gets some Black woman justice, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by David Hunt and Tanya Kane-Parry (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the April 11, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

We’re making sure that the post-Oscar hullabaloo doesn’t drown out the rainbow highlights at the 94th Academy Awards. Best Supporting Actress Ariana DeBose’s historic win and other notable themes are reviewed by Ann Northrop and Andy Humm of GayUSA TV, and independent filmmaker David Michael Barrett talks about some queer parallels in Best Picture CODA. A pair of “Rainbow Minutes” look at war and poetry in “Walt Whitman Comforts Comrades” and “Walt Whitman Remembers Abe” (read by Allen Browne, produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns). And in NewsWrap: U.N. panel declares lesbian sex a human right, Thai politicians play hot potato with marriage equality, attorneys line up to fight Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, U.S. passports now offer “X” gender marker option, crazed Q-Anon Congresswoman snipes at the Buttigiegs, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Melanie Keller and Michael Taylor-Gray (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the April 4, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

US Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson withstands her confirmation hearings despite the anti-marriage equality and transphobic “questioning” from Republicans like Senators John Cornyn and Marsha Blackburn. The penchant of some LGBTQ gatekeepers to shun those they judge to be “not queer enough” creates new barriers for young people just coming out or questioning their identities (OutCasting Overtime’s Carol speaks out, produced by Marc Sophos). And in NewsWrap: Singapore conducts a public opinion survey on sodomy law repeal, an Italian court approves the country’s first non-binary identification, a Texas appeals court blocks “child abuse” investigations into the parents of trans children, the Lone Star Attorney General calls Austin schools’ Pride Week plans "immoral and illegal,” protests proliferate over Florida’s dangling “Don’t Say Gay” bill until Governor DeSantis signs it into law, trans athlete ban vetoes face overrides in Indiana and Utah, a Kentucky clerk is guilty of violating the constitutional rights of marriage license-seeking gay couples, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Michael LeBeau and Melanie Keller (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the March 28, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Deep in the heart of Texas, loving parents face traumatizing politically-motivated “child abuse” investigations into the treatment of their transgender children with gender-affirming healthcare. Activists, constitutional law experts and doctors dissect the issues, and some of the victims of the frightening official overreach that’s spreading to other Republican-controlled U.S. states tell their stories. And in NewsWrap: the U.K. Privy Council upholds marriage equality bans in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, Kosovo’s Parliament is uncivil on a partnership proposal, Guatemala’s Congress kills an illiberal anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion bill, Russia’s detention of the WNBA’s Griner goes into overtime, “Don’t Say Gay” loses in a major U.S. opinion poll, Disney workers protest the Mouse’s bond with Republican rats, New York students do say “gay” in national solidarity, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Wendy Natividad and Wenzel Jones (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the March 21, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education Bill” is ripe for Governor Ron DeSantis’ signature, but activists like The Trevor Project’s Amit Paley and U.S. Treasury Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s husband Chasten, Walt Disney workers Dana Terrace and Benjamin Siemon and their boss Bob Chapek, state Senators Anna Eskamani and Chevron Jones, and the ACLU’s Chase Strangio still insist on the right to say “gay” in classroom discussions. Plus: lesbian Saturday Night Live icon Kate McKinnon suggests a way around the “Don’t Say Gay” bill! And in NewsWrap: Guatemala’s president rejects marriage equality ban, Ukrainian queers band together against Putin’s invasion, hackers strike Bulgaria broadcasters with Putin clown image, basketball star Griner’s Russian detention concerns U.S. congress members, Texas and Biden clash over state anti-trans witch hunt, Idaho and Oklahoma bills target trans youth gender healthcare, South Dakota and Tennessee catch “don’t say gay” fever, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Marcos Najera and David Hunt (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the March 14, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

LGBTQ people (including human rights activist Olena Shevchenko in Kyiv) come forward to fight and render assistance to keep Ukraine from falling into (more) homophobic hands as Russia invades! Republican-controlled state governments expand their assault on trans kids and queer families (with comments from White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, the ACLU’s Chase Strangio, Texas Values attorney Jonathan Saenz, defense attorney Paul Castillo, Governors Kim Reynolds, Kristi Noem and Jared Polis, Virginia activist Carol Schall and U.S. President Joe Biden). And in NewsWrap: Singapore high court dismisses sodomy repeal case, "indeterminate" Colombian wins nonbinary government ID, Yucatan finalizes marriage equality, Australia’s Morrison calls targeting trans youth "terrific,” queers won’t be there for China’s "Friends" fans, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Joe Boehnlein and Tanya Kane-Parry (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the March 7, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

The many complex consequences — unintended and intended — for LGBTQ rights and more as the U.S. Supreme Court considers reproductive freedom are analyzed by veteran journalist Lisa Keen (interviewed by Christopher Beale of “Out In The Bay.”) Pardoned presidential con man Steve Bannon and mercenary maven Erik Prince explain why it’s right for the U.S. right to love Putin’s Russia! And in NewsWrap: anti-LGBTQ hit squads said to follow Putin’s Ukraine invasion, queer Chechen siblings jailed for online youth activism, India’s Medical Commission calls for prosecution of conversion therapists, Mexico’s first non-binary birth certificate issued, Florida’s House won’t say gay, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Elena Botkin-Levy and Michael LeBeau (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the February 28, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Israel’s Health Ministry bars medical professionals from practicing counseling and/or prayer aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and New Zealand’s Parliament prohibits such discredited “conversion therapy” after an emotional debate that included a speech by Green rainbow spokesperson MP Dr. Elizabeth Kerekere. The victories of Team LGBTQ at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing bring to mind our first encounter with Outsports.com co-founder Cyd Zeigler (a “This Way Out Rewind” from February 2002 with Rita Gonzalez). ONE Magazine’s original stocking-stuffer that jingled 1950s bells is a “Rainbow Minute” gift (read by Robey Martin, produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns). And in NewsWrap: the EuroCourt okays blocking funds to rights-violating Hungary and Poland, a Russian court rebuffs liquidation of a major queer rights group, Kuwait’s high court overturns an anti-trans “imitating the opposite sex” law, Thailand’s parliament passes the marriage equality buck to the Cabinet, the U.S. LGBTQ-identified population surges in the latest Gallup Poll, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Michael Taylor-Gray and MR Raquel (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the February 21, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Family tragedy and his son’s non-conformity inform Australian M.P. Stephen Jones’ moving speech as P.M. Scott Morrison’s “Religious Discrimination Bill” is debated. The recent death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu gets the youth commentators of OutCasting Overtime about the true meaning of being an activist (“OutCaster” Tim, produced by Marc Sophos). And in NewsWrap: Poland "protects" students with anti-queer curriculum cops, Florida advances "Don't Say Gay" with Tennessee right behind, U.S. Senate confirms first lesbian of color to ambassador-level job, Cardinal Hollerith calls for Roman Catholic Church change on homosexuality, Indian officials want to get the "GAY" out of Gaya, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Wendy Natividad and John Dyer V (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the February 14, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

The mayor of Ridgeland, Mississippi decides on his own for religious reasons not to release approved funding for the county library until it removes LGBTQ-related books, but other local officials and the community are up in arms! A Christian primary-secondary school in Brisbane is forced to withdraw an enrollment contract sent to parents that called homosexuality “sinful” and required students to be admitted on the basis of their “biological sex.” Excerpts from her historic keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention illustrate a “Rainbow Minute” biography of U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan (read by Candace Gingrich, produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns). And in NewsWrap: Ghanaian Anglican Bishops reverse support for anti-LGBTQ bill, Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” Lokodo dies, Iran hangs two men for same-gender sex, Hungarian court okays newspaper’s pedophilia smear against lesbian group, South Dakota Republicans boot trans kids from sports, and elementary school pulls child’s “Gay Is OK” artwork citing Nazi flag parallel, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Tanya Kane-Parry and Marcos Najera (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the February 7, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

A Florida House committee passes a “Parental Rights in Education” bill to outlaw encouraging the discussion of LGBTQ issues in primary grades, but Equality Florida’s Brandon Wolf and educator Chasten Buttigieg (husband of the U.S. Transportation Secretary) are fighting back! Trans Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider’s monumental winning streak breaks records in both episodes and cash (interviewed by George Stephanopoulos of ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America”)! When redesigned M&M’s mascots put Fox News host Tucker Carlson into sugar shock, Ms. Green (voice actress Larissa Murray) offers her candied criticism. A Pennsylvania town’s newly Republican-controlled Borough Council revokes its LGBTQ-inclusive anti-discrimination ordinance over the objections of a hundred citizens who spoke out to support it. And in NewsWrap: Botswana accepts court repeal of anti-queer sex law, Namibian High Court's marriage equality denial supports rights, Hong Kong demands full trans surgery for legal ID change, France bans conversion therapy, Pope encourages parents to support their LGBTQ children, Football Australia fines Melbourne's team for homophobic fans, Mexican Football Federation bans anti-queer taunting, LGBTQA soccer fans sue Chicago stadium for uncontrolled homophobia, "Skyfall's" villain becomes Bond girl for birthday surprise, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Tanya Kane-Parry and Marcos Najera (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the January 31, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

A gay Syracuse, N.Y. high school student’s “senior spotlight” moment turns a beam on homophobia when he reveals on TikTok that the principal tried to censor his sexuality (Tyler Johnson, his mother Pamela Custer, Tully Schools Supervisor Robert Hughes and school social worker Kyle Taranto). An OutCasting Overtime queer youth commentary raises pertinent issues for LGBTQ and allied conservatives who support anti-queer politicians (OutCaster Tim, produced by Marc Sophos). And in NewsWrap: Chile’s new Cabinet boasts two queer members, Honduras’ high court shuns marriage equality plaintiffs, Taiwanese gay dads finalize nation’s first co-adoption, Japanese gay man sues for marriage to his Taiwanese partner, U.S. trans youth remain in state Republican crosshairs, parodied Pence bunny hops across Rainbow Bridge, Brigham Young University probed by feds for anti-queer bias, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Michael LeBeau and Melanie Keller (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the January 24, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Adelaide United footballer Josh Cavallo’s demand for redress after receiving anti-LGBTQ verbal abuse from Melbourne fans gets the full-throated support of team CEO Nathan Kosmina. Long-time Black activist Andrea Jenkins of Minneapolis, Minnesota is unanimously elected the first trans City Council President in the United States (featuring a 2014 interview with KFAI-Twin Cities “Fresh Fruit’s” Dixie Treichel, and Jenkins’s 2020 comments on the murder of George Floyd). “Pose” star MJ Rodriguez celebrates her Best Actress in a TV Drama Golden Globe — a first for a trans woman. And in NewsWrap: Greece and France accept blood from queer male donors, Poland proposes censoring "immoral" education, Orban ties Hungary's anti-queer vote to re-election bid, Germany appoints commissioner for sexual and gender diversity, South Korean court denies queer spousal health benefits, Sydney’s gay Gentoo pair models perfect penguin parenting, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Elena Botkin-Levy and Wenzel Jones (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the January 17, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Denise Ho has been on Beijing’s bad list since the lesbian Cantopop star came out in 2012, then her advocacy for democracy in Hong Kong and speech at the UN Human Rights Council in 2019 (excerpts included) increased the tensions, and now her association with an independent news website has led to her arrest! Black feminist theorist bell hooks leaves behind the challenge “Why Choose to Love?” and Professor Beverly Guy-Sheftall remembers her prolific friend (from “Democracy Now!”). And in NewsWrap: Senegal's legislature nixes tougher anti-queer laws, two tortured Tunisian gays seek sex crime repeal, the U.K. expands "Turing's Law" pardon eligibility, Israel opens surrogacy services to queer couples, a Taiwan court grants adoption rights to a gay co-dad, Cuba proposes a new pro-marriage equality Family Code, India’s major matchmaking site opens to LGBTQ hopefuls, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by John Dyer V and Sarah Montague (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the January 10, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Three more celebrities who made news by coming out in 2021: Australian footballer Josh Cavallo, Cassandra Peterson (“Yours Cruelly, Elvira”) and actor/political activist Kal Penn (“You Can’t Be Serious”) (part two of two). LGBTQ nominees for this year’s Grammy Awards are enumerated in “Queer Music Focus” (Steve Sims, producer). (“NewsWrap” returns next week.) All this on the January 3, 2022 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Celebrities coming out who made news in 2021 include country music’s TJ Osborne, pro U.S. football player Carl Nassib, and the multi-talented Queen Latifah (part one of two). Canadian inspirational speaker Tyler Boyle raises coming out to the level of “Being Extraordinary” in a presentation adapted especially for “This Way Out.” (“NewsWrap” returns on our show for the week of 10 January 2022.) All this on the December 27, 2021 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

The conclusion of our audio interpretation of “A Quilt for David,” a book of poetry by Steven Reigns (published by City Light Books) that centers on dentist David Acer, a victim of dueling epidemics — AIDS and media hysteria (part 3 of 3, produced by Brian DeShazor). OutCasting Overtime’s queer youth commentators consider the challenges — and potential opportunities — of spending time with family during the holidays (OutCaster Sarah presents a piece by the team, produced by Marc Sophos). And in NewsWrap: French parliament passes conversion therapy ban on for Macron’s signature, the E.U. Justice Court orders ID papers for queer couples’ kids, Senegalese lawmakers draft an odious anti-queer bill, Barbados starts its new republic with rights guarantees, a pro-equality candidate wins Chile’s run-off presidential election, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by MR Raquel and Michael Taylor-Gray (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the December 20, 2021 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy virtually carries on the Jewish tradition of going out for Chinese food for Christmas (Eric Jansen of outinthebay.org chats with producer/performer Lisa Geduldig). Comments and readings by poet Steven Reigns from his “A Quilt for David,” and period news reports about the dentist falsely accused of spreading AIDS to his patients (part 2 of 3, produced by Brian DeShazor). Melbourne marriage equality activist Antony McManus counts his “Monte Cristos” on an Australian quiz show! And in NewsWrap: Chile adopts marriage equality ahead of a tense presidential election, New Zealand approves a simple “statutory declaration” for legal gender change, Canada cures its conversion therapy problem, Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson steps in stupid, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Marcos Najera and Tanya Kane-Parry (produced by Brian DeShazor). And in NewsWrap: repeal of Botswana’s queer sex ban upheld on appeal, Canada’s House of Commons votes to ban conversion therapy, Hungarian lawmakers okay “LGBT propaganda” referendum, Sweden’s first trans cabinet minister appointed, queer candidates win elections in Honduras, Chile and Bangladesh, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Marcos Najera and Tanya Kane-Parry (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the December 13, 2021 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Do two moms know best? OutCasting Overtime queer youth media activists Isha and Rose hang out “Off the Clock” to chat about growing up in a lesbian family, and what happens when homophobia hits (produced by Marc Sophos). A journey into poet Steven Reigns’ book “A Quilt for David” (published by City Lights Books) pays homage to a gay dentist who was persecuted during the early days of AIDS with readings, reflections and news reports from the period (Part 1 of 3, produced by Brian DeShazor). And in NewsWrap: repeal of Botswana’s queer sex ban upheld on appeal, Canada’s House of Commons votes to ban conversion therapy, Hungarian lawmakers okay “LGBT propaganda” referendum, Sweden’s first trans cabinet minister appointed, queer candidates win elections in Honduras, Chile and Bangladesh, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Wendy Natividad and Joe Boehnlein (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the December 6, 2021 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

On this week’s special program, we celebrate three bishops who made groundbreaking opening moves in Christianity’s inclusion gambit: A 2001 conversation with Episcopal ally firebrand the Right Reverend John Shelby Spong, a leader in the struggle for LGBTQ ordination and marriage equality (interviewed by Brisbane, Australia correspondent John Frame). A tribute to Unity Fellowship founder Archbishop Carl Bean, the gay pop star (“I Was Born This Way”) who turned musical success into a ministry to the African American queer community, Reverend Megan Rohrer, the first transgender Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — and maybe in the world — talks about their journey to the historic milestone (interviewed by Eric Jansen of "Out in the Bay - Queer Radio from San Francisco”). NewsWrap returns next week. All this on the November 29, 2021 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

A Georgia trans teen takes a solitary stand against the high school bullies who assaulted her, while in Wisconsin the attack on a trans student sparks a walkout by his allies demanding a safe school for all. Ryan Cassata’s latest album, Magical Miracle Mile, shows how much he’s grown since his debut as a 17-year-old trans artist (interviewed in November 2011 by JD Doyle). Plus a “Rainbow Minute” on the career of gay illustrator Richard Amsel! And in NewsWrap: Thailand’s top court pushes marriage equality to lawmakers, the IOC changes the game for trans and intersex Olympians, the U.S. Health Department kills Trump era religious bias, Russian authorities axe an LGBTQ film fest website, a notoriously homophobic Australian town turns a rainbow leaf, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by MR Raquel and Michael LeBeau (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this and more on the November 22, 2021 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

The official christening of an ironic tribute named for the dishonorably discharged queer liberation icon and anti-war activist launches the U.S. Navy Ship Harvey Milk with a ceremony featuring Harvey’s nephew Stuart Milk, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, and champaign bottle-smasher trans vet Paula Neira. “Bathroom bills” are allegedly intended to protect heterosexual and cisgender students from their queer peers, but the youth commentators of OutCasting Overtime testify that locker room anxiety is much more of an issue for LGBTQ kids. The Log Cabin Republicans pucker up to kiss their imaginary king’s ring, but settle for their fantasy queen’s nod. And in NewsWrap: Ghanaians begin debate on “proper” sex and family rights, Russia adds a major queer group to its “foreign agent” list, a U.K. lesbian couple sues the NHS for fertility bias, trans teens and their parents stand tall in three U.S. states, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Wenzel Jones and Melanie Keller (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this and more on the November 15, 2021 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Steven Heard Fales’ "Mormon Boy Trilogy" is set to make an international comeback, ten years after his November, 2011 conversation with This Way Out’s Rosie Wilby (“The Breakup Monologues”) during the London run of “Confessions of a Mormon Boy.” Kal ”Kumar” Penn goes on a "Harold-free“ queer adventure in his just-published memoir, "You Can’t Be Serious" (including an excerpt from a “way-out” interview with Jake Tapper of "CNN”). And in NewsWrap: a leading Chinese queer rights group is forced offline, a Bulgarian politician leads a mob attack on an LGBTQ center, hackers breach and release Israeli gay app personal info, the Taliban’s human rights vow excludes LGBTQ Afghans, Cohen "Glitters" and Porter goes "Unprotected" on "Late Night,” and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Sarah Montague and John Dyer V (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this and more on the November 8, 2021 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Adelaide United’s Josh Cavallo becomes the first active Australian A-League soccer player to tell the world that he’s gay — and he’s okay! The lack of LGBTQ information included in sex education courses is a serious problem from the perspective of OutCasting Overtime youth participant Justin (produced by Marc Sophos). Ten years ago this month: Michigan’s now-Governor Gretchen Whitmer took the lead in the state Senate against an anti-bullying bill that would have given school staff and students a “religious bias” exemption. And in NewsWrap: the Delhi High Court sets a final hearing for consolidated marriage equality cases, Italy’s Senate nixes a Vatican-vexing hate crimes bill, Poland’s parliament considers criminalizing Pride events, Ghana’s debate over an anti-LGBTQ bill makes its president plea for civility, New Zealand’s 2023 census will count LGBTQI people for the first time, an intersex veteran wins an “X” gender-marker U.S. passport, former U.S. President Barack Obama mocks right-wing Republicans’ marriage equality threats, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Marcos Najera and Elena Botkin-Levy (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this and more on the November 1, 2021 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Gemma X, The Villaineers, Mariah Christie, Bestfriend, The Barbarellatones, Karma, Logan Lynn, Mariah Counts, Xantheartist, Violet Grae and Big Thief gave us new releases in the second half of this year, and Steve Sims gives them the Queer Music Focus treatment! And in NewsWrap: binational gay dads win their toddler’s Namibian citizenship, Uganda recognizes its first official gender change, booted South Korean trans woman soldier reinstated posthumously, Japanese trans man sues for recognition without sterilization, Texas House bans trans student athletes, COVID confines Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras again, next generation Superman gets super boyfriend, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Michael Taylor-Gray and Melanie Keller (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this and more on the October 18, 2021 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/