Today in Gay

Alexandra Grey wants to tell stories. The actor, singer and producer wants to tell trans narratives, but she is tired of seeing the same kind of roles, where transness is at the center of the character’s journey, or they have a whole side-plot because they aren’t part of the script’s “world.”In this interview, Grey is generous enough to offer her insightful and powerful reflections on the struggle for accurate representation for herself and other queer black actresses on screen. We also get a very special and intimate look at her first days in Hollywood, when she met our very own Nay Bever, who worked at the LA LGBT Center and saw the focus and clear determination that the actress had, early on.Checkout our full write up of the interview on our Substack! ♥︎ TiG TeamFollow us on Substack!Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Welcome to part 2 of our special edition marriage equality anniversary episodes. Ten years ago today, same-sex marriage was legalized in the U.S., after the Supreme Court ruled marriage a fundamental right for all.Twenty years before that, Jim Obergefell met John Arthur.What began as a love story between two people became a landmark case that changed the lives of millions. To mark the 10-year anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges, we sat down with Jim Obergefell and Obergefell attorney Ken Mogill. What followed was a conversation not just about the legal battle for marriage equality — but about love, grief, resilience, and the unfinished work of justice.This anniversary however, isn’t just about looking back. We’re sitting firmly in our reality — acknowledging the rising hostility our community is facing, forcing us to defend our rights and existence once again — and seeing today as a recommitment to the fight for equality.We sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know more about this life-changing case and more about the people behind the names. Happy Pride, y’all.♥︎ TiG TeamJim’s Work:■ https://www.obergefell.com/■ https://equalityvines.com/■ https://www.justmarried.us/Follow us on Substack!Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Ten years ago today, same-sex marriage was legalized in the U.S., after the Supreme Court ruled marriage a fundamental right for all. 13 years ago that, Ken Mogill started working on one of the companion cases to Obergefell v. Hodges , DeBoer v. Snyder.On this 10-year anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges, we sat down with attorney Ken Mogill and had him walk us through the political climate and legal landscape as context for the 2012 - 2015 legal battle for marriage equality.Tune in to follow the queer mapping and TiG lore that lead us to Ken and to hear about having allies in unexpected places. We hope that this episode paints a better picture of the many layers of this landmark case.♥︎ TiG TeamFollow us on Substack!Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Over here at Today in Gay we are always learning along with you and it was so enlightening to learn a little bit more about the legislative process in Puerto Rico with the first out trans person to hold an elected office in the island’s history, Marielle De León Toledo!Vico and Marielle go way back to 2019, after meeting and dancing at a Drag show in Puerto Rico. I don’t know about you, but I want my politicians to be able to Kiki. De León Toledo can do that, and so much more!To learn more about Marielle and view the links mentioned on the pod, check out our Substack write-up for this episode!♥︎ TiG TeamFollow us on Substack!Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

This episode was originally recorded Monday, June 16th, intended to air on June 17th — but because what will now be known as a historical Today in Gay* moment in history, we had to postpone a day.*Jasmin’s dog Stella escaped Lauren’s (EP/Editor) house, resulting in a 2.5 hour search party, joined by the kindest strangers we’ve maybe ever met! Check out the pre-roll in today’s episode to get the semi-full scoop! (we will definitely be sharing more details from this absolutely bonkers experience!)Today we are processing the protests over the weekend — No Kings but Drag Kings! In good news, Oregon’s “Freedom to Read” library bill — which stop schools from banning books just because LGBTQIA+ folks wrote them, is headed to Governor Tina Kotek’s desk! As Nay says, “Let’s not teach our kids that their stories are too controversial to belong on the shelves.” Period!In other good news, we are are celebrating a federal judge blocking the Trump administration from enforcing anti-diversity and anti-transgender executive orders targeting LGBTQ and HIV-serving non-profits, a headline we originally covered as it happened earlier this year, and a reminder why we LOVE a lawsuit! In reflecting on the weekend’s protest, we also discuss some new research out of UCLA’s Williams Institute, regarding impacts of immigration enforcement on LGBT adult immigrants in Los Angeles County. A reminder of why protests like the ones over the weekend are so important! Oh and also, F**K ICE. The flys buzzing around Vico also agree, and Nay encourages them to go find the real piles of s**t (ICE)! Speaking of Vico, we keep you In The Loop on their solo show performances in LA, and Nay gives us her firsthand experience from LA opening night! ♥︎ TiG TeamFollow us on Substack!Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

*A note from our team: Things are scary out there. We stand with the immigrant community and we stand with everyone fighting for the rights of all humans, who have a right to exist here. F**K ICE.Nay sat down with a surprise sidekick, our very own Lauren Klein, for today’s interview with musician, songwriter and author, Sara Quin, who you may know from the band “Tegan and Sara.” This was a super special get, as Tegan and Sara are currently in hibernation for 2025. So, getting to have this fun, honest and thought provoking conversation with Sara was a real treat!Check out the full write-up of this episode, featuring some reflections from Nay and Lauren, on our Substack!And don't forget to check out Sara and Tegan’s Substack, I Think We’re Alone Now(*the only place you can catch Sara during the T+S hibernation!*)Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director➤ Kai Davies - Video Editor This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Hey y’all, Nay here. I am full of gratitude today because I feel so lucky to be able to bring you this special edition In The Loop episode of Today in Gay. For this Thursday’s episode, Vico and I are honored to have Cristina Costantini and Tam O’Shaughnessy here to talk about the upcoming documentary Sally.Sally is a heartfelt and inspiring documentary about Sally Ride, the first American woman to go to space. Written and directed by Cristina Costantini, Sally is a skillfully woven masterpiece that lets us see Sally’s deliberate and powerful character but also an intimate glimpse into her personal life. Tam, who is absolutely iconic by the way, executive produced the project while also being one of the hearts of the film. You see, Tam and Sally had a private romance for 27 years. Their story is complicated, riveting, and important. You NEED to watch this doc as soon as you can. (It airs on National Geographic on June 16th and on Disney+ and Hulu on June 17th!)I can’t stress to y’all enough how important our queer elders are and how special it was for Vico and I to be part of this conversation. Tam is a legend and Cristina did a beautiful job bringing this beautiful piece of our community's legacy into 2025. Let us know if you watch it and what you think!Follow us on Substack!Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Today’s Wednesday motto is fuuuuck ICE. We hope everyone in L.A. is safe and supported!Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA): All ResourcesIn today’s episode, Nay and Vico are sharing queer highlights from the Tony Awards — which is perhaps the gayest of all the awards shows. After all, there’s no such thing as a straight Tony Awards! And speaking of winners and losers, we’re getting into the beef between legendary Olympian Simone Biles, literally the GOAT, and Trump’s transphobic poster “athlete” Riley Gaines, who peaked at fifth-place in college and hasn’t let it go since. To quote an excellent burn: "Simone Biles has 11 Olympic medals. Riley Gaines has 11 Fox News appearances complaining about people who actually win medals."WorldPride also wrapped up last Sunday with a lively rally, the International March on Washington for Freedom. The message from the crowd was loud and clear: the queer community is NOT standing down. So yes, WorldPride may be technically over but we've still got 19 more days of June and a lifetime of resistance.PLUS, there’s a Good Gay News VOICEMAIL!!! Look, if you need Nay and Vico to gas you up, then you NEED to be calling into our voicemail line and leaving a message. ☏ Hit our line at +1 (551) 333-5247 ♥︎ TiG TeamFollow us on Substack!Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Today, we are reflecting on the events from this past weekend — from Dyke Day LA to the LA ICE protests, we’re holding each other through it!‼️ Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA): All Resources In the headlines, we’ve got some good gay news coming out of Puerto Rico — besides Vico, that is! Today, we’re celebrating the PR Supreme Court’s ruling that nonbinary and gender non-conforming folks can update their birth certificates to include “X” gender markers! It’s a major win in the face of Trump’s “two biological sexes” executive order.Standing alongside Puerto Rico in supporting the community is Elmo! Sesame Street made a Pride post that sent Republicans into a tailspin, accusing PBS of “grooming kids.” Head over to the Substack post of today's episode and see if you can spot the alleged “grooming….”Despite the rights’ hysteria, people are still showing out for LGBTQIA+ rights — like Lambda Legal, which raised $285 million (surpassing its goal by $105 million!!) to support its legal work. The best part? The money didn’t come from corporations; it came from the community.In the Loop today, we’ve got the team behind Lesbophilia, a shocking new short film starring our very own Vico Ortiz!!!♥︎ TiG Team***Follow us on Substack!***Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Hey, y’all! We’ve got a repost for you today because a combo of dentist appointments and wonky audio and internet meant our episode was falling short of our usual masterpiece. We promise that we’ll be back with fresh episodes next week! For today, I, Nay, invite you to give our voicemail QUEERIES episode a listen (or re-listen) and let it inspire you to hit our line soon. 😎 We want to hear from you! We want your Good Gay News and to know what’s happenin’ in your town. Wanna shout some out? Let us know. We’d love to pass along some love to a cool queer person in your life. Oh! And be on the lookout for some Pride reflections from us coming your way tomorrow, right here on our Substack!♥︎ Nay & TiG Team☏ LEAVE US A MESSAGE! +1.551.333.5247 Follow us on Substack! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

We know y’all’s FYPs are full of queer content. Vico’s got the PRIDE HUNTY TikTok audio stuck in their head — and now ours, too. And Nay may relate to not being a “go to pride” gay (that’s on anxiety!!) but we are not f*****g with “I don’t need to put it in everyone’s face” type of gay. I mean, look at the name of this pod. Look at the month we’re in! We love being queer and Nay and Vico get into some of their reasons why!In GAY headlines for GAY month, we’re giving a quick rundown of big pride parade dates around the country. If you need a quick refresher, pride began after the Stonewall riots of June 1969. Now, more than half a century later, pride parades have become commonplace in major cities across the USA… except, this year’s feels different. For one, it’s the 10th anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges, which made same-sex marriage legal nationwide. For another, punk ass corporations have been pulling out of pride events in deference to Trump’s bigoted agenda. But that just means we’re getting back to our roots. After all, pride began as a protest. So go steal some bricks from those whack ass corporations and show up for the entire rainbow — but especially for trans folks, whose rights are being stripped away under the Trump administration.Oh, and speaking of people we don’t want at pride? The FBI. Leaked emails from the agency stated that, “there should be no official FBI actions, events, or messaging regarding Pride Month.” Yet somehow, this stance, “in no way lessens the FBI’s commitment to serve and protect every American in our country or welcoming colleagues from all walks of life.” Riiiiight. The FBI has participated in pride events in the past but frankly, who will even notice they’re missing this year? Now, if you want to dress up as a sexy FBI agent and get into some roleplaying, you have Vico’s attention…And speaking of protest, the Hong Kong pro-democracy and gay rights activist Jimmy Sham has just been released after four years in prison. Now, you’re gonna wanna know Jimmy because he is MAJOR. In 2019, Sham made international headlines by organizing some of the biggest anti-government protests of that year — including a march that drew an estimated 2 million people. In 2021, he was arrested alongside 46 other activists for their roles in organizing an unofficial primary election. While he was released just this past Friday, Sham’s four-year incarceration didn’t stop his activism. Namely, he brought a case to Hong Kong’s top court, pushing for legal recognition of his marriage, which had been registered overseas. This led to a landmark ruling that required the Hong Kong government to create a framework to recognize same-sex partnerships. Like we said: MAJOR!Nay and Vico also keeps us in the loop by answering the question: What can you do that you could not do a year ago? And before you go, don't forget: if you are gonna be in Los Angeles on June 12th, stay tuned to see how you can win two tickets to our very own Vico Ortiz's solo show happening on June 12th at 8:00 PM as part of Fringe Fest! Spoiler… the show is GAYYYY.♥︎ TiG TeamFollow us on Substack!Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

It’s June! Our month! Our time to throw bricks and scan titties* and to take absolutely no b******t! (*don’t forget to scan Vico’s btw!!!) With Pride month also comes lots of feelings and reflections, this year especially — but we are showing up and showing out, like we always do! If you’ve been following the pod this past month, you’ve heard us cover the story of A.B. Hernandez alongside award-winning journalist Cerise Castle. Just this past Saturday, May 31st, A.B. competed at the California state track and field meet finals, taking home two first-place wins and a second place! It’s a big deal because A.B. has been in the national spotlight after she was doxxed and heavily criticized for competing as a trans student-athlete. Anti-trans protesters gathered over the weekend to oppose A.B.’s participation in the competition but she killed it anyways! Good job, A.B.!Meanwhile, a PBS-affiliated TV station rolled over to GOP complaints that their programming is “turning kids queer” and removed drag and trans content off its platform. New York’s WNET scrubbed its archives and removed queer content, including at least three educational programs about trans identities and drag. It’s especially disappointing after PBS has already bent a knee to the Trump administration by removing an anti-Trump scene from one of its documentaries. We just know Bert and Ernie are f****n’ pissed this pride month. In Hungary, European politicians are showing their support for the LGBTIQ+ community in defiance of the country’s extreme ban on queer events like Budapest Pride. Several European officials from across the union have publicly announced their plans to show up and show face at Budapest Pride in protest. But more than just showing up to Pride, EU officials have joined to call out Hungary’s LGBTQIA+ laws. Twenty EU governments published a joint statement denouncing the actions of Hungary’s parliament but the Hungarian government has stayed silent in the face of such public outcry. Today, Nay is keeping you In The Loop on what she is (re)watching — Orange is The New Black. Inspired after our interview with Sara Quin (stay tuned for that later this month), Nay is burning through it! We also get some OITNB casting call lore from Vico! Plus, we talk a potential Our Flag Means Death live watch?! See ya tomorrow! ♥︎ TiG TeamFollow us on Substack!Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Happy Thursday!Today, Benadryl has got Nay time traveling in her dreams, Vico’s looking for subs for Substack, and we are joined by Emmy nominated actress and filmmaker, Nava Mau! Nava keeps us In The Loop and talks her latest short film all the words but the one, which premieres today!Speaking of today — in the headlines, the first openly gay NBA player Jason Collins marries his long-time partner! In 2013, Collins came out in an interview and became the first publicly gay athlete to play in any of the four major North American pro sports leagues. He retired from the sport later that same year and apparently got promptly loved up because he’s been with his partner, Brunson Green, for over a decade! We’re giving the former baller and his husband a sportsmanlike pat on the butt. Oh — and apparently Nay’s our one degree of separation from Collins, but you gotta listen for that story! Meanwhile, on the hell app that is Truth Social, Trump is threatening California’s federal funding if they do not ban trans athletes from competing. Turns out he was triggered by student-athlete AB Hernandez, who we discussed with journalist Cerise Castle last Tuesday. It’s worth a listen because Castle has been following this story for months now, and is still covering this evolving story in her latest article (also linked below). Trump’s threats don’t have a lot of ground as far as the U.S. and California constitutions are concerned, but that’s never stopped him from lashing out before. If only these politicians were as liberal as Trump accuses them of being.Finally, a new study from Northeastern University finds that corporations perform better in every way when they have LGBTQ+ board members. Turns out, diversity is good — and we can all share a collective eye roll riiiiiight… now. It’s definitely an “inside me are two wolves haters” type of thing because duh, of course queer people make things better, but we are not stanning capitalism. Nuance, ever heard of it? Oh, and y’all are listening until the end of the episode for the bloopers, right? Check it out because they prove we’re a very serious operation around here. ♥︎ TiG Team~Follow us on Substack!~Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

It’s the middle of the week, which means we’re talkin’ birds, we’re talkin’ dinosaurs, and Nay is disgusted by both (“….oh, absolutely not”) – except the adorable parrots that have migrated to Watts since the fires! They’re cute! Also a special shoutout to Vico’s orthopedic pillow, you are also cute.In today’s headlines, we are cheering for the historic IVF legal rights win in Italy for lesbian and queer mothers. The Italian Constitutional Court found that same-sex female couples who use IVF abroad can both be legally recognized as parents in Italy, even if one is not the biological mother. And though IVF remains exclusive to straight couples in Italy, LGBTQ+ activists are taking this ruling as a step in the right direction for queer families. A win for faggacinnis!Back in the states, a Christian school just outside Atlanta, Georgia expelled student Emily Wright for bringing a trans date to prom. In another failed case of, “we can always tell,” Wright was called into the principal’s office a cool 10 days after prom and was asked if there was anything “[the school] should know” about her date. Wright knew immediately what the principal was talking about and she was expelled that same day, only a few weeks out from graduation. Luckily, Wright was able to enroll in a public school so she could graduate and move on to college; but as Wright’s mom said, even if a Christian school has a certain set of values and rules different from public schools, it should especially be welcoming because it’s a Christian school. If only, right?Meanwhile, Trump continues to be pummeled in court (love). Last Friday, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of a gay man who was deported, adding to a string of findings by federal courts against the administration’s campaign of wrongful deportations. That same Friday, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston sided with two doctors whose patient-safety articles were scrubbed from a government website due to “gender ideology.” Murphy and Sorokin join a growing list of judges who are standing against Trump’s illegal actions. The legal system has never been fast or painless (or fair) but that we continue to see pushback against the administration’s hateful policies means the fight hasn’t stopped or even slowed down! We love to see it.Nay and Vico also get into ghosting. Have you ever been ghosted? Have you ever ghosted someone? Has the person you’re seeing ghosted the same person as you?! AND you two run into that person while together? Yeah, you’re gonna wanna hear this one! Let us know what you think in the comments and keep those ears peeled for free tickets to Vico’s LA solo show!♥︎ TiG TeamFollow us on Substack!Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

We’re back! And we are still buzzing from our LIVE with Sara Quin, do we need to say more?! Well, we will…in a whole separate interview with Sara, coming in June! In the meantime, checkout the LIVE replay!LIVE with Sara QuinToday, Vico’s still in NYC and they’ve got the lowdown for us on how their solo show went this weekend! There might even be a little giveaway for tickets to Vico’s solo show when it travels to LA soon… stay tuned!In today’s headlines, we’re talking Tim Walz — our vice president in another timeline. The Minnesota Governor Walz went on record to call out Democrats rolling over on trans rights as they figure out how to win their next elections. You can probably think of a few who need to be called out: we’re naming Andrew Cuomo and Gavin Newsom… (and maybe in that other timeline, Gavin never makes a podcast…)In Washington, D.C., the city’s only QTBIPOC bar Saints and Sinners was vandalized. The bar suffered shattered glass, broken doors, and homophobic slurs written on the walls. This comes as D.C. is also celebrating WorldPride and Black Pride. Despite the setback, the bar still opened that night, the same day they were vandalized. As we all know, there is no stopping a “Sapphic Sailor Moon” party!In Western Kentucky, the only all-lesbian film festival in the U.S. is thriving! Since 2016, the Cinema Systers Film Festival has been celebrated every Memorial Day weekend. We hope it’s okay that we’re celebrating a couple days late, Systers! If you’ve got a lesbian cinema list on Letterboxd, consider a trip to Kentucky next Memorial Day Weekend.Also, Vico keeps us In The Loop on their weekend performing in NYC, and what we can expect in the near future. And in Good Gay News, Nay details a visceral dream she had, featuring Paula Deen!Subscribe to our Substack! Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

With Pride Month approaching, we’re highlighting the newly released biography about Marsha P. Johnson! Nay and Vico sit down to chat with author Tourmaline — an award-winning artist, filmmaker, writer and activist whose work is dedicated to Black trans joy and freedom — on their new book Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson. Tourmaline’s already got more accolades and achievements than some people see in a lifetime, so it makes sense that Marsha is also the first definitive biography of the revolutionary activist. Icons on icons!To round out this week, we’ll also be doing a Substack LIVE on Friday, 12pm PT with Sara Quin of (the also iconic) Tegan and Sara! It’s an exciting week back and we hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have!We’ll see y’all Friday — and don’t forget to buy a copy of Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline.♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Vico is booked and busyyy prepping for their solo show (premiering in NYC this weekend!) so we’ve got a guest host for today — one of our co-producers, Linh! It’s a different vibe with Nay and Linh, who consider themselves part of an evil triplet with our EP and editor Lauren, so you can only imagine how many inappropriate giggles there are in this episode. There’s something about a fight club, Linh’s “love of the game” move franchise, and Nay’s growing list of observations of the TiG team!In anticipation of June (GAY MONTH!!), we’ve already seen some celebrations kick off. WorldPride is in Washington, D.C. this year, which is sort of a big yikes considering the political climate, but it started off its celebrations in honor of the trans community. WorldPride hosted the largest trans-led art project in history — and they didn’t need dirty corporate money to do that. This year’s WorldPride might be smaller but it’s also a whole lot more political. And honestly? That’s something to celebrate.In Texas, however, there’s some fuckery going on because a federal judge decided that LGBTQIA+ people can be discriminated against at work. Like??? Judge Kacsmaryk, a Trump-appointee, said that using the wrong pronouns for an employee, denying them access to bathrooms that match their gender identity, or enforcing dress codes that prevent people from dressing according to their identity — none of that qualifies as workplace harassment. It’s hard enough as it is to prove discrimination under the law… that’s why Linh thinks we need a judge fight club.Because we’re putting our money on Judge Marks, a judge in Montana who came through big time for trans kids and their right to healthcare. Judge Marks struck down SB 99, a 2023 Montana law that banned life-saving healthcare for transgender youth, saying that banning gender-affirming care for minors is unconstitutional. He pointed out that Montana does not ban other medical treatments based on potential risks or inadequate evidence of efficacy, which is facts! That’s why Linh neeeeds to see Marks rock Kacsmaryk’s s**t. And she’s saying that as a lawyer.And it didn’t feel right to pull a Wildcard Wednesday without Vico, so Nay goes deeper on her Final Destination thoughts. Hope you enjoy! If not, you'll be hearing from our lawyer (Linh)♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

We’re baaack!! Last week, the show was on hiatus for Mental Health Awareness week – our first week off since beginning on January 1! Unfortunately, the news didn’t stop just because we did, so Nay and Vico have got a professional to help guide us back into the madness and find some hope in it.Today, we’re joined by award-winning, LA-based journalist Cerise Castle. She recently published three pieces for Capital & Main that dig into how anti-trans rhetoric is showing up in the Southern California Jurupa Valley and the Chino Valley Unified School District. And at the center of these stories is trans student-athlete AB Hernandez, who got thrown into the national spotlight when she was doxxed by a California official.Cerise guides us through all the twists and turns of AB’s story, showing us how the Right’s anti-trans strategy is hurting everyone — regardless of political affiliation. A narrative they could never push, though? That they aren’t losers. Please enjoy this riveting conversation, with an incredible journalist, about a subject we cover A LOT! ►Capital & Main: Inside the Plan to Use Trans Student-Athletes to Push Voters to the RightCapital & Main: Trans Student Athlete AB Hernandez Finds Support in Her Town That Elected TrumpCapital & Main: A League of Her Own: Transgender Athlete AB Hernandez Faces Down HecklersCerise Castle: Website►Today in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

We’re baaack! We hope you enjoyed yesterday’s Substack post — a writeup on the headlines because we couldn’t hop on the mic. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out! We’re pretty proud of our pivot (inside joke if you’ve read the post).Today, we’ve got our very own Jasmin Savoy Brown on the pod! Jasmin and Nay are letting their “fleek flags” fly — which means a whole lot of laughter, and also Nay having to stop Jasmin from driving to Boise, Idaho to declare her love to Mayor McLean (a lesson all lesbians can learn from)! It’s the same chaos as always but just a different flavor today. Vico will be back soon with the impressions and the bird calls, don’t worry!Headlines today include Arizona governor Katie Hobbs shutting down a whole slate of prejudiced bills inspired by Tr*mp’s anti-trans executive orders. You, me, and Hobbs all know these hateful laws don’t actually help anyone. You can even say they’re LUDACRIS!Meanwhile in Colorado, the Kelly Loving Act — the state’s trans rights bill — is advancing through the state’s Senate, but it’s in the midst of some compromises between conservatives and certain LGBTQIA+ groups. Don’t worry though, despite changes to the bill, these efforts are made with the goal to “bulletproof” the law — aka making it harder for conservatives to tear it down.Speaking of sticking it to conservatives: Boise, Idaho said biiiiiiitch to the state’s flag ban. Since April, Idaho state law prevents government buildings from flying anything other than local, state, or federal flags. Boise’s mayor (Jasmin’s new crush), Lauren McLean, called Idaho out: “We know that this bill was about just one flag.” If they can only fly city flags, Boise decided to make the pride flag an official city flag. Iconic behavior, honestly.We’ve also got ANOTHER special guest on the pod today: founder of the Everywhere is Queer app, Charlie Sprinkman! Y’all gotta check it out. It’s a free app that helps connect the LGBTQIA2S+ community to welcoming, queer-owned businesses. We’re big fans!The next time you’ll hear us in your ears will be May 19th! The pod is taking a 1 week break next week (our first since we launched), which is also happens to be Mental Health Awareness Week. We want to emphasize that the health of our bodies (and that includes our minds!) are never worth compromising. So, we’re giving our tireless team time to rest! Thank you for understanding that sometimes, we need a break! We’ll be lightly posting on IG, and preparing for some truly exciting things happening in the coming weeks! Tomorrow, be on the lookout for a very sweet written piece on our Substack!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Hello, hello! It’s Wednesday, and if you’ve been listening to the podcast, you know we love to make Wednesdays as unpredictable as possible (see: Wildcard Wednesdays). True to its name — we are mixing things up today!Today we had to prioritize the health of a team member, instead of the recording. We are only human after all… However, it’s important to us to still share the headlines of the day, to keep our community informed. Please enjoy today’s edition of the headlines in this new format, and we’ll see you tomorrow back on the pod (perhaps with a special guest!)Today's headlines:• Twenty cops raided a gay bar in Pittsburgh. The queers? They sang through it.• A gay Republican candidate is at the center of a GOP feud in Virginia — and it involves nudes.• Florida just shut down every single anti-LGBTQ bill this session!To get the full scoop for today, head to our Substack post!On Wednesdays, We Pivot...Thanks for pivoting with us! We will see you tomorrow on the pod, with a very special guest! 👀♥︎ TiG TeamToday in Gay is brought to you in part by:➤ Jasmin Savoy Brown (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer➤ Nay Bever (IG) - Co-Creator / Executive Producer / Host➤ Lauren Klein (IG) - Executive Producer / Editor / Composer➤ Vico Ortiz (IG / Substack) - Host / Associate Producer➤ Linh Nguyen (IG) - Co-Producer➤ Andrés Pacheco Girón (Web) - Researcher / Associate Producer➤ Maritza Navarro (IG) - Supervising Producer➤ Jax Ko (Web) - Creative Director This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

It’s just another Tuesday at Today in Gay – so that means….Vico can talk to birds, Nay’s got a migraine this morning, and we’re doing this whole episode with our eyes closed in solidarity! Not to mention we are still buzzing from our interview with Tracy Gilchrist (have you watched it yet?!), it’s getting us through these headlines this morning!Tracy Gilchrist on the Queer Historical Record, Our Ever Changing Cultural Landscape, and Getting Back to CommunityWe all know Wicked was a cultural phenomenon, there were a thousand memes — “holding space” arguably the most popular, but if you stopped there with Tracy Gilchrist, you’d be missing out. Behind the meme is a journalist, a walking queer archive, and a community-forward cultural documentarian.Today, we’ve got an update on Maine’s legal battle with Trump over trans athletes. If you’ve been following along, you know Governor Janet Mills told Trump, “See you in court.” Looks like the governor is bark and bite! The Administration has now backed down, agreeing to restore federal funding for education programs in Maine, settling the lawsuit that was filed last month.When you’re getting sued up the ass, and losing said legal battles, it’s important to spend your precious time doing presidential things — like giving the commencement address at the University of Alabama, and going on a transphobic rant… against a cis woman… who’s an Olympic boxer from Algeria? Don’t forget to throw in some casual misogyny, too, even if Melania tells you not to…And to round things out — Charli XCX, Olly Alexander, and other notable UK musicians signed an open letter supporting the trans community, in the ongoing rally against their Supreme Court’s decision to give the word “woman” a transphobic legal definition. They join UK writers and UK film and television industry professionals in calling out the country’s prejudice. You can check out the letter below:An Open Letter of solidarity to the trans community from the UK Music IndustryNay and Vico also share their most recent media obsessions. Try to match who watched what: Conclave, Gladiator II, and You. And after you listen, be sure to drop us a line and leave a voicemail to shout out your favorite queer-owned business! You just might hear your message in an episode this week…☏ +1 (551) 333-5247♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

We all know Wicked was a cultural phenomenon, there were a thousand memes — “holding space” arguably the most popular, but if you stopped there with Tracy Gilchrist, you’d be missing out. Behind the meme is a journalist, a walking queer archive, and a community-forward cultural documentarian.Gilchrist revisits her queer historical record with Nay and Vico, taking us back to high school, to a club bumping Erasure (80s hair and all), to the days when lesbian bars weren’t a scarcity. It’s a ride from scissoring to queer censorship to the wisdom that “not everything is so serious, right? But it is big.” You are part of the historical record. We’re part of the historical record. And we can take history a bit further by continuing to protest, by not needing corporate sponsors to host Pride events, and by stepping up if you are a person of privilege because we need to get back to community, y’allThank you so much, Tracy! This conversation was rich with stories from your impressive career but also had us going down some juicy tangents. Talking with you was a refueling. Thank you for your wisdom and all that you shared with us.WATCH the full interview on our Substack! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

It’s a new day!Vico is reeling from the movie they watched last night — Nay’s film recommendation, Benedetta! Nay promised “lesbian yearning," and Vico is here to say, “there is no lesbian yearning in this movie…but it starts, and it starts HOT! (Reminder to save your precious friends’ voice notes!) Anyways! Some good news from our fellow Brits this morning: the first openly trans judge in the UK will appeal that dusty, gross Supreme Court ruling on biological sex to the European Court of Human Rights. It’s giving… Janet Mills “see you in court, haters.”Now, on the b******t front — Canadian trans artists are canceling their shows in the US, because in Trump’s America, folks with an X on their passport are scared their visas will get denied and their rights treated like a debate. People are getting refunds, and confusion is high about what to do if you’re trans and traveling to the US.Meanwhile, TV rankings in South Korea show we are hungry for more queer dating (not baiting) reality TV. The first-ever lesbian dating reality show, ToGetHer, just premiered on WAVVE, and the ratings are looking solid. You know us LGBTQuahs: we’re smart, but we love to brain rot from time to time too.And today In the Loo...p — it’s Thursday, and that means literature! Vico finished He Who Became the Sun for their book club pick. Afterwards, they claimed to be “destroyed” and also convinced a random dude at the airport to read it. The gay agenda is real. Nay’s been writing a lot and getting compliments from other writers 👀… So if you wanna join her fan club, make sure to read her words here on our Substack!And in Good Gay News™️, Vico is booked and busy, and Nay just got her flight to see Vico’s solo show in NYC! It’s gonna be a kiki in the city — and Andrés is hoping that by writing this copy, it gets him an invite! (obvs, babe!) ♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Time flies when the world is descending into fascism. It’s been 100 days since Trump took office and our community — our trans siblings — have been hit the hardest. But something queer people have got over conservatives and cowardly democrats is this: we remember. We have learned from our history that the way we make it through this and come out the better for it is to rely on each other. That’s why we need LGBTQIA+ journalism now more than ever.We’re tackling Trump’s 100 days with Uncloseted Media, a friend of the pod delivering rigorous, nonpartisan, LGBTQ-focused accountability journalism. It’s damn impressive and you’ve heard us cite their reporting before! They’ve traced every move the Trump Administration has made on LGBTQ issues in its first 100 days and we’ll be diving into it this Friday, May 2nd at 12:00pm PT with Spencer Macnaughton, founder of Uncloseted Media, on Substack LIVE. Be sure to tune in!BUT HEY! It’s not Today in Gay without some JOY sprinkled in there, too! Check out our Substack post for this episode, for a special written edition of your (and Vico’s!) favorite: Wildcard Wednesday!Check out Uncloseted Media – Every Move the Trump Administration has Made on LGBTQ Issues in Its First 100 Days♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

It’s a big week here at Today in Gay, lots of collaborations on the horizon! Yesterday, we published Nay’s interview with Karamo — have you watched it?! More great conversations coming this week!Today, birds are singing outside Vico’s window, while we manifest our future as birdwatchers. Bird costume required, right? And it’s not just bird season, it’s also 100-days-after-Trump-got-elected season… though honestly, it feels like a thousand. We got 99 problems, and b***h, he is all of them.Across the pond, there’s been a lot of love coming from the streets and some very unexpected institutions. Shoutout to the Crab Museum and the Vagina Museum in England, who teamed up to support trans folks. Like they said: biology is everything — but it sure ain’t binary. A bunch of dusty judges can’t erase the facts.Meanwhile, back in Trump’s America, the “war on wokeness” is coming for World Pride in DC. Trump, who apparently still finds time to be chairman of the Kennedy Center (seriously, when does he actually work?), cancelled a week’s worth of World Pride events there. But, you know how we do — we stay resourceful. New venues, new vibes. Thank you, next.Plus, a shoutout to Minnesota, who’s suing Trump to protect trans girls in sports, before he doubles down on bullying the states that dare to stand up for trans rights. And because it’s TV Tuesday, Nay talks about her current obsessions: You and Love on the Spectrum — and yes, she would absolutely “ride the T” with Pari in Boston. Plus, Vico’s been watching Dying for Sex, and there’s even some tea about an audition they did for the show!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Emmy winner, actor, and author Karamo Brown is the host of his own nationally syndicated daytime talk show entitled Karamo and is well-known as the Culture Expert on Netflix’s international, six-time, Emmy-winning series Queer Eye.In case you didn't know, Karamo and Nay go way back. You can try not to blush at the admiration they have for one another but you’d be hard pressed. As sweet as this flirty-ass friendship may be, the constant dynamic between them while they reminisce is also full of support and honesty!Watch the full video interview on our Substack!--Subscribe to our Substack!https://todayingaypod.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Are we yearning this litty titty Thursday? We must be, because it’s Lesbian Visibility Week! And in celebration, today’s episode gets a little sexy. You know what’s not sexy? Discrimination! And Premera Blue Cross is the fugliest of them all. Literally, a U.S. District Country in Washington state ruled that the health insurance company discriminated against two trans minors just because they were trans. It’s a serious win, especially as Trump’s administration plans to defund a federal suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth. Thankfully, despite the federal government’s commitment to hatred, we’ve got states fighting. In Montana, a temporary restraining order was extended against an anti-trans bathroom bill! It’s not the final word on the bill but it provides a meaningful pause on a transphobic law, offering some relief to trans folks in Montana.We get confirmation of the next Nay/Vico meetup. They’re gonna be in New York City, baby! All it took to convince Nay was Vico’s parents — which, we get it, we’d also love to meet the parents. Hope you enjoy today’s episode! Remember, we’re blessed with Nay and Vico’s precious words tomorrow on Substack. It’s tree themed for Arbor Day but don’t worry, it’ll still be gay and horny.Faggaccine out,♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Settle down class — Today in Gay is back is session! Were you a math gay or nah? Either way, Nay was crunching numbers on solar powered calculators, while Vico was busy spelling “BOOBS” on the calculator! But, you know whose math isn’t mathing? Florida conservatives, who just let go of a teacher for calling a student by their preferred name. Still, there’s hope, because people showed up loud and proud for AP English teacher Melissa Calhoun, and we’re celebrating them! Meanwhile, in Don’t Say Gay — Supreme Court Edition™️: SCOTUS heard arguments that could bring anti-LGBTQIA+ curriculum bans nationwide. Some parents are losing it over queer children’s books — but apparently NOT over titles like, Sleeping Beauty or Snow White. Suspicious! At least in (Gay) Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, everyone’s actually consenting… 👀Also… Pope Francis has left us. Just 4 hours after a meeting with JD Vance, the Pope said, 'that’s-a-dun-datta!’ And while we’re not cheering crumbs, he was the most gay-friendly pope yet — a big deal for queer Catholics. Vico shares a touching story about how the Pope helped them come out to their aunt. And finally — it’s your fave: Wildcard Wednesday! We’re throwing it back to our own teen chaos and reminiscing on the times we stood up for ourselves. Spoiler alert: little Nay paved the way for adult Nay to stand on business! And baby Vico will NOT hesitate to stab you! Get into it. ♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Jesus is back from the dead, and it’s not a drill, honey! Though, there are many drills happening today at Vico’s parent’s house in PR (shoutout to solar panels)! You know we made it work despite the sound disruptions — all it takes is Vico and a mid-size SUV, with coordinating interior to Vico’s OOTD! Today in good news, a federal judge in Boston said the Trump admin’s transphobic passport policy is “likely unconstitutional.” We all know it is. For now, the decision protects six people — but the plaintiffs are pushing to expand it. Fingers crossed for everyone who needs a new passport.Meanwhile, a powder-wig-packed UK Supreme Court gave the word woman a transphobic legal meaning. Now it’s unclear where trans folks are supposed to pee — among other things. The ruling literally said trans people should use their “powers of advocacy” to push for their own spaces. Girl…We have to pee NOW! It’s a grim decision, but people are taking the streets. There’s power in that.And in sweeter news: a “Caravan of Hope” is hitting the road to bring LGBTQIA+ legal support to rural queer folks in red states. Their next tour is this fall — if someone you know needs help and lives along the route, send them their way! Plus: it’s TV Tuesday at Today in Gay! That means more Love on the Spectrum, more The Last of Us, and somehow The Phantom of the Opera. Because… we’re gay. Happy Tuesday! ♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Good Morning! Especially to Nay — it’s time to wake up, babe! Oliver 🐶, you can go back to sleep! New memes just dropped! This time courtesy of Andy Hopper, a Republican rep in the Texas House who went viral after admitting (or pretending?) he didn’t know what intersex meant. Except, his mic caught a colleague telling him he was wrong — and the moment was both embarrassing and hilarious! Bonus: most anti-LGBTQIA+ amendments failed to pass that day in the Texas House. That’s a whoosh! Not everything’s is laughable, though. Hungary’s parliament just passed a constitutional amendment banning LGBTQ+ events in public spaces. Devastating. LGBTQ+ folks in Hungary, you are in our hearts.In some good news: Colorado’s Governor, Jared Polis, who is an out gay man, repealed the state’s same-sex marriage ban from the state constitution. It wasn’t being enforced, but future-proofing our rights? Always a win!And for this Thursday? You know it’s LIT! Nay and Vico give us a sneak peek at what they’re working on (writing!) for Today in Gay’s new written Substack series. Plus, in Good Queer News, we’ve got a voicemail today! Don’t miss it!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Happy Wednesday!We are feeling all of the love you gave our latest written post, so sweet to see all of your stories in the comments! Riding on that high — we have some good news straight outta Colorado: misgendering and deadnaming might soon be considered acts of discrimination under state law! Gender-neutral school uniforms are also expected, and if the bill passes — courts won’t be able to side with transphobic parents anymore! Huge wins on the horizon! Meanwhile, things in the UK are looking rough for trans folks. There's a heated debate around “single-sex spaces,” and the Supreme Court is expected to redefine the term woman. And you know J.K. Ro*ling is a key player in this discourse.… As Vico put it, “haters, hit the bench!” And transphobes, we sincerely hope your pillow is NOT comfortable every single night! Last but not least, a double-dose of good news: we are celebrating Venton Jones, Texas’ first out gay, Black, HIV-positive lawmaker doing big things in Texas! We previously reported on Jones when he proposed to his husband, Gregory Scott Jr., at the Texas State Capitol. Now? He’s a key player in getting the Texas State House to pass a law making HIV testing a standard part of STI testing. About time, right? To wrap it all up, Nay and Vico spill some tea from their past jobs for Wildcard Wednesday — plus a little good gay news about the blooming Hyacinths! 🪻🌷🪻♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

We’re back! And we’re having such a great time this Tuesday, reveling in our latest Substack post! A new written series we are posting on exclusively on our Substack, so be sure to subscribe!https://todayingaypod.substack.com/p/filed-under-subversiveThere are baby pics of Vico and amazing words from Nay, maybe even a k.d. lang reference, and definitely some gay yearning. But today’s headlines? Fascinating and conspiracy filled!It’s bad news for the disinformation bros: trans pilot Jo Ellis is suing a right-wing influencer. Why? Because he falsely claimed she was the pilot in the fatal D.C. plane crash earlier this year. Turns out, you can’t just b******t your way through the internet without consequences. We’ll be watching that one. Also, new conspiracy just dropped! According to a right-wing pastor and podcaster, TSA full-body scanners at airports make you gay! His solution? He prefers full-body pat-downs by male agents only. But you know… no homo. However, according to Vico’s first hand experience, the gay-beam machine breaks if you’re too gay. And in bittersweet news (and Viking pride): a trans politician in Norway just proposed welcoming trans Americans as asylees if things get worse here in the US. The Green Party of Norway is showing support.It’s TV Tuesday! Nay and Vico talk about their latest binges — sweet characters from Love on the Spectrum (Big shoutouts to Abbey & David, Conner and Nay’s baby boy/friend Tanner!) Vico’s dog Frida says F**K Meta’s censorship of Today in Gay!!! We’ll see you tomorrow!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Celeste O’Connor is known for their roles in huge franchises like Ghostbusters and Scream, but what you might not know is their deep commitment to public health (aka collective wellbeing, for the Gen Z-ers).“ I just wish, like emotional education was a part of the systems that we have in place for health, AKA public health, emotional education is public health. And, yeah, that's just what I wish for the world.”O’Connor applies their studies in public health, with a degree from Johns Hopkins University, across every area of their life, from acting, to partnership, to internal work on their feelings of shame, and beyond. In their journey, they have questioned why they pursued acting and the shame that was at the root of it, but then transmuting that shame into action. Turning what could be an insecurity into a superpower.“Shame tells you I'm different, right? And the way I'm processing that shame[…] is by turning that into a positive thing and saying, okay, I may be different, but that's gonna be a good thing and I'm gonna be super smart and I'm gonna be super talented and I'm gonna be super successful. And so that way the shame that I have can be like, positively received.”Both actors discuss what it looks like to work and create within big corporations, where your art is commodified, in a sense, as a part of a marketing machine, and what boundaries are necessary in that space to protect yourself as an artist. O’Connor talks about a singing circle they recently joined, to sing with no other intention but to be present. Jasmin took up drawing during the last season of Yellowjackets (we want to see these pieces!) and Nay talks about her realization that the art she creates can take a different meaning, if she’s making it as a job vs for pleasure, or a gift.Lately, O’Connor has been channeling their energy on creating more projects for themself, outside of the corporate space, focusing on stories that uplift marginalized voices, through their production company, Pedestal. They shared the inception of the company with their romantic and creative partner, Mecca McDonald, and revealed that nurturing their creative sides together has strengthened their relationship.“She's an amazing designer in general. And so especially when it comes to like filmmaking, I feel like her strong suit is like, ‘What is the composition of this frame?What is the lighting saying?’ And my strong suit is like, okay, ‘What are the actors doing? What is the story doing?’ And then we like come together and we're like, oh. And we start levitating.”O’Connor also directed our very own Jasmin Savoy’s recent music video for “Signals” (out today!) through their production company, Pedestal, and they shared some inspiration for the video.Basically, you’ll have to watch the full video to understand just how plugged into their integrity they are as a filmmaker, actor and champion of public health, but the biggest take-away? Celebrities shouldn’t be your go-to source of knowledge for political movements. Not because they aren’t intelligent, or well-meaning, but because as visual icons in our culture, they just aren’t educated in the same ways that scholars and activists are, who have built a career in methods of affecting change.“ A lot of these people who are posting and who are sharing their political views are not educated politically in any way, shape or form. And celebrities should not lead the revolution. They should not be the voice of s**t besides promoting their creativity.”While the actor doesn’t think celebrities should use their platform for revolution, they encourage making the most of their platform for good, i.e. redistributing their wealth and giving money to people who can resource the communities who need it most. We don’t want Kim Kardashian to lead the revolution, but Celeste O’Connor is one celebrity who might be able to do it.You’ll have to watch to hear about O’Connor’s Good Gay News, but here’s a sneak peek! Follow O’Connor’s creative work @by.pedastal or bypedestal.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

We are full of giggles this Thursday, ready to go HAM on these headlines for you! Just a reminder — producers: they also forget to mute themselves, but when they type “LOL” they mean it!Good news, nature remains extremely queer! We’re talking about the first intersex Southern Right Whale ever discovered (yep, you read that right) and the literal size queens who made headlines last year! Haters gonna hate on diversity, but nature keeps proving it’s the default. Speaking of haters, literal TERF Queen — J.K-for-Karen Rowling — crawled out of her dungeon to hate on LGBTQIA+ folks again, this time targeting asexuals. We couldn't hate it (and her) more. In California, man-child Mike Munzing (a.k.a. MAGA Mike) tried to ban Pride flags, but got absolutely read by folks in Aliso Viejo. Spoiler: he left red-faced and ripping up his own bill! Also, Vico and Nay satiate your thirst…for knowledge, because it’s Litty (Literature) Thursday! That means it’s time for the latest reads from Nay and Vico. Nay goes deep on the Watts Riots, and everyone’s favorite pirate Vico dives into their latest historical fiction pick! Happy Thursday!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Happy Wednesday! Today, one of Nay’s dogs and certified Marco Polo star, Oliver, gets a shoutout! Oliver is a goofy-guy who loves to snore (“sawin’ some logs”) while we are trying to record! Speaking of goofy guys (actual losers – not you, Oliver): Trump and RFK Jr. are pushing for research funding only if it’s about “regret” among trans people. Trying to make science back up their hate — but we know the research already proves them wrong. Also? Good news: less than 10% of the hateful bills filed last year actually became law. The attacks are real, but so is the fight — and it’s working. As Vivian Topping says, “focus on the fact that our opposition loses most of the time.” And Vico, our not-a-ball-sports-expert-but-definitely-a-swords-expert, brings us the latest from California, where lawmakers are saying NO to transphobic laws. Oh! And since it’s Wildcard Wednesday… there’s always new goss. Secret crushes included! ♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Happy Tuesday! Here’s what’s brewing — Gay Bears in Texas are showing up as trans allies at a campground! Choosing community over exclusivity, is IN! Transphobia, OUT! Let’s remind every business in the country: it’s expensive to hate your neighbors! In some continued b******t, Florida is already testing its new b******t bathroom laws — and they’re targeting a trans student who protested by simply washing her hands in the women’s restroom. Horrifying, hateful and hypocritical, doesn’t even begin to cover it. In Georgia, Democrats have said enough of the b******t transphobic legislation, and staged a walkout instead. A small but mighty reminder that not everyone is backing down. The haters will always be obsessed. Nay and Vico are also talking about their latest Netflix obsessions. And some extra good gay news — an Ambie award just went to a production team Vico worked with! Congrats to What Happened in Skinner!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

It’s Monday! Didn’t it kinda feel like the longest weekend ever?Today, Wisconsin is on a roll! The town of La Crosse, WI elects its first Black and openly gay mayor. This comes on the heels of last week’s Wisconsin Supreme Court election, wherein voters rejected candidate Brad Schimel — the guy backed by known transphobe, the richest man in the world, and all around dork, Elon Musk.Then, we revisit Russia’s growing anti-LGBTQIA+ crackdown. Amid the so-called “LGBT movement” that’s now banned in Russia — labeled a terrorist organization — Russia bans the Elton John AIDS Foundation from operating in the country. It’s a devastating reminder that the massive progress made in HIV/AIDS treatment is at risk all over the world.Finally, we talk about the ridiculous cis-gender athlete who refused to compete against a trans woman. It’s a blatant display of transphobia and thankfully, USA Fencing agreed by disqualifying the athlete. Plus, we get to learn some of Vico’s fencing lore!Oh, and y’all have got to have feelings on the JoJo Siwa VIP experience. Worth the $900? Should we go? TiG x JoJo Siwa?♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Y’all asked and we’re answering! Today is a very special episode of voicemails from our listeners. Nay and Vico respond to questions that were called and texted in (hint: our number is +1.551.333.5247 and the line is always open!) and give their advice. They talk situationships, high school, and even offer secrets on how to reach Vico levels of cuteness… so you definitely don’t wanna miss — and maybe take notes, too!We hope you enjoy! And if you need any advice that wasn’t addressed in today’s episode, call or text or even leave a comment! We had so much fun, we may just do this again. Also, any suggestions for what our advice line should be called?♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Happy Wednesday! Today we are celebrating trans folks and their allies that took to the streets for Transgender Day of Visibility, showing up loud and proud! Thousands rallied across multiple cities to send a clear message to transphobes: we’re not going anywhere. Or as Nay puts it, I’m rubber, and you’re glue... Speaking of things not sticking — this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner will be satire-free, since organizers scrapped queer comedian Amber Ruffin’s performance. No jokes that night, but there will certainly be plenty of clowns in the room. And finally, have you ever thought raccoons give off non-binary vibes? Well, the British Karens sure have, and they’re spiraling over a children’s television show using they/them pronouns. But rest easy — Wren the raccoon is thriving, the show is still standing, and the Karens? We wish they would stop Karen-ing. Vico and Nay also serve up some risky personal lore on this Wildcard Wednesday — spoiler alert: Vico was shackled up at The Eagle, and Nay was preparing for the rapture. Remember, f**k grammar and embrace science! ♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Asuhhh dudes! April is finally here, and with it, everyone's favorite allies: Chad and Brad, who took over today’s episode for just a lil’ bit! As for the newest news, March is officially over, but marching is not! Because Pride across the country is putting the capital P in Protest this year. Less funding from big money, and more community out on the streets. And while we are talking protests – LGBTQ people (*Luh-Gi-Bi-Ti-Quas*) in Utah were waving a huge trans flag out at the capital. Why? Because Utah became the first State to ban LGBTQ+ pride flags in Government buildings, and it’s already costing them big time. Sundance Film Festival said (we) Gone Girl, to Utah, and it’s in part because of the ban. Governor Spencer Cox is pretending to be optimistic about it, but no worries Spenc, Vico and Nay have some really solid ideas for y’all! In Governors Nay doesn’t hate – J.B. Pritzker from Illinois gave a wonderful speech in support of trans kids in the country. Spoiler: Chad agrees with Governor Pritzker that it’s ok to “punch the bullies in the face.” We also get into Yellowjackets discourse, and himbos are involved!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

It’s the last day of March and the start of a new week! Vico and Nay are in lock step, first with their haircuts, and today with their outfits! Did y’all get the short curly mullet with the white button up memo?! Walking and talking in sync, they deliver a classic smattering of TiG headlines: A new analysis from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) shows that Hispanic Americans are more accepting of gay marriage than ever. And there’s personal goss to back it up — Vico shares stories about their abuela. Spoiler: chuletas are involved! But not all the news is good in Trump’s America. Kentucky just re-legalized conversion torture (some people out there call it “therapy,” but let’s be real—that’s the wrong t-word). Still, for every disappointment, there’s an ally stepping up. This time it’s Maine’s governor, Janet Mills, who told Trump’s transphobia to suck it! Maine will be allowing trans athletes to compete in sports.Nay and Vico dish on their latest music obsessions, and we might see Vico competing in ballroom soon—so gays, we have to hold them accountable!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Top o’ the morning to ya! We woke up this Thursday with some big, astronomical questions. What’s your favorite planet? Did you watch Alien Worlds? Can someone please come up with a word for half science and half fiction?In today’s episode, we’re calling on Wisconsin voters! We’ve got an election fact sheet that’ll help you at the polls on April 1st when you decide on the next state Supreme Court justice. The two candidates? Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford, who, when asked in an interview their stance on trans rights, both claimed to be neutral. But Schimel has received $14 million from Elon Musk already and Crawford is endorsed by Planned Parenthood — neither of those things are neutral, so stay informed!In San Francisco, LGBTQ nonprofits are facing safety concerns that may affect the city’s financial disclosure requirements for those organizations. With the rise in crimes against LGBTQIA+ people in 2024, their concerns aren’t unfounded, but protecting employees and those who receive services from these organizations may come at the price of transparency. It’s just a reminder of how deep the impact of Trump-era policies are on how we navigate the world.And in Dublin — Ireland, but shoutout to Dublin, Ohio! — a new film festival is launching next month that highlights trans and non-binary stories! The Trans Image/Trans Experience film festival runs from April 25th-27th, pushing trans visibility even further in Ireland. The festival aims to move beyond outdated tropes, like the “trans reveal” as a major plot twist, and highlight more nuanced approaches to trans narratives. Plus, we’ve heard good things about the country from Black American immigrants in Ireland so they’re already ahead of another city we’ve previously mentioned that may be losing a film festival… Also, our team attended the GLAAD Latine Honors event this week! Peep the pics below!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

It’s getting whackadoodle out here but there’s things to look forward to — like Vico taking over our Instagram today! So head over there for some thirst traps. (Not a guarantee but an educated guess.) This Wednesday, we’ve got trans rights protests popping up in Texas and Maine! Texas, which has the second largest population of LGBTQ adults in the country, showed out in Dallas in response to the flood of anti-LGBT legislation. In Cumberland, Maine, hundreds gathered at a local high school that has been in the national spotlight since a State Representative posted about a trans athlete (a minor!) on Facebook. Protesters marched in support of trans students and the broader trans community, and reminded us that this is not the generation of students you want to be stepping to.The U.S. Military continues its transphobic crusade by now investigating “symptoms” of being trans. We don’t know how many times we gotta say it but queer or not, this will affect you! Gender dysphoria can look like so many things, and even cis, straight folks can experience it. So, this is a developing story categorized under “f**k around and find it.”Finally, we’re talking gay animals. And it’s not the trans mice — it’s even better! Two lesbian penguins at the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky went viral in a TikTok video showing Green Bean (the giver, obviously) gifting her mate Randi a toy ball for their nest. The jokes write themselves so we don’t gotta do it for you. But it’s like one TikTok commenter said: “It’s against nature! Meanwhile, nature:”Nay and Vico also share their funny first nightmare stories; Nay learned this podcast spans generations; and Vico’s supporting safe sluts — which, again, should be a reminder to visit our Instagram. We’ll also be going LIVE on Substack again this Friday, so be sure to tune in for that!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Alright, how gay are we feeling this Tuesday? Because we can definitely feel gayer. Some suggestions: fresh flowers, the past tense of bake (consider: “boke”), and our gay ass headlines — starting with a huge win for Yeshiva University’s LGBTQIA+ club. YU Pride Alliance has been in a bitter fight with the university over its existence for years (a not-so-subtle metaphor for the struggle of all queer people) but just Thursday, the university agreed the Pride Alliance can operate like any other club on campus — including using the letters “L.G.B.T.Q.” in its public materials. It’s a huge win for the students and has wider implications for the Orthodox Jewish community as a whole. In b******t, Trump hints that anti-trans hate will be the Republican party’s 2026 midterm strategy. Trump complains “everything is transgender, everybody is transgender” and we’re like — where? Who what why how, because we’re in. And while the administration is causing chaos, we’ve also got nerds fighting the good fight to save government data on trans youth. We’re seeing eerie parallels between certain moments in history that utilized the destruction of knowledge to oppress and eradicate certain groups but nerds stay nerdin’ and we need to salute them preserving our history.Plus, Vico’s geeking on Severance and Nay is in solidarity with all of us in 2012 watching that whack Gossip Girl finale. And keep your eyes peeled for Vico’s appearance as a judge at the Trans Day of Visibility Ball!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Happy Monday! Today, Nay and Vico celebrate Boston’s new designation as a sanctuary city — while ripping on the one council member who voted no, and the conservatives trying to push their gender ideology! Then, Nay and Vico share the news of a young Venezuelan LGBTQIA+ makeup artist who was detained and deported, all seemingly because ICE felt his tattoos proved he was part of a terrorist criminal gang. Finally, a landmark lawsuit between lesbian exes who conceived a child together may be a huge win for LGBTQIA+ parenting rights… while also making us wonder what the hell the tea was behind the scenes!? We discuss pride lineups, and Vico dishes about their night at the HRC dinner! ♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Happy Friday and happy birthday to our creator, Jasmin Savoy Brown! In honor of JSB’s D.O.B, we took today off from a regularly scheduled daily episode to remind you that we will be going live on Substack today! Be sure to tune in @ 12:15pm PST today over on Substack with Jasmin, Nay, and Vico. This is exclusive to all substack subscribers! Join us! Have a good weekend, y’all!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

We’re coming at ya today with confessions off the rip, Vico’s run for mayor (of the TiG commune?), and plenty of book recs for litttyy Thursdays! In this episode, Nay and Vico discuss the demands of 82 Democrats to reject the administration’s anti-trans passport policy, the struggles trans veterans are facing as the Department of Veteran Affairs rolls back healthcare for them, and — as a palate cleanser — the teeniest little gay village in Spain.♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Change is inherent to queer people, on so many levels. But we may need reminding that people — the ones who exist within the norm, they can change, too. It’s like Larry from Wisconsin, who we discussed today. After listening to the LGBTQ+ community speak for hours on the hate bill he’d been planning to testify in favor of, he changed his mind. And apologized to trans people on top of that!Still, that might not change how angry or hurt you are at the world right now — it doesn’t have to! It’s 100% understandable. But it’s like Nay says in today’s episode: Even if you don’t have hope, somebody else has got it. That’s why we have community. The way we make it through this is together.Also on this episode, we’re discussing the anti-LGBTQ+ bill in Hungary and a military-themed brewery (tacky) that’s blaming their closing on the “woke mob.” Spoiler: they’re just bad with money. PLUS, we’ve got a very special BIRTHDAY COMING UP THIS FRIDAY! Jasmin Savoy Brown’s birthday is on Friday and she’s going live on Substack with our paid subscribers to celebrate! Come join us in celebrating with Jas!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

We’re talking MONEY MONEY MONEY this Tuesday. There’s Utah losing millions driving away the Sundance Film Festival with its dorky Pride flag ban, which limits what flags can be flown on state property (including public schools). Utah fucked around and found out that a film festival with historic ties to queer independent film doesn’t condone their nonsense. The more you know!And someone needs to let Kentucky conservatives know, too, because they were working overtime last Friday night to pass two anti-trans bills just before midnight. They say it’s about “saving money,” but we know that’s not true. Especially considering “The Drag Queen Test,” which explains how LGBTQIA+ friendly cities — specifically, ones with thriving drag scenes — have better economies. Like Vico said: we aren’t a big fan of monarchies but we will serve a drag queen and king! It’s giving abundance, it’s giving prosperity, it’s giving wealth, baby!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com

Happy Monday, everyone! This morning, we are celebrating that while conservatives want to take our rights, the North Dakota Senate voted to keep same-sex marriage outside of the U.S. Supreme Court for debate. Also, gay panic! Popper companies are getting raided, but don't worry, Nay might have a vintage bottle for sale soon. Vico and Nay saddle up to talk the latest from Chappell Roan bop (The Giver), and more Good Gay News from the Queerties. Spoiler: Vico and David Archuleta were flirting! Here’s to a good gay week!♥︎ TiG Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit todayingay.substack.com