These days, it seems like everyone has a podcast. Thanks to the availability of audition equipment or even just a phone microphone, it’s easier than ever to start a podcast. Celebrities, activists, your neighbour—the world of podcasting is big and wide.
And while there is some truth to the stereotype of podcasts being a hobby for straight, cis white men who want to chat with their bros, new podcasts are being developed every day by innovative and exciting people, particularly LGBTQ2S+ folks. And there are plenty of others that have been going strong for years.
From drag queens to comedians to researchers, podcasts have invaded the queer space, too. But with so many to choose from, where do you even start?
Here are six LGBTQ2S+ podcasts from across genres to help you dive in.
Cancel Me, Daddy
Hosts Katelyn Burns and Oliver-Ash Kleine break down the latest discourse in so-called “cancel culture” through a uniquely thoughtful and analytic lens on Cancel Me, Daddy. Informed by both of their experiences working as trans journalists, Burns and Kleine’s conversations touch on topics that feel fraught, current and vital to this cultural moment, when everyone’s being cancelled or complaining about being cancelled or doing the cancelling or simply just talking about cancelling. From a breakdown of why everyone’s mad at Substack to whatever Andrew Cuomo’s up to, come for a detailed explanation of why everyone’s mad online and stay for the easy banter and thought-provoking insights.
We’re Having Gay Sex
After 10 years of consecutive monogamy, join comedian Ashley Gavin as she, in her words, “trades in her U-haul for a life of sleeping around and documents every gritty detail of her queer encounters.” Aided by a bit of Gen Z representation in 23-year-old non-binary pansexual Gara Lonning, Gavin talks to a range of people about the gay sex they are—or aren’t—having. Guests on We’re Having Gay Sex include everyone from Glee’s Kevin McHale to comedian Jes Tom to multiple cast members from the infamous queer season of Are You The One? Honestly, it’s iconic.
Gender Reveal
Credit: Courtesy Tuck Woodstock
Gender Reveal is a podcast that showcases trans, non-binary and Two-Spirit activists, writers, entertainers and more. Produced and hosted by Tuck Woodstock, the weekly show tackles current events and listener questions alongside interviews with interesting and innovative trans folks working in the world today. The show even has a bunch of “starter packs”—episodes for first-time listeners to hop right in—focusing on everything from writers like Xtra’s own Kai Cheng Thom to trans parenting.
Las Culturistas
Some of the podcasts on this list are new, small or outside the mainstream. Las Culturistas is none of that. The dynamic duo of best friend gay comedians Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang (most recently of Saturday Night Live fame) have been going strong, spilling the tea and saying “I don’t THINK SO honey” for years. But in 2021 with the COVID-19 pandemic and our intrepid hosts living across the continent from each other, it got even more personal and intimate for both them and their fans—affectionately known as “readers.” From guests like Trixie Mattel and laugh-out-loud culture countdowns, to homages to Aretha Franklin and entire episodes where the pair just get high and rank every track on a Taylor Swift album, “Las Cultch” is where you want to be for your weekly culture roundup.
Queery with Cameron Esposito
Nearing 200 total episodes, Queery is in many ways the quintessential LGBTQ2S+ podcast. Comedian and host Cameron Esposito interviews interesting queer folks working in entertainment, activism, politics and more. Guests include filmmaker Alice Wu, Olympian Adam Rippon, and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Peppermint. If you’re looking for somewhere to start amongst the show’s massive back catalog, check out episode 180 “Best of,” which features highlights from some of the series’ brightest moments.
History is Gay
For all of you history buffs out there (or just anyone who likes to hear people tell them something they don’t know), History is Gay is devoted to the parts of history you may not know were super queer. While recent prestige cinema and television like The Favourite, Dickinson and Gentleman Jack have looked into the queer leaning of history, this podcast takes a deep dive through trans vagabonds, the “gaymother of rock ‘n’ roll” and even Sappho herself.
Why you can trust Xtra
