Patrik-Ian Polk: The Father of Black Gay Cinema

Trailblazing filmmaker, writer, and creator Patrik-Ian Polk — yes, THE Patrik-Ian Polk, the mind behind the groundbreaking series "Noah’s Arc" — joins TS Madison for an inspiring, no-holds-barred conversation about Black queer legacy, representation, and refusing to be erased. For nearly three decades, Patrik has brought authentic Black queer stories to screens large and small. In this episode, he embraces his title as the “Father of Black Gay Cinema,” reflecting on everything from his Sundance-premiering directorial debut "Punks," to building "Noah’s Arc" on his own terms — and how betting on himself proved Black gay stories were never “niche,” just historically denied the space to exist on screen. But Madison and Patrik don’t just retrace credits — they get into the real stuff: how "Punks" made waves but was still ignored by distributors, the exact moment that sparked "Noah’s Arc," the hard deadline Patrik set to make it happen by any means necessary, his decision to skip pitching it to Hollywood altogether, and the industry’s ongoing discomfort with fully romantic Black queer love stories. Patrik even reveals the worst creative experience of his career! Also: Madison goes OFF on pearl-clutching over queer visibility, Patrik calls for transphobia to be banned, a reflection on the success of "Noah’s Arc: The Movie," whether or not Patrik is ready for a full series reboot, his dream of working with Tyler Perry, and why “I don’t know when, I don’t know how… but I KNOW” might as well be the Outlaws mission statement. "Outlaws" is hosted by TS Madison, and is part of the Outspoken Network from iHeartPodcasts, co-produced by Turtle Run Entertainment. - Is it on? Is it on?? Honey, is this thing recording?! TS Madison broke the Internet with six seconds and a 22-inch weave. And she didn’t just go viral — she became part of the culture, from “RuPaul's Drag Race” to Beyoncé’s “Renaissance.” Her superpower? Her voice. Her kryptonite? Doesn’t exist. Her podcast? The one they never saw coming.  Each week on “Outlaws,” Madison sits down with living legends and rising stars who shed their armor and own their stories — turning side-eyes into sermons, pain into punchlines, and grief into galaxies. They speak when silence is safer. They dream when told to disappear. And they know what so many are taught to fear: that when you speak your truth, you open a portal.Join our Patreon for exclusive content.: https://patreon.com/outlawswithtsmadisonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.