Outward: Slate's LGBTQ podcast

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan speak with Ruth Coker Burks, author of the new book All the Young Men: A Memoir of Love, AIDS, and Chosen Family in the American South, about her work in the 1980s, helping Arkansans with AIDS. Then they discuss three of 2020’s bumper selection of LGBTQ holiday movies: The Christmas Setup, Happiest Season, and A New York Christmas Wedding. Should we be grateful for the gift of representation, or should we be searching for the receipt?Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan speak with Ria Tabacco Mar, the ACLU’s director of the Women’s Rights Project, about what the future for LGBTQ people looks like with president-elect Biden and an even more conservative Supreme Court. Then they discuss Uncle Frank, a film from Alan Ball about a gay man and his partner on a road trip with his niece from Manhattan to South Carolina in the 1970’s. They talk about how this differs from last month’s Boys In the Band, and the importance of remembering past queer struggles.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. (edited)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan look at fact and fiction in gay history. First, they examine Netflix’s recent version of The Boys in the Band in the context of the original, and how it captures a specific moment of gay life. Then they discuss the new HBO series EQUAL, which seeks to tell the stories of important figures from the history of the LGBTQ movement. They discuss how the utter modernity of interpretation and style leave the series lacking, but how useful it could be as a teaching tool and reminder of pre-Stonewall activism. Producer Daniel pops in for a short segment about the Ryan Murphy of it all.This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan interview journalist Angela Chen about her new book, Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex. They talk about asexuality’s rise in visibility, where ace people fit in the queer community, and how asexuality can lead us to question so many of our assumptions about social constructions that depend on who your sexual partners are. Then they unpack the story of gay politician Alex Morse, whose recent congressional campaign was plagued with accusations of sexual impropriety, and what a politician’s queer sex life is allowed to look like.This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan talk to Slate sex-advice columnist Rich Juzwiak about the state of sex six months into the COVID-19 crisis. They discuss the sorts of questions he’s fielding, the limits of sexual creativity, and navigating casual sex during this time. Then the team digs into Ellen DeGeneres, how she fits into the history and modern landscape of queer media, and why she seems so disappointing.This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan interview journalist David France about his new documentary Welcome to Chechnya on the atrocities happening there and the work being done by activists to liberate queer Chechens. Then they discuss the new audio documentary by Evan Roberts, “Caring for Lesbian Icon Phyllis Lyon, With Love and Deceit.” June shares how important Naya Rivera and her Glee character, Santana Lopez, were to the queer community and changing American attitudes on gay marriage. Then we close it out with the gay agenda.This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan spoke with Mark Joseph Stern about the fifth anniversary of marriage equality, the future of LGBTQ rights in the United States, and the recent Supreme Court decision about employment discrimination. Then we’ve got our live show from June 3, when Bob the Drag Queen joined the crew to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement, police violence, and the healing power of the new HBO series We’re Here.This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder and Melissa Kaplan.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Bryan, Christina, and Rumaan interview activist and writer Sarah Schulman about ACT UP and the legacy of Larry Kramer. They discuss how Kramer’s tactics helped and hindered the organization, the ways white gay men played an outsize role as a public face of the movement, and what lessons we should take from ACT UP’s past successes. Schulman and Jim Hubbard coordinated the ACT UP Oral History Project, and her forthcoming book is Let the Record Show: ACT UP and the Enduring Experience of AIDS.This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina admits to creating a quarantine bubble, and she talks with Bryan and Rumaan about why she felt comfortable joining her friends in this way and why our community seems better-equipped than others to figure out how to make such micro-communities work. Then they discuss two new documentaries on Netflix, A Secret Love and Circus of Books, and unpack how these films tried and failed to reckon with the depths of their subjects while still stirring some warm feelings along the way.This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan discuss virtual sex parties during self-isolation with former Slate colleague Andrew Kahn, exploring what it’s like to see all these different screens and how distance and self-consciousness play into the experience. Then they talk about the Netflix series Tiger King, all its queer story threads, and whether it’s actually bad for the gays. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan look at comparisons between the COVID-19 pandemic and AIDS with Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign. Then they conduct a post-mortem on Pete Buttigieg with DC lawyer and Pete supporter Brooke Clagett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A look back at our first episode:On the first episode, hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley—along with a smorgasbord of Slate staffers—reveal their queer roots. Does it all come down to crop tops? Then, in the debut Straight Studies segment, Slate features director Laura Bennett helps us decide if straight, cisgender people have roots too. Then Alex Barasch joins the gang to talk about his Washington Post piece, “Biology Is Not Destiny: Seeking a Scientific Explanation for Trans Identity Could Do More Harm Than Good.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan are joined by John Paul Brammer of the Hola Papi column to offer some sex and relationship advice. They answer listener questions about asexuality and navigating intimacy, reconciling fantasies with reality, taking the first steps into queer dating, and reconsidering why you might not identify with a community you’re already a part of. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan break down exclusively gay moments in film and television, exploring why they can feel so craven, and if there’s any way to get it right. Then they interview Richie Jackson about his new book Gay Like Me, a letter to his gay son about the importance of being gay. They discuss the significance of Harvey Fierstein, growing up gay, and why queer identities are so essential. Then we close it out with a usual update to the gay agenda, looking at good versions of exclusively gay moments.We’ve got a Valentine’s Day advice show coming up with JP Brammer of the Hola Papi advice column, so send your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at (929) 266-4914. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode of Outward, Bryan and a guest panel of multigenerational gay men devote a whole hour to The Inheritance, a seven-hour, two-part play by Matthew Lopez that won many awards for its recent run in London and is currently dominating discussions on Broadway. There will be spoilers!While it’s length, ambition, and engagement with the AIDS crisis have invited comparisons to Tony Kushner’s “gay fantasia on national themes” Angels in America, The Inheritance’s driving concern is a bit more personal: If gay men think of ourselves as a community spanning generations, what happens when a huge swath of that community is lost to plague, the survivors deeply traumatized, and younger cohorts must therefore come of age and figure out what it means to be gay in the wake of a tragedy that shapes everything around us? Borrowing a line from E.M. Forester’s Howard’s End, on which the play is based, The Inheritance desperately wants gay men to “connect” across age and loss — but is that kind of connection really possible? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan welcome Rumaan Alam as the official third host of Outward. First, June Thomas joins the team to discuss the new L Word reboot, how it compares to the original, ways it’s stepped past it, and if any of the characters will actually become unlikeable. Then the trio go through an extended segment of prides and provocations of the decade with Andy Bowen, a consultant on queer and economic social justice issues. They tackle marriage equality, PreP, lesbian bars, and the savvy ways the LGBTQ community have navigated governmental bureaucracy. Then we close it out with a usual update to the gay agenda.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina and Bryan are joined again by writer and Slate advice columnist Rumaan Alam to talk about children. First, the team invites Slate executive editor Allison Benedikt to talk about the ways children learn about queerness and sexuality, what we can do to teach and be an example, and how kids often pick up this stuff without us. Then they interview clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Edwards-Leeper about a recent case in Texas involving a trans child, the best routes for handling pre-adolescent trans care, and how affirming a child’s gender identity can really only help. And, of course, we’ve got our usual rounds of gay agenda and prides and provocations.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina and Bryan are joined by writer drag performer Pretty Rik E. After talking about Ellen and Big Mouth during Pride and Provocations, they jump into CNN’s LGBTQ town hall where nine different candidates discussed the queer aspects of their platforms. Then they unwrap some toys, giving Mattel’s new Creatable World dolls a spin to see what it’s like to play with a gender-neutral doll, and how it fits into a child’s gender-learning experience.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, and Bryan, and are joined by writer Rumaan Alam. After Pride and Provocations they talk about the news about searching for the gay gene and whether the endeavor has any positive use. Then they discuss McKrae Game, the conversion therapist who recently came out as gay and the difficulties of feeling pity and pain about this news at the same time. Then they close it out with a usual round of the gay agenda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Brandon look at the debates that can sometimes divide the queer family. After the usual Pride and Provocations, they dig into three fights happening in our community, including how critical we should be of queer art, authenticity of queer artists, and what we should all think about Marianne Williamson. Then we hear an interview with the late gay and lesbian rights activist Jean O’Leary, thanks to our friends at the Making Gay History podcast. We close it out with the gay agenda before saying farewell to Brandon, who is heading off to a new job at CNN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Brandon immerse themselves in iconography. After a round of Pride and Provocations, we hear from a collection of queer Slate folks about who their icons are. Then the hosts explore major figures in their lives and what exactly makes an icon for different parts of the queer community. That is followed by an interview with Washington, D.C. drag king Pretty Rik E about the experience of drag and the influences straight male performers have on drag kings. And, as always, they wrap it up with a quick rundown of the gay agenda.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On June 27, 2019, the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and Brandon Tensley hosted a live show in New York City’s Joe’s Pub. They began with a World Pride-sized edition of Pride and Provocations. They were then joined by author Alexander Chee to discuss the legacies of queer activism and thought that inform his writing. Garcia and May Hong, the breakout stars of Netflix’s Tales of the City, also stopped by to talk about their connection to a series with a beloved legacy of its own. Finally, the hosts responded to questions from members of the audience. The show ends with a toast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Outward Bryan Lowder and Brandon Tensley join The Waves hosts June Thomas, Noreen Malone, and Nichole Perkins at our live Slate Day brunch in Manhattan. First, they discuss the exciting new teen comedy Booksmart. Next, June and Nichole interview first lady of New York City Chirlaine McCray about her history of queer activism, and her current advocacy for mental health reform and LGBTQ rights. Then, RuPaul’s Drag Race queen Miz Cracker sits down with Bryan and Brandon to discuss feminist drag and her new show American Woman.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Outward hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley talk about sex. First, they invite Slate culture editor Forrest Wickman on as a straight correspondent to find out what he knows and misunderstands about queer sex, and why the word rosebud has more than one meaning. Next, Christina, Bryan and Brandon discuss how they learned about queer sex, what porn gets right and wrong, and what sorts of lessons belong in sex education. Then, they talk to journalist Anna Franks, who recently wrote about dental dams for the Atlantic, about if dental dams are useful and why they persist. Plus, June Thomas pops up in the chats here and there.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two waves of murders, 40 years apart. Who’s killing men in Toronto’s gay community and why are they getting away with it? The latest season of Uncover from CBC Podcasts is out now: cbc.ca/uncover Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Outward hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley discuss the queer scene. What does that word even mean? How many scenes are there? And where do we all fit in? First they’re joined by Slate’s own June Thomas to talk about the definition of scene, and how everyone found their own. Then they wade into the debate of Pete Buttigieg and why he’s such a big part of the queer conversation right now. And finally former Slatester Shirley Chan comes on to talk about the difficulty of finding bi culture, and what it one day may look like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're so excited to announce our June live shows in New York City!On Saturday, June 8, we will be hosting a brunch with The Waves on the High Line as a part of Slate Day, a whole day filled with Slate-related events. Come join us as we sip cocktails, have fun with guests, and relish the gayest of meals.On Thursday, June 27, we'll be live at Joe's Pub celebrating World Pride. Come bask in the queer joy with us as we gab with guests and enjoy a cabaret performance together.For tickets, go to Slate.com/live. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Outward hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley discuss queer experience in rural and urban environments. First they talk through their decisions to move to major cities when starting their gay lives and what drew them away from smaller locales. Next they’re joined by Hugh Ryan to discuss his book When Brooklyn Was Queer and how the urbanization of Brooklyn allowed its queer identity to blossom. Then they interview Samantha Allen about her new book Real Queer America about finding strong queer communities in red states. And they answer some advice about finding your own queer home in a smaller than average place.This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Outward hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley discuss queer media. With so many queer publications either shuttering or in some state of flux, they decided to dig into our own world a bit and looking at current mainstream and independent media outlets and those from the past. They spoke with Jason Baumann of the New York Public Library about their new exhibit Love & Resistance: Stonewall 50, and the new collection The Stonewall Reader featuring queer writing from before, during and after the Stonewall riot. Then they’re joined by Autostraddle co-founder and CEO Riese Bernard to discuss the origins of her site and how it fosters such a special sense of community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Outward hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley talk all about queer travel. Where do they like to go and how do they find gay experiences when they get there? Then they speak with cultural anthropologist Esther Newton about her work studying the queer community of Cherry Grove on Fire Island and the way its changed over the decades, and her new memoir My Butch Career. Slate staffer Erin Nichols explains the difficulties of going through airport security as a genderqueer person. And finally, June Thomas joins in for a fun bit of queer travel advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Outward hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley look for queer spirituality. Where do we find it if not in a church? First they’re joined by producer Daniel Schroeder to talk about astrology, enneagrams, and the ways they embrace queer magic. Then they interview artist Leo Herrera about his new series the FATHERS Project, a video series that seeks to answer the question, what if AIDS never existed? Then they get a call from Laura Root of Affirmation where she shares her experience reconciling her Latter Day Saints faith with her life as a gay woman. Then they tackle an advice question about sexual attraction, and as always recommend pieces for the gay agenda.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Outward, hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley explore the meaning of family. How do gay people form their own families and create spaces from those bonds of kinship? First they play a game with Slate’s June Thomas, deciding whether fictional characters are members of the queer clan; then they each discuss the types of families they’ve created. They get a call from Lillian Faderman and her wife Phyllis Irwin about the legal journey of their relationship since the 1980s, and then Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern joins the hosts to talk about the different legal options LGBTQ people have to build families together.This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Outward hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley find out what it means to be radical. October is Gay History month and so we’re honoring those radical queers who started to advocate for gay rights. First they’ve got a compilation of radicalization moments from important queer figures, those times the felt pulled into the fight. Thank you to the Making Gay History podcast for the use of their archival tape. Then they sit down with Angela Peoples formerly of No Justice No Pride, and Brandon Cuicchi of Reclaim Pride to discuss how Pride parades have become commercialized and what they’re doing to take them back. Finally, the gang plays the game ‘Radder Than Thou’ where they debate which of two topics are more radical.  Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Outward hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley explore how we learn to be queer. June Thomas joins in for a quick game about queer tropes and culture before the hosts discuss what being queer and embracing queer culture means, and their first experiences establishing their queer identities. Then Slate contributor Evan Urquhart and trans activist Andy Bowen sit down with Christina to think through what it means to be a trans person. Finally, they end the show by answering an advice question about presenting as bi, and of course a round of the gay agenda.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Outward has a new monthly podcast! On the first episode, hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and New America’s Brandon Tensley—along with a smorgasbord of Slate staffers—reveal their queer roots. Does it all come down to crop tops? Then, in the debut Straight Studies segment, Slate features director Laura Bennett helps us decide if straight, cisgender people have roots, too. Then Alex Barasch joins the gang to talk about his Washington Post piece, “ Biology Is Not Destiny: Seeking a Scientific Explanation for Trans Identity Could Do More Harm Than Good."Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join hosts Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and Brandon Tensley for Outward, Slate's new queer podcast. Every month they'll bring Pride and Provocations, interviews, and sass a-plenty.Subscribe to get every episode. And write to us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.