ShoutOut LGBT+ Radio

We're joined by Jess from the Good Law Project, talking about the vital work they're doing using the law to fight hate and defend the trans community. Jess discusses how trans people have been made to feel unwanted in their own country, the GLP's legal challenge against GB News over broadcasting hate, and why this moment in history demands we all stand together — because "an attack on one community is an attack on all of us." She also shares why she believes we will come out the other side, even if this period is taking a heavy toll.And from Bristol Pride itself, we caught up with the legendary Sister Sledge — Kathy and the rest of the family — just before they took to the main stage to close out the weekend. They talk about how "We Are Family" came about, why it still feels as fresh today as it did almost 50 years ago, and the incredible energy from the Bristol Pride crowd. Kathy also gives us the scoop on a brand new dance track called "Dance Dance" and shares her message for anyone still finding their confidence: "be as free as you can be."

Andy and Steffi Barnett are in the studio for this week's show, with a powerful conversation at its heart. Ez speaks to Loo Fletcher, founder of the Suicide Prevention Collective, about their new Sunflower Hub at Windmill Hill City Farm — a warm, living room-style space open every other Friday where people can just pause, have a hot drink, access confidential support, and feel less alone. They're planting 200 sunflowers in the garden as a therapeutic space, and the conversation touches on post-traumatic growth, the loneliness epidemic, and why prevention matters as much as crisis response.Later, Andy catches up with Paul Stoodley from The Queen Shilling about Queer Beer — a brand new session pale ale (3.4%) brewed specially by Good Chemistry Brewing in Old Market. Paul opens up about his own journey with the word "queer," having grown up in an era when it was used as a slur, and how younger generations reclaiming it helped shift his perspective. The beer launches the night before Bristol Pride, with 10p from every sale going to the festival — and it's vegan, light, and refreshing to boot.Terry is in with the news, including an NHS Trust continuing to allow trans patients to use facilities matching their gender identity despite a Supreme Court ruling, colonial-era homophobic laws in Trinidad and Tobago, and a delightfully queer revelation about the genderless nature of Minions.The show rounds out with chat about the EHRC's 40-day consultation period ending with no government action, the UK slipping from 2nd to 22nd in European LGBTQ+ rankings, and a big reminder that ShoutOut will be live from Bristol Pride on Saturday 11th July from 10am on BCfm 93.2, Bath Sound DAB, and shoutoutradio.lgbt. Whether you're on the Downs or tuning in from home, they're bringing the best of Pride to you.

Life can be hard sometimes, especially with increased hate since Brexit. We chat to mental health practitioner, Jez Spencer, with input from ShoutOut's own mental health specialists, Ezra and Terry.Plus, Bristol Pride is nearly upon us. The team talk through some of the events that are on right now, and what's coming.Don't forget, you can listen live to Bristol Pride LIVE from 10am on the main day. Just visit our website and click the big "Listen Now" button.

This week on ShoutOut, Andy is joined by co-host Lucy Potter for a show packed with community, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.First up, Steffi sits down with Nikita from SISTALAND — the Bristol-born festival that's carving out space for women and underrepresented creatives. Now in its biggest year yet, SISTALAND returns to Chew Valley Lake from 10-12 July 2026, bringing together over 500 artists, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, and industry leaders from across the UK. Born out of a frustration with the barriers and isolation so many face in the creative industries, SISTALAND has grown from a grassroots gathering into a national movement. Nikita tells us all about this year's theme, "Community Powers Change", and what to expect from a weekend of talks, workshops, performances, and genuine connection by the lakeside.Then, Steph from Queer Surf Club joins us to talk waves, wellbeing, and why the ocean needs to be for everyone. QSC has grown from seven surfers meeting up to a community of over 120 regulars and more than 1,000 members online — all united around a simple mission: create inclusive surfing to save our oceans. Steph tells us about QSC's Bristol Pride event at The Wave, how the club started, and where it sits alongside other queer outdoor groups. We also dive into why surf culture — despite its laid-back image — can feel surprisingly exclusive and masculine, and how QSC is challenging that. Plus, if you've ever wondered "is surfing for me?", "do I need to be fit?", or "will I feel welcome?" — Steph has answers.

On today's show we take a deep dive into the upcoming EHRC guidance. What it is, what it means, where it gets it wrong, and what you can do about it. The team are joined by Jaquie.Jaquie is a well-known figure in the Bristol LGBTQ+ community and runs Queer Tango, creating inclusive, community-led spaces based on consent, respect and safety. She’s coming to this interview with real experience of managing shared spaces in practice, so her perspective is grounded in what actually works for people on the ground, not just theory or legal interpretation.The interview focused on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) proposal for updated guidance on single-sex spaces following the Supreme Court ruling on “biological sex” under the Equality Act. The guidance suggests that, in some situations, access to facilities like toilets or changing rooms may be based on sex at birth, while also saying people should not be left without access. This has become highly controversial, particularly for trans people, because it raises questions about how organisations are expected to apply these rules in everyday settings.Jaquie’s key point is that, while the proposal may appear clear in legal terms, it is very difficult to apply safely and fairly in real life. Many venues don’t have alternative facilities, there is no clear or lawful way to identify someone’s sex at birth, and enforcing this kind of policy risks confrontation, misidentification and exclusion—not just for trans people, but for anyone who doesn’t fit gender expectations. From a community perspective, the concern is that the guidance could create confusion and unintended harm, while placing a heavy burden on staff and volunteers without giving them workable solutions.

Like vinyl? 70's vinyl? Glam Rock vinyl? Then you're gonna luv a new weekly party starting soon at Zed Alley. We chat to organiser and fan of all things 70's, she's also a videographer and historian, Nicola Bartlett. ALSO, QueerStory has a more in depth look at the life of The Chevalier E'on de Beaumont.

This week Ez chats to Chuck SJ to discusses their new trans record label they have set up.The first single from the albums released on the 15th May. For the single I teamed up with trans and queer skaters to film a music video also released on the 15th May.The album has got a big story, they set up a kickstarter to cruise the canals whilst writing it and then went onto to record at a queer recording studio, its since been mixed by a queer mixing artist and is being mastered by a trans mastering artist (who recently left abbey road to start their own mastering studio). PLUS: Nik from Queer Bath in the studio chatting about their events throughout June.

On this week's show, we go completely and utterly MADFABULOUS! Yes, in case you aren't aware, it's a film that's out 5th June in cinemas nationwide. The team got a screening at the Iris Film Festival a month or so ago and we loved it.To complement it, Queerstory is back with a special on the true story behind the film, and Andy managed to grab a chat with the writer, Lisa Baker.Check it out in cinemas nationwide from the 6th June - here's a bit of a teaser for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuggTtSpnyI

This week we begin with a powerful piece from Bobbi Pickard of Trans in the City, exploring the rising tide of hostility against the trans community. Despite thousands of years of known trans existence, the UK and much of the world has turned against trans people—mirroring the tactics of the 1930s Nazis, who targeted a minority that couldn’t fight back. Now, the same deflection is happening again.We discuss the new EHRC guidance issued on 21st May, reinterpreting single-sex spaces following a 2025 Supreme Court ruling that decided—without evidence from biologists or the trans community—that for the purposes of the Equalities Act, there are only two sexes. (Originally withdrawn as illegal, the guidance has now been reissued.) We trace how, as we entered the 2020s, politicians began weaponising hatred against trans folk. Before this, trans people lived their lives without issue—no attacks in ladies’ loos or single‑sex spaces, welcomed in the WI and Girlguides, now banned.There is no choice in being born with gender dysphoria; you deal with it as best you can. Loving and supporting a child to grow as themselves should be the right thing, yet now the suicide rate among trans people is rising, and mental health struggles form as young trans people navigate a world that hates them for reasons they don’t understand. Imagine having the body opposite to what you know you are.Biology tells us that human makeup is not binary—like the stars, we have limitless variations. Intersex people are said to be as common as redheads, yet politicians in many countries have thrown them under the bus just to get at trans folk, especially trans women. Before European colonisers imposed their beliefs, indigenous peoples acknowledged a third gender. In the Americas, Two‑Spirit people were cherished as very special.Then we have the Shea Coffey break, followed by our Eurovision round‑up with Martin Spellacey. Join us for an episode that challenges, informs, and stands with the trans community.

Henry Patterson has a new album and a fascinating journey, we chat to him about his musical career. PLUS, Eurovision is upon us again, but even more controversial. Will the LGBTQIA community boycott or refuse to allow politics to shut down their joy. In more news, there's issues showing an ugly head, between The University of the West of England LGBTQIA groups and Bristol Pride, we try and give you the facts of the case.

This week - Brighton Fringe announced its spectacular line-up of comedy, theatre and dance ahead of its return this May for their 21st year. They are proud to be an open-access festival, welcoming any artist to put on an event and perform. Steffi chats to organiser and chair Duncan Lustig-Prean. Duncan has built an impressively diverse career: from leading the campaign for LGBT people to serve in the Armed Forces, to ensuring that the global majority was better represented by English Heritage, to running a charity supporting LGBT veterans to opera singing, to chairing Brighton Fringe!We also speak to Sam Cook is a Bristol-based comedian. Being a relative newcomer to comedy when he started his career in February 2025, he is fast becoming a rising star in the UK comedy scene His material explores loneliness, mental health and dating in the LGBTQ+ community. Sam became the winner of the fourth series of Queerovision in 2025.

This week we chat to Nxdia about their career and also Fag Packet's Holly and Kheski about ambition, multilevel marketing and Queer Love within Dyke Systems.

This week we chat to a very young singer songwriter that's a big hit on Instagram and You Tube, performed in The Royal Albert Hall, has released multiple singles and is still only 19; Amity.Also, Terry brings us the pre release list of LGBTQIA books for a good old Spring read.

QueerStory is back with a down to earth look at Elton John. Also, off to the theatre with the latest production of Cock, we chat to 2 of the actors.Cock returns to London in an intimate new staging Wednesday 22nd April – Saturday 2nd May 2026 COLAB, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 9HB Press night: Thursday 23rd April 2026 Following sold-out runs in Canada and tours to Japan, South Africa, and Brazil, Cock comes to London this spring in a raw, intimate new staging from Canada’s acclaimed Talk Is Free Theatre. Originally written in 2009 by acclaimed British playwright Mike Bartlett, Cock feels newly urgent in this bold reimagining which examines the play through a contemporary lens, embracing fresh experimentation to ask how shifting identities and a changed world reshape the questions at its heart. After the 2022 West End adaption that had everyone talking, this new iteration offers London the chance to encounter Bartlett’s play again in a strikingly different, close-quarters setting, with an entirely new cast. 

This week, Shea Coffey is back with a new monthly series, plus Steffi chats to Author A A Sekhon about their new book Assumptions and that's not all, there's a new choir on the block, Sapphonic Bristol.

This week we chat to Simon Brandon about his upcoming theatre productions, Charlie and Striptease, comedic but very serious plays coming soon. Also we chat to carer and author Jon Stokes and his foster son Charley.

Stephen Fry introduces our main guest this week, Andrew Keates who runs Queer Theatre. Sex, drugs, alcohol and rock and roll took its toll; but Andrew made it through with Queer Theatre at his heart.

This week it's time to catch up with Bristol Pride on what's coming this summer. Also, we talk to Nour who's in Dubai about their family in Southern Lebanon and the Dubai queer scene.

Steffi chats to Shea Coffey about what's happened this week in the news, the upcoming Kent Trans Pride and her upcoming series right here on ShoutOut; "The Coffey Break". PLUS; Hafren and Lowie, the co-chairs of Trans Pride Bristol in the studio to talk about the upcoming Trans Pride in Bristol, which will include speeches, the march, Social events, workshops, stalls, a gig and a club night.

We chat to NOT IN OUR NAME about their campaign to support Trans Folk..."We are a collective of women who reject the weaponisation of our identities to justify discrimination. We want the media, government and other bodies to focus on the real threats that prevent women from thriving.We call for truth, solidarity, and action. Our safety depends on standing together."Plus: in the studio; Jakob; "We are an accessible sober events project, open to ANYONE who just wants to go to the night and the night happens to be sober. We want to bring in diverse audiences who are sober/sober curious through health, religion, culture, recovery, choice." 

Author, Mark Akst tells us about his Mark Cohn Quadrology, an imaginative and fast-paced speculative 4 novel series that explores queer leadership, identity, and power through the lens of Jewish history and modern geopolitics.One of the novel’s central figures is the first openly gay prime minister of Israel, whose leadership unfolds during a global crisis tied to ancient texts and emerging technology. Through this character and others, the book opens conversations about visibility, ethics, faith, masculinity, and how queer identity intersects with power and public life.Plus we catch up with the South West Fetish group where they explain just what fetish is, how it's open to all (over 18's of course) and bring us up to date on their upcoming events.

This Week, Cape Town South Africa: Now entering its fourth year with over 25 productions to its name, LEGACY has established itself not merely as an event, but as the architectural backbone of Cape Town’s queer Ballroom community - a space where the hierarchy is respected, the competition is strictly adjudicated, and the culture is preserved. To understand LEGACY, one must understand the global history it references. Ballroom culture emerged in New York City in the late 1960s and 70s, created by Black and Latino trans and queer communities who were systematically excluded from established drag pageants. In response, they formed "Houses" - alternative kinship structures led by "Mothers" and "Fathers" - and created "Balls," where members could compete for status and affirmation.PLUS It's also LGBT+ history month so we went back through our archives and found a lovely interview former ShoutOut team member Ben Bird recorded way back in 2012. He caught up with the lovely Peggy who ran the The Radnor Hotel - the best place to be in Bristol after the war, up until it's closure around 1976 (though it did open its doors again as many different things after that).Peggy passed away in 2021 but we were lucky enough to get her take on the importance of the Radnor, and a glimpse into gay life many decades ago.

Lurid Editions are in the studio, a new Queer publisher of old LGBTQIA books with something to say. ALSO; Lucy went to cover Scritch Cabaret. She chats to Oliver Asset and Kurt Sovain of Brizzle Boys who organise it, Esme Doll - Bristol's youngest drag queen and singer songwriter, Em.

From Dance to HIV testing to Pride, we cover it all here on ShoutOut. Choreographer Mathieu Gefferé chats about his upcoming productions, Brigstowe chat about the importance of HIV testing and Bristol Pride's Daryn Carter tells us about what's coming up this summer and the struggles Prides have with funding.

“There is rice at home” is a well known saying in African households to signify that we already have an abundance of what we need. “Rice at Home” extends this conversation in a documentary directed by Louise Ndibwirende and produced by Martha Redfern which brings together elders from Rwanda, Bangladesh and India as they reflect on their experiences of heritage, culture and ancestry.PLUS: Pride Padel, inclusive, non-profit padel tournaments and socials in Bristol, creating a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ players and allies to get active, meet people, and try a fast-growing sport that many haven’t had access to before. The events typically host around 40–48 players and regularly sell out, with people travelling from across the South West to take part.

Kris and Ryan tell us about their experiences of same sex adoption. In recent years in England, around 1 in 5 adoptions were to same-sex couples — about 20% of all adoptions in 2023/24. NOTE: The UK government data typically reports family composition (e.g., “same-gender couple”) rather than sexual orientation directly, so some LGBTQ+ adopters may not be fully captured in the number of adoptions). In 2025 figures show roughly 610 adoptions by same-gender couples out of ~3,040 total, which is about 20.1% of all adoptions. PLUS: The Arts, Lucy looks into what's happening within the Queer scene.

World Exclusive: we reveal the identities of the Bristol Dynamic Duo. They go where others fear to tread, causing FM mayhem and Diabolical DAB. It's a mash, crash and bash story of 2 superheroes. From causing traffic accidents due to the overrated music they play, to talking about pillows. We reveal ALL!!! ALSO, January can be a tough month, we look at what help is available for the LGBTQIA community.