Slate Books

Outward: Red, White & Really Bad

Aug 16, 2023

Intersex activist and educator Pidgeon Pagonis discusses their memoir on ending nonconsensual surgeries on intersex kids. Hosts review 'Red, White & Royal Blue' and its film adaptation. They also discuss the importance of reading to understand anti-trans politics and provide recommendations for queer content.

01:05:56

Episode guests

Pidgeon Pagonis

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The film adaptation of Red, White, and Royal Blue failed to capture the authentic gay experience and instead catered more towards a straight female audience.

The memoir 'Pigeon' emphasizes the damaging effects of secrecy imposed on intersex individuals and advocates for greater awareness and respect for their rights.

Pigeon Pagones' work as an intersex activist aims to end non-consensual medical procedures on intersex children, shedding light on the experiences of intersex individuals and the need for understanding and support.

Deep dives

The Confusion and Frustration of Red, White, and Royal Blue

Red, White, and Royal Blue is a film adaptation of a popular gay romance novel. However, the movie did not live up to expectations, with uneven acting and a script that felt formulaic and lacking depth. It also strayed from its potential to explore the complexities of queer relationships by focusing on the closeted status of its characters. The movie failed to capture the authentic gay experience and instead seemed geared more towards a straight female audience.

Introduction

2min

Supporting LGBT Scouts and 50th Anniversary of Cruising

10min

Discussing the Film Adaptation of 'Red, White, and Royal Blue'

3min

Disappointment with a Recent Movie Release

13min

Critiquing a Movie's Depoliticized Universe

11min

Coming to Terms with Lies and Secrecy

16min

Discussing the Importance of Reading a Book and Anti-Trans Politics

2min

Recommendations for Queerness

5min

John Early's Hilarious and Entertaining HBO Special

3min

This month, hosts Christina Cauterucci, Jules Gill-Peterson, and Bryan Lowder discuss Amazon Prime’s adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s best-selling queer rom-com Red, White & Royal Blue. They also speak with intersex activist and educator Pidgeon Pagonis about their memoir Nobody Needs to Know and the campaign to end nonconsensual surgeries on intersex kids. The hosts end the show, as always, with some new additions to the Gay Agenda.

Items discussed in the show:

Red, White, & Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue on Amazon Prime

Outward’s December 2019 special episode on The Inheritance

Nobody Needs to Know: A Memoir, by Pidgeon Pagonis

Girl, Interrupted, by Susanna Kaysen

Interconnect.support, a support group for intersex people

Gay Agenda

Christina: John Early: Now More Than Ever, on Max

Jules: “O’Shae Sibley Was Killed While Voguing at a Brooklyn Gas Station. Last Weekend New Yorkers Rallied to Honor His Memory,” in Vogue

Bryan: Miriam and Alan Lost in Scotland on PBS, and “Who’s Afraid of Social Contagion,” by Hugh Ryan, in the Boston Review

This podcast was produced by June Thomas.