Outward: Slate's LGBTQ podcast

Red, White & Really Bad

Aug 16, 2023

Intersex activist and educator, Pidgeon Pagonis, discusses their memoir and the campaign to end nonconsensual surgeries on intersex kids. The hosts also review the film adaptation of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' and critique its depoliticized portrayal of LGBTQ characters.

01:05:56

Episode guests

Pidgeon Pagonis

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Secrecy surrounding intersex identity can have a detrimental impact on a person's sense of self and must be addressed.

The memoir format allows for a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by intersex individuals during childhood and adolescence.

Advocacy work is crucial in protecting intersex individuals from non-consensual medical procedures and promoting awareness and acceptance.

Deep dives

Discovery of Intersex Identity and the Impact of Lies and Secrets

Pigeon Pagones, an intersex activist and educator, shares their experiences of growing up with lies and secrecy surrounding their intersex identity. Pagones highlights the impact that this secrecy had on their sense of self and the importance of addressing this issue when discussing intersex stories. The memoir format allows readers to understand the journey of coming to terms with intersex identity and the challenges faced during childhood and adolescence.

Introduction

3min

Supporting LGBTQ Scouts

10min

Ad for Indeed and Cheerios O Crunch Cinnamon

2min

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

2min

Mixed Feelings and Outdated Politics

17min

Critique of a Film Focusing on LGBTQ Romance and Political Problems

4min

Watching 'Red, White, and Royal Blue' and Therapy Recommendations

2min

Traumatic Intersex Medicalization and Advocacy

17min

Discussing a book and recommendations for further reading

4min

10.

Vogue article and O'Shea Sibley memorial

4min

11.

Connecting with the Listeners and Two Advertisements

2min

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.