A Jaded Gay

Many of us grew up knowing we were different than our peers, feeling like being “other” and fearing rejection at an early age. Therefore, it’s no surprise that gay men experience increased rates of anxiety compared to their straight peers.In this episode, we’re taking a look at anxiety disorders, unique factors that negatively impact gay men’s mental health, and strategies we can implement to better manage our stress.Additional Resources:National Alliance on Mental Illness: Anxiety DisordersIs There an Anxiety Epidemic?Understanding Anxiety and Depression for LGBTQ PeopleThe Mental Health Issues Gay Men Deal With11. Overcoming Internalized HomophobiaAnxiety Treatment Without Medication: Seven Holistic Ways to CopeWhen in Doubt, Shout It Out! Eight Drug-Free Ways to Battle AnxietyJust-Records: Dan Yost (Podcast Editor)Eleftheria by Rob LovelessSupport the showGet Your Merch

Previously, we discussed our iconic pop queens and how their songs typically fit into distinct categories that hit an emotional button that appeals to gay men.In this episode, we kick off the inaugural Gay Icons deep dive with none other than…Kylie Minogue. The highest-selling female Australian artist of all time, Kylie’s career has spanned five decades and taught us how to be vulnerable and resilient.Additional Resources:Episode 04. Pop Icons and Their Gay Emotional AppealGay Icons: My Name is Kylie PlaylistSupport the showGet Your Merch

It’s no secret that cities are typically more tolerant of the LGBTQ+ community, and a larger city allows for greater opportunities in general, as well as a larger dating pool. But how did the iconic gay neighborhoods we all know and love come to be?In this episode, we're taking a look at the history of gay villages, their core themes that attract LGBTQ+ people, and how gayborhoods have fallen victim to gentrification.Additional Resources:Between World Wars, Gay Culture Flourished In BerlinThe Wall Street of 16th-Century Venice : The Ghetto of VeniceGayest Cities in America 2022Top 10 Gay Cities in the WorldWorld's Best Gay CitiesWhy Gayborhoods Matter: The Street Empirics of Urban SexualitiesA Survey of LGBT AmericansOnce a Crucial Refuge, ‘Gayborhoods’ Lose L.G.B.T.Q. Residents in Major CitiesWhen It Comes to Gentrification, LGBTQ People are Both Victim and PerpetratorWhy Gayborhoods MatterSupport the showGet Your Merch

We’re all familiar with the F word (rhymes with maggot) and, unfortunately, we’ve probably been called it at some point in our lives. But where did this slur come from?In this episode, we’re taking a look into the etymology of the word and discussing its reclamation by some in the LGBTQ+ community.Additional Resources:Oxford English DictionaryThe Fa-Word: An Insulting Slur In the SpotlightThe Hobo : The Sociology of the Homeless ManInfo and Pics on "The F Word"...The New York Times - Theater: The F WordReclaiming the F Word is a Tricky Business21 Words the Queer Community Has Reclaimed (and Some We Haven't)Why I'm Reclaiming the Homophobic Slur I Used to FearSupport the showGet Your Merch

We previously talked about the concept of interpersonal vulnerability and why it can be harder for gay men to open up to a significant other. However, connection is an integral part of life—especially when it comes to romantic relationships.In this episode, we’re going deeper by discussing the importance of connecting with your partner through building emotional intimacy.Additional Resources:Emotional Intimacy, Sexual Desire, and Sexual Satisfaction Among Partnered Heterosexual MenHow to Build Emotional Intimacy with Your Partner — Starting TonightDevelopment and Validation of the Emotional Intimacy ScaleExperts Explain What Emotional Intimacy in a Relationship Actually Looks LikeGay Men & Our Desire for Deep ConnectionCouple Communication, Emotional and Sexual Intimacy, and Relationship Satisfaction05. Interpersonal Vulnerability: Overcoming the Fear of RejectionSupport the showGet Your Merch

It’s been seven months since Russia invaded Ukraine, which has had global repercussions. However, an often-overlooked area of this tragic situation is the threat this invasion imposes upon LGBTQ+ Ukrainians.In this episode, we’re taking a look at LGBTQ+ rights in Ukraine and the unique impacts the Russian invasion has had on LGBTQ+ Ukrainians.Additional Resources:State-sponsored Homophobia: A World Survey of Laws Prohibiting Same-Sex Activity Between Consenting Adults Justice Ministry: No Legal Grounds in Ukraine Currently for Same-Sex MarriageUkraine Simplifies Legal Process For Gender TransitionUkraine Allowed Homosexuals to Donate BloodThe Ban on Gay Blood DonationsIn a Historic Step, Ukraine Passes Legal Protections for Nation’s LGBT CitizensA Victim of the Anti-Gay Purge in Chechnya Speaks Out: 'The Truth Exists'Russia: New Anti-Gay Crackdown in ChechnyaRussia’s “Gay Propaganda” Law Imperils LGBT YouthRussia Plans to Target Dissidents in Ukraine to be Killed or Sent to Camps, U.S. SaysUkrainian LGBTQ Soldiers Fight Against “Darkness” of Russian InvasionHRC: Crisis in UkraineLGBTI People Affected by the War in Ukraine Need ProtectionUkraine's 'Unicorn' LGBTQ Soldiers Head for WarUkraine to Consider Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Amid WarUkraine will Consider Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage After Petition Garners 28,000 SignaturesSphere/Kharkiv PrideKyiv PrideLGBTI Human Rights Nash Mir CentreInsight LGBTQGender ZRainbow RailroadOutRight Action InternationalSupport the showGet Your Merch

This past spring, Florida made headlines for its Parental Rights in Education Act, informally referred to as the Don’t Say Gay bill. While this legislation is disturbing, Florida is not the first state to implement such a bill. In fact, approximately 20 other states implemented similar Don’t Say Gay bills between January and April 2022.In this episode, we’re taking a look at what the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act entails, the history of similar legislation, and how we can take action.Additional Resources:Dennis BaxleyFlorida's Governor Signs Controversial Law Opponents Dubbed 'Don't Say Gay'LGBTQ Groups Sue Florida Over the So-Called 'Don't Say Gay' LawAfter Protests, Disney CEO Speaks Out Against Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' BillNew CDC Data Shows LGBTQ Youth are More Likely to be Bullied Than Straight Cisgender Youth2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental HealthA Florida Legislator Withdrew His Amendment to the 'Don't Say Gay' Bill that Would Require School Districts to Out Students Within 6 WeeksAs Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Law Takes Effect, Schools Roll Out LGBTQ RestrictionsAnother LGBTQ Resource Disappears in Duval SchoolsBanned in the USA: Rising School Book Bans Threaten Free Expression and Students' First Amendment RightsIn Some States, Versions of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bills Have Been Around for AwhileLGBTQ Affairs Commission, Stakeholders Denounce Legislation to Bring Discriminatory “Don’t Say Gay” Bill to PABusiness Statement on Anti-LGBTQ State LegislationInterest Form to Sign On to the National Business Statement on Anti-LGBTQ+ State LegislationSupport the showGet Your Merch

In between the politics of the Stonewall Riots and the AIDS pandemic, disco emerged as a haven for gay men to escape the confines of heterosexuality.In this episode, we’re taking a look at the history of disco, its queer roots, and how its legacy continues through today’s pop music – despite bigoted anti-disco movements in the late seventies.Additional Resources:Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of DiscoLast Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc JockeyArts in America: Here's to Disco, It Never Could Say GoodbyeWhy Disco Should Be Taken SeriouslyDisco and the Queering of the DancefloorAffect IntensityHistory is Made at NightDisco and Gay Culture in the 1970sStudio 54 (originally Gallo Opera House)The Discriminating ClubDisco is Dealt Death Blow by Fans of the Chicago White SoxJuly 12, 1979: 'The Night Disco Died' — Or Didn'tThe Queer History of Disco PlaylistSupport the showGet Your Merch

With all the shirtless, thirst pics on dating apps, it’s easy to get *ahem* distracted. But we must stay focused on attracting the right kinds of guys into our life.In this episode, we’re going to reflect on the qualities we're attracted to in a potential partner and the power of manifestation so we can improve our dating lives.Additional Resources:Can Single People 'Manifest' a New Partner?Support the showGet Your Merch

In 1960s New York City, the Mafia needed a place to conduct business without police detection and gay men needed a safe space to socialize without being arrested. The result: the Genovese family ended up controlling the majority of gay bars in Greenwich Village, which was emerging as a gay hub at the time.In this episode, we’re diving into this unlikely partnership that eventually led to the exploitation of the gay community.Additional Resources:Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the StreetsStonewall Uprising: Why Did the Mafia Own the Bar?How the Mob Helped Establish NYC’s Gay Bar SceneThe Italian Mafia Played a Pivotal Role in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising – But Don’t Call Them AlliesHow the Mafia Once Controlled the New York Gay SceneSupport the showGet Your Merch