A Jaded Gay

Conversion therapy is a discredited and harmful practice that attempts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, often using psychological or religious methods, which can lead to severe emotional distress, trauma, and a negative impact on mental health and well-being.In this episode, Seth Showalter, a licensed clinical social worker, joins us to talk about his new book, Finally Free, which details his experiences undergoing conversion therapy and how he’s taken steps to deconstruct the harmful rhetoric he was exposed to as he works to accept his authentic self.Additional Resources:Buy Finally FreeLearn More About SethCheck Out Mental Health UncoveredFollow Seth on InstagramFollow Seth on TikTokGet Your MerchSupport the showGet Your Merch

Previously, we discussed the complicated relationship gay men have with alcohol, which is shaped by diverse factors such as social acceptance, coping with discrimination, and navigating the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and substance use.In this episode, writer and lawyer Tate Barkley joins us to talk about his new book, Sunday Dinners, Moonshine and Men, detailing a Southern boy’s story of coming to terms with his sexuality while surviving in a good ole boys’ world.Additional Resources:56. LGBTQ+ AlcoholismShop Sunday Dinners, Moonshine and Men (Amazon)Shop Sunday Dinners, Moonshine and Men (Bookshop.org)Learn More About TateGet Your MerchSupport the showGet Your Merch

Previously, we talked about how many gay men have grappled with the fear of rejection, which can result in struggling with intimacy, attachment, and emotional availability. This can often be interconnected with trust issues, as past experiences of feeling abandoned or rejected can lead to difficulties in fully trusting others in future relationships.In this episode, we’re taking a look at what trust issues are, their profound impact on gay men, and how we can foster authentic connections and rebuild trust in both ourselves and others.Additional Resources:47. Say Goodbye to Abandonment IssuesTrust Issues Definition (Urban Dictionary)Signs of Trust IssuesTrust Issues: Why Is It So Hard for Some People to Trust?15. Understanding Attachment StylesTrust IssuesHow to Cope When Trusting Is a ChallengeThe State of Personal TrustUnderstanding the Trust-Control Nexus13 Signs of Trust Issues & How to Get Over Them42. Are You Emotionally Unavailable‪?‬Why You May Have Trust Issues and How to Overcome ThemHow to Fix Trust Issues in a RelationshipHow to Deal With Trust IssuesWhy is it so Difficult for Some Gay Men to Find a Partner?Get Your MerchSupport the showGet Your Merch

The stereotype of brunch being gay has emerged as a playful nod to the LGBTQ+ community's affinity for this leisurely meal. But, upon deeper examination, the history of brunch has always been a bit controversial, breaking away from conventional standards.In this episode, we're discussing the history of brunch and why it’s become a cherished tradition within queer culture, serving as a safe space for self-expression, connection, and a delicious way to challenge societal norms.Additional Resources:Brunch (Merriam-Webster)Brunch (Urban Dictionary)The History of BrunchWhy Gay Men Love to BrunchIs Brunch "Gay"? Twitter DebatesBrunch Has Always Been QueerThe Extraordinary Rise of Drag Brunch: A Dining Delight or a Betrayal of Queer History?63. The Stonewall Riots49. Let's Shatter the LGBTQ+ Wage GapA Brief (and Depressing) History of LGBT Workers’ RightsUPDATED Report: Drag Events Faced More than 160 Protests and Significant Threats Since Early 2022Anti-Drag Legislation Is Sweeping the Nation: Here's Where Each State Stands on Drag BansPetition: Don't Mess with DragWhy Gay Brunch MattersGet Your MerchSupport the showGet Your Merch

Previously, we discussed the complicated relationship gay men have with alcohol, which is shaped by diverse factors such as social acceptance, coping with discrimination, and navigating the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and substance use.In this episode, writer, director, and filmmaker Adam Fitzgerald joins us to talk about his new book, Recovering from Recovery, which explores his journey away from rhetoric and advice he experienced in Alcoholics Anonymous, which seemed to judge and stigmatize his sexuality.Additional Resources:56. LGBTQ+ AlcoholismBuy Recovering from RecoveryAdam Fitzgerald (Instagram)Adam Fitzgerald (TikTok)Adam Fitzgerald (Twitter)Get Your MerchSupport the showGet Your Merch

Grief is frequently associated with the LGBTQ+ experience, from fearing rejection to dealing with hate and living in constant terror of being in danger. While any form of grief is both a universal and personal experience necessary to cope with loss, the complexities of queer grief can lead to isolation, mental health challenges, and the suppression of one's authentic self.In this episode, we’re delving into the intersection of disenfranchised grief and queer grief, its unique impact on LGBTQ+ people, and how undergoing a second adolescence can serve as a transformative path towards healing, self-discovery, and reclaiming authentic identities in the face of loss and societal challenges.Additional Resources:Grief - American Psychological AssociationGrief - Cleveland ClinicWhat is Grief?The Five Stages of GriefHonoring Queer GriefWhy Queer People Need to Talk About Disenfranchised GriefDisenfranchised Grief in Queer Companionship and Chosen FamilyLGBT Identification in U.S. Ticks Up to 7.1%The Grief in Queer HealingThe Second Adolescence of LGBTQ+ AdulthoodGet Your MerchSupport the showGet Your Merch

We’ve all experienced grief, that tender ache that lingers in our hearts following a loss. While the experience of coping with loss is crucial to our emotional well-being, it is also complex since it creates an intricate landscape where sorrow, resilience, and the transformative power of healing coexist.In this episode, we’re exploring the multifaceted nature of grief, its symptoms, and the various stages of grief to help us better understand the coping mechanisms needed to truly honor our loss, embrace healing, and find joy amidst the pain.Additional Resources:Grief - American Psychological AssociationGrief - Cleveland ClinicWhat is Grief?The Five Stages of GriefGet Your MerchSupport the showGet Your Merch

For decades, the phrase “That’s So Gay” has been tossed around carelessly to refer to things that are bad or undesirable. While many consider it a simple playground put down, it is actually a microaggression that perpetuates stereotypes and fosters a culture of exclusion.In this episode, we’re taking a look at the origins of the phrase “That’s So Gay,” its harmful implications, and how we can encourage others to reflect on their language choices to promote a more inclusive and accepting society.Additional Resources:23. Let's Talk About the F WordThe History of the Word "Gay"That's So Gay (Urban Dictionary)Think Before You Speak CampaignWhy is it OK to Say "That's So Gay?""That's So Gay" is Just So WrongThe 2021 National School Climate Survey (Executive Summary)The 2021 National School Climate Survey (Full Report)HRC Foundation’s Welcoming SchoolsWhat Do You Say to “That’s So Gay” and Other Anti-LGBTQ Comments?What Do You Say to ‘That’s So Gay’ & Other Anti-LGBTQ+ Comments? (Resources)Get Your MerchSupport the showGet Your Merch

In the early stages of dating, it’s normal to feel butterflies and maybe even experience infatuation. But the intoxicating allure of infatuation can grip our hearts and minds, which may result in overwhelming emotions and blurring the line between reality and fantasy.In this episode, we’re unraveling the distinction between infatuation and love by examining the characteristics and pitfalls of infatuation that set it apart from genuine, lasting affection.Additional Resources:42. Are You Emotionally Unavailable?Infatuation (Merriam-Webster)Infatuation (Cambridge Dictionary)Infatuation Versus Love: How Different Are They?6 Causes of InfatuationInfatuation vs. Love: How To Tell If You're Just InfatuatedWhat is the Real Difference Between Love and Infatuation?What's the Difference Between Love and Infatuation?How to Overcome an InfatuationEmotionally Unavailable: What It Means, Signs, & What to Do About ItGet Your MerchSupport the showGet Your Merch

Recently, conservatives have used the unrestricted exercise of religious freedom and freedom of speech to promote discriminatory beliefs and harmful ideologies that perpetuate prejudice and undermine the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people. On Friday, June 30, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the First Amendment entitles some business owners to refuse same-sex wedding work, which is a staggering blow to LGBTQ+ equality.In this episode, we’re discussing the Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis and the possible ramifications this conservative ruling may have on the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ equality.Additional Resources:303 Creative LLC v. Elenis303 Creative LLC v. Elenis (American Bar Association)Alliance Defending FreedomMasterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission46. Obergefell v. Hodges and the Ongoing Fight for Marriage EqualitySupreme Court Says 1st Amendment Entitles Web Designer to Refuse Same-Sex Wedding WorkSamuel Alito 'Joked' About Black Kids Wearing KKK Robes During Oral ArgumentsDo Most Americans Oppose Supreme Court LGBTQ Ruling? It Depends on the Poll.Gallup LGBTQ+ Rights PollFreedom of Speech and LGBT Rights: Americans’ Views of Issues in Supreme Court CaseData for Progress PollLegitimacy of ‘Customer’ in Supreme Court Gay Rights Case Raises Ethical and Legal FlagsThe Mysterious Case of the Fake Gay Marriage Website, the Real Straight Man, and the Supreme CourtThe Man Named in the Supreme Court’s Gay Rights Ruling Says He Didn’t Request a Wedding WebsiteThe 19th Explains: Why the Respect for Marriage Act Doesn’t Codify Same-Sex Marriage RightsCongress: Pass the Equality ActSupport the showGet Your Merch