Rayceen Pendarvis is an elder in the House of Pendavis. Rayceen recounts the beginnings of ballroom, how it exploded in the early 90s thanks to Madonna and “Paris is Burning,” and how, simultaneously, it began collapsing from within as AIDS ravaged the community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Colton, profoundly influenced by the AIDS crisis in San Francisco, shares poignant reflections on loss and legacy. He delves into personal stories that highlight the vibrant gay culture of the 70s and 80s, intertwined with the shadow of the epidemic. Colton recounts navigating love and identity amid the fear and emotional turmoil of witnessing friends suffer from AIDS. Ultimately, he transforms grief into activism, leading to the creation of the AIDS Memorial Grove, a tribute to those lost, emphasizing the lasting power of memory and love.

Donald Flowers Jr., a resilient gay man who battled addiction to alcohol, cocaine, crystal meth, and sex, shares his gripping journey. He highlights the unique challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face regarding substance abuse, rooted in societal pressures and mental health struggles. Reflecting on growing up in a judgmental Texas town, he discusses early encounters with addiction as a coping mechanism. Through his recovery, he emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, self-love, and community support in overcoming stigma and reclaiming identity.

Get your ticket to our free live show here, this Sunday, September 29th at 2:30pm in NYC! Stewart Butler shaped much of the vibrant queer culture in New Orleans, through his political activism. He was driven by the loss of 32 queer people in the Upstairs Lounge Fire in 1972 — a fire that he witnessed with his own eyes. Frank Perez is an LGBTQ+ historian who recounts Stewart’s story for us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sherry Vine is a legendary drag queen that came up in the 90s, in NYC. She's aware of drag's super power: helping queer people escape from the pain of their lives. She was at the center of that during the AIDS crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annise Parker, the first openly gay mayor of a major American city, shares her inspiring journey from personal struggles to political triumphs. She reveals how her initial campaign challenges fueled her commitment to elect more LGBTQ+ leaders. The conversation highlights the significance of representation in politics and the emotional toll of navigating love and identity in a conservative climate. Parker emphasizes the ongoing need for advocacy and community engagement to secure a future of equality and inclusivity.

Lori Branch was one of the pioneering DJs of house music in the 80s. She reflects on the queer origins of the genre, how this history was erased, and why house music still resonates with so many queer people today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Espinoza is the author of the only official history on gay cruising: Cruising: An Intimate History of a Radical Pastime. He reflects on how cruising helped him find self confidence and led him to the love he had always been searching for.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Studio 54 was much more than a club. It was the embodiment of disco — a movement that empowered LGBTQ+ Americans and prepared them for a fight they never saw coming. Hal Rubenstein, a fashion icon, was a regular there. He remembers how the highs of the 70s sustained him through the lows of the 80s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of our episode with Tabytha Gonzalez, she details the consequences of her sex work: a harrowing drug addiction followed by 16 years of incarceration. And she reflects on how years later, she’d return to The Stroll with a new purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.