Outward: Slate's LGBTQ podcast

The podcast discusses PragerU's controversial ad campaign promoting a transphobic documentary on the dangers of gender. It examines the tactics used by advocates against transition-related care, the impact of Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter on anti-trans content, and the negative effects of wealthy individuals promoting harmful views on social media platforms. Additionally, it analyzes PragerU's approach to creating documentaries and the regulation of social media.

This week, guest host Danny Lavery talks with self-appointed lesbian pop culture expert Kira Deshler to dive into the lively queer subculture within the Taylor Swift fandom, and their quest to liberate her. From there they explore the relationship between queer fans and their often straight pop icons.Songs mentioned:Tim I Wish You Were Born a Girl by Of MontrealPink Triangle by Weezer Johnny Are You Queer? By Josie CottonEmail us at: outwardpodcast@slate.comPodcast production by Palace Shaw. Outward is sponsored by BetterHelp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Christina, Bryan, and Jules talk with Jeopardy! winner and trans trailblazer Amy Schneider about her bold new memoir In The Form of a Question. Amy won $1.3 million after a 40 day winning streak in 2021, the longest streak for a woman in the show’s history. In this episode, Amy talks about the decision to be herself on her historical Jeopardy! run and why it felt important to not skip the tarot, drugs, and ‘messiness’ in her new memoir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slate’s Daisy Rosario takes the reins this week for a conversation with Bob the Drag Queen, aka non-binary actor and comedian Caldwell Tidicue. They talk about Bob’s foray into hip-hop, touring with Madonna, and why Bob so often collaborates with other queer artists.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The spooky season is upon us, so hosts Christina Cauterucci, Jules Gill-Peterson, and Bryan Lowder discuss Living for the Dead, the new queer ghost-hunting reality show from the creators of Queer Eye. The show, now streaming on Hulu, is narrated by the disembodied voice of Kristen Stewart, a haunting many of us would welcome. The hosts end the show, as always, with some new additions to the Gay Agenda.Please note, starting in November, Outward will be appearing in your feeds more often, so be sure to subscribe.Items discussed in the show:Trans Data LibraryLiving for the Dead, on HuluGay AgendaChristina: Autostraddle’s coverage of Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger’s divorceJules: JewishCurrents’ “Dispatches From Gaza”Bryan: Queer witch @RiotaddamsThis podcast was produced by Palace Shaw and June Thomas.Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s September. Are you ready to warm up your muscles as the temperatures dip and get your apartment all cozy for the cuffing season to come? If so, Outward has you covered. First, listeners Elizabeth and Peter respond to last month’s discussion of Amazon’s film adaptation of Red, White & Royal Blue. Then the hosts talk with sports journalist Katie Barnes about their new book Fair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debates, which tells the remarkable story of how sports have been gendered long before today’s anti-trans panic. After that, they’re joined by writer and TikTok-er extraordinaire Mercury Stardust, who is known as the “Trans Handy Ma’am” for her DIY home-repair videos. Mercury’s new book, Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair, blends stunning illustrations and emotional-processing breaks with how-to guides for making your apartment into a sanctuary. The hosts end the show, as always, with some new additions to the Gay Agenda.Items discussed in the show:“Bottoms Queers the High-School Comedy,” the Culture Gabfest’s discussion of the movie, with Christina“Power Bottoms,” by Rachel Handler, on VultureFair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debates, by Katie BarnesSafe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair, by Mercury StardustThe Safe and Sound book tourGay AgendaBryan: “What Happens When You’re Almost Out of Testosterone–and You Live in Florida,” by Nico LangChristina: Deadloch, on Amazon PrimeJules: People Collide, by Isle McElroyThis podcast was produced by June Thomas.Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

This month, taking a cue from the sultry, sensual heat of summer, Outward examines the venerable queer practice of cruising—for sex and sex work—in public space. First, hosts Christina Cauterucci, Jules Gill-Peterson, and Bryan Lowder make eyes at Park Cruising, a new essay collection on cruising in parks, which explores the pleasures, politics, and complexities of that gay pastime. Author Marcus McCann joins the hosts to discuss those themes. Then they head down to Christopher Street with the trans women of The Stroll, a new HBO documentary streaming on Max, as they revisit a time when New York’s now-gentrified Meatpacking District was rich with a unique and affirming form of sisterhood. Co-director Kristen Lovell stops by to discuss the making of the film. The hosts end the show, as always, with some new additions to the Gay Agenda.Items discussed in the show:“The Real Story of 303 Creative v. Elenis,” by Mark Joseph Stern in SlateOutward’s Times Square billboardA provocative chant at NYC Drag MarchPark Cruising: What Happens When We Wander Off the Path, by Marcus McCannThe StrollThe Lady and the DaleSylvia’s PlaceSylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, and STARGay AgendaChristina: Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed from HBOJules: Hari Nef’s interviews about her role in Barbie Bryan: Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music (see also Hugh Ryan on the show’s history)This podcast was edited by Emily Charash and produced by June Thomas.Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the last of our Pride month mini-episodes, host Jules Gill-Peterson is joined by Evan Urquhart, the community manager for Slate's comments section who also covers anti-trans propaganda on assignedmedia.org. They discuss Evan’s piece “Don’t Look Away From Queer Despair,” which was part of Slate’s “Not Quite Pride” package. In a galvanizing conversation, they discuss the need to resist putting on a happy face in these genuinely challenging times; the compulsion to create work that will leave breadcrumbs of hope for the next generation of queer and trans people, and supporting one another.Items discussed in the show:“Don’t Look Away From Queer Despair,” by Evan UrquhartSlate’s “Not Quite Pride” package of storiesAssigned MediaThis podcast was edited by Emily Charash and produced by June Thomas.Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month, to celebrate Pride, we’re bringing you some extra episodes of Outward. On Saturdays, we're sharing some great LGBTQ content from around the Slate podcast network.Today, it’s an episode of What Next, Slate’s daily news show. It features a conversation between host Mary Harris and Arkansas pharmacist Gwen Herzig. Gwen is a trans woman who testified before the Arkansas general assembly, sharing her perspective as a medical professional, only to be asked about her genitalia. The What Next team wanted to know what happened after Gwen testified and how the experience felt to her.What Next is produced by Elena Schwartz, Madeline Ducharme, Anna Phillips, Paige Osburn, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices