Virgin Radio Pridecast

Trans Day of Visibility 2022 was yesterday (Thursday 31st March), and to celebrate, the next two episodes of the Virgin Radio Pridecast are dedicated to trans rights and the experience of trans people here in the UK. This week, Alex and Shivani will be looking at the recent rise in anti-trans discourse, and examining some of the possible reasons why this has taken place. They’ll be hearing from actress Annie Wallace on whether increased representation can lead to increased abuse, actor and activist Jake Graf on the difference in the way that trans men and trans women are treated, and presenter Alex Woolhouse on the debate over whether trans rights are compatible with feminism. Plus, Shivani will also be chatting to Stephanie Fuller, General Manager of LGBT+ helpline Switchboard, on what can be done to combat the rise in anti-trans discourse, and how the constant debate over trans rights is affecting service users. Please note, some of the topics discussed in this episode might be sensitive and/or triggering. For help and support with any LGBTQ+ issues you might be facing, you can contact Switchboard on 0300 330 0630. Alternatively, the Samaritans are available twenty-four hours a day on 116 123. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Mothers’ Day coming up on Sunday, it’s all about parenting this week on the Virgin Radio Pridecast! Alex and Shivani will be looking into all the ways in which members of the LGBTQ+ community can have children, as well as the stigma that some parents face, and the fear from many in the community that they’ll never be able to have kids. You’ll hear from Paul and Robin, a couple who had a child via surrogacy, influencer Jamie Beaglehole on why LGBTQ+ people make especially good candidates for adoption, journalist Paul Brand on the burden that is placed on mothers, and author Jodie Lancet-Grant on why we need increased representation of families with LGBTQ+ parents. Plus, Daryl Jackson will be here as usual with your Virgin Radio Pride Weekly News Update! Please note, some of the topics discussed in this episode might be sensitive and/or triggering. For help and support with any LGBTQ+ issues you might be facing, you can contact Switchboard on 0300 330 0630. Alternatively, the Samaritans are available twenty-four hours a day on 116 123. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Virgin Radio Pridecast, Alex and Shivani are continuing their exploration into bisexuality, looking at whether ‘bisexuality’ is still a valid term, and also investigating bisexual representation in the media and beyond… You’ll hear from Dominic Arnall on what he thinks bisexuality is, author Lo Shearing on why they use the term ‘bisexual’, and activist Ramses Oliva on the differences and crossover between bisexuality and pansexuality. You’ll also hear again from author Jen Winston on how bisexual people are portrayed in the media, and from activist Libby Baxter-Williams on creating the first Bi float at London Pride.Please note, some of the topics discussed in this episode might be sensitive and/or triggering. For help and support with any LGBTQ+ issues you might be facing, you can contact Switchboard on 0300 330 0630. Alternatively, the Samaritans are available twenty-four hours a day on 116 123. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the next couple of weeks on the Virgin Radio Pridecast, Alex and Shivani are looking into bisexuality, exploring what it’s like to live as a bisexual today, as well as whether the very term ‘bisexual’ is still relevant. This week, they’ll be looking at what it’s like to come out as bisexual, as well as some of the stereotypes about bisexuality which are still applied today. You’ll hear from Miss Great Britain Jen Atkin on her own coming out journey, politician Mandu Reid on the damaging effect of stereotypes, and author Jen Winston on the incorrect assumption that ‘everyone’s bisexual’... Plus, Alex and Shivani will be chatting to activist Lewis Oakley about the effect of bisexual stereotypes on his own coming out journey, as well as how the perception of his bisexuality changed when he dated women as opposed to men.You can find out more about Lewis and his work here. Please note, some of the topics discussed in this episode might be sensitive and/or triggering. For help and support with any LGBTQ+ issues you might be facing, you can contact Switchboard on 0300 330 0630. Alternatively, the Samaritans are available twenty-four hours a day on 116 123. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Virgin Radio Pridecast, Alex and Shivani will be delving into the world of religion, looking at the relationship between religious organisations and the LGBTQ+ community, and examining whether religious freedoms and LGBTQ+ rights can co-exist.You’ll hear from evangelical gay Christian Jayne Ozanne on the harm that religion can cause, journalist Paul Brand on the trade-off between religious freedom and LGBTQ+ rights, and Tik Tok star Benjy Kusi on the link between religion and culture. You’ll also hear from Matt Mahmood-Ogston, who founded the Naz and Matt Foundation after his fiance Naz tragically took his own life when dealing with rejection from his religious family. Please note, some of the topics discussed in this episode might be sensitive and/or triggering. For help and support with any LGBTQ+ issues you might be facing, you can contact Switchboard on 0300 330 0630. Alternatively, the Samaritans are available twenty-four hours a day on 116 123.You can find out more information about The Naz and Matt Foundation here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Virgin Radio Pridecast, Alex Milsom and Shivani Dave are delving into the world of comedy, looking at how LGBTQ+ comedians bring their identities to their work, and whether jokes about sexuality/gender identity are ever acceptable. You’ll hear from Suzi Ruffell on the need for gay comedians to mention their sexuality at the start of each gig, as well as Rosie Wilby on whether stereotypes still have a role in comedy. You’ll also hear from Stephen K Amos on whether the intent of a joke can alter its meaning, and Alex and Shivani will also be exploring whether comedy can be used as a tool for activism, with the help of Stephen Bailey. Finally, you’ll hear from Tom Allen on someone who changed the scene for LGBTQ+ comedians forever - Virgin Radio’s very own Graham Norton… You can vote for Shivani in the British LGBT Awards here: https://britishlgbtawards.com/vote-now/. Please note, some of the topics discussed in this episode might be sensitive and/or triggering. For help and support with any LGBTQ+ issues you might be facing, you can contact Switchboard on 0300 330 0630. Alternatively, the Samaritans are available twenty-four hours a day on 116 123. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s LGBTQ+ History Month 2022 and Alex Milsom and Shivani Dave are exploring all things queer history in this episode of the Virgin Radio Pridecast. The show looks back through the archives of three-month pop-up radio station Virgin Radio Pride, highlighting some of the best moments, as well as attempting to continue the important conversations started over the summer. It has already featured topics including Coming Out, HIV/AIDS, and even the relationship which the LGBTQ+ community has with education…In this LGBTQ+ History special, you’ll hear from Michael Bronski, the author of 'A Queer History of the United States' and Fleur MacInnes, a PhD student researching trans women & women’s liberation through oral history. They discuss if museums have a responsibility to teach about LGBTQ+ history and the importance of teaching ourselves about our own past.You’ll also hear from self proclaimed 'LGBTQ+ history dude' Sacha Coward on how the Pride Flag came to be, as well as Philip Harper Deakin who told Virgin Radio Pride about when he was prosecuted for gay sexual activity, and the harsh punishments he received.Plus, Daryl Jackson has your weekly update!Finally, you’ll hear from Irish club promoter Buzz O’Neill about the origins of Pride in Ireland, and the murder of Declan Flynn. Buzz’s story is incredible as he not only remembers our history, he was a part of it.Expect all that, and so much more on this week's Virgin Radio Pridecast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Valentine’s Day special, you’ll hear from actress Kate Holderness and her girlfriend, Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts on the rise of dating apps in the queer community, as well as Kate’s rather interesting use of online forums to date before the apps existed! You’ll also hear from trans activist and author Juno Dawson on how shame from childhood affects dating, as well as writer Lewis Oakley on whether there are differences in dating between heterosexual and queer couples, as well as the dreaded question of who pays at the end of the date!Plus, Shivani and Alex will be sharing their own experiences of dating as members of the LGBTQ+ community with Celebs Go Dating’s very own Tom Read Wilson who will be popping by for a chat… Please note, some of the topics discussed in this episode might be sensitive and/or triggering. For help and support with any LGBTQ+ issues you might be facing, you can contact Switchboard on 0300 330 0630. Alternatively, the Samaritans are available twenty-four hours a day on 116 123.For more information about National HIV Testing Week, please visit www.tht.org.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the Virgin Radio Pridecast is back with another episode looking at the LGBTQ+ community’s relationship with the music industry… Alex and Shivani will be hearing from legends LP and Adam Lambert on what it means to them to make music for the community, singer Conleth Kane on the reception to his song ‘Proud’, and Justin Vivian Bond and Bright Light Bright Light are back, this time talking about the influence of the one and only Sir Elton John… You’ll also hear from Alex and Shivani about some of their own musical icons, plus they’ll be asking the question of whether non-LGBTQ+ artists can make music which resonates with the community… Finally - you’ll hear from Virgin Radio’s very own Graham Norton speaking to Steve Denyer about seeing Holly Johnson perform at Pride in Clapham in 1997 - one of the most moving pieces of audio from Virgin Radio Pride…Please note, some of the topics discussed in this episode might be sensitive and/or triggering. For help and support with any LGBTQ+ issues you might be facing, you can contact Switchboard on 0300 330 0630. Alternatively, the Samaritans are available twenty-four hours a day on 116 123. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Virgin Radio Pridecast, with the BRIT Awards rapidly approaching, Alex and Shivani are delving into the world of music - asking why so many of our favourite music icons are from the LGBTQ+ community, as well as looking at the struggles which many queer artists have to make it in the industry.You’ll hear from the legendary Skin from Skunk Anansie on her experiences of being black and gay in the music industry, as well as YouTuber, dancer and singer-songwriter Todrick Hall on his struggle to make his voice heard. There are also clips from singer Justin Vivian Bond on the drive that many LGBTQ+ people have to succeed, as well as Drag Race UK Royalty Bimini Bon Boulash on one of their absolute musical icons; Pete Burns. Finally, you’ll also hear from country singer Brooke Eden, who was told she had to hide her sexuality in order to progress in her career…Please note, some of the topics discussed in this episode might be sensitive and/or triggering. For help and support with any LGBTQ+ issues you might be facing, you can contact Switchboard on 0300 330 0630. Alternatively, the Samaritans are available twenty-four hours a day on 116 123. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.