A Jaded Gay A Jaded Gay

In previous episodes, we discussed the importance of coming out, which is a deeply personal and pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ individuals. And while living openly can empower us to be our authentic selves, a number of complex factors can keep us in the closet.

In this episode, author, public speaker, and former teacher Kevin O’Connor joins us to discuss his personal journey out of marriage to embrace his sexuality at 55 and live authentically as a gay man.

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Listen to Episode 77. Coming OutAdditional Resources:
Learn More About KevinFollow Kevin on InstagramFollow Kevin on FacebookRead Two Floors Above GriefSupport the Show.
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Today, authentic LGBTQ+ representation in TV is more important than ever since it reflects the community's diverse experiences, fosters a sense of inclusivity, challenges stereotypes, and provides meaningful representation that resonates with audiences to promote understanding and acceptance. However, in recent years, we’ve seen a trend where LGBTQ+ shows have been increasingly canceled, some after just one season, with Netflix being the biggest culprit.

In this episode, we’re examining Netflix’s recent cancellations of LGBTQ+ shows, comparing their approach to queer content with other media companies, and exploring the streaming giant's controversies surrounding decisions in the realm of LGBTQ+ storytelling.

Related Episodes:
Listen to Episode 07. The History of Gay Representation in TV & FilmListen to Episode 09. Corporate Greed & Rainbow CapitalismListen to Episode 55. Gay for Pay: Should Straight Actors Play Queer Characters? Additional Resources:
Every LGBTQ+ Show Cancelled Over the Past Year30 LGBTQ+ Shows That Got Canceled in 2023Netflix Employees Walk Out Over Dave Chappelle SpecialNetflix Reportedly Gave Exec Second Chance After Investigating His Use Of Anti-LGBTQ LanguageNetflix Cut from LGBTQ Corporate Equality Report over Dave Chappelle’s ‘The Closer’Ricky Gervais Netflix Special Condemned by LGBTQ Groups for ‘Anti-Trans Rants Masquerading as Jokes’Ricky Gervais Condemned for Crude, Tired and Lazy AIDS Jokes in Controversial Netflix SpecialNetflix CEO Faces Backlash for Wild Comments on Cancelled Shows: ‘They are NOT Allies’Shane Gillis was Fired from SNL for Anti-Gay Slurs. He Now Has a New Special on NetflixDave Chappelle Goes After Disabled Community in 'The Dreamer'Why Are So Many TV Shows About Queer Women Getting the Axe?GLAAD's 2022-2023 Where We Are on TV ReportSupport the Show.
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In previous episodes, we discussed the history of gay representation in TV and film and roadblocks LGBTQ+ actors encounter in Hollywood, with gay characters continuing to be portrayed by straight actors. While representation is important, authentic LGBTQ+ portrayals in the media fosters inclusivity and visibility, helping to break down stereotypes and promote understanding among audiences.

In this episode, actor, writer, and screenwriter Jose Nateras joins us to discuss his new LGBTQ+ horror movie, Departing Seniors, and how he leveraged his own personal experiences and identity to create an authentic film.

Relevant Episodes:
Listen to Episode 07. The History of Gay Representation in TV & FilmListen to Episode 28. Gay HorrorAdditional Resources:
Watch Departing SeniorsLearn More About Jose NaterasFollow Jose Nateras on InstagramFollow Jose Nateras on TwitterBuy Testament by Jose NaterasGet Your Merch
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From early chatrooms of the 90s to geolocation apps in the 2010s, gay men have been considered to be early adopters of online dating. While today's gay dating apps offer unprecedented convenience for gay men to connect within their community, their widespread use has brought about some negative impacts, including issues related to sexual racism, body image, and the changing dynamics of social spaces for gay men.

In this episode, we’re exploring the historical trajectory from gay dating sites to the emergence of today's gay dating apps, the potentially harmful effects they can have on mental health, and how we can adopt healthier habits to navigate gay dating in the digital age.

Related Episodes:
Listen to Episode 24. Gay Villages: Won't You Be My Gaybor?Listen to Episode 53. Stop Comparing Yourself to Other GaysListen to Bonus 07. Ranking Gay Dating AppsAdditional Resources:
Online Dating in the U.S.The History of Online DatingThe History of Online Dating: A Timeline From Paper Ads to WebsitesGay History Month: The Evolution of LGBTQ+ Online DatingWhat is Gaydar?How Grindr Took Over the Gay Scene and Changed Dating for EveryoneGrindr - Statistics & FactsThe Founders of This Gay Dating App Won't Stop You Searching by RaceWhat is Jack’d?What is Hornet?GROWLr Sold for $11.8 Million to Straight Social App CompanyWhy Dating Apps Are Racist AF — With or Without Ethnicity FiltersThe Influence of Grindr: An Exploratory StudyOrthorexia Nervosa in Gay MenGrindr Was the First Big Dating App for Gay Men. Now It’s Falling Out of Favor.Grindr Security Flaw Exposes Users' Location DataSupport the Show.
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Inclusive representation in literature offers LGBTQ+ people a sense of visibility, validation, and connection as they see their experiences authentically mirrored, which fosters a more inclusive narrative for readers. While it was historically challenging to engage with LGBTQ+ literature, today’s social media communities actively promote and amplify inclusive representation, providing a space for queer voices to be celebrated, shared, and discovered, creating a sense of community and expanding the visibility of these narratives in the literary landscape.

In this episode, Rod Lujano (@rodlujano), a gay bookstagrammer, joins us to discuss social media’s impact in amplifying queer voices, fostering inclusive LGBTQ+ representation in literature, and navigating the challenges posed by recent attempts at book bans.

Additional Resources:
Follow Rod on InstagramConnect with Rod on GoodreadsFollow Rod on ThreadsConnect with Rod on FacebookCheck Out Rod’s Book WishlistGet Your Merch
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The fine line between genuine kindness and people-pleasing can pose a challenge, as the latter may lead to sacrificing one's own needs, compromising authenticity, and fostering unhealthy dependencies in relationships. But gay men, in particular, tend to be influenced by societal expectations and the desire to counter stereotypes, resulting in a higher likelihood to engage in excessive people-pleasing behaviors as they navigate social dynamics and seek acceptance.

In this episode, we’re diving into the nuanced correlation between the childhood fear of rejection from growing up gay and the emergence of people-pleasing behaviors in adulthood among gay men while discussing strategies to cultivate self-compassion, set clear boundaries, and prioritize individual needs for a more authentic and personal empowered life as gay men.

Related Episodes:
Listen to Episode 13. Perfectly Imperfect: Conquer Your PerfectionismListen to Episode 34. GBF: Gay Best FriendListen to Episode 85. Boundaries: How to Understand and Set ThemAdditional Resources:
People Pleaser (Merriam-Webster)What Is People-Pleasing?People-PleasingPeople Pleaser: What It Means and How to StopHow to Stop People-PleasingWhat is a People Pleaser?How to Stop People-Pleasing (and Still Be Nice)How Does Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn Show Up for Gay Men?Gay People Have Been Taught to Be People-Pleasing Push-OversGet Your Merch
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