LGBTQ+ Stories: Recent Episodes
Sophie Harper
The democratic nature of podcasting has made it a place for LGBTQ+ voices and stories to thrive since the beginning, and that’s something to celebrate. Here are some stories and voices that resonate with me, through their explorations of identity, community, courage, vulnerability and of course, parenting.
Back in 2006, my first sense of community as a newly out lesbian sprang from a podcast. The Planet: the podcast for L Word fans, was, to me, more entertaining and relatable than The L Word itself and, though it was one-sided, hosts Elka and KC were the first lesbians I really got to know. I wasn’t alone anymore. Sharing our stories makes a difference. (All the episodes are on YouTube if you want to take yourself back there).
I make a serialized documentary podcast called Not By Accident, about choosing to become a single mother and coping with being one. I’m also a lesbian. More at notbyaccident.net
It’s been 49 years since the birth of gay liberation. This wonderful two-part documentary from Australia explores the evolving landscape of gender and sexual identity and the role ‘queer-friendly’ spaces, or ‘homotopias’ have played, and still play, in our lives.
At last, a beautifully produced and well-resourced public radio show about the LGBTQ experience, from WNYC. Episode 1 set the tone with the funny and touching coming out stories of hosts Kathy Tu and Tobin Low. Listen to them all.
Marlo Mack is the mother of a transgender daughter and produces this documentary podcast about their life together. The storytelling is utterly compelling. The personal is political. This has influenced and inspired me, both as a parent and a podcaster.
Eric Marcus’ 30-year-old audio archive brings the voices of queer history to life through intimate conversations with LGBTQ champions, heroes, and witnesses to history. We’re lucky to be able to hear them so make sure you do.
After I came out at 30, I ventured into the Sydney lesbian scene. I felt like a 30-year-old teenager. It was exciting and terrifying. I started internet dating. I had some fun. I got my heart broken a couple of times. This is the story of my love life, all the way to the point I felt it was time to choose single motherhood.
A couple of straight white guys follow the word ‘yas’ down a rabbit hole and find themselves in 1980’s gay culture. The story starts about 18 minutes in, and is told with such reverence that I was brought to tears on first, second and third listen.
Gay dad trilogy #1: Danny got off the subway to meet his boyfriend for dinner, and saw a bundle on the ground. When he glanced back, the tiny legs moved. This is an incredible story.
Gay dad trilogy #2: Trystan and Biff are twenty-somethings who became parents overnight. Two years and five episodes have passed since host Hillary Frank started sharing their story. In the latest installment, the family is expanding! Make sure you start at the beginning.
Gay dad trilogy #3: A four-day old baby shows up with a few hours notice at the home of a gay couple. Patrick and Steve are suddenly foster parents, hoping and trying to adopt. Host Lea Thau checked in a year later, and nearly a year after that. Three episodes over three years. The final one is out, but go back to the beginning!
Conversations with leaders, who happen to be queer. Australian Ben Neilsen launched LGBTI(Q&A) “to reach as many people as possible to let them know gender and sexual diversity is normal and LGBTIQA+ Australians are successful in all sorts of ways.” This episode features author, TV screenwriter, journalist and newspaper columnist Benjamin Law, who’s someone you’ll want to meet.