by Annie Kierans

Pride month is here. And while celebrations will look a little different this year (and there won’t be the usual hot-and-heavy dance party to follow), we can still stretch our arms into the sky, let our streamers cascade into the wind and beam far and wide about our gender identities and sexual orientations. Hold the hands of your beaux(s). Be an ally. Or be angry and channel the spirit of the Stonewall riots.

There is still a lot of work to be done (social acceptance, medical rights for trans people, and representation of queer leaders within politics to name a few). That’s why Pride continues to be so important.

So, while it’s surely just the tip of the wonderful opalescent-rhinestone’d-rainbow ‘berg, here is a selection of podcasts* from the perspective of LGBTQIA2S+ (read: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two Spirit, and more) folks:

Nancy – fun LGBT content hosted by two BFF queers Kathy Tu and Tobin Low.

The Heart - self-aware, self-critical, and self-challenging audio pieces exploring relationships beautifully spun by artist/creator/host Kaitlin Prest and a radical team of queers. A wonderfully nuanced unpacking of intersectionality. Visit the Heart’s website and find an absolute treasure trove of delicate yet bold, sensitive while probing, urgent and artful past episodes dating back to 2014 (as part of The Heart’s original iteration, Audio Smut). Currently in the midst of releasing a series by the title of Race Traitor, questioning privilege and allyship.

How To Be A Girl - bite-sized episodes of recordings of a mother and her transgender daughter. Reflections, observations and challenges from the mother’s perspective as her daughter grows up. Very sweet, insightful and touching. Gender identity and sexual orientation 101.

By the Bi - a lack of understanding and acceptance of the bisexual population is speculated to contribute to its staggeringly high rate and risk of suicide and mental health struggles.

There is evidence of discrimination and stigma inside and outside of the LGBTQ2S+ community. This podcast explores perspectives, experiences, and relationships of bisexual folks - spurred by the approachable conversation between hosts, who are a hetero-presenting bisexual couple.

LGBTQ&A - an interview podcast with a star-studded guest list including Chani Nicholas, Roxane Gay, and Laverne Cox. Produced by The Advocate Magazine (“Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer news leader including politics, commentary, arts & entertainment - your source for LGBTQ news for over 50 years”).

Queers Did That - a queer history podcast hosted by Amanda and Katy. Topics include marriage equality, gays in sports, representation of LGBTQ2S+ in popular culture and politics, and prominent figures in the gay rights movement including Audre Lorde and Freddie Mercury.

One From The Vaults - I was a history dweeb in university and of ALL the many courses I sat through, my favourite of all was one taught by my amazing (and, coincidentally, gay and a POC) professor who taught the history of Central America like it was a gossip session with illustrious characters, scandalous affairs, and deep love/ pain. This podcast reminds me of that history class, but very witty and intelligent Montréal-based artist and writer Morgan M Page brings forward lesser known trans histories, including spotlights on Turtle Island!

To L and Back: An L Word Podcast - a podcast that dissects and provides episode-by-episode commentary on the legendary lesbian show “The L Word”. Extra content for the show’s ardent cult following.

The Two Princes - a fantasy genre/medieval era homo love story for kids! Expect whimsy, magic and sorcery delivered by award-winning actors alongside a majestic soundscape.

Canada’s first pride celebration took the form of a picnic on Toronto Island in 1972. Since outdoor hangouts are best nowadays, perhaps we can harken back to this inaugural milestone and rejoice and rage (responsibly) somewhere under a rainbow.

Heritage Minutes: Jim Egan

June is Indigenous History and Pride Month

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