

Outward: Slate's LGBTQ podcast
Slate Podcasts
Outward, Slate's queer podcast, is a whip-smart monthly salon in which hosts and guests deepen the audience’s understanding of queer culture and politics, delight them with unexpected perspectives, and invite listeners into a colorful conversation about the issues animating LGBTQ communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 17, 2021 • 1h 5min
Who Owns Queer Aesthetics?
Christina and Bryan welcome guest host Carolyn Bergier, co-host of the podcast Dyking Out. The crew explore the ups and downs of the Amazon lesbian reality TV show Tampa Baes. They then talk about Billy Porter’s fashion beef with Harry Styles, what queer fashion and signifiers actually mean, and whether they matter anymore. And finally, queer burlesque, queer DJ sets, and butch dykes for our Gay Agenda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 20, 2021 • 1h 9min
Pronouns and Poppers: A Queer History Party
Christina and Bryan take us into Queer History Month with thoughts on Reba McEntire and queer inclusion in historically misogynistic places. They welcome Adam Zmith, author of Deep Sniff, a book on the queer history of poppers, and writer Jude Doyle, who talks about what we missed in the recent documentary about transmasculine Black feminist icon Pauli Murray. Finally, our guests add supersmart, compelling items to this month’s Gay Agenda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 15, 2021 • 1h 2min
Summer's Swan Songs
Christina, Bryan, and Slate Senior Managing Producer June Thomas say farewell to outgoing host Rumaan Alam, then welcome journalist Casey Newton to discuss Grindr's data security problem and its inherent potential for ruining self-esteem. They then delve into Todd Stephens' Swan Song, a beautiful new film about an old queen, his cross-town journey to find hair products fit for styling his dead client, and the closure it brings.Items discussed in the show:Swan Song, directed by Todd StephensGay AgendaChristina: Eric Cervini's Queer History 101 June: Olivia on the Record, by Ginny BersonBryan: two-room tents!This podcast was produced by Katya Kumkova.Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 18, 2021 • 1h 4min
Hot Queer Summer, Hot Queer Strippers
It’s August, and Outward is leaning into the heat. First, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan gab about the beach. Why, exactly, are queer beaches so delightful? Is there a secret geography of finding the gay beach? They then talk to GirlFlexx, a female dom stripper who performs largely for straight women in a traditionally male style -- and kills it in adoration and tips.Items discussed on the show:An ice cream cake you can make "in the back of your car."The upcoming Chromatica remix album, confirmed by Lady Gaga.Outsports.com's coverage of the Olympics.Provincetown's citizen scientist effort to contact trace a Delta variant outbreak.A lawyer who fought for marriage equality helped disgraced Governor Andrew Cuomo discredit abuse victims.A primer on lesbian dom strippers.Gay AgendaBryan: Lindsay Morris and Ruth Padawar's photo essay about Camp I Am.Rumaan: Colm Toibin's The Master.Christina: The L Word: Generation Q.This podcast was produced by Katya Kumkova.Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 21, 2021 • 1h 8min
Milestones Mourned and Celebrated
A year-and-a-half into the pandemic, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan look back at all the times we did not get to share our milestones -- good, bad, or just big -- with other queers. If a queer comes out in the forest where no one can hear them are they still queer? Yes, but perhaps less joyfully than if they had been in community. The hosts then speak with Lucia Lucas, the first female baritone to perform a principal opera role on the American stage as Don Giovanni.Items discussed on the show:A recent assault at Nellie's gay bar in DC draws protests.Richard Branson wore a rainbow ribbon during his space flight.Breakthrough COVID infections strike Provincetown.The Sound of Identity, a documentary about Lucia Lucas's appearance as Don Giovanni.Gay AgendaBryan: director's cut of Studio 54Christina: How Twitter Can Ruin a Life by Emily VanDerWerffRumaan: two wistful and sexy short stories read by author Douglas Stuart on The Writer's Voice podcast.This podcast was produced by Katya Kumkova.Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 16, 2021 • 1h 5min
Julien Baker’s Quantum Queerness and Cops at Pride
It’s Pride month, which means Outward is feeling particularly festive! Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan are joined by musician Julien Baker to discuss her feelings about Pride, queerness, fluidity, and ways of interpreting queer art. Then Jillian Hanlon, a trans cop in upstate New York, joins to offer her take on the recent debate over cops at Pride.Items discussed on the show:Skittles go gray for Pride month.A Twitter thread about kink at Pride.Out in the Country: Youth, Media, and Queer Visibility in Rural America, by Mary GrayJulien Baker interview on WorkingJulien Baker on the Queerology podcastThe October 2018 Outward episode that includes interviews with members of No Justice No Pride and Reclaim Pride“A Mistep by the Organizers of Pride,” by the New York Times’ Editorial Board“The New York Times Doesn’t Know What Pride Is For,” by J. Bryan Lowder, in SlateGay AgendaChristina: Drew Gregory’s interview with Daniela Sea in AutostraddleBryan: Hola Papi, by John Paul BrammerRumaan: You are enough, queer comrades! This podcast was produced by Margaret Kelley and June Thomas.Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/outwardplus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 3, 2021 • 36min
Re-Introducing The Waves
The Waves is back, and we thought Outward listeners might enjoy this week's episode about Season 3 of Master of None, which focuses on a Black lesbian relationship. But is it worth watching? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 19, 2021 • 1h 8min
ACT UP History and Queer Portraits
This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan are joined by Sarah Schulman, whose new book Let the Record Show sets out to correct inaccurate representations of ACT UP New York, its tactics, and its philosophy of direct action in response to the AIDS epidemic. Then they discuss three collections of photographs of LGBTQ people. Who are they for, and will they be seen by the people who need them most?Items discussed on the show: "How to Be a Queer Person in the World Post-Quarantine," by Naveen KumarThe section of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass that begins, "I have perceived that to be with those I like is enough.”Let The Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-93, by Sarah Schulman Sarah’s appearance on the June 10, 2020, episode of Outward, “ACT UP and Larry Kramer's Legacy”The ACT UP Oral History ProjectSelf Evident Truths: 10,000 Portraits of Queer America, by IO Tillett WrightQueer Love in Color, by Jamal Jordan Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians, by JEB (Joan E. Biren)Gay AgendaBryan: Taylor Mac’s "Whitman in the Woods" Christina: Call My Agent Rumaan: HalstonThis podcast was produced by Margaret Kelley.Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 21, 2021 • 1h 9min
Lesbians in Paris … and in Period Dramas
This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan are first joined by Diana Souhami, whose new book, No Modernism Without Lesbians, tells the story of Sylvia Beach, Bryher, Natalie Barney, Gertrude Stein, and the artistic community they built in Paris between the wars. Then June Thomas joins them for a discussion of the recent spate of period dramas featuring women in love. Why can’t the women in these films get a little electricity or running water?Items discussed on the show: Dan D’Addario on Colton Underwood’s coming out, in VarietyDaniel Schroeder on what Underwood’s coming out revealed about the Bachelor franchise, in Slate“Transgender Childhood Is Not a ‘Trend’,“ by Jules Gill-Peterson in the New York Times No Modernism Without Lesbians, by Diana SouhamiSaturday Night Live’s take on lesbian period dramasAmmoniteCarolPortrait of a Lady on Fire (and Slate Spoiler Special episode)The World to ComeGay AgendaBryan: The Lady and the Dale on HBOMaxRumaan: Julie Mehretu’s exhibit at the Whitney Museum, and the New York Times T Magazine conversation between Mehretu and her former partner Jessica RankinJune: The audiobook Hoosier Daddy, by Ann McMan and Salem West, and Not the Real Jupiter, by Barbara WilsonChristina: Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians, by JEB, and June’s interview with JEB on Slate’s Working podcast about the making of the bookThis podcast was produced by Margaret Kelley.Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 17, 2021 • 1h
Power Dynamics and Trans Discrimination
This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan discuss a New York magazine piece about fashion designer Alexander Wang, the dynamics of power and consent, and the swiftly changing norms of gay spaces. Then they’re joined by science writer Riley Black to discuss her recent Slate piece about how science might not be the best tool to argue with those who oppose trans rights.This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


