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The current landscape of LGBTQ+ bullying remains pervasive, especially in schools and online, where discrimination and harassment can have devastating impacts on mental health and well-being. Not only does this isolate individuals, but it also perpetuates a culture of fear and exclusion, making it harder for the community to achieve acceptance and equality. In this episode, Mike Keller, an author and speaker focused on raising bullying awareness, joins us to discuss how we can work together …
Het lag is a humorous term for the exhaustion and disorientation queer people experience after prolonged exposure to exclusively straight environments. While the term is lighthearted, it speaks to the very real psychological toll of minority stress—the mental and emotional burden of navigating predominantly heterosexual spaces, code-switching, and enduring heterosexism. In this episode, we’re diving into the concept of minority stress, exploring its impact on our well-being, and discussing h…
In previous episodes, we’ve delved into the complex relationship gay men often have with body image shaped by societal expectations and stereotypes that idealize a lean, muscular physique, leading many to experience feelings of inadequacy and self-consciousness about their appearance. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, gay and bisexual boys are significantly more likely to engage in harmful behaviors such as fasting, vomiting, or using laxativ…
In most episodes, we often discuss how gay men face unique mental health challenges due to societal stigma, discrimination, and internalized stress, which can exacerbate issues like anxiety and depression. Prioritizing mental health and wellness can help address these specific struggles and promote overall well-being as we work to foster resilience and build a fulfilling life. In this episode, Peter DeWitt, founder of Gay Wellness, joins us to discuss how his own wellness journey led him to …
In numerous episodes, we’ve learned that gay men are more likely to struggle with mental health issues due to the trauma experienced from growing up in a society that often stigmatizes their identity. Despite these challenges, we must heal from trauma so we can lead fulfilling lives and make a difference for the LGBTQ+ community, fostering both personal well-being and collective resilience. In this episode, Dr. Jason Durant, a prominent gay psychologist, joins us to discuss how his own journ…
Healthcare promotes the wellbeing of individuals and fosters societal resilience by addressing health challenges, preventing diseases, and providing essential medical support. However, marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community, have historically encountered challenges in accessing inclusive healthcare, facing discrimination, stigmatization, and inadequate understanding of their unique health needs. In this episode, Max Austin, author of How Can We Be Wrong?, joins us to discuss …
Gay men often grapple with perfectionism, navigating societal expectations and internalized standards that can intensify the pursuit of an idealized self-image. Known as the Best Little Boy in the World archetype, some gay men overcompensate in certain aspects of their lives, such as their career, appearance, and other achievements, to deflect negative attention away from their sexuality. In this episode, we’re diving into the origins of the Best Little Boy in the World persona, examining re…
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 …
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 …
In today's complex and rapidly changing landscape of economic uncertainty and unexpected global events, comprehensive financial planning is more crucial yet intricate than ever. But for gay men, navigating resilient financial strategies has been historically challenging due to the economic burden of increased healthcare costs during the AIDS pandemic, prevalent job discrimination, and the LGBTQ+ wage gap. In this episode, John and David of the Queer Money podcast join us to discuss the …
For years, society’s sense of body image has been negatively affected by standards that often perpetuate unrealistic ideals and contribute to the prevalence of negative body image perceptions. Some gay men grapple with an additional layer of body image issues, navigating societal expectations and stereotypes that can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-consciousness about their physical appearance. In this episode, Matthew Simko, a style & lifestyle expert, joins us to dish on th…
Gay men sometimes shift between different modes of expression, including language, behavior, or mannerisms, to navigate between their authentic identity and societal expectations or contexts related to their sexual orientation. Known as code-switching, this practice can reinforce societal norms that marginalize certain linguistic or cultural expressions, leading us to suppress our authentic identities and perpetuating a sense of disconnection or internal conflict. In this episode, we’re taki…
Boundaries are essential guidelines, defining the limits of acceptable behavior and establishing a framework of respect and mutual understanding. But due to societal pressures, stereotypes, and the historical stigmatization of non-heteronormative relationships, some gay men may exhibit people-pleasing tendencies, which makes it challenging to implement boundaries and contributes to feelings of isolation and a reluctance to assert personal limits. In this episode, we’re navigating the complex…
Gay men tend to grapple with complex feelings about body image, influenced by societal ideals that often emphasize a lean and muscular physique. As a result, gay gym culture is often marked by a complex interplay of such body standards, which can both motivate and challenge individuals within the community to base their self-perception on chasing an idealized appearance. In this episode, we're exploring the intersection of gay culture and gym culture, along with how societal conceptions…
Previously, we discussed the complicated relationship gay men have with alcohol, which is shaped by diverse factors such as social acceptance, coping with discrimination, and navigating the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and substance use. In this episode, writer and lawyer Tate Barkley joins us to talk about his new book, Sunday Dinners, Moonshine and Men, detailing a Southern boy’s story of coming to terms with his sexuality while surviving in a good ole boys’ world. Additional Resources.…
Previously, we talked about how many gay men have grappled with the fear of rejection, which can result in struggling with intimacy, attachment, and emotional availability. This can often be interconnected with trust issues, as past experiences of feeling abandoned or rejected can lead to difficulties in fully trusting others in future relationships. In this episode, we’re taking a look at what trust issues are, their profound impact on gay men, and how we can foster authentic connections an…
Previously, we discussed the complicated relationship gay men have with alcohol, which is shaped by diverse factors such as social acceptance, coping with discrimination, and navigating the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and substance use. In this episode, writer, director, and filmmaker Adam Fitzgerald joins us to talk about his new book, Recovering from Recovery, which explores his journey away from rhetoric and advice he experienced in Alcoholics Anonymous, which seemed to judge and stig…
Grief is frequently associated with the LGBTQ+ experience, from fearing rejection to dealing with hate and living in constant terror of being in danger. While any form of grief is both a universal and personal experience necessary to cope with loss, the complexities of queer grief can lead to isolation, mental health challenges, and the suppression of one's authentic self. In this episode, we’re delving into the intersection of disenfranchised grief and queer grief, its unique impact on…
We’ve all experienced grief, that tender ache that lingers in our hearts following a loss. While the experience of coping with loss is crucial to our emotional well-being, it is also complex since it creates an intricate landscape where sorrow, resilience, and the transformative power of healing coexist. In this episode, we’re exploring the multifaceted nature of grief, its symptoms, and the various stages of grief to help us better understand the coping mechanisms needed to truly honor our …
Being our authentic selves can be scary since many of us fear rejection—and for good reason. Family conflict and rejection is the main cause of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, and LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness compared to non-LGBTQ+ youth. In this episode, we’re discussing key drivers of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, system failures, and how we can support those struggling with housing instability. Additional Resources: What Do You Know About Homelessness and Housing .…
For many gay men, we struggle with minority stress and discrimination on a daily basis. Along with childhood trauma and gay shame, this adversity causes some to turn to alcohol as a form of self-medicating. In fact, the rate of substance abuse is estimated to be between 20 to 30 percent in LGBTQ+ people compared to 9 percent for the general population. In this episode, we’re taking a look at why members of the LGBQT+ community are more likely to be impacted by alcoholism and how to seek out …
In previous episodes, we talked about how gay men may struggle with perfectionism as a means to validate themselves and overcome their gay shame. As a result, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others and compete against other gay men instead of lifting our community up. In this episode, we’re talking about some of the reasons why gay men compete with one another, ways to stop comparing ourselves to others, and how we can better support our community instead of tearing each other down. Addit.…
In past episodes, we've talked about how some gay men try to curate the illusion of a "perfect life" to compensate for feelings of shame and rejection. As such, we develop a false sense of confidence through others' validation. In this episode, my friend, Tillie Lee, joins us to discuss how our upbringing impacted how we practice mindfulness, be more confident, and love ourselves better. Additional Resources: Raising Low Self-EsteemTillie Lee PhotosInstagram - Tillie LeeS…
Over the past few years, there’s been an uptick in millennials’ obsession with houseplants. And with 10.5% of millennials identifying as being LGBTQ+, which is much higher than older generations, it’s no surprise that there has been an increase in plant gays. In this episode, we’re taking a look at this millennial trend, the positive health effects houseplants have, and how they can teach gay men to live mindfully. Additional Resources: Why Millennials Are Suddenly So Obsessed With Housepla.…