258 episodes

*Nominated for Outstanding Podcast at the GLAAD Awards* Weekly interviews with the most interesting LGBTQ+ people in the world. Recent guests include Laverne Cox, Janelle Monáe, Pete Buttigieg, Brandi Carlile, Alok Vaid-Menon, and Angela Davis. LGBTQ&A is hosted by Jeffrey Masters.

LGBTQ&A Jeffrey Masters

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 647 Ratings

*Nominated for Outstanding Podcast at the GLAAD Awards* Weekly interviews with the most interesting LGBTQ+ people in the world. Recent guests include Laverne Cox, Janelle Monáe, Pete Buttigieg, Brandi Carlile, Alok Vaid-Menon, and Angela Davis. LGBTQ&A is hosted by Jeffrey Masters.

    Bob 'Rose' Levine: Has Been Doing Drag in Fire Island Since 1955

    Bob 'Rose' Levine: Has Been Doing Drag in Fire Island Since 1955

    Bob "Rose" Levine talks about his first trip to Cherry Grove in 1955, being a part of the original drag "Invasion of the Pines" in 1976, and how the AIDS crisis changed Fire Island in the 1980s.

    LGBTQ&A is an independent, listener-supported podcast. Please consider joining our Substack to help support our work.

    This is a part of our special series, The LGBTQ+ Elders Project. Click here to listen to our interview with Joan Jett Blakk (a.k.a. Terence Alan Smith), the legendary drag queen who ran for president in 1992.  

    LGBTQ&A is hosted and produced by Jeffrey Masters. @jeffmasters1

    • 31 min
    Ma-Nee Chacaby: 'I'm Old, But So What?' Says The Two-Spirit Elder

    Ma-Nee Chacaby: 'I'm Old, But So What?' Says The Two-Spirit Elder

    Ma-Nee Chacaby talks about learning that she was Two-Spirit as a kid, her rural upbringing, and the challenges of being an out indigenous lesbian in Thunder Bay, Canada in the 1980s. Ma-Nee is the author of A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder. (Note: This episode discusses domestic violence.)

    "Put love in front of you when you get up in the morning and it'll guide you to a beautiful place. It'll guide you."

    LGBTQ&A is an independent, listener-supported podcast. Please consider joining our Substack as a paid Subscriber to help support our work.

    This is a part of our special series, The LGBTQ+ Elders Project. Click here to listen to our interview with the 92-year-old pioneer photographer Duane Michals. 

    LGBTQ&A is hosted and produced by Jeffrey Masters. @jeffmasters1

    • 22 min
    Sandy Stone: From Lesbian Separatist to Trans History

    Sandy Stone: From Lesbian Separatist to Trans History

    Sandy Stone talks about working with the lesbian separatists of Olivia Records, why the attacks on the trans community today mirror the attacks from the 1970s, and the moment that led her to write "The Empire Strikes Back: A Posttranssexual Manifesto"—an essay that became a founding document of trans studies.

    You can learn more about Girl Island, the documentary that's in the works about Sandy's life here: girlislandfilm.com

    The song that you hear in the interview from Olivia Records is "Sweet Woman" by Cris Williamson.

    LGBTQ&A is an independent, listener-supported podcast. Please consider joining our Substack as a paid Subscriber to help support our work.

    This is a part of our special series, The LGBTQ+ Elders Project. LGBTQ&A is hosted and produced by Jeffrey Masters. @jeffmasters1

    • 39 min
    Joan Jett Blakk: The Drag Queen Who Ran for President

    Joan Jett Blakk: The Drag Queen Who Ran for President

    Joan Jett Blakk (a.k.a. Terence Alan Smith) talks about her historic 1992 presidential campaign, why the AIDS crisis influenced her run, and what it was like to be an out gay teenager in the '70s. 

    "They still ask the same questions that they asked in the '90s. 'Drag queens run for president in America?' I'm like, 'Well, they told us anybody could run for president. Anybody.' So, okay, we'll make them stick to that word."

    LGBTQ&A is an independent, listener-supported podcast. If you enjoy our show, please consider joining our Substack and becoming a paid Subscriber to support our work. We couldn't do this with you. 

    This is a part of our special series, The LGBTQ+ Elders Project. If you want to recommend an elder, connect with us on Substack or social media (@jeffmasters1). And if it’s someone who isn’t well-known, it's most helpful if you can share as much info as possible.

    LGBTQ&A is hosted and produced by Jeffrey Masters.

    • 22 min
    Duane Michals: Redefined Photography, But Don't Call Him an Artist

    Duane Michals: Redefined Photography, But Don't Call Him an Artist

    Duane Michals has never followed the rules. The pioneering photographer, now 92 years old, says, "Because I didn't learn the photo rules it was very easy for me to abandon them. You're either defined by the medium...well, I redefined the medium."

    Duane talks about discovering his love for photography in the 1950s, not looking down on commercial work, his half-century-long relationship with his partner, and why talking about "art" makes him want to vomit.

    To see all of the photos that Duane talks about, come check out our Substack. And if you're able, becoming a paid Substack subscriber is also the best way to support our work. Click here to do that. Thank you to everyone who has subscribed. This show wouldn't be able to continue without you.

    This is a part of our special series, The LGBTQ+ Elders Project. If you want to recommend an elder, come find me on Substack or social media (@jeffmasters1). And if it’s someone who isn’t well-known, it's most helpful if you can share as much info as possible.

    LGBTQ&A is hosted and produced by Jeffrey Masters.

    • 32 min
    If You Can Read This, You're Gay (We Are So Back)

    If You Can Read This, You're Gay (We Are So Back)

    Hi! We're coming back! On February 27th! And we're continuing our special series, The LGBTQ+ Elders Project. I can't wait for you to hear it.

    For more info, come check out our Substack.

    Do you know an amazing elder and want to hear from them on the show? Come find me on Substack or social media (@jeffmasters1) and let me know. I'd love to hear all about them.

    Ok, I'm off to finish editing the first episode. Love you!! Bye!!!

    • 2 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
647 Ratings

647 Ratings

CheyenneNelson ,

A beautiful opportunity to learn!

I love this podcast so much! Having worked with Jeffrey personally many years and a career ago I know that he is a lifelong learner. This is so apparent in this well thought out podcast. Especially these last seasons as he pays homage and dives deep with LGBTQ elders.
Hearing this history firsthand from those who truly lived through a revolution, in my opinion, has the ability to change hearts and minds. However, I think it may be most stirring to those of us who see the steps we are taking backwards in our modern day world. The stories are reminding us why we are fighting for equality and justice.
I’m so proud of you, Jeffrey. I hope there are many more seasons to come!

litoq ,

A great podcast

I’m late to the party, but these short interviews are so wonderful, inspiring, and essential listening for anyone queer or who loves a queer person. I hope there will be future episodes.

Sonik~Fyuzhen ,

What happened

This podcast is FANTASTIC!! What happened?

Please. Insider bringing it back!!!

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

The Viall Files
Nick Viall
MeSsy with Christina Applegate & Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Wishbone Production
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
Vox Media Podcast Network
This American Life
This American Life
Shawn Ryan Show
Shawn Ryan | Cumulus Podcast Network

You Might Also Like

Making Gay History | LGBTQ Oral Histories from the Archive
Eric Marcus
Gender Reveal
Tuck Woodstock
Savage Lovecast
Dan Savage
Outward: Slate's LGBTQ podcast
Slate Podcasts
Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness
Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness
Fresh Air
NPR