gay writers

Conversion therapy is a discredited and harmful practice that attempts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, often using psychological or religious methods, which can lead to severe emotional distress, trauma, and a negative impact on mental health and well-being.

In this episode, Seth Showalter, a licensed clinical social worker, joins us to talk about his new book, Finally Free, which details his experiences undergoing conversion therapy and how he’s taken steps to deconstruct the harmful rhetoric he was exposed to as he works to accept his authentic self.

Additional Resources:

• Buy Finally Free (available October 17)
• Learn More About Seth
• Check Out Mental Health Uncovered
• Follow Seth on Instagram
• Follow Seth on TikTok

Get Your Merch

In Need to Know, author Osman Njai is the first guest for a new segment called Writers' Corner, designed to bring more attention to unpublished writers looking to share their work. In All the Feels, Dolly Parton gives Isaiah an Idea, and the co-hosts suddenly find themselves considering which celebrities have the best endorsement deals.  In Gotta Do, Self Love Month is celebrated with an infamous list, as the Wonders are encouraged to do something for themselves. 

To learn more about Osman Njai's work, visit his blog: osmannjai.blogspot.com

Renessa and Jonah catch up about work and the NYC Marathon a couple of weeks ago (which means we can finally stop talking about it until next year). We kept this week’s Queer News & Culture brief, and talked a little bit about 45’s deplorable efforts to let faith-based groups exclude LGBTQ parents, and the promising upsurge in queer characters on network TV shows.

We then dive right into our interview with the smart, inquisitive, and handsome Hugh Ryan! Hugh is a writer, curator, and speaker in New York City. His work is about queer politics, culture, and history, and his new book, When Brooklyn Was Queer which is a groundbreaking exploration of the LGBTQ history of Brooklyn, from the early days of Walt Whitman in the 1850s up through the women who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War II, and beyond. We learn about how the inquiry into this research was inspired and carried out to write this book, some of the groups and specific people who were featured in it, and applying for grants. Hugh also shares a bit about his background and his other areas of work, which include teaching and working with the Urban Justice Center in NY (and maybe being a voice actor in the future?!) 

INTERVIEW STARTS AT 24:09

Intro links:

• A new Trump administration rule could hurt LGBTQ youth in foster care
• Study shows LGBTQ characters are at a record high on network TV
• LGBTQ Representation On TV Is Up Again, A GLAAD Report Says
• Atypical Star opens up about being queer

Interview links:

• Hugh Ryan’s Website
• When Brooklyn Was Queer - Order the book!!!
• Follow Hugh on Twitter
• Hugh’s Patreon
• Lesbian Herstory Archives
• Weeksville Heritage Center
• Song: “Freestyle” by Young M.A. (from “M.A. The Mixtape”)

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