Innies + Outies

The internet can be an amazing way for queer folks to find community and access all the info we're not taught at school. But there's also a darker side — it has trolls, bullies and plenty of misinformation. Inspired by their own journeys, you'll hear how Liz Duck-Chong from TransHub and Mohammad Awad from the Muslim Peers Project are using the internet to provide support to their communities in ways they never experienced.

What does pansexuality mean? In simple terms, it's when you're attracted to people regardless of their gender. And how is that different to being bisexual, you might wonder?

The ‘I' in LGBTQIA+ stands for intersex! Broadly speaking, intersex people have innate sex characteristics that don't fit medical and social norms for female or male bodies.

You may have heard some people describe themselves as ‘queer' and thought ‘hang on – am I even allowed to say that?'

Are you hearing people talk about pronouns these days and wondering what that's all about?

What does non-binary actually mean?

Asexual is the A in LGBTQIA+ and it refers to someone who doesn't experience sexual attraction towards other people. This might be how you've always felt, or it could change over time – but it's a natural expression of human diversity.

Queer folks don't come out just once – it's a never-ending process. This week you'll hear from a Newcastle student whose evolving sexuality and gender identity has led to many coming out celebrations, and how a shocking accident propelled an Indian-Australian woman to come out after 30 years. 

This week you'll meet two guys from diverse cultural backgrounds who struggled to reconcile their sexuality and religion. You'll also hear from psychologist Sekneh Beckett who specialises in helping people navigate the complex world of queerness, faith and culture.

Coming out as queer is one thing but what happens when you're not the only one in the family? This week you'll meet a family who scored a hat-trick when all three sisters came out, and two brothers whose queerness brought them closer together. 

What's it like coming out in a small town where queer visibility is limited? This week you'll meet a man from a remote Aboriginal community who didn't know what 'gay' meant until he went to the city, and a resident of country NSW who feared losing her family when she came out as transgender.

It can be pretty scary coming out in sport but being part of a club or a team is also a great way to find community. This week you'll meet an Olympian who discovered her true self through skateboarding, and a pioneer of trans inclusion in men's rugby.

What's it like being queer in a job where public scrutiny is part of the daily grind? You'll meet three politicians from across the political spectrum whose sexuality has shaped their values, but has also been used against them: Australia's first openly gay Indigenous parliamentarian, NT Labor's Chansey Paech; Liberal MP and former Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson; and equality advocate and independent City of Sydney Councillor, Dr Kerryn Phelps.

Queer folks navigate coming out in all aspects of our lives, and it can be particularly tricky at work.

Comedians Rhys Nicholson, Cassie Workman and Geraldine Hickey share how they turn the highs and lows of coming out into jokes.

Not all queer people want to, or can, come out - but that doesn't always mean they're not proud of who they are.

High school is a tricky time for anyone, but it can be especially hard if you're queer.

ABC podcast Innies + Outies brings you fascinating real stories from diverse LGBTQIA+ Australians about coming out or staying in.