Okay, But Is It Gay?

2012's For a Good Time Call (dir. Jamie Travis) is a semi-autobiographical story about two women running a phone sex line out of their Gramercy Park apartment and they absolutely do not fall in love with each other even a little bit. Join Autumn, Hal, Z, and Maddy has they discuss basic storytelling structure, the nature of female friendships, sex positivity, and homophobic caricatures on this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?. We'd like to thank EnoffMusic for our theme song.Alternative titles for this episode include: “This is Just Like Twilight”, “We Could've Just Watched Jupiter Ascending”, and “Several Homophobic Short Films in a Row”.TW: this episode contains discussion of sexual themes (this is a movie about sex and sex work), sex toys, frank discussions of sex and masturbation, forced outing, drugs and alcohol, racist microaggressions, homophobia, lesbophobia, “jokes” about sexual assault and date rape, erotic horror, graphic discussions of genital warts and STDs, nonconsenting sexual exposure, blood, menstruation, and bodily fluids.

Chicken Little (2005) is a movie about disability. It is a movie about baseball. It a movie about space aliens. But mostly, it is a movie about how you have to talk to your dad. Join Z and Hal as they discuss this movie's troubled production (all my homies hate Mike Eisner), the nature of parenting as seen from a child's perspective, and the intersection of nuerodiversity, disability, and queerness in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.Thanks to EnoffMusic for our theme song.Alternate titles for this episode include, "That Chicken is Also Autistic", "You Can't List Your Homies' Positive Attributes Unless You're In Love With Them", "Simply Support Your Children".TW: This episode contains discussion of childhood abuse and neglect, young children in danger, public humilation and public shaming, ableism, misogyny, violence, lobotomies. There is also a brief mention of sexual assault allegations in the beginning trivia section.

Sky High (2005), dir. Mike Mitchell, is the story of a young boy navigating the ways in which he seems to be inherently different than his peers. Until he isn't. Join Hal and Autumn as they discuss worldbuilding questions, the nature of allegory, and their eternal of for Ron Wilson, bus driver on this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?. Thanks to EnoffMusic for our theme song. Alternate titles for this episode include, “We Could've Had It Aaaaall!”, “Justice for Layla”, and “It's Good and Interesting Until He Gets the Superpowers”. TW: This episode contains discussion of ableism homophobia, homophobia from a parent, systematic oppression, violence, questionable romantic age gaps, and the removal of agency.

Sample Favor (2018), dir. Paul Feig, is the story of a stay-at-home mom developing a fraught relationship with a working mom in her community, only to be forced into launching her own investigation when her new friend goes missing and no one seems to want to find her. Join Hal, Autumn, and new guest host Kayleigh as they discuss how that description doesn't cover even half of the bonkers stuff that happens in this movie in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?Thanks to EnoffMusic for out theme song. Alternate titles for this episode include, "Blake Lively as a Beautiful, Sexy Monster", "Lurk in The Bushes Like a Normal Person," and "I Could Fix Her".TW: This episode contains discussion of violence, blood, death by drowning, murder, childhood abuse, the manipulation of young children, falsified domestic abuse allegations, actual domestic abuse/spousal emotional abuse, infidelity, car-related danger and violence, nudity and sexual themes, suicide, homophobic slurs, drug and alcohol addiction, and incest.

Jennifer's Body (2009) dir. Karyn Kasuma is the story of two best friends growing apart after one of them is ineffectively sacrificed in a Satanic ritual. Join Autumn, Hal, and brand-new guest host Heath as they discuss the follies of teenage girldom, platonic homoeroticism, and the lengths anyone should be able to go to save their bestie from themselves on this week's episode of Okay But Is It Gay?. Thanks to EnoffMusic for our theme song.Alternate Titles for this episode include: "Teen Choice Award Winner Megan Fox", "Lesbionic Bonds", "I Kissed a Girl But It Turned Out She was Possessed :/"TW: this episode contains discussions of blood, violence, gore, murder, cannibalism, body horror, sexual themes, sexual violence, asylums, ableist slurs, homophobia, the f-slur, fire-related death and carnage, possession and demonic activity, casual racism and micro-aggressions, and gaslighting.

The Lost Boys (1987), dir. Joel Schumacher, is the story of two brothers moving to the Murder Capital of the World(tm) and trying not to fall victim to the Scourge of the Undead(tm). Join Autumn, Hal, and new guest host Phoebe as they discuss 80s genre tropes, the rules of vampirism, the most intense passions we've ever had, and the two kinds of women that can exist. Thanks to EnoffMusic for our theme song.Alternate titles for this episode include, "Proposing on the First Date", "Justice for Star, Justice for the Frog Brothers", and "LGBTQ+ Ally Kiefer Sutherland". TW: this episode contains discussions of misogyny, homophobia, microaggressions, drug use, blood and gore, death, murder, and dog based violence (no dogs were harmed in the making of this podcast).

High School Musical (2006) is the story of a young man caught between two passions in world where expectations are mile-high and the status quo is king. Join Hal, Autumn, and returning guest host Maddy as they discuss about compulsory heterosexuality, the tools of musical theater, and the ways in which gender is a prison from which we must all escape on this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.Thanks to EnoffMusic on Instagram for our theme song.Alternate titles for this episode include: "The Basketball is a Metaphor", "Wall to Wall Gay Icons" , and "Is Anyone Gonna Romantically Climb that?".TW: This episode contains discussions of compulsory heterosexuality, transphobia, racist microaggressions, and neglectful parenting.

We're switching it up this week and talking about 3 episodes of Seinfeld (1989-1998): "The Boyfriend" (1992) and "The Outing" (1993). "The Boyfriend" parts 1 & 2 are about deconstructing the tropes fiction uses to telegraph romantic relationships vs. platonic ones and "The Outing" is the story of two best buds getting mistaken for a gay couple in the 90's. Join Hal, Autumn, and returning guest host Z as they discuss queer representation in the 90's, the correct way to make a Gay Joke(tm), and Keith Hernandez's mustache. Thank you to EnoffMusic on Instagram for our theme song.Alternate titles for this episode include: "Jerry Seinfeld in a Discord Server", "How I Came Out to My Mother", and "Featuring Special Guest *****".TW: This episode contains discussions of misogyny, homophobia, racist microaggressions, sexual themes, slut shaming, voyeurism, references to Nazis, sexual harassment, public outing, plane crashes, and suicidality.

Broadway musical Company, written by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, premiered in 1970. The 2006 revival stars Raúl Esparza as Bobby, a man in his mid-30's trying to decide if he wants to be married like all of his friends. Join Hal, Autumn, and guest host (and fellow theater kid!) Sofie as they discuss reading Bobby as aromantic or polyamorous, the symbolism of the revival's use of musical instruments, and whether or not you actually have to listen to the songs in a musical in order to enjoy it. Alternate titles for this episode include: "Raúl Esparza Just Needs to Go Outside", "Justice for Paul / Justice for April", and "Everyone Deserves Cake". Thanks to EnoffMusic for our theme song. TW: this episode contains discussions of misogyny, alcoholism, eating disorders, anxiety and panic disorders/attacks, homophobia, depression, references to suicidality, compulsory heterosexuality, heteronormativity, racist microaggressions, and sexual themes.

This season we're putting a queer twist on movies that aren't gay on purpose, such as seminal childhood classic Shrek (2001), dir. Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson. Join Hal, Autumn, and returning guest Kenley as they talk about queer coding, The Hegemony(tm), and Jack Halberstam's The Queer Art of Failure on this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.Alternate titles for this episode include: More Things Should be Motivated by Spite and If You Can Be Scared, Then You're a Person.TW: This episode contains discussions of hetero- and cisnormativity, pogroms and racial cleansing, the policing of queer bodies, microaggressions, fatphobia, and misogyny.

Have you ever watched a decidedly un-queer piece of media and then sat back and thought to yourself... "Okay, But That Was Gay"? We sure have! And so have lots of our friends. Let us tell you about this season on Okay, But Is It Gay?

The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo (dir. Brian Jordan Alvarez) is an absurdist romp through the lives of several West Coast Gays(tm) as they navigate romantic relationships and busy lives as working actors. Join Hal, Autumn, and Z as they discuss the construct of marriage, the importance of setting healthy boundaries in relationships, and how in the motherfuck Malcom's eyes could possibly be that blue. Thanks to EnoffMusic for our theme song.Additional TW for this episode specifically: there is an ableist slur in this episode, and we talk about it. There's also a lot of drug talk. Alternative titles for this episode include: "Sitting in the Bathtub Being Depressed", "Caleb Gallo's Cousin Marlin :)", "Nobody Has Any Weed".

The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo (dir. Brian Jordan Alvarez) is an absurdist romp through the lives of several West Coast Gays(tm) as they navigate romantic relationships and busy lives as working actors. Join Hal, Autumn, and Z as they discuss the true purpose of humanity (having ones tiddies out and eating fruit), the proper way to approach a couple for a threesome, and the definition of a poem. Thanks to EnoffMusic for our theme song.Additional TW for this episode specifically: the theme of this episode is "What is racism?". Alternative titles for this episode include: "Billy Busts It Down Sexual Style", "Len is Still a Rapper", and "Caleb Gallo Has a Story About a Bowl of Condoms".

The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo (dir. Brian Jordan Alvarez) is an absurdist romp through the lives of several West Coast Gays(tm) as they navigate romantic relationships and busy lives as working actors. Join Hal, Autumn, and Z as they discuss healthy polyamory, Dirty Dancing as a metaphor for throuples, and the fact that you should really talk to your boyfriend before you kiss your best friend. Thanks to EnoffMusic for our theme song. TW for this episode specifically, this episode is about infidelity.Alternate titles for this episode include, "Billy's Right, Calebl's Wrong, Billy's High", "Motel Art and the Virgin Mary", and "Big Bent"

The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo (dir. Brian Jordan Alvarez) is an absurdist romp through the lives of several West Coast Gays(tm) as they navigate romantic relationships and busy lives as working actors. Join Hal, Autumn, and Z as they discuss this series' interest in deconstructing formative wokeness, process for converting to Catholicism, and all that beautiful foreshadowing.We'd like to thank Enoff for our theme song; you can find his work over on EnoffMusic on Instagram.Alternate titles for this episode include, "We Are All in Love with Mike Wake", "Defenestration Obligation" and "Throuple Foreshadowing".Blanket content warning for this entire season: this is a show about microaggressions and sexual themes. These will be discussed. TW for this episode specifically, we talk a lot about drugs and impaired driving in the beginning

The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo (dir. Brian Jordan Alvarez) is an absurdist romp through the lives of several West Coast Gays(tm) as they navigate romantic relationships and busy lives as working actors. In this first episode, join Hal, Autumn, and new host Z as try to figure out whether or not we're actually supposed to like any of these characters, and Autumn wonder what is going on.Blanket content warning for this entire season: this is a show about microaggressions and sexual themes. These will be discussed. Alternate titles for this episode include: "Caleb Gallo is a Bad Person", "Being Straight is a Lot Like The Atlantic Ocean", and "Poser Jorts".Oh, also this episode contains major spoilers for the series finale of How I Met Your Mother for some reason. Enjoy

Welcome to Okay But Is It Gay?, a podcast that's usually about gay movies you probably haven't heard of! We're bridging the gap between season 2 and and season 3 (coming this summer!) with a little dip into web series The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo (2016). Join Hal, Autumn, and returning guest host Z as they try to figure out just what the deal is with this delightful little show!

A New York Christmas Wedding (2020), dir. Otoja Abit, is the story of a woman about to get married who gets the chance to see what her life would have been like had she her childhood best friend fallen in love. This chance is given to her by the Angel of Death for some reason.Autumn, Hal, and special guest and the show's composer Terell discuss quantum physics, the ambiance of Christmas, and the proper way to execute a Catholic Mass on this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.TW: this episode contains discussion of colorism, abortion, death of a parent, animal death, homophobia, religiously-motivated homophobia (specifically Catholic-motivated), public outing, lesbophobic slurs, and mentions of suicide.

4th Man Out (2016), dir. Andrew Nackman, is the story of a gay man in upstate New York coming out to his childhood best friends, and then beginning to navigate the gay dating scene.Autumn, Hal, and special guest Z, for whom this movie is very special, talk about masculinity, gender analysis, and the amazing potential this film squanders in this week's episode of Okay, But It It Gay?.TW: This episode contains discussion of homophobia, religious based homophobia specifically, conversion therapy, biphobia, transphobia, misogyny, sexual harassment, and sexual themes.

AWOL (2016), dir. Debbie Shoval, is the story of a young woman seeking direction in her life in her small, Pennsylvania town as she contemplates joining the Armed Forces, and falls into a love affair with married woman.Autumn, Hal, and special guest Kenley Alligood discuss the ways socio-economic difficulties impact every aspect of people's lives, the politics of queer spaces and community, and how you shouldn't kiss another person's wife, even if she does like the way you play Tanya Tucker songs in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?TW: this episode contains discussion of infidelity, classism, alcoholism, sexual assault, homophobia/lesbophobia, a brief mention of transphobia, full frontal nudity, and sexual themes.

With a Kiss I Die (2018), dir. Ronnie Kahlil, is--okay, so what if Juliet Capulet, like from Romeo and Juliet was a vampire living in modern Greece, being sad with her tiddies out, and she fell in love with a woman for the first time? Like what if that happened? Sounds fucked up if you ask me. Hal, Autumn, and special guest Zoa Coudret (my roommate!!) talk about the logistics of vampirism, the rich potential of gay Shakespeare adaptations, and how beautiful and wonderful Ella Kweku's face is in this spooky Halloween episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?. TW: suicide, suicidal ideation, full frontal nudity, death, blood, body horror, cancer, death, death of a parent, and sexual assault.

Before The Fall (2016), dir. Byrum Giesler, is a retelling of Jane Austen's seminal work Pride and Prejudice that is gender flipped, gay, and class swapped and... doesn't seem to like Pride and Prejudice very much? Also, why did you choose to make this story about women and women's lives about men? Why'd you do that?Autumn, Hal, and special guest Lauren discuss adaptations, cave sex, and this movie's weird relationship with domestic violence in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?. TW: This episode contains discussion of alcoholism and addiction, ableism against addicts, domestic violence, poor treatment of victims of domestic violence, misogyny, homophobia, internalized homophobia, self destructive behavior, homophobic slurs, gas lighting, this movie is really weird about mental illness, the invasion of privacy, stealing journals and mail and sexual themes.

The Feels (2017), dir. Jenée LaMarque, is the story of a bachelorette's weekend gone off the rail after it's revealed that one of the two women getting married has been faking orgasms with her partner. Autumn, Hal, and special guest Julia Talen talk about how you shouldn't graft heteronormative ideals onto lesbian relationships, the nuances of sexual relationships between women, and how much we hate Josh in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.TW: this episode contains frank discussions of sex and sexual awakenings, fetishization of lesbian relationships, discussions of infidelity, allusions to sexual assault and sexual themes, and secret full frontal nudity at the end.

Snapshots (2018), dir. Melanie Mayron, is the story of a grandmother hosting her daughter and granddaughter over a weekend as she reminisces about the love of her life, a photographer named Louise, whom she met in the '60's after both of them were already married.Autumn, Hal, and special guest Maddy Hernstrom-Hill discuss relationships between mothers and daughters, the history of queer photography, and the faCT THAT THIS MOVIE COULD HAVE BEEN GAYER YOU EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE THIS MAN IS HETEROSEXUAL AM I A JOKE TO YOU in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.TW: This episode contains discussion of homophobia, lesbophobia, discussions around abortion, parental neglect and abuse, spousal abuse, cancer and death of a partner, infidelity, sexual themes, and the movie contains full-frontal nudity

Saving Face (2004) is dir. Alice Wu of The Half of It fame's first film! It's the story of a young surgeon trying to balance a busy work schedule with a dating life... and also helping her mother find a husband after the older woman falls pregnant unexpectedly. Autumn, Hal, and special guest Audrey Bauman (joined by Extra Special guest Audrey's AC unit) discuss the love language of food, Chinese American Culture, and how Moms is often The Same in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.Sidenote: I almost called this episode "In Which Autumn is White".TW: this week's episode contains discussion of micro-aggressions, homophobia, parental rejection, colorism, ageism, misogyny, the death of a parent, and sexual themes.

Back at it again in Redwoods National Forest! Redwoods (2009), dir. David Lewis, is the story of a man cheating on his husband while said husband and their son are out of town and the trees continue to be completely irrelevant!Autumn, Hal, and special guest Jennie Baker talk about the importance of communication in romantic relationships, trees, and the proper way to romance a creative writer on this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.TW: this episode contains discussion of infidelity, full frontal male nudity, ableism against autistic children, one instance of casual racism, and accidental incest.

Redwoods (2009), dir. David Lewis, is the story of a man cheating on his husband while said husband and their son are out of town; legally, this movie is not Just Bridges of Madison County But Gay, however...Autumn, Hal, and special guest Jennie Baker talk about the importance of communication in romantic relationships, trees, and the proper way to romance a creative writer in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?TW: this episode contains discussion of infidelity, full frontal male nudity, ableism against autistic children, one instance of casual racism, and accidental incest.

Soft Lad (2025), dir. Leon Lopez, is the story of a young man having having an affair (uh oh!) with his brother-in-law (uh oh!!), who tries to make better choices only to be met with an unsettling diagnosis (oh NO!!).Hal, Autumn and this week's guest, David (!!!) talk about relationship dynamics, moving on from abusive partners, all of the reasons that Hal is Wrong on this week's episode of Okay, But is it Gay?.TW: This episode contains discussion of homophobia, homophobic slurs, sexual themes, infidelity, domestic abuse and violence, sexual assault, HIV, drugs, and partial nudity.

Come to a podcast app near you starting September 17th, it's Okay But is it Gay? season 2: F is For Friends! Autumn and Hal have a guest on every week to talk about their favorite weird, obscure, and perhaps terrible Queer Cinema!

A Date For Mad Mary (2016), dir. Seána Kerslake, is the story of one woman's journey to find a date for her best friend's wedding while also completing the most perfect maid of honor speech of all time. Autumn and Hal discuss the effects of emotional immaturity, compulsory heterosexuality, and having bad friends can have on a queer person's development on this episode of Okay But Is It Gay?.Alternate titles for this episode: "She's so Gay She Can't Even Describe a Man", "Oh, Honey, You're in Love With Your Best Friend", and "Once You've Slept Together, It's No Longer Simply Kissing the Homies".TW: This episode contains discussion of compulsory heterosexuality, homophobia, parental neglect, interpersonal abuse, violence, and sexual themes.

What Happens Next (2011), dir. Jay Arnold, is the story of an older man discovering that he is gay late in life and not working through his internalized homophobia even a little bit.Hal and Autumn talk about character development, dialogue and directorial choices, and the real star of the show, Mrs. Grecco the baby French bull dog. Also Wendie Malick is here??? Beloved character actor and star of The Owl House Wendie Malick????Alternate title for this episode: "I'm Gonna Have a Nervous Breakdown!", "What's With the Birds!?", "They Had Penne".TW: This episode contains discussion of homophobia (both internal and external), fatphobia, misogyny, ageism, and the movie contains the f-slur, though we don't say that in the pod.

2004's Open Cam, directed by Robert Gaston, is about a struggling artist in DC who comes under threat from a serial killer who's murdering the men he hooks up with through a gay chat site. I mean, it's kind of about that. Not really. Autumn and Hal discuss the history of gay erotica, the joy of bad acting, and the importance of making the things that matter to your plot actually matter in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.Alternate titles for the episode: "This is Not a Movie", "Don't Grab People", "People Die If They Are Killed".TW: this movie contains (and we will discuss on this week's episode) full frontal nudity, heavy sexual themes, discussion of institutionalized homophobia, homophobic hatecrimes and slurs, murder, blood and gore, police violence, anti-Black racism, and anti-sex worker sentiment.

Big Eden (2000), directed by Tom Bezucha is the story of a gay man returning to his small hometown after years away to care for his sick grandfather. There, he meets shy and loveable Pike, whose love language appears to be homemade meals but only if they're secret.Hal and Autumn talk about the specter of homophobia in a movie where homophobia doesn't exist, the work required to make good representation, and Hal's unending love for Pike Dexter.Alternate titles for this episode: "Sometimes a Man Loves a Lake", "Dean the Bicon", "Pike Could Do Better", "Francis is There!"TW: this episode contains discussion of anti-indigenous racism, internalized homophobia, biphobia, and the death of a parental figure.

Margarita With a Straw, directed by Shonali Bose, is a Hindi-language film about a woman with cerebral palsy navigating both pursuing an arts education while disabled and the discovery and exploration of her bisexuality. Hal and Autumn talk about the state of bisexual representation, how internalized ableism effects relationships, and how dating High King Peter is a downgrade actually in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.TW: This episode contains discussion of biphobia, ableism (both external and internalized), microaggressions, imperialism, and sexual themes.

2014's Boy Meets Girl, directed by Eric Shaeffer, is about a trans woman living in the American south who has her first relationship with other woman. It's got really great things to say about romance and friendship and staying loyal to the people that you love. It's also kinda weird about almost all of those things.Hal and Autumn talk about bisexual representation, casual transphobia, and Autumn's unending love for Francesca in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.Alternate titles for this episode: "This movie betrayed us 5 times", "Break up with your terrible fiancé before you kiss someone else", "Google is free", and "We need to stop saying "Good boy, you did the bare minimum" to straight cis men".TW: This week's episode contains discussion of transphobia, biphobia, sexual themes, and a brief mention of Islamophobia present in the film.

Gaybe (2012), directed by Johnathan Lisecki is the story of two best friends who decide to platonically raise a baby together. But first they have to... make? The baby?Autumn and Hal talk about the weird vibe, bizarre choices, and awkward humor of this movie in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay? Alternate titles for this episode include: Adam Driver Deserves Better, Dulé Hill Got Outta There, and "Crazy in Love" Sung Sadly. TW: this episode contains discussions of childbirth and pregnancy, sexual themes, aphobia, racism in interracial adoption, and discussions of animal death and cremation.

Tiger Orange (2014), directed by Wade Gasque is a story we don't get to see that often: two gay siblings working through the trauma of growing up in a homophobic household. Autumn and Hal talk through how this movie would've been really good (like seriously, really good--an excellent and nuanced exploration of trauma, internalized hemophobia, and family relationships) if it wasn't Like That on this week's Okay, But Is Gay?.TW: this episode contains discussion of homophobia, homophobic and ableist slurs (we don't say those on the podcast but they are in the movie), discussion and jokes around incest, partial male nudity, and heavy sexual themes

Cloudburst (2011) written and directed by Thom Fitzgerald is a story about two women in their 70's road tripping to Canada to get married before gay marriage was legal in the U.S., and the young artist whom they adopt on the way. Autumn and Hal talk about the film's theme of commitment and love (both romantic and familial), and the suddenness life catching up with you on this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?.TW: full frontal nudity, ableism, a disabled character has their agency taken away, ageism against elder women, major character death, homophobia, explicit sexual language.

All About E (2015), written and directed by Louise Wadley is a story about relationships, road trips, and how being handed a duffle bag full of fifty dollar bills will solve several of your problems, probably.Autumn and Hal talk about this films themes and its bizarre fixation on making fun of Irish people in this week's episode of Okay, But Is It Gay?TW: This film contains full frontal nudity, homophobia and anti-lesbianism, Islamophobia (including the villain using a slur), fatphobia, and heavy sexual themes. We discuss these in this episode.

Coming to a podcast app near your starting June 4th: a film analysis podcast about weird/obscure/kinda bad queer cinema.