Outward, Slate's queer podcast, is a whip-smart monthly salon in which hosts and guests deepen the audience’s understanding of queer culture and politics, delight them with unexpected perspectives, and invite listeners into a colorful conversation about the issues animating LGBTQ communities.
The Outward: Slate's LGBTQ podcast is an incredible source of heart-felt and knowledgeable conversations that advocates for queer folks, making it a refreshing and important listen. The hosts bring consistently thoughtful perspectives and cover a good blend of topics across the LGBTQ spectrum. Over the years, I have discovered so much queer content thanks to their recommendations, which has widened my understanding and appreciation for the community.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the diversity of the hosts' personalities. Each host brings their own unique perspective, resulting in interesting discussions where different viewpoints are explored. This keeps the show engaging and ensures that listeners are exposed to a wide range of perspectives within the LGBTQ community.
Furthermore, The Outward provides entertaining, thought-provoking, and insightful discussions about queer culture. They tackle a variety of topics including books, movies, people, and pop culture with an approach that is not stuffy at all. The hosts create an atmosphere that feels engaging rather than intimidating or pretentious. I have laughed, learned, and even re-evaluated my own takes on queer life through their discussions.
Another great aspect of this podcast is their shout-outs at the end of each show. This segment introduces listeners to new things they may not have known about otherwise. It's exciting to discover new queer content through their recommendations.
However, one aspect of The Outward that some listeners may find annoying is the use of filler words like "like" by two of the speakers in multiple sentences. While it might be a regional thing or personal preference for some listeners, this repetitive use can be distracting or irritating.
In conclusion, despite the minor annoyance with filler words used by some speakers, The Outward: Slate's LGBTQ podcast is an overall outstanding podcast that delivers intelligent and fun LGBTQ talk. The hosts' chemistry and ability to discuss anything queer in an entertaining yet insightful manner makes this show stand out among others in its genre. It has quickly become a favorite for many listeners, including myself. The discussions are well-structured yet free-flowing, and the show feels optimistic in approaching the various burdens faced by the queer community. It is truly a joy to listen to and is an invaluable source of queer media, news, and community.
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In this episode of Outward, Bryan talks with Slate legal reporter Mark Joseph Stern about a federal judge's sweeping and controversial ruling in United States v. Skrmetti, which could have massive consequences for access to gender-affirming care. Then, Christina sits down with Congresswoman Becca Balint to talk about what it means to advocate for trans rights inside a Congress where culture war rhetoric, and policy, are escalating fast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Bryan talks with Christina about her new piece for Slate The Conservative Wave Is Having a Very Unexpected Effect on Pride which covers the power and politics of small-town Pride. Then, in the second half, they're joined by Van Knapp, co-founder of Canyon County Pride in Idaho, to talk about building queer joy in unlikely places. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Christina Cauterucci is joined by Erik Piepenburg, author of Dining Out, a new book that explores the history of gay restaurants in the United States. Piepenburg traces how restaurants have long served as essential spaces for queer people as places to gather, connect, and express themselves at a time when most public spaces were hostile or unsafe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Outward's Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci talk to Alden Jones, editor of the new anthology, Edge of the World. With essays from Alexander Chee, Daisy Hernández, Edmund White, and more, the collection makes clear that queer travel writing isn't just overdue—it's transformative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Bryan Lowder is joined by Hope Giselle and Dr. David Johns to discuss Iowa's recent decision to strip trans people of key legal protections, making it legal to discriminate based on gender identity. They explore the broader implications of this rollback, drawing parallels to the historical dismantling of rights during Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow. They discuss what this moment means for the future of trans rights and the strategies needed to organize and push back against this growing legal threat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Christina Cauterucci speaks with Zein Murib, Fordham professor and author of Terms of Exclusion: Rightful Citizenship Claims and the Construction of LGBT Political Identity, about the historical roots of the marginalization of trans and bi people in the gay rights movement. Zein, who recently wrote the Slate piece "Why Are Trans People Such an Easy Political Target? " breaks down how the movement's focus on a narrow definition of identity left trans and bi people vulnerable to political attacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Christina Cauterucci speaks with Suzanne Ford, executive director of San Francisco Pride, about the goals and challenges of organizing Pride this year amid the corporate retreat from LGBTQ+ issues. They discuss the current political climate, how corporate sponsorship shapes the event, and how to maintain visibility and safety without losing political urgency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Christina Cauterucci and Jules Gill-Peterson discuss Christina's latest Slate article, The New Lavender Scare, which highlights the experiences of queer and trans federal employees grappling with the threat of retaliation, job loss, and a chilling political climate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Outward, Jules Gill-Peterson sits down with Colby Gordon to talk about his new book, Glorious Bodies: Trans Theology and Renaissance Literature. Gordon digs into early modern religious texts that, instead of rejecting trans existence, actually provided ways to think about gender transformation—socially, surgically, and theologically. They explore what Shakespeare, Milton, and other writers had to say about gender, how history challenges today's assumptions about transition, and why the right-wing war on trans people gets the past all wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A gun won't make you safer, but it will pull you into America's deep-seated obsession with armed individualism. This week, Bryan, Christina, and Jules dig into The Washington Post's “The Trans Americans Turning to Guns for Protection” and Defector's “Don't Buy a Gun, Even If It Comes in Rainbow” to unpack the recent interest around queer gun ownership—and why safety has never really been the point of gun culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Bryan Lowder sits down with activist and author Dean Spade to discuss his latest book, Love in a F*cked Up World. Together, they unpack how capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy shape our desires, the pitfalls of the “relationship escalator,” and why collective care might be the most radical love of all. From breaking free of toxic relationship scripts to reimagining intimacy beyond hierarchy and control, this conversation challenges everything we've been taught about love—and offers a vision for something more liberatory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on Outward, host Christina Cauterucci talks to historian Rebecca Scofield about the new book, Slapping Leather: Queer Cowfolx at the Gay Rodeo. From rhinestone-studded chaps to the hard-won battles for inclusion, they explore how queer cowboys and cowgirls carved out space in the rodeo circuit, the gender politics at play in this community, and how the AIDS crisis shaped its trajectory. Plus, they dig into the current resurgence of cowboy aesthetics in queer culture and pop culture at large. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bryan Lowder sits down with journalist Nico Lang to discuss their recent article for Slate It Was Never About Protecting Kids on Trump's Executive Order restricting gender-affirming care for minors. They examine how the administration is using “child protection” rhetoric as a cover for anti-trans policies, the real-world impact on trans youth and their families, and the history of this political strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci sit down with ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio to unpack the strategy behind the latest legal fights over trans healthcare, passports, and military service. They explore how the language of Trump's executive orders are more overtly cruel than his last administration, what this progression signals policy-wise, and how we can think about the road ahead for caring and protecting each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Christina Cauterucci speaks with Sasha Buchert, Counsel and Nonbinary and Transgender Rights Project Director at Lambda Legal, and Geirid Morgan, a trans Lieutenant Commander in the Navy, about the Trump administration's ban on transgender people serving in the military. Sasha walks us through Lambda Legal's case challenging the ban and the broader constitutional implications, while Geirid shares her personal experience navigating shifting policies, coming out while in service, and the uncertainty that trans service members continue to face. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jules Gill-Peterson sits down with Owen Dempsey, the founder of Quest Healing House, a post-op recovery home providing safe, affordable lodging and wraparound support for transmasculine people. They discuss how Quest House, began, the urgent need for trans-led recovery spaces, and how the project has grown to meet community needs. Dempsey shares their vision for a future where no trans person has to heal alone—and why it's so critical to talk about transition as an ongoing, years-long process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bryan, Jules, and Christina take on the troubling transphobia in Emilia Pérez, the movie that has received 13 Oscar nominations this awards season. They explore why it's heavily nominated in this political climate. They also unpack the backlash to the film and the backlash to that backlash, exploring why some defend Emilia Pérez despite its flaws. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Host Christina Cauterucci sits down with WIRED senior writer Kate Knibbs to unpack Meta's alarming internal shifts, including its embrace of right-wing ideologies, the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and the policy changes that permit hate speech against gay and trans people. Together, they discuss why these changes are happening, how they align with broader political trends, and what it all signals about the future of tech, media, and LGBTQ+ rights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This we're diving into the delightful chaos of queer life with an advice-packed episode! Bryan, Christina, and our guest host Outward Producer Palace Shaw, tackle the perplexing world of bisexual dads navigating dating apps, strategies for dealing with transphobic relatives during family gatherings, the dos and don'ts of art-gifting etiquette, and whether to make a messy disclosure to new partners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bryan Lowder talks with writer and scholar Lucas Wilson about his new book, Shame Sex: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy. They chat about Wilson's experience navigating same-sex attraction while on an evangelical path, experiencing conversion therapy, and the complicated relationships he experienced along the way. He also shares powerful stories from other survivors and explores the enduring harm of these practices, offering a poignant look at resilience, shame, and healing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we're excited to share an episode of Death, Sex & Money with Anna Sale. In this conversation, Anna talks with Jeff Hiller, the gay actor known for his role in Somebody Somewhere. Jeff shares insights on his career, navigating faith and queerness, and finding joy in adulthood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Christina Cauterucci and Bryan Lowder are joined by guest host Jeff Bloomer to discuss the new film Queer from director Luca Guadagnino based on William S. Burroughs' groundbreaking novel of the same name. They explore the themes of desire, alienation, and the director's approach to queer intimacy- and most importantly whether the sex scenes deliver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Christina Cauterucci explores the intimate connections between queer identity and the natural world with Bryn Mawr professor Kate Thomas. In this episode, we journey through the lives of Florence Blood and Princess Ghika, two enigmatic lesbians who found self-expression, love, and freedom renovating their Italian Renaissance estate at the turn of the 20th century- creating an enchanting landscape to host lesbian artists and thinkers of the time. Thomas unpacks how their landscapes reflect their identities and what they can teach us about the enduring relationship between queerness and the environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Bryan Lowder chats with Michael Andor Brodeur, author of Swole: The Making of Men and the Meaning of Muscle, to unpack the complex intersections of fitness, masculinity, and queer identity. From the sweaty intimacy of the gym to the charged symbolism of muscle, Brodeur examines how bodies become sites of desire, power, and transformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, the hosts come together to unpack Sarah McBride's groundbreaking win as the first openly transgender member of Congress. While the win is historic, Bryan, Jules, and Christina dig in to unpack the limits of representational politics and what it means for this win to exist alongside the emergence of anti-trans politics, which hit their all time high during this election cycle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, host Jules Gill-Peterson speaks with the co-founders of Invisible Histories about their groundbreaking work preserving the rich, often overlooked history of queer life in the American South. At a time when LGBTQ+ communities face growing threats, safeguarding these stories is more urgent than ever. Together, they discuss how archiving resilience, joy, and everyday lives challenges erasure and ensures these vital narratives inspire future generations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Christina Cauterucci sits down with Slate's own Mark Joseph Stern to tackle the mounting concerns facing the LGBTQ+ community as the Trump administration takes shape. In a candid conversation, they delve into the ripple effects this shift could have on issues like abortion rights, trans healthcare, and marriage equality, reflecting on the potential setbacks that may lie ahead- and what we can do to prepare ourselves and our community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, historian Ben Miller chats with Bryan Lowder about the surprising ways white gay men have romanticized the idea of the 'primitive' in their search for utopia. Ben shares stories about key figures like Harry Hay and the radical gay activism of the 70s that centered a 'back to the land' fantasy that relied on racialized fantasies of the past. Together, they explore how these fantasies shaped identities and political movements, revealing the strange allure of these ideas and their lasting impact on queer culture today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On September 14th 2024, thousands of people joined the Gender Liberation March in Washington D.C. to join the call to protect reproductive health, bodily autonomy, and comprehensive healthcare access. In this episode, Jules Gill-Peterson sits down with lead organizers Raquel Willis and Eliel Cruz to talk about the march and movement building during an election year. Raquel and Eliel share into their intersectional approach to organizing and how gender liberation frees us all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On December 4th, the Supreme Court will hear arguments for U.S. v. Skrmetti, a case that could decide the fate of gender-affirming care for trans people across the country. Outward's own Jules Gill Peterson contributed to an amicus brief for the case, a document that provides expertise and historical context to assist the court in making it's decision. In this episode, Bryan and Christina reunite with Jules to break down her contributions to the document and dive into the history of transition and the powerful voices of trans youth from across time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode long-time friend of the show and longtime WNBA fan Daisy Rosario sits down with queer sports reporter Frankie de la Cretaz to chat about the historic 2024 WNBA season. In this episode, they dig into the celebration and tension as the WNBA's queer roots meet mainstream success. Can the league stay true to its queer community while taking on big-time sponsors and new fans? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode long-time friend of the show June Thomas sits down with the editor of The Queer Arab Glossary, Marwan Kaboour. The glossary is the first published collection of Arabic LGBTQ+ slang and covers a wide range of dialects across the arab world. Marwan details how he decided to organize the glossary and what the words reveal about queer culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Outward hosts Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci sit down with reporter and author Nico Lang to chat about their new book ‘American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era'. Nico's book is a vivid and moving portrait of eight trans and nonbinary teenagers across the country, following their daily triumphs, struggles, and all that encompasses growing up trans in America today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Outward hosts Jules Gill-Peterson, Bryan Lowder, and Christina Cauterucci sit down with non-binary marathoner Cal Calamia to talk about their journey into competitive racing. Cal shares how they first got into running and how their experiences as a non-binary, trans-masculine athlete have shaped their advocacy. From battling outdated USADA regulations on hormone therapy to pushing for non-binary categories in major marathons, Cal gives insight into the work they do to make competitive racing gender-inclusive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, guest host Daisy Rosario talks to ‘What's Next' producer Madeline Ducharme about her experience at the DNC. They break down the queerest moments and examine the Democratic party's queer agenda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week Christina speaks to journalists S.I. Rosenbaum and Josie Riesman about their Slate article Kamala Harris' Surprising Record on Trans Rights. From the national conference she convened to counter the “gay panic” and “trans panic” defense, to her denial of gender-affirming surgery for an incarcerated trans person, a look back on key moments in Kamala Harris' career reveal a complicated political track record on trans rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week Bryan, Jules, and Christina are joined by reporter Jasmine Mithani to talk about the Kids Online Safety Act. While protecting children from harmful material online seems like a win for everyone, some LGBTQ organizations fear that KOSA would be used to shut down LGBTQ+ content online and take away important resources for queer youth. Podcast production by Palace Shaw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jules and Bryan are joined by dating coach and host of the KCRW podcast How's Your Sex Life, Myisha Battle. Myisha covers dating friends, understanding your own desire, and making connections in the real world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jules sits down with Art Specialist Corey Serrant from Swann Auction Galleries to chat about pieces from their upcoming LGBTQ+ Art, Material Culture & History auction and how they found the art in the first place. From an Ancient Roman bust who was an unlikely companion to famous writers to an invitation to the Weimar Republic's hottest lesbian bar, this collection spans centuries of queer life. Podcast production by Palace Shaw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the Olympics come to a close, we wanted to share this story from Death, Sex & Money. During the 1988 Summer Olympics, diver Greg Louganis was competing under extreme pressure. In the preliminary round, he split his head open on the diving board, got stitched up, and decided to stay in the competition. He was also carrying a secret that only a few people knew: Six months before the Olympics began, Greg learned that he was HIV positive. Despite those obstacles, Greg went on to win gold in both the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events, thrilling viewers and cementing himself as one of the best divers of all time. With the 2024 Games underway, Greg joins Anna to reflect on his odds-defying victories, and he explains how Olympic training prepared him for life's challenges outside the pool. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week Jules speaks with journalist Sohini Desai about their latest article for Slate ‘Trans Health Care Is Under Attack. But Are Concierge Providers Really the Solution?' Together they break down what these services offer and whether they can make a meaningful difference for trans people accessing healthcare across the country. Produced by Palace Shaw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week Bryan sits down with reporter Orion Rummler to break down Project 2025, conservative 920-page policy blueprint for a second Trump term. Orion's article ‘What is Project 2025? Here's the Heritage Foundation's vision for a second Trump term' looks at the widespread impact of these ideas for women, LGBTQ+ rights, families, education and the workforce. In this episode, we focus on the impact on LGBTQ rights and the danger of turning transness from a state of being to an ‘ideology'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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