Podcast Q

As Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore launches her campaign for mayor, she discusses her commitment to LGBTQ equality, efforts to fix the city’s HIV housing program, the safety of Black transgender women and police reform.

Kyle Lamont and Hillary Williams Thomas, co-chairs of the Bayard Rustin-Audre Lorde Breakfast, discuss hosting the LGBTQ celebration of MLK during a pandemic, honoring people often overlooked and organizing a diverse LGBTQ coalition in a segmented Atlanta.

Ahead of his live show in Atlanta, out country music singer Ty Herndon talks faith, collaborating with Kristin Chenoweth, coming out and going to Swinging Richards as a closeted man.

Gay Atlanta baker Jamaal Nettles discusses how he’s gone from boxed cakes as a kid to Season 7 of the Food Network’s “Holiday Baking Championship,” living down being “single and ready to jingle” and death by a spreading cheesecake.

Gay Atlantan Jeff Gray discusses his evolution from home baker to a contestant on Season 7 of Food Network’s “Holiday Baking Championship” and why lemon meringue pie pushes him to the brink of tears.

Queer comedian Sampson McCormick dishes about what happens when a church boy goes on a gay cruise, his tricks for surviving 2020 and celebrating World AIDS Day in Atlanta.

Queer Atlanta comedian Ian Aber on how coronavirus killed his grilled cheese sandwiches, finding love on a Wednesday at Blake’s, gay litter in the service industry and rebooting his “str8 ppl” podcast during the pandemic.

Atlanta Eagle owner Richard Ramey reveals what really led the iconic leather bar to close, plans for a new location and how it became an unlikely champion of civil rights and police reform.

When Chanel Haley transitioned more than two decades ago, resources to navigate her life as a black transgender woman were scarce. It’s why she now dedicates so much time to training cops and businesses on transgender issues and other trans people on how to be advocates for themselves.

Atlanta’s LGBTQ film festival Out on Film is back. But in the age of COVID-19, it’s a drastically different event this year. We preview the event with Festival Director Jim Farmer and filmmaker Eammon Ashton-Atkinson, the director of “Steelers.” The documentary follows the journey of the world’s first gay rugby club on its quest to win the largest international gay rugby tournament. 

With five years as a state lawmaker and a recent Congressional race under her belt, Keisha Waites said she has the blend of experience needed to “make a measurable difference” during what’s left of U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ term. She is one of two LGBTQ candidates in the seven-person special election. Waites discusses her track record as a state lawmaker, the coronavirus pandemic, fighting HIV in the 5th District and the issues she would tackle if elected.

Chase Oliver jumped into the special election to complete the unexpired term of U.S. Rep. John Lewis to provide “more choices and more voices” on the ballot. He’s the only Libertarian and one of two LGBTQ candidates in the seven-person race. The former Democrat talks about becoming a Libertarian, protecting black transgender people, campaigning during corona, combatting HIV and breaking through to voters in Georgia’s heavily Democratic 5th District.

Jorge Estevez – WSB’s first openly gay and second Latinx prime time anchor – arrived in Atlanta just weeks before the world turned upside down. He talks with us about anchoring in a new city during crises, battling those pandemic pounds, his tough coming out story, besties and convincing a Republican mayor to preside at his wedding.

Jon Ossoff has embraced LGBTQ equality and made his support of LGBTQ people central to his campaign for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia. It’s the same refreshing approach he took during his 2017 U.S. House race in metro Atlanta. In an interview, Ossoff goes in-depth on his commitment to LGBTQ people, transgender healthcare and safety, reforming policing, the racial justice movement and the coronavirus pandemic.

Mariah Parker turned her political activism and Hip-Hop experience into a run for public office, becoming the first LGBTQ person elected to the Athens-Clarke County Commission. Throughout her transition from activist and artist to elected official, Parker has thrived to be her authentic self – blemishes and all. In fact, she argued, that’s why she’s won two elections in two years.

Charlie Paine is focused on saving LGBTQ Atlanta’s history and historic places, something the city is known for ignoring. He’s got a strategic plan and initiatives to help but the coronavirus pandemic is slowing the efforts and stalling fundraising. 

Gee Smalls is quick to admit that his biggest accomplishments haven’t been planned. But the Black LGBTQ restaurateur, author and non-profit founder continues to serve delicious hits across Atlanta. In this episode, he does a deep dive into his new memoir “Black Enough Man Enough,” running a restaurant in a pandemic, whether the Gentlemen’s Ball is coming back, the ongoing racial justice movement and how tough it is to be the personal assistant to this hands-on creative.

Attorney Marvin Lim notched a commanding primary win in June and will join the largest group of LGBTQ lawmakers ever seen in the Georgia House. Lim talked about the campaign, his personal experiences with voter suppression and intersectionality, and LGBTQ issues during this wide-ranging interview. 

When a 13-year-old Kim Jackson saw her hometown elect its first black mayor, she knew she wanted to run for office. At 35, she’s on her way to becoming Georgia’s first-ever LGBTQ state senator. She talked with us about her historic achievement, coronavirus, racial justice, taking gaybies to the Atlanta Pride parade and the tiny lesbian enclave in her district.

Singer and “Pose” actor Dyllón Burnside discusses spending this coronavirus summer in metro Atlanta, dropping his debut single, living with his mom and advocating for racial justice and equality for black queer people.

After more than six years in comedy, queer Atlanta comedian Ian Aber said he's finally figured out how to win over a gay crowd – the toughest of all audiences he faces. He discusses that, being shamelessly funny and how he broke into Atlanta's comedy scene.

Kevin Robison, the longtime artistic director of the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus, discusses his bittersweet departure from the chorus, his most memorable moments, competing for LGBT dollars and attention, and his emotional farewell concert "Bells, Babs & Beyond."

Educator, civic activist and church elder De'Andre Pickett discusses his Georgia House campaign, the struggle to run as an open LGBT candidate and what he's learned from his past races.

Jeff Graham, the executive director of Georgia Equality, unpacks the election results in metro Atlanta and discusses what it takes for LGBT candidates to win and get the group's endorsement, the Dec. 5 runoffs and what he hopes to hear out of Atlanta's mayoral contenders.

As Fulton County Commission chair, John Eaves helped pave the way for same-sex marriages to begin in the county and helped develop an ambitious plan to fight HIV. Here he talks about protecting and supporting LGBT people, LGBT businesses as "the next frontier," the Atlanta Police Department, city parks, property taxes and his relationship with Mayor Kasim Reed.

Kwanza Hall has represented a diverse District 2 on the Atlanta City Council. Now he wants to be Atlanta's next mayor. Here he talks about helping LGBT entrepreneurs land a spot at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, LGBT equality, homeless youth a pilot program that helps transgender sex workers.

Ceasar Mitchell wants to tackle LGBT issues as Atlanta's next mayor. Here he discusses the origins of his commitment to LGBT equality, how the city can combat HIV, Rainbow Crosswalks, Atlanta police, marijuana and why he chose to run for mayor instead of another term as City Council president.

Vincent Fort has been fighting for LGBT and progressive issues for years as a state senator. Now, he wants to move to City Hall and lead Atlanta as mayor. Here he discusses being on the frontlines of the fight for LGBT equality, how the city can fight HIV, Atlanta police, gun initiatives, marijuana reform and homelessness.

Peter Aman has helped run Atlanta twice before. Now he wants the top job. Here he discusses LGBT issues, how he helped combat bullying in city government, HIV, transgender youth, Atlanta police, homelessness and accountability as he campaigns for mayor.

Keisha Lance Bottoms says she's running for mayor to make Atlanta a better place for her family and yours. Here she discusses her commitment to LGBT equality, how the city can better fight HIV, Atlanta police, the Beltline and gentrification.

Mary Norwood is atop the polls in her second race to become Atlanta's next mayor. Here she talks LGBT issues, gay Midtown in the 1980s, the Atlanta Police Department, the Beltline and affordable housing.

Cathy Woolard, the first-ever openly LGBT elected official in Georgia, hopes to make history again. She wants to become Atlanta's next mayor. Here she talks LGBT issues, the Atlanta Police Department, HIV, the Beltline and whether Pride should move from Piedmont Park.