LGBTQ&A is a podcast hosted by Jeffrey Masters and produced by The Advocate magazine in partnership with GLAAD. It features interviews with notable LGBTQ figures such as Pete Buttigieg, Laverne Cox, Janelle Monáe, Brandi Carlile, and Roxane Gay. It was launched in 2016 and as of July 2022 has conducted over 250 interviews.[1] The series features a range of LGBTQ guests including activists, politicians, and members of the entertainment industry.[2][3][4][5]

LGBTQ&A
Presentation
Hosted byJeffrey Masters
GenreLGBTQ interviews
LanguageEnglish
UpdatesWeekly
Production
Audio formatPodcast (via streaming or downloadable MP3)
Publication
Original releaseAugust 1, 2016 (2016-08-01)
ProviderThe Advocate
Related
Websitelgbtqpodcast.com

Background

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The interview podcast was created by Jeffrey Masters to document modern LGBTQ history, aiming to "go beyond coming out and transition stories".[6][7] The podcast partnered with The Advocate magazine in 2018. [8] In 2020, it was announced that the podcast would be produced in partnership with GLAAD.[1] "Over the past four years, LGBTQ&A has quickly become a mainstay in queer media," said Rich Ferraro, GLAAD's Chief Communications Officer. "We're excited to come on board this season to help expand the podcast's reach so that more and more LGBTQ people and allies can hear the important stories that Jeffrey so eloquently encourages from his guests."[9]

The first live recording of the show took place at the Big Queer Pod Fest on June 16, 2018, at The Bell House in Brooklyn, New York. The Big Queer Pod Fest was an "all-star alliance" of LGBTQ podcasts that featured LGBTQ&A, Making Gay History, Nancy, and Food 4 Thot.[10]

Guests

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In 2022, LGBTQ&A debuted a special series called the LGBTQ+ Elders Project.[11] It featured interviews with notable LGBTQ elders such as Tracey 'Africa' Norman, André De Shields, Magora Kennedy, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Peter Staley, Billie Jean King, Ruthie Berman, Harvey Fierstein, Jamison Green, Mark Segal, Charles Silverstein, Kate Bornstein, François Clemmons, Cleve Jones, and Angela Davis.[12][13][14][15]

Other notable guests include Laverne Cox, Janelle Monáe, Alok Vaid-Menon, Margaret Cho, Melissa Etheridge, Niecy Nash, Charles M. Blow, Jim Obergefell, Tammy Baldwin, Ts Madison, and Karine Jean-Pierre.[16][17][18]

The podcast features the last recorded interviews with Gloria Allen, activist Ivy Bottini, activist Shatzi Weisberger, author Charles Silverstein, and drag queen Darcelle XV.[19][20][21][22]

Host

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Jeffrey Masters is a GLAAD Media Award-winning journalist who has made multiple appearances on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour and MSNBC.[23][24][25] In 2018, Masters was recognized on Logo TV's "Logo30" list of 30 influential LGBTQ people for his work on the podcast.[4] They wrote, "Whether he's chatting with seminal AIDS advocate Cleve Jones or rising powerhouses like Our Lady J and Keiynan Lonsdale, Masters digs deep, surpassing expected coming out stories in favor of examining specific life moments that have defined the queer luminaries we love."[26]

Oprah Magazine wrote, "Masters welcomes high-profile people...with his unique brand of probing curiosity," and Women's Health magazine described him as a "thoughtful, humble, and inquisitive journalist."[27][28]

Awards and honors

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  • In February 2017, LGBTQ&A was ranked #2 on a list of the top podcasts to listen to by Buzzfeed.[29]
  • In May 2017, LGBTQ&A was recommended by The New York Times. They wrote, "If you want to understand what it sounds like when a host is prepared, look no further than Jeffrey Masters. His interest in his guests' stories, as well as his encouraging manner, allows him to get beyond the surface whether he's interviewing activists or members of the entertainment industry."[2]
  • In September 2017, NBC Out polled its constituents about their "favorite LGBTQ-inclusive podcasts," and LGBTQ&A was selected as one of the 11.[30]
  • In June 2021, Masters was interviewed on MSNBC about his work on LGBTQ&A.[31] He has since appeared multiple times on the network as a contributor.[32]
  • LGBTQ&A was nominated for Outstanding Podcast at the GLAAD Media Awards in 2023.[33]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Required Listening: LGBTQ&A Podcast Releases 150th Oral History". The Advocate. February 25, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Bromwich, Jonah Engel (May 26, 2017). "Stuck in Memorial Day Traffic? Here Are 15 Podcasts to Distract You". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  3. ^ Mallenbaum, Carly. "Podcast picks ahead of Pride Month". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Steinbach June 14, 2018, Jesse. "Meet the Logo30: Jeffrey Masters". LOGO News. Retrieved September 19, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "How Gay Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg Met Husband on Hinge and Had 'Ridiculous' First Date". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  6. ^ "The LGBTQ Podcast That Will Get You Through the Holidays". The Advocate. November 21, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  7. ^ "'I'm sick of seeing straight actors in gay roles'". PinkNews. December 18, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  8. ^ "'LGBTQ&A' Podcast Joins The Advocate's Network". The Advocate. June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  9. ^ "Required Listening: LGBTQ&A Podcast Releases 150th Oral History". The Advocate. February 25, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  10. ^ P, Jennifer (June 14, 2018). "15 epic things to do in NYC this weekend". Time Out New York. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  11. ^ "This Trans Elder Is Changing Lives With Her 'Ministry of Presence'". The Advocate. March 1, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  12. ^ "Broadway Legend André De Shields Finally Gets His Flowers". The Advocate. June 28, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  13. ^ "Don Bachardy on His 33-Year Love Affair With Christopher Isherwood". The Advocate. May 2, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  14. ^ "Ruthie Berman: The Pioneering Lesbian Shares Her Epic Love Story". The Advocate. March 22, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  15. ^ "'Enough is Enough' 10 LGBTQ+ Elders Share Their Words of Wisdom". The Advocate. December 23, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  16. ^ "Danica Roem Is on the Frontlines of Trans History". The Advocate. June 7, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  17. ^ "Chasten Buttigieg Shares His Side of the Story". The Advocate. September 1, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  18. ^ "Janelle Monáe discusses her sexuality and importance of LGBTQ+ representation". Gay Times. June 1, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  19. ^ "Ivy Bottini: Listen to the Pioneering Lesbian's Last Known Interview". The Advocate. March 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  20. ^ "Mama Gloria Allen Dies at 76: Listen to Her Last Known Interview". The Advocate. June 14, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  21. ^ "Shatzi Weisberger, Activist Legend Known as the People's Bubbie, Has Died at 92". Them. December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  22. ^ "LGBTQ&A: Darcelle XV: The Oldest Drag Queen in the World (ft. Poison Waters) on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  23. ^ "Does 'Hillbilly Elegy' Really Have Something To Say? : Pop Culture Happy Hour". NPR.org. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  24. ^ Vossoughian, Yasmin. "MSNBC Reports: Weekends". Twitter. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  25. ^ "The Nominees for the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. January 28, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  26. ^ Steinbach June 14, 2018, Jesse. "Meet the Logo30: Jeffrey Masters". LOGO News. Retrieved October 21, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Donaldson, Zoe; Vincenty, Samantha (May 6, 2021). "15 LGBTQ Podcasts That'll Make You Proud Year-Round". Oprah Daily. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  28. ^ Kassel, Gabrielle (May 26, 2021). "You Need To Add These LGBTQ+ Podcasts To Your Daily Routine ASAP". Women's Health. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  29. ^ Furlan, Scott Bryan, Julia (February 2, 2017). "27 Podcasts You Should Be Subscribing To In 2017". BuzzFeed. Retrieved September 19, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ "11 LGBTQ-Inclusive Podcasts You Should Know". NBC News. September 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  31. ^ "Yasmin Vossoughian talks with LGBTQ&A Podcast Host about the inspiration behind his podcast". Twitter. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  32. ^ SYMONE on MSNBC. "On today's agenda for the #CultureCorner..."
  33. ^ Complex, Valerie (January 18, 2023). "GLAAD Announces Nominees For The 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". Deadline. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
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