Isnt It Queer

Jonny reviews recent anti-CoVid-19 restriction protests, the decision to cancel or postpone Pride events, and the "covert" spread of anti-LGBTQ legislation during the pandemic. He also reviews local events celebrating Earth Day in a pandemic-compliant way. Finally, he ends with a series of more uplifting stories about how LGBTQ people and allies are responding to the pandemic.

Jonny puts some names to the numbers, reviewing some prominent LGBTQ activists, allies, and healthcare providers who have been early victims of CoVid-19. He also reviews some of the religious conservatives gloating over these deaths as well as some who have died from defying the the shelter in place and social distancing protocols. Finally, we share a couple of announcements about how local events are adapting to the pandemic (cancellations, postponements, and virtual versions of the events).

Jonny reviews some current reporting about how some health policies during the CoVid 19 pandemic perpetuate discrimination. He reviews recent developments in the FDA's ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood or plasma, the dangers of making exceptions to social gathering for churches, and the failure of many states and agencies to collect data about how the pandemic is impacting minority communities. Also included are announcements about how local events are adjusting to the social distancing and shelter at home protocols.

Jonny interviews original host of the show, Billy Rogers, about strategies for getting through the time stuck at home. Jonny and Caleb then discuss the return of ACT UP to protest the politics of antiviral medications, before turning to a discussion of "Tiger King."

Coronavirus has shut down our live broadcast via Carbondale, IL's WDBX FM 91.1; we are pre-recording the show from our homes and sending it in to the station. But the silver lining is that we now have a good digital recording to offer as a podcast on our formerly established platforms. The station's digital recorder broke a little over a year ago and they started archiving the shows at WDBX.org. It was always our intention to get these back up and running; it took a pandemic to make that happen.In this episode, Jonny and Caleb discuss how we are weathering the states "shelter at home" order.

Jonny is joined by Caleb to discuss (and gush over!) the FX series "Pose" as well as to chronicle a recent and disturbing resurgent trend of associating LGBTQ people with pedophilia.

Jonny and Danette discussthe new Religious Freedom Task Force from AG Sessions, recent cases of anti-LGBTQ discrimination in a St. Louis retirement community and on Alaska Airlines, a review of what has happened with the military trans ban on the one year anniversary since its announcement via Twitter, and a brief review of recent court victories for LGBTQ communities worldwide.

Jonny and Danette are joined by Beth Malone of Indivisible Carbondale and SheVotes to discuss a planned protest rally for President Trump's visit to Granite City IL, an open forum on August 4th to discuss healthcare and other policy issues with local political candidates, and chronicling the myriad ways the Trump-Pence administration is actively thwarting LGBTQ rights and communities. https://shevotesil.org/ https://www.facebook.com/IndivisibleCarbondale/

Jonny and Danette discuss the local shake-up in upper administration for the SIU system, President Trump's constantly shifting positions during his overseas trip, the problematic use of homophobic/homoerotic imagery to criticize the Trump/Putin relationship, the (mis)use of HIV/AIDS funds to reunite families separated at the border, and a Congressional amendment that allows adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ families.

Jonny and Danette discuss the FX summer series "Pose," the most recent controversy of cishet actors playing trans/queer roles (Scarlett Johansson!), TERF lesbians disrupting the London Pride parade, and renewing our efforts to push back against homophobia, transphobia, and racism within LGBTQ communities.

Jonny is joined by Craig to discuss, in the wake of the announced retirement of Supreme Court Justice Kennedy, two court cases that demonstrate the persistent and systemic vulnerability of LGBTQ+ people in the legal system. Case 1: the SCOTUS refusal to hear the appeal of Charles Rhines, who was sentenced to death because the jury felt as a gay man prison wouldn't be enough of a punishment. Case 2: the murder of 10 year old Anthony Avalos by his parents after he told them he "liked boys."

Jonny and Danette discuss recent SCOTUS decisions, protests at Pride festivities and how we deal with them, when it is okay to kick people you disagree with out of your place of business, and confronting queer versions of respectability politics.

Jonny and Danette play a clip of voices from SI Pride, discuss how challenging the norms of decorum and civil discourse is sometimes necessary, respond to the excuse acrobatics of those supporting current Trump Administration immigration policy, and search for hope in a political landscape that feels increasingly dystopian.

Jonny and Danette review Southern Illinois Pride Fest and check in on Pride festivities around the country. They also discuss the status of the IL Inclusive Curriculum bill, the SCOTUS decision on Masterpiece Cake Company v. Oregon Civil Rights Commission, an Australian study showing a correlation between low intelligence and homophobia, more conservative pastors challenging LGBTQ people and events, and how our current immigration policies demonstrate the lie of "family values" on the right.

Jonny and Danette are joined in the studio by Tara Bell, Julie (a.k.a. "Family Jewels"), and Dane, Jake & Tyler of the band "Sleeping Tapes" to discuss and share information about the incredibly line up of entertainment for this weekend's Southern Illinois Pride Fest, June 1-3. Danette also conducts a phone interview with Jodie Santara, the emcee for the Saturday night benefit drag show. A complete schedule for the festivities can be found at http://rainbowcafe.org/

Jonny and Danette are joined by Vince and Beth to talk about the upcoming Southern Illinois Pride Fest on June 2 (technically, June 1-3, though the bulk of activities are on June 2). Vince covers youth activities and entertainment. Beth offers a glimpse at the political side of the festviities. We also check in on the status of SB 3249, the LGBTQ Inclusive Curriculum, that *might* pass the IL House in time to be awaiting the Governor's signature by the time we gather for Pride. For more information on S.I.Pride, check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SouthernIllinoisPride/

Jonny and Danette celebrate the arrival of summer and the end of the Spring semester with a call out to resist State Totalitarianism by not being complicit with with prejudice and clear systemic bias against certain people. In the process, we remind folks about the upcoming Carbondale Pride festivities, celebrate the arrival of transgender civil rights in Pakistan, lament President Trump rolling back protections for trans inmates in prison, and remind everyone about the importance of using preferred pronouns. WDBX is in the midst of its spring pledge drive. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting the community radio that makes it possible at http://wdbx.org/

Jonny and Danette are joined by Colin Whitworth and Alex Davenport to discuss the upcoming presentation of "The Factory" in the Kleinau Theatre (April 26-28, 8 pm. second floor of SIU Communications Building). The original show explores a conversation between Truman Capote and Andy Warhol about representation and the challenges of art and writing. The group also discusses the IL Inclusive Curriculum bill being debates in the state Senate as well as local protest of mandating the inclusion of LGBTQ figures in secondary and high school history curriculum.

Jonny and Danette discuss upcoming events in the Carbondale area as well as contemplate at length the recent immolation of Lambda Legal lawyer David Buckel.

Jonny and Danette interview Vincent Rhomberg and Jodie Salazar about the upcoming Carbondale Stage Co. production of Vince's play, "Almost Identical." Along the way we also discuss the value of community theater, LGBTQ inclusive curriculum, queer visibility in media, and the failure of so-called "bathroom bills" to pass lately in very red states.