Isnt It Queer

Jonny discusses with Tim Miller surviving as an independent performance artist during pandemic as well as the similarities and differences between Coronavirus and HIV. A special commentary on Memorial Day by Rona P. Andemic follows.

Jonny interviews Tara Bell about plans to move Southern Illinois Pride Fest on line. He also cover's LGBTQ organizations that have endorsed Joe Biden and a collection of stories about gay meteorologists in the news. Finally, we end the show with a special graduation commentary from Rona P. Andemic.

Jonny checks in on continued pressure to drop the FDA guidelines restricting MSM from donating blood or blood products like plasma, Jonny and Caleb then discuss various permutations of racism during the pandemic, with particular focus given to the lynching of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.

Jonny reviews some of the recent resistance to wearing face masks in public, linking it (marking similarities and differences) to safer sex campaigns and the heightened use of prophylactics during the early years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. He also discusses the appointment of a gay diplomat from the Obama administration to a top position in the Biden campaign. And, well, Murder Hornets. Because of course there are murder hornets.

Jonny weighs in on President Trump's medical speculation over UV light and injecting disinfectant. He then reviews the Trump Administration rule allowing healthcare providers to refuse treatment to trans people, even while some doctors explore hormone therapy as a treatment for CoViD-19. He closes out the show with reports on Zoom sex parties, data on the impacts of pandemic on LGBTQ people, and virtual adaptations to the summer's big queer events.

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/