Isn't It Queer

Jonny puts into dialogue examples of state sanctioned censorship and examples of so-called "Cancel Culture." He reviews a School Board banning the teaching of Art Spiegelman's Maus, Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill, a Mississippi mayor withholding library funds until the public library removes LGBTQ content, and a Georgia elementary school where the principal removed rainbow-themed art created by a...

Jonny talks with O.J. Duncan about the Rainbow Cafe's accomplishments in 2021 and what is on their horizon in 2022. He then provides a "highlight reel" of some stories covered and people interviewed on IIQ in 2021.

Jonny interviews Wally Paynter of the Tri-State Alliance and the Southern Illinois AIDS Coalition about how to donate to efforts to provide holiday cheer for underprivileged families living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Illinois. He then does the IIQ annual review of queer themed and created holiday music.

Jonny talks with Benito Goff of the Rainbow Cafe about an upcoming Queermas extravaganza (12/18). He then reviews new survey data on the prevalence of LGBTQIA+ identifying people in the U.S. He spends time unpacking the verdict in the Jussie Smollett case and what it should really tell us about hate crime legislation. He ends out the show with a collection of brief stories that put a clearer face...

Jonny talks with Mackie Obando (a.k.a. Luna Farfalla) of Atlanta and Gay Spirit Visions. Their conversation includes discussions of dancing and queer identity, immigrating from Peru to the United States, and the challenges of being a flight attendant during a pandemic. Jonny closes out the show with information about upcoming LGBTQ+ holiday opportunities. Note: In addition to the venues mention, R...

Jonny interviews Sister Mothra Stewart of the SOIL Sisters as that organization applies to move from Aspirant House to Mission House in its bid to become a part of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Information about where you can next see the SOIL Sisters and how to get involved is also provided. Correction/Clarification: The SOIL Sisters will not be an official chapter of the Sisters of Perpet...

Jonny talks with his husband, Craig, about being on a reality TV show about finding long lost relatives. Craig weaves connections between finding family and the challenges many queer folks deal with in facing family for the holidays. Jonny ends the show by interviewing local artist AB of www.abperformanceart.com about their two collaborative blog projects: "Euphoria" and "Living with a Dead Name."...

Jonny admits to being overwhelmed this week and pulls from the archive. In this episode, we revisit Jonny's interview with Pete Cossaboon of the YouTube channel "Thank God I'm Queer." He also revisit his meditation on the benefits of organizations like Gay Spirit Visions. Originally aired 2021-09-29.

Jonny Interviews Kean O'Brien who is a visiting visual artist the SIU campus and giving a talk on "Tracing Trans Trauma through the Landscape of Trans Bodies" at 6:30pm in Guyon Auditorium in Morris Library on Wednesday, November 10. He also interviews KJ Fitz, the vice president of Saluki Rainbow Network, about their experience of the Saluki Pride rally on the SIU campus last Wednesday.

Jonny Interviews T. Brown about his upcoming one man show, "Naked Stories: Tales of Queer Adolescence in the 0s and 80s," at 8 pm in the Kleinau Theatre this Thurs-Sat (Nov 4-6). Juno Blue offers a review of the podcast, The Penumbra, which features queer and non-binary characters rupturing tired tropes in genre fiction. Reservations and accessibility arrangements for "Naked Stories" an by arrange...

Jonny interviews Tara Bell about a recent spate of anti-trans and anti-queer violence and protest in local public school districts, with a particular focus on what's going on in the Anna-Jonesboro school district. In addition to school systems not being in compliance with Illinois' "inclusive curriculum" mandate, these schools are insufficiently addressing the safety and human rights of their quee...

Jonny discusses the new bi Superman and his on-panel kiss with his reporter boyfriend in DC Comics "Son of Kal-El #5." He then discusses Dave Chappelle's Netflix special, "The Closer." In between these two stories, he discusses queer and trans representation and the response to it, folding other recent stories that show violent and deadly homophobia and transphobia are still very much a part of th...

Jonny reviews briefly the history of National Coming Out Day (Oct 11). He then interviews Roddy Bigg's about his coming out experience and the route he took from that at age 12 to going to seminar at age 28 to become a Unitarian Universalist minister.

Jonny starts the show with a congratulations to the Rainbow Cafe which met its $15,000 fundraising goal with its annual gala over the weekend. He then turns to a series of related stories about attempts to ban basic rights associated with identity. First up, he reviews the weekend's Women's March in Carbondale and around the country, with its focus on fighting bans on abortion. He then turns to st...

Our annual dive into Gay Spirit Visions and its 32nd Fall Conference. Jonny interviews Pete Cossaboon, an angel encourager, about Christ consciousness spirituality and his gifts and studies. Jonny then offers an in situ meditation at The Mountain (outside Highlands, NC) about the connections made at GSV. Two corrections: the Faerie Sanctuary mentioned was "Running Water" (not Falling Water). And t...

Jonny interviews Sandy and Carrie about the upcoming virtual Rainbow Cafe Gala on Saturday, October 3. So many ways to be involved (see below)! Also, don't forget the WDBX Block Party coming up on Saturday, October 9. Deadline for food order and sponsorship for the RC Gala: Saturday, September 25. That is also the day the online auction opens! https://rainbowcafe.org donate directly: https://www.r...

Jonny discusses the Guardian US censoring a recent interview with Judith Butler where they make a connection between TERFs (Trans Exclusive Radical Feminists) and fascists. He then discusses China's recent edict banning "sissy men" from Chinese media. In the back half of the show he reviews the events leading up to Alphonso David being fired as HRC president.

Jonny interviews local LGBTQ community leader Wil Davis about his experience dealing with cancer during a Pandemic. He then celebrates the Campus Pride report card for Southern Illinois University, awarding five out of five stars for LGBTQ affirming campuses. He ends with commentary linking recent Texas laws and a Missouri decision to shut down an student created display of LGBTQ activists in Kans...

Jonny reviews some proposed changes to the curriculum that would make public schools and colleges/universities more welcoming and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff, and administrators. He then checks in on OnlyFan's response to their attempt to remove explicit adult content from their platform. He ends with news of CoVid and the "miracle" cures the deniers are seeking in livestock dewo...

Jonny covers LGBTQIA+ representation in the Paralympics as well as "quietly released" data that the science supporting regulating testosterone in cis women athletes in track and field isn't sound. He reviews the changes to OnlyFans coming in October that target sexually explicit content, with comparisons to Tumblr. He reviews the threat the Taliban poses for LGBTQ+ Afghans and what we in the West...

Jonny opens the show with a a review of some recent LGBTQ news items, good and bad. First, he covers news of a court case in IL that finds Hobby Lobby discriminated against a trans employee. Next, he reviews several stories coming out of Texas where both the Legislature and the courts are rife with transphobia. He then notes evidence that vaccine rates among LGBTQ+ USAmericans are over 90%. In the...

Jonny covers the blowback of the NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo scandal and resignation back onto HRC President Alphonso David. He also interviews local queer YouTuber and podcaster, Ky Chameleon, about his experiences with drug addiction, spirituality, and mediumship. You can follow Ky’s work on the podcast Through the Matrix.

Jonny covers several stories, good and bad, of increased queer visibility at the 2020 Olympics now going on in Tokyo, Japan. Particular focus given to New Zealand's Lauren Hubbard, Canada's Quinn, and the UK's Tom Daley. He offers a rundown of the LGBTQIA+ athletes who have won metals so far. He closes out with coverage of Pro-LGBTQIA+ legislation signed into Illinois law by Governor Pritzker last...

Jonny interviews Todd Brown about his experiences being in and ultimately leaving a local Sufi organization as a gay man. Todd has a You Tube channel, "Quit Your Cult," where he shares his stories on a regular basis: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnqB030coG1f5i9-XUTuAyA

Jonny shares a presentation from the inaugural meeting of GRIS (Golden Rainbows of Illinois South), a group dedicated to meeting the needs of those in the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Illinois who are 50+ years old. He then covers stories from Illinois and California about discrimination (homophobia and transphobia) in nursing homes. Finally, he offers a eulogy for lesbian activist and educator, S...