The Queer Pridecast

If you’ve spent any time on modern gay dating apps, you already know the feeling: the endless scrolling, the targeted ads, and the creeping suspicion that your digital social life has been entirely co-opted by corporate shareholders. On this episode of The Queer Pridecast, we talk about how the online spaces we use to meet, talk, and build community have been bought up by venture capital—and what...

In celebration of IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia), a crucial time to reflect on the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and bodily autonomy, we sat down with Doctor Deano Reyes, the physician who oversaw the medical transition of international drag performer Marina Summers. As the medical director of Hara Clinic, a holistic gender and sexual health clinic,...

For many in the queer community, navigating the fitness world can feel like walking a tightrope between the desire to genuinely feel good and the immense pressure to look a very specific way. In this episode of "The Queer Pridecast", we had a chat with New York City-based certified personal trainer and nutrition coach Maksims Vishnakovs to untangle the complexities of gay body image, inc...

In this episode of The Queer Pridecast, we are joined by Jefferson Estela, a climate activist and member of the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition. Jep takes us inside COP30 in Belém, Brazil, sharing his firsthand experience as a queer delegate fighting for representation on the global stage. We discuss the historic formation of the Queer Intersectionalities working group and the fierce negotiations...

In this The Queer Pridecast episode, Igor Chervinsky, an LGBTQ activist, sociologist, and PhD student, discusses the challenges faced by queer migrants and refugees, particularly those who are often rendered invisible by their legal status. He shares his personal experiences as an invisible refugee in France, the barriers to social integration, and the disconnect between government policies and th...

In early 2025, media headlines reported a “youth epidemic” as HIV cases in the Philippines surged, averaging 57 new cases a day. Some coverage blamed dating apps, young people, and queer communities, stoking public fear. But is this the full story? In this episode of The Queer Pridecast, we go beyond the numbers to unpack what’s really happening with two experts on the frontlines of HIV prevention...

In this episode of The Queer Pridecast, intimacy coordinator, actor, and director Missy Maramara shares how consent and safety are being reimagined in Philippine performance spaces. She describes how intimacy direction empowers actors to set clear boundaries and work collaboratively when staging intimate scenes. Missy talks about adapting this practice for Filipino culture, using metaphors and loc...

In this episode, we speak with journalist and author Sadiya Ansari about her recent reporting on the experiences of queer migrants in Kenya. Sadiya produced the short documentary “Why LGBTQ+ refugees no longer want to stay in Kenya” and wrote an in-depth report for Context News, examining the challenges LGBTQ+ refugees face after fleeing persecution in their home countries. In our conversation, Sa...

In this episode, we dive into the topic of queer representation in cinema with our guest, film critic, curator, actor, and multimedia lecturer Jason Tan Liwag. We talk about the controversial “Emilia Perez,” an Oscar-recognized film that has ignited debates about the portrayal of queer narratives in mainstream cinema. Jason uses his extensive background to discuss the significant challenges these...

In August 2022, a study* came out and identified the prevalence of problematic drug use among transgender women and cis men having sex with men. A third of the survey participants were identified to have problematic drug use, with greater odds of substance abuse observed for those who engaged in sex work, had positive or unknown HIV status, had low HIV education, and displayed hazardous drinking. ...

We can't deny how beauty standards affect how we interact and are accepted in different social circles. But for the LGBTQ+ community, the relationship with these ideals can be even more complex. Many queer folks already feel pressure to conform to gender norms, and mainstream beauty standards often reinforce those expectations. We'll explore this topic with our guest, Laura Verallo de Bertotto, di...

What connection does the queer liberation have with the ongoing climate crisis? And will building a more vital, interconnected community help create a more sustainable world for queer individuals? In this The Queer Pridecast episode, Isaias Hernandez, an environmentalist, creative, and the creator of "the Queer Brown Vegan" (/instagram.com/queerbrownvegan & tiktok.com/@queerbrownvega...

What does it take to be an effective queer advocate? In this episode, trans actress and outspoken LGBT+ advocate Mela Habijan talks about brands going beyond representation of queer people, and what she learned about getting cancelled on social media. #filipino #gayrights #podcast #queer #lgbtphilippines #lgtbq #pride #queerpodcast #filipinoyoutuber #queerwomen

In this episode, I got to talk to my mentor and friend, Jessica Zafra. Jessica is an accomplished writer and arguably one of the defining voices in modern Philippine literature. Without a doubt, her sharp, witty essays have made her a popular name in the queer community. Here, we discussed how she has grown from the Jessica of her "Twisted" essays, what she thinks about cancel culture, a...

Social media has significantly impacted the global queer community by providing platforms for advocacy, support, and visibility. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Threads, and X amplify activists' voices, help build supportive networks, and raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues. That matters, especially in areas where rights are under threat. However, they also bring challenges like online harassme...