Are the Gays OK‪?‬ Are The Gays OK

For the last episode of the first series, we welcome our first guest, Matt Cornford, owner of Manchester's very own Queer Lit!






Queer Lit is a LGBTQIA+ bookstore based in Manchester Northern's Quarter, and stocks over 4000 books. Matt explains why there is a need for dedicated queer bookshops, and the trio share some of their favourite books, how they have helped them on their own journeys and the different sub-genre's that are out there for people to explore.


Here are some of the books mentioned in the pod:


The House in the Cerulean Sea - T J CLUNE


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea


Tell me I'm Worthless - Alison Rumfitt


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/tell-me-im-worthless?_pos=1&_sid=8f72f34c7&_ss=r


Manhunt - Gretchen Fletcher-Martin


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/manhunt?_pos=1&_sid=0de6bef43&_ss=r


My Shadow is Pink - Scott Stuart


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/my-shadow-is-pink#:~:text=My%20Shadow%20is%20Pink%20is,learns%20(through%20the…


The Queer Mental Health Workbook - Brendan J Dunlop


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-queer-mental-health-workbook?_pos=1&_sid=1d00975c0&_ss=r


Rewriting the Rules - Meg-John Barker


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/rewriting-the-rules?_pos=1&_sid=7b77e565d&_ss=r


The Velvet Rage - Alan Downs


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-velvet-rage?_pos=1&_sid=c94688a30&_ss=r


Straight Jacket - Matthew Todd


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/straight-jacket?_pos=1&_sid=ef214e2d7&_ss=r


Pride - Matthew Todd


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/pride-the-story-of-the-lgbtq-equality-movement?_pos=1&_sid=d77e5d01d&_ss=r


Love in the Pink Palace - Jill Nalder


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/love-from-the-pink-palace-1?_pos=1&_sid=278bc9f2a&_ss=r


All the Young Men - Ruth Coker Burks


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/all-the-young-men-1?_pos=1&_sid=225a8938a&_ss=r


The Transgender Issue - Shon Faye


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-transgender-issue?_pos=1&_sid=6793e7f72&_ss=r


Trans Britain - Christine Burns


https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/trans-britain-our-journey-from-the-shadows?_pos=1&_sid=d88afad5d&_ss=r






Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:


IG: @arethegaysok_podcast


TikTok: @arethegaysok






Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications






Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

In episode 7, Stephen and James discuss therapy.


They talk about their own experiences with therapy, and a wide range of topics, including:


Why you don't need to be in a crisis to benefit from therapyFinding the right therapistThe different types of therapyChemsexHow not all therapy is a good experience, and why you should persevere in finding the right therapist for youPsychoeducationThe idea of compassionate enquiry





They explore the mechanism’s that worked for them, the difficulties they faced and the realisation and empowerment that both of them felt as a result of changing their lives, including the new opportunities that have presented themselves. 






They explain how their sober futures seemed uncertain, but how the benefits of becoming sober - and the connections they’ve built as a result - have made a lasting difference in both their lives.






Resources: 


LGBT Foundation: https://lgbt.foundation/


0345 3 30 30 30






Pink Therapy:


https://pinktherapy.com/






Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:


IG: @arethegaysok_podcast


TikTok: @arethegaysok






Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications






Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

In episode 6, Stephen and James talk about their journey to sobriety.






They explore the mechanism’s that worked for them, the difficulties they faced and the realisation and empowerment that both of them felt as a result of changing their lives, including the new opportunities that have presented themselves. 






They explain how their sober futures seemed uncertain, but how the benefits of becoming sober - and the connections they’ve built as a result - have made a lasting difference in both their lives.






Resources: 


LGBT Foundation: https://lgbt.foundation/


0345 3 30 30 30






Smart Recovery: https://smartrecovery.org.uk/


AA: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/


MA: https://marijuana-anonymous.org/


Gamblers Anonymous: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/


Beacon Counselling Trust: https://beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/


Overeaters Anonymous: https://www.oagb.org.uk/


Sex and Love addicts: https://slaauk.org/


Drinkaware: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/


Drinkaware quiz: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/self-assessment


Change Grow Live: https://www.changegrowlive.org/






Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:


IG: @arethegaysok_podcast


TikTok: @arethegaysok






Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications






Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

In this hard-hitting episode, James and Stephen discuss addiction.






They talk about the link between addiction and the LGBTQIA+ community, and also share their own experiences and how they came through them.


Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:


IG: @arethegaysok_podcast


TikTok: @arethegaysok


Further Support for Addiction (LGBT Foundation)


Website


Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.


Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

For our fourth instalment, Stephen and James discuss mental health.






They talk about their personal struggles, becoming more aware of their issues and how they learnt to look after their own mental health and thrive.


More information about Mental Health and Support:


Website


Further Support for LGBT Mental Health (MIND)


Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:


IG: @arethegaysok_podcast


TikTok: @arethegaysok






Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.


Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

In our third episode, Stephen and James explore the topic of gay shame.






They discuss what gay shame means to them personally, share their own experiences and talk about how they have dealt with feeling shame as a gay person.


Website


Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:


IG: @arethegaysok_podcast


TikTok: @arethegaysok






Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.


Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms