Queer 101 with Peppermint

Pride House Media

Hosted by LGBTQ+ activist and world-renowned entertainer Miss Peppermint, alongside celebrated queer historian and author Hugh Ryan, this podcast is your weekly deep dive into the untold stories, pivotal moments, and extraordinary individuals who shaped LGBTQ+ history.Each episode, Pep and Hugh unravel the struggles, celebrate the triumphs, and explore the cultural revolutions that have defined queer identities throughout time. With heart, humor, and a dash of glamor, they guide you through centuries of rich, vibrant LGBTQ+ legacy.Whether you’re here to honor the past, better understand the present, or ignite change for the future, Queer 101 is your direct line to the stories that matter most.

  1. 3d ago

    Let’s Call Out Democrats: Stop Abandoning Trans People

    Democrats, throwing trans people under the bus is not a campaign strategy. And some of us are tired of checking for tire tracks. In this episode of Queer 101, I’m talking about trans rights, Democratic election strategy, and the politicians who want our votes—but get quiet when it’s time to defend us. You know what I am talking about! I dig into the post-election blame game about Democrats being “too woke,” and what happens when party leaders borrow their opponents’ talking points instead of challenging them. Because if “too woke” means treating trans people like human beings, what exactly are we being asked to compromise? I also get into Gavin Newsom, anti-trans sports rhetoric, and some Texas Democrats’ willingness to join that conversation. Anti-trans politicians keep selling fear—but the polling and election results don’t make a clear case that scapegoating us is a winning strategy. And yes, I’m looking ahead to 2028. Trans people and other marginalized communities deserve a seat at the strategy table—not an invitation to knock on doors followed by a request to disappear. My message: don’t get dazzled by a rainbow pin and a pretty speech. Check the record. Ask about actual policies. Find out what candidates will do when defending our rights becomes politically inconvenient. Our votes are not a subscription they can renew without delivering. What I’m getting into Trans rights aren’t the reason Democrats lose: why I’m challenging the scapegoatingThe “too woke” blame game: who gets sacrificed when Democrats explain a lossGavin Newsom and anti-trans talking points: why repeating the rhetoric matters2028: how to vet candidates beyond slogans, labels, and photo opsReal accountability: the records and policy commitments I want voters to demand Follow us at: @peppermint247@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: Queer101Podcast@gmail.com

  2. Nov 6 ·  Bonus

    Peppermint’s Blue Wave Warning: Democrats Must Deliver | Queer 101

    We got a blue wave. We got a reason to exhale. But let me be clear: winning an election is not the same as delivering for the people who won it for you. In this special episode of Queer 101, I’m celebrating election-night victories—and asking what Democrats are going to do with them. My takeaway? Stop treating progressive policies like a political liability. Voters want leaders who will fight for working people, protect our rights, and make our lives better. Democratic must be held accountable;  LGBTQ+ rights, trans rights, and Medicare for All.  I’m also questioning Democratic leadership’s priorities, the party’s support for candidates like Angie Nixon in Florida, its dependence on corporate money, and the anti-trans rhetoric showing up in its own ranks. And yes, I’m talking about Gavin Newsom and Charlie Kirk. My message to the Democrats out there: celebrate the wins, then get to work. Get money out of politics. Restore rights and essential services. Release the Epstein files. Fight for Medicare for All. Give voters something more than a victory speech. We showed up. Now I want the people we elected to show up for us. Subscribe for more LGBTQ+ education, queer conversations, and Queer 101 with me, Peppermint. Follow us at: @peppermint247@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: Queer101Podcast@gmail.com

  3. Nov 3

    “I’m Gay, Not Queer”—Okay, But Let’s Talk.

    Y’all don’t have to call yourself queer. But “I’m gay, not queer” is not a permission slip to disrespect trans people. On this episode of Queer 101, I’m getting into the gay vs. queer debate—and the difference between choosing a label for yourself and using it to shut somebody else out. Gay, queer, masc, femme, trans: our language has history, and sometimes that history hurts. I understand why a word reclaimed by one person might still feel painful to another. You get to decide what you call yourself. What we’re not doing is denying anyone else that same respect. So let’s talk about what happens when a personal preference becomes “LGB without the T,” pronoun mockery, or a campaign to distance gay people from trans and gender-nonconforming folks. Baby, if your path to acceptance requires throwing somebody else under the bus, we need to discuss your directions. I’m looking back at Sylvia Rivera, tensions within the LGBTQ+ movement, the HRC’s 2007 ENDA stance, and the fight for trans rights after marriage equality. Because this divide didn’t start with a social media post—and a rainbow flag doesn’t automatically mean everybody is welcome. In this episode, I get into: Gay vs. queer: personal identity or exclusionary politics?Reclaimed slurs, generational differences, and respecting people’s labelsPronouns, transphobia, and the “LGB without the T” crowdSylvia Rivera and the history we need to stop conveniently forgetting“Pick me” politics and the price of chasing straight acceptanceWhat LGBTQ+ solidarity looks like beyond a sloganCall yourself gay. Call yourself queer. Just don’t call excluding trans people progress. Respect names. Respect pronouns. And let’s stop treating somebody else’s rights as a bargaining chip. Subscribe for more LGBTQ+ education, queer conversations, and Queer 101 with me, Peppermint. Follow us at: @peppermint247@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: Queer101Podcast@gmail.com

  4. Oct 27

    Voter Suppression Is Real. Let’s Protect Your Vote

    Hey, everybody—Peppermint here! 💜 Queer 101 is back, and we need to talk about your vote: why it matters, who’s trying to make it harder to cast, and how we can show up prepared for the midterm elections. Because protecting our rights takes more than a good Instagram caption—and choosing our elected officials takes more than vibes. In this episode, I’m breaking down voting rights and voter suppression, from voter ID requirements and voter roll purges to polling-place closures, mail-in voting restrictions, and misinformation. I’m talking about how these barriers affect Black voters, Indigenous communities, young people, disabled voters, trans people, and others whose voices are too often pushed aside. I also get into the SAVE Act and proof-of-citizenship requirements, including why paperwork and mismatched names can create real obstacles for eligible voters. If your documents don’t all tell the same story about your name, you know that “just bring your ID” isn’t always so simple. And yes, we’re talking about politicians, accountability, and why I want us looking at candidates’ actual policies—not just their personalities or party labels. But I’m not here just to leave you overwhelmed. Let’s turn that concern into a voting plan. We’ll talk about checking your registration through official sources, confirming where and when you can vote, researching your ballot, knowing your rights, and getting involved locally. Your voice matters. Let’s make sure you have a plan to use it. In This Episode What voter suppression looks like—and why it isn’t always obviousHow voting barriers affect LGBTQ+ voters and other marginalized communitiesThe SAVE Act, citizenship documents, and name mismatchesHow to find reliable election information and avoid misinformationWhy voting based on “vibes” isn’t enoughHow to make a voting plan before the midtermsWays to support voting access beyond casting your own ballotIf this conversation helped you, share it with someone you want to make a voting plan with. And tell me: what’s one thing you’re doing to get ready to vote? Subscribe for more LGBTQ+ education, queer conversations, and Queer 101 with me, Peppermint. Follow us at: @peppermint247@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: Queer101Podcast@gmail.com

  5. Oct 20

    Gender-Affirming Care Explained—Without the Scare Tactics

    My body. My choices. And yes, that includes my trans healthcare. 💜 Hey y’all, it’s Peppermint! On this episode of Queer 101 with Pepperint, I’m connecting the dots between abortion access, bodily autonomy, and the fight for gender-affirming care. Because the conversation about who gets to make decisions about our bodies doesn’t stop at Roe v. Wade. So, what is gender-affirming care? Let’s get into it—without the scare tactics. I’m talking names, pronouns, haircuts, counseling, hormones, voice care, surgery, and more. I unpack what that care can include, why there’s no one-size-fits-all transition, and what gets lost when politicians turn personal healthcare decisions into talking points. And yes, I’m getting personal. I share what transition has meant in my own life, why medical privacy matters, and why trans youth and marginalized communities need to be part of this conversation—not talked over. In this episode, I’m breaking down: Gender-affirming care: what it means beyond the headlines.Bodily autonomy: why I connect reproductive rights and trans rights.Myths and misinformation: the narratives I’m pushing back against.Access and privacy: whose choices—and medical records—are on the line.Showing up: supporting trans-led organizations, challenging misinformation, voting, and putting mutual aid into action.Come for the Queer 101. Stay for the conversation about who gets a say over our bodies. Spoiler: I believe that starts with us. 💬 What’s one thing you wish more people understood about gender-affirming care? Let’s talk in the comments. Subscribe for more LGBTQ+ education, queer conversations, and Queer 101 with me, Peppermint. Follow us at: @peppermint247@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: Queer101Podcast@gmail.com

  6. Oct 13

    White Feminism vs. Intersectional Feminism: Who Gets Left Behind?

    If your feminism breaks a glass ceiling but leaves everybody else sweeping up the shards, baby, we need to talk. In this episode of Queer 101 with Peppermint, I’m unpacking white liberal feminism: who it centers, who it leaves behind, and why putting a woman in charge doesn’t automatically mean liberation for the rest of us. Representation matters. But a girlboss with power is not the same thing as a movement sharing it. I dig into the history of Black women’s exclusion from feminist movements, from suffrage to reproductive rights, and the roles white women played in slavery and Jim Crow. I also explore Kimberlé Crenshaw’s intersectionality framework, misogynoir, and why “I don’t see color” is not the feminist flex some people think it is. Then I get into celebrity activism, trendy solidarity, and the difference between changing the face of an institution and actually changing how it works. A cute slogan? Lovely. Redistributing power and resources? Now we’re talking. I also reflect on a conversation at Gloria Steinem’s home about reproductive justice and bodily autonomy—because whose body gets protected, whose choices get respected, and whose freedom gets overlooked are questions we cannot skip. Consider this your feminist group-project check-in. I’m asking us to move beyond symbolic wins and support intersectional feminist leaders and organizations doing the work. Feminism needs more than a new face at the top. It needs to stop leaving people at the bottom. Follow us at: @peppermint247@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: Queer101Podcast@gmail.com

  7. Oct 6

    Why Politicians Target Trans People — And How We Fight Back

    Hey y’all. Welcome back to Queer 101 — Season 2 is here, and I’m switching things up. This season, we are getting more real-time, more responsive, and more in conversation with you. Instead of only focusing on monthly books and interviews, I’ll be digging into the queer and trans issues showing up in the news, in our communities, on our feeds, and — unfortunately — in election-season attack ads. And yes, I want to hear from you. Drop your thoughts in the comments, send me your questions, DM me your reactions, and tell me what you want us to unpack next. This is Queer 101, but we are not doing passive learning over here. We are building language, context, and community. In this episode, I’m asking the question a lot of us are exhausted by but cannot afford to ignore: Why do politicians keep targeting trans people? I break down the anti-trans political playbook, how LGBTQ people get used as wedge issues during election season, why culture-war panic distracts from housing, healthcare, wages, and survival, and how we fight back through coalition-building, local voting, and real organizing. But it is not enough to just listen you have to take action. So here are some of the action items we discussed in today’s show. Research your local ballot.  Look up who and what will be on your ballot before Election Day. Local races matter. Text three people.  Ask them if they have a voting plan. Not “are you voting?” — a plan. When, where, how, and what they need. Get specific.  Do not let politicians hide behind vibes. Ask what they support on healthcare, housing, wages, war, schools, trans rights, labor rights, and community safety. Build across movements.  Trans rights, labor rights, racial justice, healthcare, housing, and anti-war work are connected. The opposition knows that. We should too.The anti-trans panic is loud. But our communities are louder when we are informed, connected, and ready. Follow us at: @peppermint247@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: Queer101Podcast@gmail.com

    Why Politicians Target Trans People — And How We Fight Back

  8. Aug 11

    Queer 101 Is Changing: Hugh’s New Role, Big Updates & Queer Politics Heat Up

    Hey y’all, Big changes are happening on Queer 101. This week, I’m back with Hugh the Historian to catch up on a nonstop summer — from Hugh’s tour for his book My Bad, to my unforgettable moment as a NYC Pride Grand Marshal, to the release of Survival of the Thickest on Netflix. We’re also sharing an important update: the Alstora Queer 101 Book Club is coming to an end for now because our schedules are getting busier, but please keep sending your queer book recommendations our way. Then we move from Pride to politics, breaking down key primary results and progressive campaigns, including Justin Pearson, Cori Bush, Wesley Bell, Donovan McKinney, and Abdul El-Sayed, while talking about dark money, policing, militarization, transphobia, and the political attacks facing LGBTQ+ communities right now. And finally, Hugh shares some major personal news: he’ll be stepping back from weekly episodes of Queer 101 as he begins his new role as lead historian for the American LGBTQ+ Museum, opening in New York City in 2028. Don’t worry — he’ll still be back with updates. Thank you for being part of this Queer 101 journey with us. Class is still in session. 💖 Topics: LGBTQ+ history, queer politics, trans rights, Pride, progressive elections, American LGBTQ+ Museum, Peppermint, Hugh Ryan, Queer 101 podcast Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Hosted by LGBTQ+ activist and world-renowned entertainer Miss Peppermint, alongside celebrated queer historian and author Hugh Ryan, this podcast is your weekly deep dive into the untold stories, pivotal moments, and extraordinary individuals who shaped LGBTQ+ history.Each episode, Pep and Hugh unravel the struggles, celebrate the triumphs, and explore the cultural revolutions that have defined queer identities throughout time. With heart, humor, and a dash of glamor, they guide you through centuries of rich, vibrant LGBTQ+ legacy.Whether you’re here to honor the past, better understand the present, or ignite change for the future, Queer 101 is your direct line to the stories that matter most.

Information

  • Creator
    Pride House Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Queer 101 with Peppermint
  • Show Website
    Queer 101 with Peppermint

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