Queer 101

Pride House Media
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Education

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. 2d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Jul 29

    Trump’s Dylan Mulvaney Joke at the Press Dinner — Let’s Talk About It

    Hey y’all, tt’s just me, Peppermint this week on Queer 101 while Hugh is on his book tour (My Bad go get it!) — and we have a lot to unpack. In this solo episode, I break down what happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, why the event matters for a free press, and why politics, media, and comedy don’t always mix gracefully. We’re talking about Donald Trump’s July 24, 2026 remarks, including: His ongoing feud with journalistsComments aimed at CNN’s Kaitlan CollinsA Bud Light joke referencing Dylan MulvaneyHow trans people continue to be used as political punchlinesI also revisit the Bud Light backlash, Trump’s claims about financial losses, and what it says about the broader climate for trans and nonbinary communities. Beyond the headlines, I spotlight key 2026 midterm races, including: Abdul El‑Sayed vs. Haley Stevens in MichiganOmar Fattah in MinnesotaPlus, I share Dylan Mulvaney’s response calling for support of trans youth and nonbinary people — and why staying engaged matters, even when politics feels like one big distraction cycle. If you care about: Trans rights and LGBTQ+ advocacyMedia freedom and political messagingThe 2026 midterm electionsHow pop culture and politics collideThis one’s for you. Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

  5. Jul 14

    Live from the Streets of NYC: Pride, Politics & Power

    Hey y’all 💋 it’s Peppermint — and I’m literally recording this from the streets of New York City. Yes. Taxis. Sirens. Sidewalk energy. All of it. In this episode of Queer 101, Hugh and I are catching up on everything — from his cross‑country book tour to what’s happening right now in NYC politics, LGBTQ+ rights, Pride season, and the upcoming midterm elections. Hugh just wrapped an incredible national book tour, and we talk about his stop in LA at the ASU FIDM Fashion Museum, where he revisited his iconic ’90s fashion looks with Michelle T. We love a fashion history moment — especially when it’s queer, nostalgic, and a little chaotic. Meanwhile, I’m checking in from outside on the streets of New York (yes, we’re outside-outside), and I reflect on this season of my life — from filming to watching the final season of Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest to navigating this very intense political climate as a trans woman living in America. We get real about: ✨ Finding joy during stressful political times  🏳️‍🌈 Pride Month and the Queer Liberation March in NYC  🏙️ The recent New York rent freeze  💰 The pledged $15 million toward trans healthcare funding  🗳️ The 2026 midterm elections and why local politics matter  📰 Media narratives, party accountability, and why we shouldn’t idolize politicians As people who live and work in New York City — and who care deeply about LGBTQ+ rights, trans healthcare access, and housing justice — Hugh and I truly believe local power shapes our daily lives more than we think. We talk about how to stay engaged without burning out. How to celebrate Pride while still demanding more. And how to hold politicians accountable — even the ones we like. This episode is funny, a little shady (because you know I can’t help myself), but also grounded in the reality of what queer people are navigating in 2026. If you care about:  • LGBTQ+ news  • NYC politics  • Trans healthcare funding  • Rent freezes & housing justice  • Pride and the Queer Liberation March  • The 2026 midterm elections  • Queer culture & pop culture You’re in the right place. Thanks for being here with us — on the sidewalks of NYC and beyond. Make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and send us your questions for the next episode of Queer 101. Love you. Stay engaged. Stay fabulous. Stay human. 💖 Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

  6. Jun 30 ·  Bonus

    Queer 101_BONUS_Supreme Court Decision

    Hey y’all, it’s Peppermint. 💕 I had to jump in here today  to break down a devastating Supreme Court decision that affects transgender girls and women across the United States. The Supreme Court has sided with West Virginia and Idaho, allowing states to ban transgender girls and women from playing on girls’ school sports teams—from middle school through college. In West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox, the Court backed laws that define who counts as a “girl” strictly by sex assigned at birth, rejecting arguments under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Let me be clear: this decision doesn’t just impact two states. It sends a message to trans kids across the country that their identities can be legislated away. In this special episode, I break down what the Court decided, what it avoided, and why this ruling puts transgender youth—and the future of equal protection—on the line. BPJ is an 11‑year‑old trans girl who challenged West Virginia’s ban with support from organizations like the ACLU and Lambda Legal. And while this ruling is devastating, I talk through why it’s narrower than it could have been—and why that matters. But this isn’t just about trans girls. I explain how these sports bans open the door to increased policing of all women’s bodies—especially cisgender women, women of color, and women with intersex traits. We’ve already seen this scrutiny directed at athletes like Caster Semenya, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Simone Biles, and even Michelle Obama—women whose bodies have been publicly questioned simply for not fitting narrow expectations of femininity. This episode is personal. It’s political. And it’s urgent. If you care about LGBTQ+ rights, Title IX, women’s sports, bodily autonomy, and the future of equality in America, this conversation is for you. Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this episode, and make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s next. Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

  7. Jun 23

    Pride Isn’t Just a Party — It’s Survival

    Hey y’all, it’s Peppermint. 💕 As we approach the 57th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising  I wanted to ground us in something real: Pride is not just a party. It's a protest. It’s protection. It’s survival. On this episode of Queer 101, I’m breaking down why legal documents — passports, birth certificates, IDs — are not just paperwork. They are power. Right now, we’re witnessing coordinated anti-trans legislation across the United States. I walk you through what’s happening and why it matters. Efforts to deny gender-affirming care for trans people in prisonStates like Kansas moving to strip gender markers from birth certificates and IDsAnti-trans additions connected to the SAVE ActPolicies that could block bathroom access and medical careSupreme Court moves that could allow schools to out trans students without consentLouisiana’s “Restoring Biological Truth Act”Mississippi proposals to report mismatched gender markers to ICEThe real-life passport struggle involving Caitlyn Jenner’s “M” marker issue I talk about how monopolistic systems control access to healthcare, housing, employment, and safety — and how when those systems shift, trans people are the first impacted. Because when your ID doesn’t match your lived identity, everything becomes harder:  Travel.  Voting.  Healthcare.  Employment.  Freedom. This episode is about understanding the moment we’re in. It’s about recognizing that anti-trans laws are not isolated incidents — they’re coordinated efforts. And it’s about remembering that Pride began as resistance. So… Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay powerful. Because Pride is more than a parade. It’s survival. Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

  8. Jun 9

    Pride, Protest & Activism: Why Queer History Still Matters

    Hey y’all — it’s Peppermint, and welcome back to Queer 101, the podcast where we talk queer history, queer culture, queer books, and the stories we definitely didn’t learn in school. Hugh is on his book tour (go grab My Bad for your summer reading list!), so this week it’s just me. And since it’s Pride Month, I wanted to revisit some of our most powerful conversations about activism, trans rights, and the queer leaders who shaped our movement. Because Pride didn’t start with a party.  It started with a protest. In this episode, I reflect on: Why some queer stories get erased — even in the age of social mediaThe legacy of Marsha P. Johnson and why her full story mattersThe case of trans women like Alice Correa and how quickly names disappear from headlinesWhat activism really means — is it marching? organizing? living openly? all of the above?Why queer activism must stay connected to working-class strugglesThe truth about anti-trans rhetoric, especially around trans women in sportsAnd how capitalism influences politics, sports, and even our movements As we head toward the anniversary of Stonewall, this episode is about remembering where we came from, honoring the activists who fought before us, and recommitting to the work ahead. Because our history is not optional. It’s essential. Happy Pride. Stay proud. Stay loud. And keep fighting the good fight. 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
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Queer 101
  • Show Website
    Queer 101

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