Queer 101

Pride House Media
  • 5.0 (3)
  • 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. 3D AGO

    Peppermint & Hugh’s Holiday Survival Guide: How to Make Your Holidays Queer

    Hey y’all,  grab your cocoa and your cutest fuzzy socks because this episode of Queer 101 is basically a queer holiday special—with me, Peppermint, serving yuletide realness and Hugh the Historian sprinkling in the facts like he’s the Mariah Carey of academia. We’re talking all things queer holidays: the traditions we made up, the ones we borrowed, and the ones we refuse to participate in (sorry, straight people—your office Secret Santa is chaotic). I share how I make Christmas deliciously queer, fabulously meaningful, and just messy enough to feel authentic. We also get real about holiday loneliness, chosen family magic, and how to slay gift‑giving without selling your kidneys to afford it. Yes, we answer your listener questions—yes, they are adorable—and yes, I absolutely go on a tangent about Cher and queer holiday culture because… would it even be Queer 101 if I didn’t? We dream up a Christmas‑themed gay bar (someone please fund this), talk stocking traditions, tea obsessions, the perfect Christmas Eve gifts, and the joy of giving back to LGBTQ+ orgs during the season that’s supposed to be about love, not capitalism. Think of this episode as your queer holiday survival guide—with jokes, nostalgia, community love, and just enough peppermint spice to keep things interesting. Your peppermint‑flavored timestamps: • 00:00 — Welcome to Queer 101: Holiday Edition  • 01:06 — Holiday Reflections & Queer Spaces (bring on the glitter)  • 01:52 — Our Family Traditions & Pep’s Christmas Prep  • 06:30 — Volunteering & Community Love  • 08:51 — Cher: Patron Saint of Queer Christmas  • 15:45 — Navigating Holiday Drama (’tis the season!)  • 19:34 — Non‑Traditional Holiday Movies We Actually Watch  • 20:54 — Peppermint’s Holiday Love Letter  • 22:16 — Sip, Sip, Gay: Supporting the Community with Moody Teas  • 22:34 — Tea Enthusiasm (wild, chaotic, joyful)  • 22:45 — Perfect Christmas Eve Gifts  • 23:09 — Our Dream: A Christmas‑Themed Gay Bar  • 25:28 — Stockings, Traditions & Fabulous Nonsense  • 30:01 — Listener Qs: Queer‑Inclusive Traditions  • 30:54 — Listener Qs: Holiday Loneliness  • 34:07 — Listener Qs: Meaningful Gift‑Giving  • 36:15 — Listener Qs: Supporting LGBTQ+ Organizations  • 37:54 — Wrapping Up the Year with Love & Lip Gloss Click here and get 10% off  Peppemints Trancendence Tea  Click here to pre-order Hugh’s new book “My Bad” Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    41 min

  2. DEC 16

    From the Margins to Magic: How Queer Communities Create Their Own Worlds

    This week, Hugh and I dive right into ou chat about one of my absolute favorite topics: how queer folks and other marginalized communities turn exclusion into empowerment. You know me — if society tries to shut a door, I’m already sashaying through a window. We kick things off by talking about what happens when marginalized people — especially queer and trans folks — get pushed out of mainstream spaces. Spoiler: we don’t just survive, we build our own dazzling little universes. From the chosen‑family magic of queer nightlife to mutual‑aid networks that pop up like wildflowers in a sidewalk crack, we find ways to lift each other up when the world tries to push us down. Hugh and I also get into the history of drawing lines from the so‑called “witches” of old Europe to modern‑day queer youth. And let me tell you, once you start tracing these threads, you see how often people on the margins develop perspectives, creativity, and resilience that the rest of the world could really stand to learn from. I want to invite everyone listening to take a moment — yes, even you multitasking on the subway — to think about how we move forward together in these wild times. Because even when things feel heavy, our communities have always had the power to transform struggle into something fierce, loving, and revolutionary. And if you want the play‑by‑play… 00:00 — I introduce the episode and warm up the mic  00:58 — We jump into queer spaces, exclusion, and finding home  02:03 — A whirlwind tour through historical and current marginalization  03:24 — How oppression sparks resistance and reinvention  08:23 — Community, chosen family, and mutual aid  11:44 — Celebrating the power and wisdom of marginalized voices  23:01 — Ad break: Transcendence Tea (darling, the blend is divine) 24:44 — Dreaming bigger: future paradigms and closing thoughts 30:00 — Outro, credits, kisses, and a wink Click here and get 10% off  Peppemints Trancendence Tea  Click here to pre-order Hugh’s new book “My Bad” Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    31 min

  3. DEC 2

    The Radical Roots of Queer Spirituality: A History They Tried to Erase

    In this week’s episode, Peppermint and Hugh Ryan explore the vibrant intersection of queer identity and spirituality—a part of queer history that’s often overlooked or misunderstood. They celebrate queerness as an essential thread in the fabric of human culture, diving into everything from holiday‑season consumerism to the deep historical roots of gender variance across the world. Together, they unpack how spirituality has always played a role in queer life, highlighting traditions and practices that honor and uplift queer and trans people, reflecting on the importance of language, culture, and community. Ultimately, this episode is a reminder of the power of self‑creation, the resilience of queer existence, and the long, rich history that proves queerness isn’t going anywhere—because it’s always been here. Click here for more information or to purchase Peppemints Trancendence Tea  Click here to pre-order Hugh’s new book “My Bad” Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    38 min

  4. NOV 25

    Peppermint & Hugh’s Ultra Queer Thanksgiving

    In this episode of Queer 101, Peppermint and Hugh are spilling all the Thanksgiving tea—yes, the gravy‑soaked, chosen‑family, pass‑me-a-biscuit kind. They share their own little holiday traditions, the ones that make Thanksgiving feel fabulously queer and beautifully communal. They also dive into the messy, complicated history of the holiday, because honey, you can’t serve a feast without serving some truth. Peppermint chats about my plans with her family (both the born and the chosen), my ride‑or‑die favorite Thanksgiving dishes, and the gratitude I’m feeling for our fierce, resilient queer community—especially with everything going on in the world. We’re celebrating queer resistance, queer joy, and the communities that keep us going. And of course, they share a bit about their latest projects—Hugh’s new book My Bad: A Personal History of the Queer Nineties and Peppermint’s very own Transcendence tea blend. Trust me, they both pair perfectly with a cozy holiday vibe. (both linked below.)  00:00 Introduction to Queer 101 00:49 Holiday Season and Thanksgiving Plans 01:39 Thanksgiving Traditions and Reflections 08:47 Games and New Traditions 11:35 Expressions of Gratitude 18:24 Closing Remarks and Announcements Click here for more information or to purchase Peppemints Trancendence Tea  Click here to pre-order Hugh’s new book “My Bad” Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    22 min

  5. NOV 18

    Queer Magic: Reclaiming Power Through History and Witchcraft

    In this episode of Queer 101, hosts Peppermint and historian Hugh Ryan explore the fascinating crossroads of queer history, spirituality, and witchcraft. They begin by unpacking the Supreme Court’s recent refusal to hear a challenge to same-sex marriage — a reminder that the fight for equality is always evolving. Amid the discussion, the two celebrate Hugh and his partner’s 15th anniversary, reflecting on love, resilience, and community before diving into their latest book club pick: Bargain Witch by Brooke Palmieri. This collection of essays weaves together queer identity, history, and magic — making complex ideas accessible, empowering, and deeply relevant to today’s queer experiences. From historical witch trials to modern manifestations of spiritual autonomy, Peppermint and Hugh spotlight how queer people have always used faith, ritual, and resistance to reclaim power. The episode invites listeners to consider what spiritual liberation looks like — and why queer voices are so vital in reimagining it. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, share, and join future conversations, as Queer 101 continues to uncover how the past informs the fight for freedom, identity, and joy today. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Queer 10101:21 Recent Wins and Ongoing Struggles04:28 Celebrating Personal Milestones05:40 Book of the Month: Bargain Witch10:52 Historical and Modern Witchcraft20:11 Connecting Witchcraft to Queer History24:51 Conclusion and Next Week’s Preview Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    29 min

  6. NOV 11

    Queer History They DON’T Teach in School (But SHOULD)

    This week on Queer 101, Peppermint and Hugh, the historian with the receipts, are diving into the untold layers of queer history you probably didn’t learn in school. 🌈 They talk in depth about resilience, resistance, and what it really means to hold onto hope. And as always their conversation takes some unexpected and exciting turns — from the results of the New York mayoral election to celebrating the wins of immigrant leaders making real change. Pep and Hugh also get real about ongoing battles for equality, the importance of self-initiation, and how we can all break free from the boxes society tries to put us in.  It’s smart, heartfelt, and a whole lot of fun — exactly what Queer 101 does best. 💖 00:00 Introduction to Queer 101 01:22 Deep Dive into George Takei's Memoir 01:54 Reflections on Recent Elections 03:17 Challenges to Democracy and Equality 05:33 Historical Oppression and Resistance 14:12 Personal Stories of Resistance 20:13 Reflecting on Historical Injustices 21:02 Connecting Global Struggles 23:38 Celebrity Activism and Crushes 27:13 The Closet and Societal Expectations 34:01 Political Hypocrisy and Elections 36:51 Book Club Announcement 38:47 Podcast Wrap-Up and Farewell Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    41 min

  7. NOV 4

    Lights, Closets, Action: Queer Voices and Visibility in Hollywood

    In this episode, Peppermint and Hugh the Historian take you on a heartfelt journey through queer history and LGBTQ+ culture, blending humor, honesty, and reflection. They dive into the powerful stories of the past and present — including touching moments from George Takei’s memoir It Rhymes with Takei, which explores the realities of Japanese American internment, his experiences as a closeted actor in Hollywood and ultimates and LGBTQ+ Activist. Peppermint and Hugh also share personal stories about their first crushes, the challenges queer celebrities face in the entertainment industry, and the ongoing fight for visibility, intersectionality, and equality. Tune in for uplifting insights, emotional truths, and powerful reminders of why queer voices and activism matter. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and join the conversation to keep celebrating queer history together. 🌈 00:00 Introduction to Queer 101 01:14 Recap of Last Week's Episode with George Takei 02:23 Comic-Con and Queer Representation in Comics 05:53 Personal Stories: First Crushes and Early Queer Experiences 12:57 Celebrity Crushes and Queer Representation in Media 18:01 Impact of Queer Celebrities on Personal Identity 21:21 Celebrity Rumors and Scandals 22:14 Impact of Celebrity Behavior on Public Perception 24:04 Changes in Celebrity Culture and Coming Out 25:19 The Role of Internet and Reality Celebrities 26:43 Challenges and Hypocrisy in Celebrity Coming Out 28:28 Advocacy and Activism in the Queer Community 34:50 Intersectionality in Activism 36:51 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts 38:48 Closing Remarks and Call to Action Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    41 min

  8. OCT 28

    Exploring George Takei's Legacy: From Internment Camps to LGBTQ+ Activism

    In this deeply compelling episode of Queer 101, hosts Peppermint and Hugh Ryan dive deep into the intersection of LGBTQ+ history and culture with none other than the legendary George Takei, live from NYC Comic-Con. Takei opens up about his childhood experiences in Japanese internment camps during WWII, the challenges of living in the closet, and his transformation into a leading LGBTQ+ activist. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, he shares how resilience shaped his life, advocacy and activism for marriage equality and civil rights, offering powerful insights into both queer history and the ongoing fight for equality.  This episode sheds light on George Takei’s incredible legacy and the importance of sharing these stories with new generations. Episode Highlights: 00:00: Introduction to Queer 10101:26: George Takei at NYC Comic-Con02:21: Takei’s Life Journey05:36: Reflections on Japanese Internment Camps11:51: George Takei's They Called Us Enemy graphic memoir39:48: LGBTQ+ Activism and Civil Rights46:02: Marriage Equality StruggleFollow us at: @peppermint247 and @hughoryan Write to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    55 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 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
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Queer 101
  • Show Website
    Queer 101

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