Queer 101

Pride House Media
  • 5.0 (5)
  • 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. JAN 27

    Silence Won’t Save Us: Audre Lorde and the Fight for Trans Lives

    Hey y’all, it’s  Peppermint — and on this episode of Queer 101, Hugh and I are doing what queer people have always done best: connecting history to the mess we’re living in right now. We start with Audre Lorde’s Sister Outsider — newly reissued, still devastatingly relevant, and frankly doing laps around half the conversations happening today. Audre wasn’t here for respectability politics, and neither are we. Then I take you inside the Supreme Court, where I recently sat through hearings on trans athletes in sports. Yes, I was in the room. Yes, it was as wild — and revealing — as you’d imagine. We talk about how these cases aren’t really about sports at all, but about power, control, and who gets to exist comfortably in public life. We get into the systemic targeting of trans people, how anti‑trans legislation doesn’t just hurt trans folks (spoiler: cis women are already catching the backlash), and why bodily autonomy is always the first thing up for debate when fear runs the show. Along the way, we pull in feminist history, revolutionary poets, and Audre Lorde’s timeless reminder that silence does not protect us — it just protects the systems hurting us. This episode is about intersectionality, resistance, and speaking up, even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it’s uncomfortable. Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    42 min

  2. JAN 20

    Hidden Queer History of Hollywood: Closets, Coding, and Power

    Hey y’all—it’s me, Peppermint 💅🏽 and welcome back to Queer 101. In this episode, I’m joined by my partner in queer crime, Hugh the Historian, and honey… we are digging deep. Like “Hollywood secrets buried under a studio lot” deep. We dive into the shadowy, fascinating, and sometimes infuriating hidden histories of queer culture—especially in old Hollywood, where being LGBTQ+ was very much a don’t ask, don’t exist situation. We unpack Michael Kresky’s book Sick and Dirty, which chronicles a time when queer folks were everywhere in the industry… just not allowed to be seen. Closets had closets, okay? From there, we spill the tea on queer coding in film—how villains, side characters, and “odd” personalities were often the only places queer energy was allowed to live onscreen. Hugh breaks it down historically while I’m sitting there like, “Wait… so that’s why every fabulous villain felt a little too familiar?” We also get into the real power players—the closeted figures who wielded enormous influence while benefiting from systems that oppressed the very community they were part of. Yes, we’re talking Roy Cohn, Liz Smith, and the complicated, messy reality of survival, power, and exploitation in systems that weren’t built for us. And listen, this isn’t just a history lesson—it’s about how culture, politics, and power all intertwine, and how queer people have always been navigating that web, whether out loud or in the shadows. We reflect on how oppression works systemically, how visibility can be both dangerous and revolutionary, and why understanding this history matters right now. So buckle up, grab your popcorn, and get ready to learn, laugh, and maybe side‑eye Hollywood just a little harder. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Queer 10101:03 Queer Coding: The Subtext Was Loud05:35 Why So Many Villains Felt… Familiar10:53 Closets, Power, and Complicity15:08 Systems of Oppression & Queer Survival22:17 Final Thoughts, Community Love & Birthday Vibes Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    26 min

  3. JAN 13

    Scar, Ursula, and the Queer History of Disney, Hollywood & Pop Culture

    Hey y’all, it’s me Peppermint 💋 and welcome back to Queer 101! This episode is one of those “once you see it, you can’t unsee it” conversations—because we’re talking all about queer coding in pop culture. And yes… it’s been happening forever. This week Hugh Ryan, and I break down how queerness has been sneaking into movies, books, and TV for decades—especially back when being openly queer was a hard no thanks to censorship, moral panics, and a whole lot of pearl‑clutching. So what did creators do? Oh, they got creative. We get into Hollywood history and how queerness was often hidden in plain sight through gestures, voices, fashion, and vibes. Then we jump straight into Disney, because let’s be honest—the villains were serving. From Scar’s theatrical drama in The Lion King to Ursula’s larger‑than‑life fabulousness in The Little Mermaid, we talk about why so many of us clocked those characters immediately—even as kids. But it’s not just about being queer-coded; we also unpack how queerness and racial coding often overlapped, reinforcing stereotypes and shaping how audiences understood “otherness.” It’s layered, it’s complicated, and yes—it had real cultural consequences. We also look beyond film into literature, where queerness has long lived between the lines, and we ask the big question: now that we can be more open, why are we still relying on subtext? By the end, Hugh and I share our hopes for a future where queer characters don’t have to hide in villains, metaphors, or side‑eyes—and where authenticity doesn’t require decoding. And of course, we want to hear from you, so I invite you to share your thoughts, your favorite coded characters, and what you want us to tackle next on Queer 101. Because if the subtext was loud back then? Baby, the text deserves a microphone now. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome back to Queer 10101:09 How Hollywood Learned to Code Queerness03:38 Disney Villains: The Real Gay Icons07:11 How Queer Coding Shaped Culture10:19 Race, Queerness & “Otherness”17:44 Queer Stories Between the Lines29:06 Imagining a Future Without Coding29:46 Final Thoughts & Call to Action Follow us at: @peppermint247@hughoryan@pridehousemediaWrite to us at: questions@queer101podcast.comScar, Ursula, and the Queer History of Disney, Hollywood & Pop Culture

    32 min

  4. JAN 6

    Queer Coding, Then, Now & Still!

    Hey y’all, it’s me, Peppermint, and on this episode of Queer 101, Hugh and I are ringing in the New Year the only way we know how: chatty, curious, and a little bit queerly chaotic. We kick things off swapping New Year’s stories — who rested, who partied, who intended to journal but absolutely did not — and then get into the real question: Do queer people even do resolutions the same way? (Spoiler: yes, but gayer.) From there, we dive headfirst into one of my favorite topics: queer coding in the media — aka all the gay stuff they didn’t teach us in school but definitely snuck into movies anyway. I get especially excited talking about Michael Koresky’s book Sick and Dirty, which peels back the glittery curtain on Hollywood from the 1930s–60s and shows how queer creators and characters survived under censorship by being clever, coded, and just a little scandalous. Of course, we don’t stay in the past too long. We also discuss modern queer media, from buzzy shows like Heated Rivalry to the current state of queer visibility on TV. What’s working? What feels forced? And what makes us scream “FINALLY!” at our screens? We also get real for a moment about the political climate and why representation still matters — especially when queer stories are often the first to be questioned, cut, or “rebranded.” But don’t worry, we balance the heaviness with joy, laughter, and personal reflections on the queer-coded characters that helped shape us before we even had the words for ourselves. Before we wrap, we invite you into the conversation: 💬 What queer-coded characters did you clock way before everyone else? 📚 What should we read or watch next? 📺 What makes queer representation feel authentic to you? Come for the media analysis, stay for the laughs, and leave knowing you’re part of a long, fabulous lineage of queer storytelling.

    41 min

  5. 12/30/2025

    New Year, Queer Power & Community: Peppermint and Hugh’s Thoughts on 2026

    New year, fresh vibes, same big conversations — but with hope, glitter, and a little more wiggle room. Hugh and I chat about power, belonging, and what happens when queer folks stop waiting for a seat at the table and just build a better party. Yes, we talk history. Yes, we talk growth. But mostly we’re talking about finding your people, making room for each other, and stepping into the new year knowing we’re stronger (and cuter) together. Rolling into this next chapter with community, curiosity, and a whole lot of optimism. Cheers to what’s coming. Wishing you all a very happy and healthy new year.  Follow us at: @peppermint246 @hughoryan Write to us at: questions@queer101podcast.com

    29 min

  6. 12/23/2025

    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

  7. 12/16/2025

    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

  8. 12/02/2025

    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
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 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
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Queer 101
  • Show Website
    Queer 101

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