UNCLOSETED with Spencer Macnaughton

Spencer Macnaughton

UNCLOSETED with Spencer Macnaughton is a podcast that investigates the people, money and power behind anti-LGBTQ ecosystems. Join Spencer twice a month as he interviews newsmakers about the most pressing issues facing the LGBTQ community today. From highlighting the voices of people fighting back against systems of injustice to challenging the forces attempting to undermine queer rights, UNCLOSETED with Spencer Macnaughton offers a perspective on LGBTQ issues you don’t find anywhere else. Spencer Macnaughton is a Gracie Award-winning and Emmy-nominated journalist. He has written and produced for 60 Minutes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Vice, Vox, Time, NBC News, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone, and he teaches LGBTQ journalism at New York University. He founded Uncloseted Media, a nonprofit news publication focused on investigative journalism, in 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Bryon Noem’s Dominatrix Speaks With Uncloseted Media

    Jun 23

    Bryon Noem’s Dominatrix Speaks With Uncloseted Media

    In April, dominatrix and sex worker Shy Sotomayor revealed that she had had a nine-year professional relationship with Bryon Noem, the husband of former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Following reports in March that Bryon Noem had allegedly engaged in feminization and “bimbofication” fetishes with other sex workers, Sotomayor is sharing more details about his interest in trans identities.  These interests represent a stark contrast to his wife’s anti-trans record. As Governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem signed bills into law that allow businesses to use religious refusal to deny service to LGBTQ people; ban gender-affirming care for trans youth; and ban trans women and girls from competing on women’s and girls’ sports teams. Through all of this, Bryon Noem never denounced his wife’s policies.  In addition, experts have raised concerns about Bryon Noem’s relationship with sex workers from a national security standpoint. “If a media organization can find this out, you can assume with a high degree of confidence that a hostile intelligence service knows this as well,” Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA officer, told the Daily Mail. “Damaging information like this can be a tantalizing lead for a hostile intelligence service.” In this episode of “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton,” Sotomayor speaks about her nine-year online relationship with Bryon Noem and describes the terrifying moment where she was almost caught by Kristi, who at the time was one of the country’s most powerful intelligence officers. “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton” is a new podcast by Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ-focused nonprofit news publication. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. YouTube // Spotify // Apple Note: If you are questioning your gender identity and don’t feel safe reaching out to anyone you know, The Trevor Project has a handbook on how to navigate this as well as 24/7 crisis support via calls and messaging with counselors. Host: Spencer Macnaughton Editor: Sean Robinson Social producer/Design: Sophie Holland Additional Reporting: Hope Pisoni Special thanks: Jennifer Moroz and Leital Molad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  2. Canadian Porn Star Milo Miles Was Banned From the US for 10 Years. Now, He's Speaking Out.

    Jun 9

    Canadian Porn Star Milo Miles Was Banned From the US for 10 Years. Now, He's Speaking Out.

    “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton” is a new podcast by Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ-focused nonprofit news publication. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. YouTube // Spotify // Apple Milo Miles, a Toronto-based adult film actor, was recently banned from entering the United States for the next 10 years after he says he was detained and questioned by Customs and Border Protection agents over the course of two days.  Miles, who was trying to fly to Las Vegas from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, says he had never faced significant issues at the border ahead of this instance.  While U.S. Customs does have the right to deny entry to people they believe have engaged in sex work, Miles says he was questioned for upwards of eight hours, often about his sexual orientation. He says one agent asked him why he has so many “gay clothes” and if he was “sick” upon seeing his PrEP medication and his fiber pills.  In this episode of “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton,” Miles sits down for his first on-camera interview to explain his experience, what he thinks Prime Minister Mark Carney should do in response to this treatment and why he believes all LGBTQ travelers should avoid the U.S. right now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min
  3. Peppermint Made Her Mark on Drag Race. Now, Her Advocacy Is Front and Center

    May 26

    Peppermint Made Her Mark on Drag Race. Now, Her Advocacy Is Front and Center

    “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton” is a new podcast by Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ-focused nonprofit news publication. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. YouTube // Spotify // Apple You may know Peppermint as a runner-up on season 9 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Or for her stint as the first trans competitor on the runaway hit “The Traitors.” Or for her relentless activism at a time when the Trump administration is waging an unprecedented attack on the LGBTQ community.   Now, Peppermint is getting set to be one of New York City Pride’s official grand marshals. And she’s doing that while upholding the legacy of the trans women of color who were at the Stonewall Uprising in 1969.  In this episode of “UNCLOSTED, with Spencer Macnaughton,” Spencer sits down with Peppermint to hear about what it means to be a Black trans woman at the forefront of the LGBTQ movement during the second Trump administration. Host: Spencer Macnaughton Audio Production Intern: Bella Sayegh Editor: Laury Peyssonnerie Social producer/Design: Sophie Holland Special thanks: Jennifer Moroz and Leital Molad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
  4. White Supremacists and Lone Wolves Are Absent From Trump's Counterterrorism Strategies. Why?

    May 20

    White Supremacists and Lone Wolves Are Absent From Trump's Counterterrorism Strategies. Why?

    On May 6, the Trump administration released their new counterterrorism strategy. It delineated three “major types of terror groups,” including “narcoterrorists and transnational gangs,” “legacy Islamist terrorists” and “violent left-wing extremists, including anarchists and anti-fascists.” In a glaring departure from the Biden administration’s strategy focused on far-right extremists and white supremacists, the Trump administration is cracking down on ideology that they call “anti-American, radically pro-transgender, and anarchist.”  In this episode of “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton,” Spencer talks with Jon Lewis, a researcher at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, as well as University of Maryland distinguished psychology professor Arie Kruglanski, to learn about what this new characterization of terrorism means for the safety of LGBTQ people and the security of all Americans.  “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton” is a new podcast by Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ-focused nonprofit news publication. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. YouTube // Spotify // Apple. CREDITS: Host: Spencer Macnaughton Audio Production Intern: Bella Sayegh Editor: Izzy Stokes Social producer/Design: Sophie Holland Special thanks: Jennifer Moroz and Leital Molad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  5. Our Journalist Spoke to Four Trans Foster Kids Who All Attempted Suicide. Why?

    May 13

    Our Journalist Spoke to Four Trans Foster Kids Who All Attempted Suicide. Why?

    LGBTQ kids make up a third of the American foster care system and transgender kids enter it at five times the rate of the general population. But in 2026, there are few legal protections for LGBTQ youth in the system. Uncloseted Media’s Sam Donndelinger spoke with case workers, advocates and survivors of the foster care system and uncovered why it’s failing trans kids. In this episode of “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton,” Spencer sits down with Sam and breaks down the story’s key findings.  “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton” is a new podcast by Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ-focused nonprofit news publication. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. YouTube // Spotify // Apple CREDITS: Host: Spencer Macnaughton Audio Production Intern: Bella Sayegh Editor: Taya Strauss Social producer/Design: Sophie Holland Special thanks: Jennifer Moroz and Leital Molad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min
  6. ‘I’m Hopeful’: The President of Gays for Trump Speaks Out

    May 6

    ‘I’m Hopeful’: The President of Gays for Trump Speaks Out

    Peter Boykin founded Gays for Trump 10 years ago as an organization to “get out the vote” for gay Trump supporters during the president’s first run for office. The organization grew fast by creating Facebook campaigns and hosting events at the Republican National Convention. Now, over one year into Trump’s second term, Boykin’s group is smaller but still boasts 11,000 members.  In this episode of “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton,” Spencer sits down with Boykin to learn about why he remains “hopeful for Donald Trump” despite his disagreements about how the president has been handling LGBTQ issues. “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton” is a new podcast by Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ-focused nonprofit news publication. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. YouTube // Spotify // Apple  For all of our journalism and for links to all our coverage, go to UnclosetedMedia.com  Credits: Host: Spencer Macnaughton Audio Production Intern: Bella Sayegh Editor: Izzy Stokes Social producer/Design: Sophie Holland Special thanks: Jennifer Moroz and Leital Molad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
  7. In 1992, James Dale Sued the Boy Scouts. Now, Pete Hegseth Presents a New Challenge

    Apr 29

    In 1992, James Dale Sued the Boy Scouts. Now, Pete Hegseth Presents a New Challenge

    In 1992, James Dale sued the Boy Scouts of America after they kicked him out for being gay. The case lasted nearly a decade and made it all the way to the Supreme Court.  While SCOTUS ultimately ruled against Dale in a 5-4 decision, his case paved the way for LGBTQ inclusion across the organization. In 2014, the Boy Scouts started allowing gay boys to join the organization. Three years later, the organization began allowing trans boy scouts, and a year later, girls became eligible for membership.  But today, Scouting America is presented with a new challenge as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has put the organization “on notice,” and has threatened to pull Pentagon support if the they fail to erase what he calls “an insidious radical woke ideology,” which includes allowing trans scouts and girls to join the organization, and promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion.  In this episode of “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton,” Spencer sits down with Dale to talk about his experience suing the Boy Scouts of America and why he’s ready to speak out against the new challenges created by Hegseth, who he describes as a “terrorist.”  “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton” is a new podcast by Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ-focused nonprofit news publication. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. YouTube // Spotify // Apple  For all of our journalism and for links to all our coverage, go to UnclosetedMedia.com  Credits: Host: Spencer Macnaughton Audio Production Intern: Bella Sayegh Editor: Taya Strauss Social producer/Design: Sophie Holland Special thanks: Jennifer Moroz and Leital Molad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
  8. Matt Bernstein, aka Mattxiv, is the Next Generation of Progressive Social Commentary.

    Apr 22

    Matt Bernstein, aka Mattxiv, is the Next Generation of Progressive Social Commentary.

    Matt Bernstein, also known as Mattxiv on Instagram, where he boasts 2.2 million followers, is one of the most influential Internet voices for young queer progressives in the U.S. Through vertical videos, uniquely curated social posts and a podcast called “A Bit Fruity,” Bernstein tackles the most pressing—and controversial—issues of our time, but presents them in an accessible and bite-sized way that meets the moment of how consumers want to receive information in 2026.   In this episode of “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton,” Spencer sits down with Bernstein to talk about why far-right podcasters are dominating the Internet, the state of the Democratic party on trans issues and why “nobody [his] age cares about legacy media.” “UNCLOSETED, with Spencer Macnaughton” is a new podcast by Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ-focused nonprofit news publication. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. YouTube // Spotify // Apple  For all of our journalism and for links to all our coverage, go to UnclosetedMedia.com  CREDITS: Host: Spencer Macnaughton Audio Production Intern: Bella Sayegh Editor: Izzy Stokes  Social producer/Design: Sophie Holland Special thanks: Jennifer Moroz and Leital Molad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

UNCLOSETED with Spencer Macnaughton is a podcast that investigates the people, money and power behind anti-LGBTQ ecosystems. Join Spencer twice a month as he interviews newsmakers about the most pressing issues facing the LGBTQ community today. From highlighting the voices of people fighting back against systems of injustice to challenging the forces attempting to undermine queer rights, UNCLOSETED with Spencer Macnaughton offers a perspective on LGBTQ issues you don’t find anywhere else. Spencer Macnaughton is a Gracie Award-winning and Emmy-nominated journalist. He has written and produced for 60 Minutes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Vice, Vox, Time, NBC News, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone, and he teaches LGBTQ journalism at New York University. He founded Uncloseted Media, a nonprofit news publication focused on investigative journalism, in 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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