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In 2023, roughly 81% of all cannabis retailers were owned by cis white men across all legal states. However, a 2020 study performed at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs showed that the LGBTQ+ community consumes the plant at a much higher rate than the heterosexual community. So why haven’t more queer-owned cannabis retailers opened in the varied legal states? Green Qween Cannabis in downtown Los Angeles aims to change this narrative. By focusing on the local queer community and supporting the neighborhood, Green Qween has created a new hub for the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we’re sitting down with the founders, Taylor Bazley and Andrés Rigal to discuss how and why a community-based marijuana business can drive social change and inclusion. Learn more about Green Qween here: https://thegreenqween.com/ Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopgreenqween/

Have you ever seen a gay explorer on TV going on extreme wildlife adventures and introducing audiences to the wonders of nature? Neither had we, but that’s exactly what Dan O’Neill is changing. Not only is he a skilled independent filmmaker and presenter, but he is also pursuing a PhD in zoology, specializing in remote expeditions and conservation biology. Today, Dan will be walking us through his current expedition, as well as reflecting on his recent film projects like “Giants,” which puts audiences face-to-face with the most gigantic animals to ever walk the planet. So, grab your explorer hats and load up on bug spray as we embark on an exciting journey to explore the incredible life of a wildlife enthusiast who's not just making waves but also sparking positive change in the world of science and natural history television. Connect with Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danowild Watch Giants on Curiosity Stream: https://curiositystream.com/collections/183

Propeller is a community-supported social impact platform– the first of its kind. And they connect non-profit organizations, like the Human Rights Campaign, with artists, festivals, and events, to create marketing campaigns that combine activism with unforgettable experiences. Last year, in 2022 alone, Propeller had over 1.3 million registered users, raised $5 million and inspired 7.6 million actions for causes that matter. Look at what Aly & AJ did, raising over $100,000 for The Trevor Project and To Write Love On Her Arms during their spring headline tour. And Demi Lovato has partnered with Propeller twice to raise money and bring awareness to the organizations they love. Today, we’re talking with Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign, and Brandon Deros, Founder and CEO of Propeller, about how their collaboration is reshaping activism through art and social engagement. Learn more about the Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/ Learn more about Propeller: https://www.propeller.la/ From Straw Hut Media

Aydian Dowling first soared into the limelight when he became one of the finalists for Men's Health magazine's "Ultimate Guy" competition, an achievement that echoed far beyond the confines of the publication itself. He ended up as the first trans man to ever appear on the cover. After that, he went on the Ellen Degeneres show and started his career as a speaker, activist, and entrepreneur focused on building community for LGBTQ+ folks everywhere. Aydian Dowling first soared into the limelight when he became one of the finalists for Men's Health magazine's "Ultimate Guy" competition, an achievement that echoed far beyond the confines of the publication itself. He ended up as the first trans man to ever appear on the cover. After that, he went on the Ellen Degeneres show and started his career as a speaker, activist, and entrepreneur focused on building community for LGBTQ+ folks everywhere. Learn more about Point of Pride: https://www.pointofpride.org/ Download the Trace app: https://www.thetrace.app/ Follow Aydian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alionsfear From Straw Hut Media

Step into the vibrant universe of 'Red, White & Royal Blue' with host Levi Chambers in this illuminating episode. We begin by tracing the roots of Casey McQuiston's debut masterpiece — an LGBTQ+ romantic comedy that effortlessly melded politics and royalty, capturing the hearts of readers worldwide. As this modern love story transitions from beloved book to highly anticipated film, Levi examines the nuances of the adaptation process, probing into the challenges and triumphs of transferring a narrative from page to screen. Featuring an in-depth conversation with the film's visionary, playwright, and filmmaker Matthew López, listeners get an exclusive look into the inspirations and aspirations that shaped the cinematic rendition. But the episode doesn't stop at the film's silver-screen journey. Levi delves deeper, discussing broader themes: the story's role in redefining representation in media, its influence in reshaping perceptions of love in a politically charged environment, and its testament to breaking barriers in the modern romance genre. A captivating blend of behind-the-scenes insights, profound societal reflections, and a dash of royal charm — this episode offers both fans and newcomers an intimate understanding of the whirlwind journey of 'Red, White & Royal Blue.' Whether you're eager to relive Alex and Prince Henry's enchanting romance or curious about the intersection of love, politics, and film-making, Levi has prepared a royal banquet of insights. From Straw Hut Media

Amidst the escalating AIDS crisis of the early 1990s, a wave of homophobia cascaded across the US. LGBTQ-related hate crimes didn't merely rise, they skyrocketed, creating a chilling climate of fear nationwide. And in New York City, the epicenter of culture and diversity, the queer community found itself locked in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a serial killer who had made gay men his chosen prey. Based on the book, "Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York" by Elon Green, the new MAX documentary uncovers the unnerving narrative of the murders of gay men in the New York area between 1988 and 1992, unraveling the horrifying mystery of how a relentless killer evaded justice for these heinous crimes for an eerily protracted span. This week, we chat with film makers, Howard Gertler and Anthony Caronna to discuss the chilling four-part documentary, Last Call, and hear firsthand experiences from the creative team on what care went into crafting the series, the powerful narratives they wove together, and the current w

When you think of Nascar, you’re probably not thinking about how the sport can contribute to LGBTQ+ rights. But thanks to one young racecar driver, that’s changing for the better. This week, we talk with NASCAR driver Zach Herrin. In love with racing since the age of 5, he sped towards his dreams and turned pro by 16. As a young person, his most authentic self was constantly challenged by the hypermasculine world of racing. So he opted for a pit stop and stepped away from the sport at just 17. Shifting gears allowed Zach to get in touch with his most authentic self as an out professional athlete. Now, he’s ready for a comeback. So, buckle up and get ready for queer lap around the track. Follow Zach on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zach.herrin Learn more about Racing Pride: https://racingpride.com/ Learn more about Lambda Legal: https://lambdalegal.org/ By Straw Hut Media.

This week on Pride, we explore the Culinary Arts Program based out of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. The Los Angeles LGBT Center provides services for more LGBTQ+ people than any other organization in the world. They have nine different locations throughout Los Angeles. And today's story is about something really special happening at the Anita May Rosenstein campus, which made headlines back in 2019 when it first opened both because of the massive fundraising they did and the ambitious nature of the project. We originally talked with Nick Panepinto, the Director of Culinary Programming at the LA LGBT Center about the importance of mentorship in the LGBTQ+ community. But as we learned more about the program-- an intensive 3-month curriculum that not only trains students in the kitchen but also feeds the community-- we were increasingly inspired and we decided we needed to see it for ourselves. We talk with Nick about how this amazing program brings people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities – housed and unhoused, cis-gendered and trans and everything is between – how it brings folks together around food. And then, with the help of our Pride Correspondent Kris Reaves-Andrews, we visit the Anita May Rosenstein Campus to try the coffee at Liberation Coffee House, see the kitchen in action, and to meet two graduates of the culinary program. Learn more about the LA LGBT Center: https://lalgbtcenter.org/ Learn more about the Culinary Program: https://lalgbtcenter.org/images/Youth/CP20_Culinary_Arts_Brochure.pdf Brought to you by Straw Hut Media.

REDDIT TALK BONUS EPISODE: Please enjoy this recording from our most recent chat with Kevin Aviance, drag performer and club personality, whose hit "Cunty" was sampled on the recent Beyoncé track "Pure/Honey." We invite you to join live future talks by following the subreddit r/lgbt, and we will continue to share recordings of talks as they become available. We're so excited to have partnered with r/lgbt for live weekly Reddit Talks recapping our episodes and providing a platform for listeners and Redditors alike to ask questions and engage with other LGBTQ+ people. Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials. Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials. Have an LGBTQ+ story to share? Email us at pride@strawhutmedia.com. PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Daniel Ferrera. *This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.

We decided to cancel this week’s episode of The Pride Podcast in light of the hateful and violent acts that took place in Colorado Springs at Club Q on Saturday night. LGBTQ+ people are used to swallowing the indignities, big and small. We accept them as a reality of being LGBTQ+ in this world. If this is you, know that your anger, your fear, and your grief are valid. Do not suffer in silence. Let the people in your life in. Lean on your allies. We need one another now more than ever. We want to extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Daniel Aston Derrick Rump Kelly Loving Ashley Paugh Raymond Vance Produced by Straw Hut Media

Maybe it’s the movies, maybe it’s the cold weather, or maybe it’s just in our heads... Either way, the holiday season often brings pressure to find romance, and dating as a queer person can sometimes feel like a minefield. Add in a lack of inclusive language on dating apps and the whole prospect can seem overwhelming. Bumble, Hinge, Grindr, HER, Tinder… Though some are more inclusive than others, they often fall short. But one app is trying really hard to improve the dating experience for the LGBTQ+ community. Almost 20 years ago, OK Cupid introduced online dating to young people. On this week's episode, we’ll hear about OK Cupid’s history of inclusivity and what sets it apart from other dating apps and more from Michael Kaye, the Associate Director of Global Communications at OkCupid. Send us your stories about online dating as a queer person! We love to hear from you: pride@strawhutmedia.com. Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials. Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials. PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. This episode was also produced by Frank Driscoll. It was written and edited by Maggie Boles and Daniel Ferrera. Do you have a queer story to share? Email us at pride@strawhutmedia.com *This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media. Produced by Straw Hut Media

When Beyoncé released her newest album, Renaissance, a few months ago, she paid homage to a culture that shaped who she became as a performer. In her liner notes she said: “Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long. This is a celebration for you.” Today, we talk to one of those pioneers, Kevin Aviance. We learn how a young boy in Richmond, Virginia went from singing Aretha Franklin in his sister's dress to being inducted into the famed House of Aviance in Washington DC, and later sampled on the biggest album of 2022. We talk about the different schools of drag and how the scene has changed over the last 30 years. Does the mainstreaming of drag make the world a safer place? Plus, hear the song that Beyoncé lifted up and celebrated on her track Pure/Honey. Follow Kevin Aviance on instagram: @kevinavianceofficial Your host is Levi Chambers, founder of Rainbo Media Co. You can follow Levi @levichambers across socials. Follow the show and keep up with the conversation @PRIDE across socials. PRIDE is produced by Levi Chambers, Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Brandon Marlo. Edited by Maggie Boles and Daniel Ferrera. Do you have a queer story to share? Email us at pride@strawhutmedia.com *This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media. Produced by Straw Hut Media