Apple first added a podcast library to the iTunes catalog in 2005.
Fausto Fernós and Marc Felion were ahead of the curve, and their variety podcast “Feast of Fun” (née “Feast of Fools”) was the first to be hosted by openly gay couple.
It landed on the first iTunes Top 50 list in 2006.
Since then, audiobooks, film analysis, news programs, talk shows, true crime and history lessons have found their place in the market, but queer presence can still be spotted anywhere you look in the world of podcasting.
Some of the best LGBTQ podcasts available today include such topics as “Drag Race,” financial literacy, comedy, the news, and pop culture. From soundtracking your morning commute to acting as an aural companion in the kitchen, the world of podcasts offers opportunities to learn, laugh, cry, ponder.
Some are funny, some are insightful, some are a mix of both, but all of them are unapologetically queer.
Courtesy Las Culturistas
Las Culturistas
In 2016, before Bowen Yang was on SNL, he created a podcast alongside best friend and fellow NYU alumnus Matt Rogers.
In the six intervening years, during which ranted about Bennifer, toenails and invited guests from Padma Lakshmi to Trixie Mattel, their podcast has become less a commentary on pop culture and more cultural touchstone in and of itself.
There’s always something to learn from Yang and Rogers, even if you may disagree with their takes.
Still Processing
Produced by the New York Times and hosted by film critic Wesley Morris (co-host Jenna Wortham is on leave), this wide-ranging series breaks down trends in popular culture and the internet.
Topics range from “Sex, Death and Bunnies,” a look back at “Fatal Attraction” — to examining icons like Tina Turner and Ella Fitzgerald and dissecting the fine art of the celebrity apology, from Lil Nax X to Justin Timberlake.
“Still Processing” brings queer sensibility to wide range of cultural subjects.
Making Gay History
This podcast is a multi-part series on topics like “Coming of Age During the AIDS Crisis” and the Stonewall uprising. From historic interviews with figures like Christopher Isherwood, Larry Kramer, Lorraine Hansberry, Quentin Crisp and Meg Christian to the visionary activists who started the gay rights movement.
“Making Gay History” uses the subject’s own voices to illuminate the long, arduous road to equality.
Like a Virgin
Self-described “godless heathens” Rose Dommu and Fran Tirado bring new perspective to the world of comedic cultural criticism with their strong rapport, knowledge of gay history and strong affinity for gay icons.
Each episode begins with a recap of the week’s gayest moments in pop culture news before diving into a singular topic, like Hercules to smizing.
Occasional guests keep the vibe fresh with their irreverent sense of humor.
The Bright Sessions
This Had Oscar Buzz
Entertainment writers and Oscar obsessives Joe Reid and Chris Feil talk about movies that had Oscar aspirations, but didn’t quite work out. From “Notting Hill” to “The Da Vinci Code” and “Margot at the Wedding,” their deep knowledge of movies combines with dose of humor and great rapport with each other.
WOW Report
From the studio that brought you “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” World of Wonder’s WOW Report, which exists alongside other queer-centered podcasts, is a breakdown of the week’s news with intelligent commentary and tidbits of queer history.
WOW co-founder Fenton Bailey, chief creative officer Tom Campbell and WOW report editor James St. James host show knowledge and insider experience from the world of LGBTQ media.
Sibling Rivalry
Hosted by Monét X Change and Bob The Drag Queen, best friends who are both “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winners, this podcast refuses to stick to any topic or tone, but is consistent in the hilarious chemistry of its co-hosts and an off-the-cuff.
Subjects range from Elon Musk to drag to DILFs to ancient Mesopotamia. Come for the endless barrage of insults that Monét and Bob throw at one another, stay for surprisingly touching insights into the world we live in.
Horror Queers
Horror films have long relationship with queer culture, starting as far back as the 1936 queer-coded “Dracula’s Daughter.” On this long-running show, co-hosts Joe Lipsett and Trace Thurman cover films with both subtle and over LGBTQ themes. Recent episodes include a bonus episode on Alex Garland’s “Men,” an examination of the nearly-lost 1971 “Wake in Fright” and a look at the experimental “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair.”
Queer Money
David and John are husbands who started out just like a lot of us — completely clueless about where their money was going and why there was never enough to live fabulously. They came up with their own method for paying off debt more effectively and now tackle everything from how changes in Social Security could benefit same sex couples to how LGBTQ travelers can save money, how to find your purpose and how to talk about money with your partner.
