Send us a text What does a visionary leader have to say about the future of LGBTQ+ support? Avery Belyeu, CEO of the Montrose Center, joins us to discuss the upcoming Out for Good event and the center's vital role in Houston's LGBTQ+ community. Avery reflects on their seven months at the helm, the collaborative spirit they've encountered, and the r…

Send us a text We speak with Julia Rosenzweig, Archive and Outreach manager for the Curve Foundation. Launched in 1991 as Deneuve magazine, Curve has been America’s best-selling lesbian magazine for nearly three decades. As Curve’s 30th anniversary approached, founder Franco Stevens reimagined how Curve will serve lesbians and queer women in its ne…

Send us a text Join us this week as we sit down with the inspiring Lisa Vogel, the visionary behind the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. At just 19, Lisa's dream of creating a music festival exclusively for women became a reality, drawing thousands in its first year through sheer determination and innovative methods, even before the internet era. S…

Send us a text This episode will only be heard on the podcast, and it features musical comedy actor Kurt Perry being interviewed by BROADWAY WORLD writer Brett Cullum. Kurt is coming to Houston with the Broadway tour of PETER PAN which runs at the Hobby Center on October 1st through the 6th. Tickets can be found at: https://houston.broadway.com/sho…

Send us a text How does LGBTQ+ representation shape the business and civic landscape of Houston? Discover the compelling narratives and insights from Ryan Wilson of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, as he shares the Chamber's mission and the diverse businesses it supports. We'll discuss the growing importance of LGBTQ+ voices on city an…

Send us a text THIS IS A PODCAST EXCLUSIVE - The full session of the interview with Michelle Azar that Brett Cullum conducted for the play "All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" running at the HOBBY CENTER. What if you could step into the shoes of judicial icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg for just an hour and a half? In this episode…

Send us a text Get ready to immerse yourself in a celebration! Taylor Mabrie from the Montrose Center joins Deborah Moncrief-Bell to share the thrilling details of the upcoming Kindred Spirits Dance. This beloved event in Houston is more than just a dance; it’s a joyous gathering that revives the spirit of the original Kindred Spirits nightclub wit…

In the realm of LGBTQ and civil rights politics, there are few people more experienced than the rightfully esteemed Cleve Jones. We’ve interviewed Cleve before, but in light of the upcoming election and the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation and sentiment coming from the conservative side of the political spectrum, we wanted to have Cleve back on …

Send us a text If you are planning on or have seen FUNNY GIRL at the HOBBY CENTER, this one is for you! Brett Cullum talks to Fanny Brice herself in this podcast exclusive conversation with Katerina McCrimmon of FUNNY GIRL, the national Broadway tour! Katerina talks about getting cast in the role of a lifetime and what it is like to step into the l…

Send us a text Firstly, we speak with former Mayor Annise Parker about her time serving as CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund. We talk about her accomplishments while leading this organization as well as what might be in the future. Then, we speak with legendary Nina West from Ru Paul’s Drag Race. We discuss her time on the show as well as her life perf…

Send us a text What does it take to champion LGBTQ rights in a state like Texas? Join us as we sit down with Brad Pritchett, the dedicated Deputy Director of Equality Texas, who sheds light on the organization's relentless efforts to protect and promote LGBTQ rights. Discover the strategic maneuvers Equality Texas employs to thwart discriminatory b…

Michael P. Branch discusses and reads from Rants From The Hill (Roost Books, 2017), a collection of essays about (to borrow from the book’s subtitle) packrats, bobcats, wildfires, curmudgeons, a drunken Mary Kay Lady & other encounters with the wild in Nevada’s high desert. https://michaelbranchwriter.com/ abookanditsauthor@gmail.com Twitter: @it_a…

On Guard Cigar Salon has been producing content for more than 2 years. Often when we finish recording an episode, one of us suddenly thinks "I forgot to say this" or "I wish I had covered that." So, in this Shoulda Coulda Woulda episode we look back at the first 2 years of On Guard and critique ourselves, what did we get right, what did we get wron…

Gay leather and drag cultures have been intertwined for decades. Within gay communities, leather and drag have often formed strong alliances and been considered outsiders, mavericks, and rebels. Leather and drag community members have also often been part of the vanguard of LGBTQ activism. That's why On Guard wanted to interview Brigitte Bandit an …

Robert Aquinas McNally discusses and reads from Cast Out Of Eden: The Untold Story Of John Muir, Indigenous Peoples, And The American Wilderness (Bison Books, 2024), a selective biography examining the complex interplay between Muir’s love of the land and his troubling racial biases. https://www.ramcnally.com/ abookanditsauthor@gmail.com Twitter/X:…

Send us a text Ever wondered how a local festival can unite a diverse community under the rainbow flag? This week, we bring a vibrant spotlight to the Fort Bend County Pride Festival with exclusive insights from Honey Phillips, the festival's President, and Nadia Hakeem, Director of Communications. Get ready to hear about the inclusive activities t…

Robert Miltner discusses and reads from Horse Skull Moon (SurVision Books, 2024), a chapbook of prose poems about landscapes, the passage of time, & our place in the face of such vastness. www.pw.org/directory/writers/robert_miltner www.survisionmagazine.com abookanditsauthor@gmail.com Twitter/X: @it_author Facebook: abookanditsauthor Instagram: a_…

Jared Stanley discusses and reads from So Tough (Saturnalia Books, 2024), a book-length poem deeply couched in the West, where landscapes & human lives, the banal & the extraordinary collide in both violence & in hopefulness. https://jaredstanleyinfo.wordpress.com/ https://saturnaliabooks.com/ abookanditsauthor@gmail.com Twitter: @it_author Faceboo…

Send us a text On this episode of QUEER VOICES, Bryan Hlavinka talks with Legacy's Timmy Martinez as he prepares for MISS MINT JULIP being held at Bayou Music Center on July 21st from 2:30 pm onwards. The show is an annual fundraiser for Legacy Community Health, and this year is bigger than ever. It's at a new venue with three distinct hosts for th…

Jenn Windrow discusses her novel Evil’s Unlikely Assassin (Irreverent Publishing, 2018), the first volume in the urban fantasy Alexis Black series about a reluctant vampire charged with slaying other creatures of the night, a task carried out with a ragtag team of misfits and a heaping dose of snark. https://jennwindrow.com/ abookanditsauthor@gmail…

Send us a text What does it mean to explore gender fluidity through performance? Join us as we unpack this and more in our enlightening chat with Paul Whitehead, the creative force behind his drag queen persona, Tricia Van Cleef. Inspired by the likes of David Bowie and Mick Jagger, Paul navigates the duality of his identity and the transformative …

Send us a text What if you were suddenly faced with a life-altering diagnosis? This week on Queer Voices, we have an intimate and heartfelt conversation with David Taffet, senior staff writer for the Dallas Voice and co-host of Lambda Weekly. David opens up about his recent diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, sharing the challenges he encountered w…

Send us a text Meet the Female-Identifying Grand Marshal for NEW FACES OF PRIDE, a parade and festival being held in Houston on June 22nd! What challenges do you face as a trailblazer in your field? Captain Iris Rodriguez knows all too well the hurdles and triumphs that come with breaking barriers. Join us as we share her extraordinary journey from…

Send us a text What if you could transform adversity into a force for change? Join Brett Cullum as we sit down with Paige Fastnow, co-president of Rice Pride, to uncover how they and their organization are tirelessly supporting queer college students in Houston amidst the challenges posed by SB 17 legislation. Paige offers a compelling narrative of…

Send us a text How does an artist capture the essence of a community through a mural? On this episode of Queer Voices, we speak with the talented gay Swiss artist Mark Bauer, who shares his creative journey and mission while working on a new project at the Menil Drawing Institute. We unpack the depth of his research process and how his artwork refl…

Send us a text Happy Pride! This is a podcast exclusive that you will not hear on KPFT! The Barricade Boys are coming to Houston and performing at the Hobby Center on Thursday, June 6th, at 7 pm and Friday, June 7th, at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be found at: https://www.thehobbycenter.org/shows-tickets/ Brett Cullum interviews Kieran Brown and Scott Gar…

Send us a text Kendra Walker, President of Pride Houston 365, takes us on a remarkable journey through the history and future of Pride in Houston. From the spirited Anita Bryant protests to the trailblazing activism of Larry Bagneris, Kendra shares the inspiring origins of the Houston Pride movement. She also reveals exciting plans for the 46th ann…

Send us a text We speak with Houston Pride 365 honorary grand marshal, Sara Fernandez. We discuss her activism and her work in creating the banner project. Houston lesbian activist Sara Fernandez was visiting museums in New York City in the spring of 2013 when she first became inspired to bring her hometown’s LGBTQ history to life. While the exhibi…

Send us a text Imagine navigating the complex and often harrowing world of Haitian politics with someone as informed and passionate as journalist and activist Anne-christine d'Adesky. That's exactly what we do in our latest episode, as Anne-Christine shares her deeply personal connections to Haiti and her experiences fighting against HIV/AIDS. The …

Send us a text Discover the vibrant spirit of community and activism as we converse with Poonam Kapoor from the Victory Fund about the exhilarating Sunday Funday event, celebrating and bolstering LGBTQ candidates. We're also joined by Texas Senate hopeful Molly Cook, as she passionately discusses the interplay of social issues from school safety to…

Send us a text As we unfurl the vibrant tapestry of LGBTQ narratives, our Queer Voices family is set to embark on a heartfelt journey, resonating with both celebration and challenge. Our latest episode commemorates the cherished Lavender Graduation, an enduring beacon of progress for LGBTQ students, and we navigate the turbulent waters of Texas Sen…

Music is such an important part of our culture and that includes queer, leather, and kink culture. The On Guard crew has had their gay and kinkster journeys influenced by music throughout the years. In this episode, each of us talks about the music that has had the most impact on us and why. Huge thank you to our sponsor: http://LeatherDaddySkin.co…

Send us a text Imagine stepping into the sequined boots of a pop culture icon; that's the exhilarating challenge Ella Perez takes on night after night as Babe Cher in "The Cher Show." As I sit with her, we peel back the curtain on channeling Cher's spirit without falling into imitation—no easy feat when you're portraying the Goddess of Pop. Ella's …

Send us a text When love and human interaction get tangled in extremities, the heart yearns for a voice that dares to explore these infinite complexities. That's why we called upon Walt Zipprian, Houston's alternative theater virtuoso, to unravel the threads of Sarah Kane's "Cleansed" in its regional premiere. Alongside this deep dive into the tran…

Send us a text Stepping into the spotlight is Brandon Mack, a beacon of hope and relentless fighter for the LGBTQ community. As a nominee for Pride Grand Marshal, male identifying, Brandon's story is one of undying passion and unwavering commitment. Our conversation traverses the inspiring landscape of his twenty-year activism odyssey, shedding lig…

Send us a text Join the celebration of resilience and jubilation as we spotlight Kevin Anderson, a lighthouse of advocacy in Houston's vibrant LGBTQ community and a nominee for Grand Marshal at the city's Pride 365 Pride Parade. Kevin bestows upon us the transformative power of storytelling, emphasizing how it fosters healing and fortitude, especia…

Send us a text Odyssey Oakengrove - Grand Marshal nominee -- Kevin O'Connor, LGBTQ author --Mr. Prime Choice James Martinez We speak with Odyssey Oakengrove. Odyssey Oakengrove grew up in Houston and quickly moved back after their boyfriend broke off the relationships, saying that Odyssey was “too involved in the gay community, the trans community,…

Bootblacks. What do they do, and why? What are some of the ins and outs of bootblacking itself? How do bootblacks fit into the fabric of kink and leather culture. These are just some of the questions we asked one of the country's preeminent bootblacks, Buck Harder. You'll find Buck teaching or practicing his craft on his social media channels, at l…

Russell Jones and Jason Wrubell, the authors behind the Lewis Allan pen name, discuss and read from Mouse In The Box (Stretched Studio LLC, 2023), a legal thriller in which criminal defense attorney, Mason Mitchell, finds himself taking on two high-profile cases that rattle his faith in the system and put him in very real physical peril. https://ww…

Send us a text Grand marshal finalists 2024 As we unfurl the banners of Pride and allyship, I'm thrilled to bring you heartening conversations from Queer Voices that not only celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community but also highlight the relentless support of our allies. We engage with State Representative John Rosenthal, whose journey from the energy sec…

Seanan McGuire discusses the eighteenth novel in the October Daye series, The Innocent Sleep (DAW Books, 2023), in which Tybalt, King of Cats, seeks to restore a reality rewritten by Titania, Mother of Illusions. And to reforge his mostly forgotten marriage to Toby Daye. https://www.seananmcguire.com/ abookanditsauthor@gmail.com Twitter: @it_author…

Send us a text Dylan Forbis - transgender activist, Jimbo - Drag All Star, Late Night Catechism Nun As the vibrant hues of Houston's Pride rainbow unfurl, we're joined by Dylan Forbis, a transgender man whose tapestry of activism has positioned him as a candidate for Houston Pride 365 Grand Marshal. Dillon's story is a beacon for the LGBTQIA commun…

John Shirley discusses and reads from Axle Bust Creek (Pinnacle Books, 2022), the first novel in the Cleve Trewe western trilogy, in which our hero comes to the titular town, Axle Bust, to claim his uncle’s mine and finds corporate intrigue, merciless outlaws, and a charmingly free-thinking woman. Plus music by John Shirley and the Screaming Geezer…

Katya Cengel discusses and reads from Straitjackets And Lunch Money, a harrowing account of the authors time in a psychosomatic ward, viewed from the perspective of the 10-year-old child who underwent the experience and from that of the journalist that she would eventually become. https://katyacengel.com/ https://www.woodhallpress.com/ abookanditsa…

Send us a text As we sit down with the remarkable Atlantis Narcisse, her story unfolds, revealing the heart and soul she pours into Save Our Sisters United and her crucial role as a house mother. This week's conversation is nothing short of inspiring as we honor her nomination for Grand Marshal at Houston's Pride 365 Parade and delve into her commi…

Bernard Schopen discusses and reads from his novel Drowning In The Desert (University of Nevada Press, 2023), a “Nevada noir” in which an ex-deputy sheriff, Norman “Fats” Wrangle, sifts through the lies and corruption of the Silver State while navigating his own deeply flawed character. https://unpress.nevada.edu/ https://baobabpress.com/ abookandi…

Send us a text Join me, Bryan Hlavinka, as I sit down with the insightful Brandon Mack to peel back the curtain on the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus's intense endorsement process. Discover the weight such an endorsement carries and the grueling scrutiny candidates endure to secure this emblem of progressive support. We navigate the significance o…

Send us a text As the curtains rise on another episode of Queer Voices, we're whisked backstage into the world of "On Your Feet," where the effervescent Gaby Albo lets us in on the subtleties of channeling Gloria Estefan's spirit. Gaby’s anecdotes about her journey from the gymnastics vault to the theatre stage are not only inspiring but brimming w…

Send us a text On tonight’s Queer Voices, we speak with Allison Mathis, a candidate for 338th Judicial District Court Judge of Harris County. She is a native Houstonian who grew up in Spring Branch. When she was a teenager, she watched her brilliant, funny aunt struggle with a crack cocaine addiction that destroyed her life and sent her in and out …

For 40 years the Tom of Finland Foundation has been dedicated to protecting, preserving, and promoting the erotic arts. The On Guard crew was lucky enough to interview Durk Dehner, Co-Founder of the TOF Foundation, while we were in Palm Springs Live at the Tool Shed bar during Palm Springs Leather Pride weekend. Durk tells us stories about Tom, his…