Rated LGBT Radio

Today's LGBTQ Workplace Experience: the Shine the Light Study is Here

How is your work-life in the Trump2 era?  Today, we get an insightful look thanks to the new Shine the Light Study report. My guests are Evan Linett, the lead researcher, and Veronica Comings, a Be the Transformational Change Fund board member.
 The study found that 74% of LGBTQ employees experienced workplace support, though 49% witnessed discrimination, with notable differences across generations and identity groups. We discuss issues from dress expectations to restroom comfort, and everything in between.  

The Sensational DJ and EDM Songster BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT

My guest today is DJ Bright Light Bright Light, who is fresh from his Cosmic Light North American Tour,with Queen of the Universe winner, Grag Queen. The tour brought queer joy to 17 cities across the U.S., celebrating the community that he is so proud to be part of and continues to uplift.
His music is infectious, exciting, and in many cases, deeply romantic. He is a talent that the uber-talented appreciate and seek out. As an award-winning independent artist from Wales, UK living in New York City he has collaborated with Sir Elton John, Erasure, Scissor Sisters, Justin Vivian Bond, Alan Cumming and Madonna's iconic backing vocalists Niki & Donna . He has also toured with, and opened for Cher, performed at Prides and festivals across Europe & the U.S. He is known for his energetic live shows full of joy, humor and hope. His most recent album Enjoy Youth  was a Top 10 selling album in the United Kingdom. He’s remixed tracks by Sylvester, Bananarama, Erasure, Dannii Minogue, and Caveboy and Lent, with music Bible NME calling him “The boy Robyn in all but name”. When not on tour, he can be found spinning the decks at Alan Cumming’s East Village nightlife haven, Club Cumming, with his weekly Time Out New York-endorsed Romy & Michele’s Saturday Afternoon Tea Dance
To quote his song BOYS ETC. I’m not like the other boys—I'm giving you music, they're giving you noise…

AMERICAN TRICKSTER, a Brilliant Expose of Faux Anthropologist Carlos Castaneda by Ru Marshall

My guest today is the multi-talented Ru Marshall. They discuss their new book "American Trickster: The Hidden Lives of Carlos Castaneda." Ru, an award-winning non-binary writer and visual artist, explores how Carlos Castaneda, a faux anthropologist who created the fictional character Don Juan, pulled off one of the greatest literary hoaxes in modern history.
Our conversation delves into Castaneda's background, including his family's controversial past in Peru, his academic connections at UCLA, and how he built a cult following around his teachings. Ru also discusses the parallels between Castaneda's methods and modern cult leadership, particularly comparing them to current political figures. The book, published by OR Books, is available for order and Ru will be conducting readings in New York and California in the coming weeks.

The New Hitchcock-esque Crime Drama Film LONG TIME LISTENER -Danielle Nicolet and Cleo Berry

Sharp and thrilling, the new film Long Time Listener tells the story of a true-crime podcaster who becomes the target of a mysterious “long time listener,” and fame quickly turns deadly. Pulled into a web of secrets that grow darker by the minute, she faces long-buried truths that blur the line between storyteller and victim … and raises one terrifying question: Who’s really in control of the story?
My guests today are director/star Danielle Nicolet and star Cleo Berry.
Pulse-pounding from its opening scene, this noir-esque thriller marks Danielle's(The Flash, Central Intelligence), directorial debut. Balancing stylish tension with character-driven suspense, Nicolet proves as confident behind the camera as she is in front of it.
Cleo shines as Max, a prominent queer character trying to make sense of the deadly threats around him.
Both my guests are accomplished actors, writers, and directors.
 

Long-term Care for LGBTQ Seniors

This episode of Rated LGBTQ Radio focused on long-term planning for LGBTQ couples, featuring guest Steve Shapiro, a long-term care specialist. He emphasized that the ideal time to begin planning is in one's 50s rather than waiting until retirement age, as many insurance options become unavailable due to health issues by age 65-70. Steve also addressed specific concerns for LGBTQ individuals, noting that while same-sex marriage provides financial benefits, many LGBTQ people face challenges with family support systems and may need to consider long-term care planning regardless of marital status.

Anthony Bawn, prolific filmmaker, the ALMOST US premiere and LGBTQ POC Films

My guest is the award-winning filmmaker Anthony Bawn! We discuss his mission to give LGBTQ POC a platform and a filmic presence with the free streaming platform www.watchvim.com and the premiere of  his new film ABOUT US. Almost Us sparks with a fiery one-night stand between Darren, a closeted and politically connected real estate developer, and Jason, an openly queer and charismatic community organizer. What begins as passion and escape quickly spirals into a collision of worlds when Darren’s luxury redevelopment project sets its sights on the Baldwin Cultural Center—Jason’s beloved sanctuary and a vital organizing hub for the city’s LGBTQ community.

Gilded Age's Claybourne Elder and His New Album IF THE STARS WERE MINE

My guest is the uber-talented Claybourne Elder, recently known as John Adams on the hit The Gilded Age. Claybourne has received nominations from award bodies including the Grammys, Screen Actors Guild, Drama Desk, and Lucille Lortel. Recently, he did a turn on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning revival of Company. His extensive stage career includes Bonnie and Clyde, Sunday in the Park with George, Torch Song, Wild Party , and Sondheim on Sondheim, among many others.
He is about to drop his debut solo album, If the Stars Were Mine. The album is defined by its inventive arrangements and range of material. Familiar songs are reimagined in ways that are often surprising—sometimes intimate, sometimes daring—inviting listeners to hear well-known material through a fresh lens. The track list moves effortlessly from Whitney Houston to Sondheim and the Great American Songbook, unified by Elder’s singular ability to blend storytelling, humor, and emotional candor with a voice critics consistently praise for its warmth, clarity, and expressive power.

Director and Writer Honey Lauren and the film MISTAKE currently wowing film festivals worldwide

My guest is Honey Lauren, the multi-award-winning writer, director and actress, with over 100 film and TV credits and dozens of commercial appearances. Today we talk about her debut feature film, MISTAKE, which is astounding film festival attendees across the globe. 
Just in the last few weeks, it won the Director's Choice for Most Inspirational Feature at the Sedona Film Festival, and Best Feature Film at the REEL Equals Film Festival.
The film is set in 1941, somewhere in the American South, a child is born between the sexes.  The parents must choose, boy or girl. Thirty years later, with hormone treatment, Larry is raised a man. The Deep South is anything but an understanding environment in which to realize that a mistake has been made.
 

Acclaimed Film and Theater Director Fia Perera and the new film MERMAID

My guest is the multi-talented Fia Perera the passionate LGBTQ+ advocate who is focused on making films that can move the needle for marginalized communities.  Her recent feature documentary Paul and Trisha: The Art of Fluidity (2024) garnered critical acclaim for its intimate portrait of two 77-year-old British artists living in one gender-fluid body.
Today we talk about her new film currently hitting the film festival circuit, MERMAID. which is an unexpected story of friendship between a trans-feminine child (a naturalistic star-making performance from 11 year old non-binary wunderkind actor Devyn McDowel) who longs to be a mermaid, and an emotionally wrecked and jaded drag performer. Their improbable relationship blossoms into a richly emotional bond, and coalesces into a new kind of family — loud, imperfect, and radically affirming.

Power Pop Band PARKER WOODLAND's Hot New Anthem: POLICE ON MY BACK

My guests today are two thirds of the activist power trio Parker Woodland, Keri and Erin. We talk about the thrilling anthems in their catalogue of songs, including songs directly supporting queer youth. Parker Woodland is known for high-energy live shows featuring melodic-psych guitar from Andrew Solin, pounding drums from Keri Cinquina, powerhouse vocals from Erin Walter, and cinematic visuals from lighting designer Starr Long. "Police On My Back" and "Get Me to the Show” have become staples of their live shows, with Erin jumping into the crowd to decry the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in cities across the U.S. Fresh off a Midwest/Southeast tour, Parker Woodland will be featured in French author Benoit Cohen's upcoming documentary on U.S. artists resisting fascism.