Rated Lgbt Radio

The Netflix series "Warrior Nun" is a powerhouse tour-d-force of woman empowerment while being a provacateur of deeply traditional religious mythologies. "After waking up in a morgue, an orphaned teen discovers she now possesses superpowers as the chosen Halo-Bearer for a secret sect of demon-hunting nuns." The "demon-hunting nuns" have a foundational and guiding mother figure, aptly named Mother Superion, played by acclaimed actress Sylvia De Fanti. Sylvia is our guest today. The ground-breaking series is highly regarded by critics, and has established a deeply loyal following who call themselves Nunkind or Halo Bearers (we will explain on the show).  The second season scored 100% from critics and 99% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, a record high for a Netflix original series. When Netflix did not order a third season, a movement has exploded.  #SaveWarriorNun trended immediately following the news (it has been tweeted more than 5 million times). More than 107,000 people have signed an online petition to

Welcome back to Rated G Radio! Tonight Garrett welcomes back fan-favorite special guest co-host, Stephanie Gerard.  You'll remember Stephanie from her highly acclaimed "Journey with Stephanie" podcast where she interviews healers and other gifted souls.   Stephanie will update us on what's been happening in her world.  We'll talk about what's coming up for our Summer plans - and, of course, Rated G Radio's Hot Topics.   If you would like to call in ON TOPIC to chat, please call 323 657-1493. To schedule a private reading with Stephanie for her unique chakra healing, theta energy healing or spiritual readings - simply click HERE.

Today is everything you did not know about women's Roller Derby through the eyes of six powerful players.  We discuss their stories told in the new documentary Minnesota Mean by Dawn Mikkelson. “Minnesota Mean” follows a tumultuous year in the lives of the six core members of the Minnesota RollerGirls, one of the most competitive roller derby teams in the world, as they strive to win the Hydra, the top prize in Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby. In the film, the star of the team gets injured, and the film shows how her teammates find their own power. “Minnesota Mean” is not just a riveting human drama about the pounding heart of roller derby, but about the spirit of powerful, self-sufficient women from all walks of life and identity (straight, gay, trans, etc.). It’s a vital and relevant story of triumph, loss, strength, determination, and a search for balance between individuality and community.   Dawn is our guest today and is an extraordinary LGBTQ director, editor & producer, who embraces stories and

Taiko is a rich and varied form of drumming that is part of Japan's cultural heritage. While it originally started in other parts of Asia, it emerged in Japan over 2000 years ago. It became a powerful motivator in military preparations and evolved into Japanese Buddhist and Shinto religions as a sacred instrument. Taiko literally means "drum" in Japanese, and the musical discipline of Taiko takes that instrument to its most impactful limits. Because of its origins in patriarcal warfare and religious traditions, Taiko has been done for centuries only by men. Forty years ago, women musicians around the world became enthralled with the art form and have individually created their own Taiko compositions and disciplines. None of their efforts were collaborative or integrated -- each artist created and performed on her own. Until now.  Jennifer Weir, our guest today, is the Executive Director of TaikoArts Midwest. She decided to create the very first concert that would bring together all the female, and nonb

Our guest today brings a unique blends of talent and perspective. Sasha Korbut is a Russian-American dancer, actor, writer, and producer based in New York City. Sasha began his career as a journalist, TV host, and producer at National Television in Russia and later contributed to numerous print and online magazines. A graduate of the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, he has been dancing and acting professionally for more than two decades and has worked for dance companies in Russia, South Korea, Spain, China, and the United States. Today we will be discussing his debut as a film director and his new film Incomplete. Dance movement plays an intrigal part of the film's emotion and impact. Of the film, Sasha has said, "I wanted to focus on the sense of isolation and loneliness within the LGBTQIA+ community. But these issues are universal and while filming in 2022, I strongly felt the echoes of all the sadly lost connections we experienced during the COVID-19 worldwide lockdown." With co-host Brody Leves

Americans sat back in horror on March 27, 2023, as news of a mass shooting hit the airwaves and social media. The shooting occurred at The Covenant School, a private Presbyterian parochial school in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. Six people—three children and three staff members—were killed. First reports indicated that the shooter was "a woman."  Further investigation indicates that the shooter was trans or non-binary.  While most sane people are reacting to America's seemingly inability to solve the rising gun violence crisis, right wing voices from Marjorie Taylor Greene, to the New York Post, to Tucker Carlson are using the killings to raise ire against the transgender "community."  Carlson has elevated the murders to being a hatred and a war declared against Christians by transgender people. Today we discuss the escalating attacks on transgenderr people with award winning, premier civil rights attorney Shannon Minter. Shannon serves as the legal director of the National Center f

Washington Blade Editor, Kevin Naff is known for best-in-class journalism and coverage of LGBTQ people and issues. He has been with the Blade since 2002, when he took the helm of the nation's oldest LGBTQ news organization. Previous to that, he spent four years at The Baltimore Sun, helping launch the paper's web site in 1996. He has worked as a financial reporter for Reuters, edited a national business trade journal and spent a year in the communications office of a U.S. senator. He graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and holds a master's certificate in public policy. He has written a poignant memoir leveraging his birds-eye view of LGBTQ history through the marriage equality, hate crimes legislation, and  defeat of DADT fights. The memoir is boldly titled "How We Won the War for LGBTQ Equality", but its subtitle is the one to which we all need to pay attention:  "And How Our Enemies Could Take it All Away". Fear not, this is no dry telling of gay history, h

We look at the art of film and television casting today with acclaimed casting director, and gay man, Matthew Lessall. Matthew's latest accolade is an Achievement in Casting nomination for a Canadian "Oscar" bestowed by the Canadian Screen and Television Academy.  The nomination recoginizes his work on The Swearing Jar,  Described as "intelligent, hopeful and heartbreaking", Michael casted  Patrick J. Adams, Adelaide Clemmons, Douglas Smith, and Kathleen Turner as its stars.  A romantic musical, the film is about a music teacher who both loves her husband, and falls in love with another musician. A two-term former Casting Society of America (CSA) president, Matthew was born in London and raised in New York.  After graduating from DePauw University, with a degree in Communications, Lessall moved to London to study acting at LAMDA, but ended up finding his niche in Casting.  With his prophetic eye for great talent, Matthew cast Anna Kendrick in her first major film role, having done the same for many other no

Here with the launch of the fantastic new rock anthem Thin Ice, we talk to singer/songwriter Sonia Leigh. 'Thin Ice' is a hard hitting anthem fueled with pure rock and roll energy. With nods to The Killers, Bruce Springsteen, and Joan Jett, its growl calls for burning down the barriers around one’s self to realize full potential. It highlights the feeling of walking a tightrope of self-doubt that can keep you in a self-created prison. ‘Thin Ice’ emulates the courage to step into your power and soar. At 17, Sonia left home due to her family's issues with her sexuality. Hers is a story of owning her true self and finding the artistry to express it. Sonia Leigh’s musical style cannot be put in a box. From Hip-Hop to Country to Pop and Rock and Roll. Her Southern Ground debut album, 1978 December, was where Sonia made her country catapult. The first single off the album "My Name Is Money," hit Top 40 at US Country Radio. She also co-wrote the Zac Brown Band #1 singles "Goodbye in Her Eyes" and "Sweet Annie

Today we talk about the black queer experience on college campuses with author Michael P. Jeffries.  His new book Black and Queer on Campus challenges stereotypes regarding black culture and LGBTQ+ people. Michael chronicles how black LGBTQ+ students face particular challenges, including dealing with lack of understanding or outright rejection from their birth and home families while struggling to find mentors they can trust and spaces on campus where they can be themselves and feel safe. The book draws on in-depth interviews with 65 Black LGBTQ+ students—40 from nine different historically black colleges/universities and another 25 from seven predominately white institutions. Michael is Dean of Academic Affairs, Class of 1949 Professor in Ethics, and Professor of American Studies at Wellesley College. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and is the author of three previous books on race and American culture: Thug Life: Race, Gender, and the Meaning of Hip Hop, Paint the White House Black: Barack Obama an

Desmond Napoles is the drag queen teenager who is changing the world. They are a multi-awarded LGBTQ+ advocate, genderfluid editorial and runway model, motivational public speaker, performer, clothing designer, actor, singer, host, social media influencer and published author. Desmond has been showered with praise and admiration, however, all that has come at a huge cost. They and their family has also been harassed, threatened and publicly abused. Recently, a book  reading that Desmond was headlining at a public library was shut down by a bigot who threatened physical violcence.  Spcecifically, the troll threatened “I’m going to that library, I’m going with a bucked of dog shit and I’m pouring it on your parents and rubbing it into their eyes.”  Desmond has been featured in major outlets such as The New York Times, NBC News, Teen Vogue, OUT Magazine, among many others. They use their voice and visibility to help break down barriers and create a more inclusive society for LGBTQ+ people everywhere. Today we

Telling the story of the AIDS epidemic from the AIDS Project Los Angeles perspective, filmmaker Jeffrey Schwartz joins us again on RATED LGBT RADIO. We spoke to Jeffrey a few months ago about his gay love story film, "Boulevard". Stories of the AIDS crisis have been widely told with New York City or San Francisco as the backdrop. Jeffrey's new film Commitment to Life focuses on the emergence of AIDS Project LA,, its founders, and how it awakened Hollywood to challenge the inertia of the public in its response to AIDS. AIDS Project Los Angeles stepped into the center of the AIDS storm through a committed group of activists who helped care for the sick and dying, while at the same time lobbied those in Hollywood to contribute to the fight. APLA brought together A-list stars like Elizabeth Taylor, who used her celebrity to advocate for people with AIDS and inspired the Hollywood community to do the same.  The film covers and features  Nancy Cole, one of the founders of AIDS Project Los Angeles, one of the firs

As the new documentary Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection hits the Santa Barbara Film Festival, we talk to its producer and author of the book on which the film is based. His name is Randy L. Schmidt and the book is Little Girl Blue , which was a New York Times Editor's Choice, and on the Wall Street Journal's Best Seller List. He has written numerous projects based on the Carpenters as well as biographies on Judy Garland and Dolly Parton.He has served as creative consultant for several television documentaries on the Carpenters, including the E! "True Hollywood Story," A&E's "Biography," and VH1's "Behind the Music." , and was a contributor to the award-winning podcast, DOLLY PARTON'S AMERICA. A  music educator in Denton, Texas, the gay publication He Said dubbed him as the handsome author "Mr. Aficionado." With co-host Brody Levesque  

Today we talk to musical artist Tripping jupiter and play their new song Torn America!   The face of Tripping Jupiter is that of Madstone Rowan (they/them, he/them), a vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter based in New York City who is seamlessly two parts groove, one part empowerment, plus just a spritz of glitter. Madstone creates a transcendent view of art and of music and presents it without societal restrictions or self-imposed limits. The result is barrier-free freedom presented within the sonics and visuals of modern rock and retro-pop sensibilities.   With co-host Brody Levesque

ABC is about to launch a fun new series, Not Dead Yet. From creators David Windsor and Casey Johnson ("This Is Us," "The Real O'Neals") and starring Gina Rodriguez, "Not Dead Yet" follows Nell Serrano (Rodriguez), a broke and newly single self-described disaster, working to restart the life and career she left behind 10 years ago.  Josh Banday plays Dennis, Nell's boss who happend to be bi.  Josh also happens to be bi. He is an LA actor who appeared as Ivan on Amazon's Upload by Greg Daniels. He has also appeared on The Big Bang Theory, Mom, Adam Ruins Everything, and will appear on the upcoming series Pam and Tommy. He got his comedy chops appearing in shows at Second City, and the Groundling's Sunday Company.   With co-host Brody Levesque 

Our guest Jose Rolon is best known for his NYCGayDad Tiktoks starring him and his three kids. While several of those clips have gone viral and gotten him appearances on the TODAY Show, NowThis News, Ellen’s Game of Games, Tamron Hall Show, Univision Se Habla USA, and The Drew Barrymore Show. He is the first gay dad to be on the cover of Parents Latina Magazine.  He also has a career influencing people's loves lives. He is one of the top rising wedding planners in NYC. He is frequently sought for his expertise on The New York Times, Brides, NACE, and more, as well as his work featured with Martha Stewart, Essence Magazine, Sophisticated Weddings Magazine, New York Weddings, the Best of The Knot, and was named one Biz Bash's Most Influential Event Professionals. He is the co-host of Crackle's new series Wedding Talk, host of The Know's Parenting Wins.   With co-host Brody Levesque  

The award winning documentary No Straight Lines shows how comic books and strips have provided a unique, uncensored window into LGBTQ lives from the 1970s onward, beginning at a time in which there was no other genuine queer storytelling in popular culture. The film focuses on the story of five scrappy and pioneering cartoonists who depicted everything from the AIDS crisis, coming out, and same-sex marriage, to themes of race, gender, and disability. They tackled the humor in queer lives in a changing world, and the everyday pursuits of love, sex, and community. Today we talk to the film's producer/director Vivlan Kleinman!  Vivian is known for tackling challenging subjects and filmic approaches. She executive produced the Academy Award nominated documentary short Last Day of Freedom; she produced the Peabody Award-winning Color Adjustment; and was director/producer of Families Are Forever (Outfest Audience Award) as well as other significant credits. With co-host Brody Levesque  

Reality show My Unorthodox Life documents Julia Haart and her children's decision to leave the Haredi Jewish community in Monsey, New York and pursue their passions for fashion and design. The series features Julia's best friend Robert Brotherun-- they are kind of the Will and Grace of reality TV.  In the second season, Ra'ed enters the series as Robert's boyfriend and partner. Today, Ra'ed enters OUR scene, to tell us about life as an Arab-American gay reality star, his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights as well as his connections to native Lebanon and conditions there.   With co-host Brody Levesque

Mid November a gun man killed 5 at Club Q in Colorado. 17 were injured. The Club was a well known venue for drag performances and an easy target for anti-LGBTQ hate. This week, there was a House Committee meeting looking into the growing anti-LGBTQ violence in America. Survivors of both the Club Q and Pulse masacres spoke. “To the politicians and activists who accuse LGBTQ people of grooming children and being abusers: shame on you,” Michael Anderson, Club Q survivor said to them. “As leaders of our country, it is your obligation to represent all of us, not just the ones you happen to agree with. Hate speech turns into hate action, and actions based on hate almost took my life from me, at 25 years old.”  Club Q owner Matthew Haynes responded to GOP "thoughts and prayers" saying, "I ask you today, not simply what are you doing to safeguard LGBTQ Americans; but rather, what are you or other leaders doing to make America unsafe for LGBTQ people." Today we discuss these attacks with two very close to the issue.

The brand new Amazon Prime film, Guadalajara is now available! Many years in the making, this film was inspired by the true life events of a trans teen growing up in East L.A. This thrilling drama tells the story of Guadalajara Bustamante and her relationship with her mother as she befriends the neighborhood queen bees, and begins going down a destructive path. Today we talk to the film's producer/writer and star, Alexander Justin Gonzales. As a Tejano-American filmmaker and a member of the LGBT community, Alexander uses his work as an opportunity to represent his community and tell their stories with a particular focus on intersectionality. With co-host Brody Levesque