Late to the Party: A Queer Podcast

EP 8: "HORNY 4 JESUS" with Victoria Houser

In this heartfelt episode of Late to the Party, Allie welcomes Victoria, a cult survivor and former youth leader, who shares her journey of navigating religious trauma, purity culture, and finding her bisexual identity. The conversation delves into Victoria's upbringing in the Institute of Basic Life Principles (IBLP), her deep involvement in purity culture, and her eventual deconstruction of faith. Victoria talks about the challenges and revelations she encountered, the critical role of community, and the importance of giving oneself grace. Emphasizing the fluidity of faith and sexuality, Victoria's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 01:21 Welcoming Victoria 02:20 Victoria's Early Life in a Cult 04:36 Family Dynamics and Leaving the Cult 05:39 Homeschooling and Education Challenges 27:48 Community and Social Interactions 31:05 The Impact of Evangelicalism on Society 32:02 Church Split and Its Aftermath 34:26 Transition to a Mega Church 35:24 Struggles with Purity Culture 38:36 Questioning and Rebellion 47:41 Exploring Sexual Ethics 01:00:18 College Life and Deconstruction 01:05:46 Leaving Academia and Finding Grace 01:07:13 Deconstructing Faith and Sexuality 01:07:45 A New Church Experience 01:09:28 Embracing Bisexuality 01:16:53 Purity Culture and Queer Identity 01:19:36 Redefining Spirituality and Faith 01:27:18 Healing and Setting Boundaries 01:34:13 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

EP 7: "BAKE ANOTHER F$KING PIE"

In this episode of 'Late To the Party,' host Alex talks with Sam Bear, a queer comedian from Santa Barbara and the owner of Bear Cave Comedy. The discussion covers Sam's journey through various life phases, including her decade-long travels to different parts of the world, her academic background in psychology and public health, and her transition from improv to stand-up comedy. Sam shares her experiences dealing with ADHD, her coming out as bisexual, and the challenges and triumphs of starting her own comedy business during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation also highlights the importance of representation in comedy, the evolution of her queer identity, her relationship with her wife, and the support she receives in her comedic pursuits. Sam emphasizes the significance of providing a platform for women and queer comedians and discusses her future projects, including a comedian-led walking and food tour called 'Hahas and Tapas.' Overall, the episode is a blend of humor, life lessons, and insightful discussions on identity and community in the comedy world.

EP 6: "EARLY TO THE PARTY" w/ Luca

In this episode of 'Late To the Party,' host Alex interviews her younger cousin Luca, who is trans. Luca details their experiences coming out at 13, navigating their identity, and their journey growing up in a supportive family. They discuss Luca's evolving gender expression, the challenges faced with unsupportive figures like their father, and the joy and validation found through medical transition and artistic expression. This episode offers a heartfelt look at Luca's life, htheiris supportive community, and underscores the importance of acceptance and understanding within families .00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:49 Luca's Pronouns and Gender Expression 03:43 Early Realizations and Coming Out 06:57 Family Reactions and Support 13:51 Medical Transition Journey 22:45 Living in Kentucky as a Queer Kid 25:43 Support Systems in School 26:23 Coming Out and Finding Community 30:07 Artistic Expression and Achievements 32:18 Artistic Inspirations and Personal Growth 35:17 Clothing Style and Gender Expression 41:52 Family Support and Transitioning 47:30 Future Plans and College Life 48:49 Gratitude and Final Thoughts

EP 5: "WHAT'S A LITTLE SPANKING BETWEEN FRIENDS?"

Exploring Queer Identity and Community with Kaia In this episode of Late To the Party, host Alex reconnects with Kaia, a high school friend, and delves into her journey exploring her trans femme identity and queerness. Kaia discusses her evolving understanding of her sexuality and gender, her experiences in the Bay Area kink scene, the role of supportive friendships, and her upcoming journey into graduate school to become a therapist focused on queer communities. They also reflect on their shared high school experiences, the challenges of growing up in a small, less-diverse community, and finding affirmation and validation in more diverse, inclusive environments. 00:00 Welcome to Late To the Party 01:29 Kaia's Gay Awakening 03:13 Journey of Self-Discovery 09:30 Family Dynamics and Acceptance 11:26 Building a Queer Community 12:00 Embracing Trans Femme Identity 13:48 Diving into the Kink Scene 17:10 First Experience at Folsom Street Fair 20:34 Entering the Community 23:13 Respect and Affirmation in Play Spaces 24:01 Queer Identities in Play Parties 25:20 Friendships and Community Building 27:12 Reflecting on High School Experiences 30:22 Moving to San Francisco 36:28 Pursuing a Career in Therapy 41:06 Advice for Exploring Identity 43:06 Concluding Thoughts

EP 4 "THROUPLES 101" w/ Matt Ortega

In this episode of 'Late To the Party,' host Alex welcomes Matt to discuss the challenges and nuances of queerness and polyamory. They explore topics such as Matt's journey of self-discovery and coming out, dealing with internalized homophobia, and the complexities of identifying as gay and transitioning from identifying as bisexual. Matt shares his experiences of being in a polyamorous relationship with his partners Danny and Pierce, detailing the importance of communication and setting boundaries in maintaining a healthy throuple. He also reflects on the support and struggles with his family dynamics and offers advice for those contemplating polyamorous relationships. The conversation delves deep into love, acceptance, and navigating non-traditional relationships, emphasizing that it's never too late to embrace one's true self.