Preserving Queer History: Brian J. Smith on His New Film "A House Is Not a Disco"

Preserving Queer History: Brian J. Smith on His New Film "A House Is Not a Disco"

This week, I sit down with actor and filmmaker Brian J. Smith (Sense8, Stargate Universe, Tony‑nominated for The Glass Menagerie) — but this conversation is really about something deeply personal and culturally urgent: his Fire Island documentary, A House Is Not a Disco. And honestly? This film feels like a time capsule. Brian and I talk about why Fire Island — a place so central to queer history, identity, and freedom — deserved a documentary that captured it not just as a party destination, but as a living, evolving community. He shares how the film was shot across the 2022 season, with extraordinary access to residents, performers, and longtime community members. We get into what it takes to document a queer space from the inside — the trust, the archival material, the emotional responsibility — and why this moment in LGBTQ culture felt important to preserve on camera. We also talk about: * Why he moved from acting into directing and producing * Capturing Fire Island as both sanctuary and spectacle * The balance between nostalgia and forward momentum * Why queer spaces must be documented before they disappear * Self‑distribution in today’s indie film world Of course, we also touch on Brian’s career — from moving to New York in 2002 to study acting, to navigating a “don’t ask, don’t tell” industry climate after graduating in 2006, to how Sense8 built a passionate global fanbase during the early days of streaming before algorithms began steering creative decisions. But at its heart, this episode is about his extraordinary film A House Is Not a Disco — It’s about a chosen family, queer legacy, and what it means to document a culture while you’re still living in it. If you care about: ✅ Fire Island history and LGBTQ culture  ✅ Queer documentary filmmaking  ✅ Independent film distribution  ✅ Sense8 and LGBTQ representation in media  ✅ Preserving queer spaces  ✅ The evolution of LGBTQ storytelling This one’s for you. A House is Not a Disco is available for pre-order on July 2nd here Gathr.com [https://gathr.com/vod/69affd7f/a-house-is-not-a-disco#]. It will be availblre for download July 9th. For more information about the film go to ahouseisnotadisco.com [http://ahouseisnotadisco.com] And be sure to follow at @ahouseisnotadisco You can write to us at: Questions@DukesDownload.com And follow us onInstagram:  * @jamesdukemason * @PrideHouseMedia

Eric Orner on Queer Comics, Ethan Green, Capitol Hill & Barney Frank’s Legacy

Hey everybody, this week on Dukes Downloaded, I’m sitting down with someone who has truly lived at the intersection of queer culture, politics, and comics — Eric Orner. You might know Eric as the creator of the iconic LGBTQ comic strip “The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green.” Or maybe you know him from his graphic biography “Smahtguy: The Life and Times of Barney Frank.” Or maybe — plot twist — you didn’t know he also worked on Capitol Hill, AND at Disney Studios out in Hollwood.  Yeah. We get into all of it. Eric tells me how he went from being a political cartoonist in conservative New Hampshire (yes, really) to becoming a major voice in queer comics. We talk about how Ethan Green was born out of his own dating disasters — because honestly, what better source material is there? We also reflect on Barney Frank’s legacy following his recent passing and what it means for LGBTQ political history. This episode is really about how art and politics collide — and how queer storytelling shapes culture in ways we don’t always see coming. If you care about: * LGBTQ history * Queer comics * Barney Frank * Capitol Hill stories * The evolution of the gay press * Graphic novels and political storytelling You’re going to love this one. Follow Eric on Instagram@EricSamOrner You can write to us at: Questions@DukesDownload.com And follow us onInstagram:  * @jamesdukemason * @PrideHouseMedia

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis on HIV Activism, Mpox Lessons & Leaving the CDC

Hey everybody.  This week on Duke’s Download, I sit down with Dr. Demetre Daskalakis — infectious disease physician, longtime HIV activist, former CDC leader, and one of the most influential voices in LGBTQ public health. We talk about his journey from early-1990s HIV activism at Columbia University to national leadership during the COVID-19 and mpox outbreaks — and what ultimately led him to leave the CDC and return to frontline care at Callen-Lorde in New York City. Dr. D shares how teaching safer sex and organizing an AIDS Memorial Quilt display became his lifelong “North Star,” shaping his approach to HIV prevention, public health strategy, and community-based care. We explore the evolution of HIV activism, the importance of U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable), the lessons learned from the 2022 mpox outbreak, and why humility is essential in infectious disease response. This conversation is a powerful look at leadership, stigma, science, and the fight for LGBTQ health equity. Dr. D is an exemplary example of a true LGBTQ leader.  If you care about HIV prevention, LGBTQ health equity, mpox vaccination, public health leadership, or the future of the CDC, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Be sure to follow Duke’s Download for more in-depth interviews on politics, culture, and public health. For more information about Matt Mahan go to MahanForCalifornia.com [http://mahanforcalifornia.com] Click here to order Barney Frank’s memoir FRANK [https://www.amazon.com/Frank-Politics-Society-Same-Sex-Marriage/dp/0374280304/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3IF3R13G2I2Q8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qzeOnOAUMfoJ_uhrVJhdj736HFKnfBucMYInG6O7vUAdyIeyAu09PzjpPklhfc4VDTL6M4igonjeMBZGOk7okoB7JgQUqNc9A3NIQAegXMYLGzZ3fHU26TWk1qVedfLeANrqvWeIlPWJ8NNWxTUy0UzzUoCFLEgMoprId2uLUTOVCW9UzeaIMcZ05lSw_UsuLS-9LLuV2zXd10ncGjAhDprmKl2-Ov8QGaiDT7lR4Ko.UnacW26ehjTFjfV31N_7Bam_3IgePtwL9AFOS7U3vnM&dib_tag=se&keywords=barney+frank&qid=1779819978&sprefix=barney+frank%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-2] You can write to us at: Questions@DukesDownload.com And follow us onInstagram:  * @jamesdukemason * @PrideHouseMedia

Pride Month Reflections: Greg Cope‑White, Ross Mathews & Dustin Lance Black

Hey Everybody — this week on Duke’s Download, I’m doing something special for Pride Month. Instead of one guest, I’m revisiting three conversations that have stayed with me — and honestly, feel more relevant than ever: Greg Cope‑White, Ross Mathews, and Dustin Lance Black. Because Pride isn’t just parades and rainbow flags. It’s service. It’s visibility. It’s fighting back. First, I look back at my conversation with Greg Cope‑White, former Marine and author of The Pink Marine (the inspiration for Netflix’s Boots). Greg talks about serving his country before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” what acceptance actually looked like inside the Marines, and why today’s attacks — from transgender military bans to removing Harvey Milk’s name from a Navy ship — hit so personally. His story is about courage, but also about calling out political prejudice when we see it. Then there’s Ross Mathews, who opens up about growing up gay in a tiny farming town in Washington state with zero visible role models. Hearing him talk about loneliness, finding his voice, and why LGBTQ representation in media matters so much reminded me how powerful visibility really is — and why organizations like GLAAD still matter. And of course, Dustin Lance Black — Academy Award–winning screenwriter of Milk and longtime activist — who shares what it was like fighting for federal marriage equality. He talks strategy, backlash, and why rights are never guaranteed. His message is simple but urgent: every generation has to push forward. We can’t assume someone else will do it for us. For me, this episode is about remembering how far we’ve come — and recognizing how much work is still ahead. With elections coming up this November, this isn’t just reflection. It’s a reminder to engage, to vote, and to protect the progress so many fought for. Pride is joy.  Pride is protest.  Pride is participation. Thanks for being here. 🌈 You can write to us at: Questions@DukesDownload.com And follow us onInstagram:  * @jamesdukemason * @PrideHouseMedia

Inside the California Governor’s Race: What’s Next for Democrats

Primary night is behind us, and I’m sharing my honest reflections on the June 2 California primary elections — especially the race for California governor. For the past several months, I worked as an advisor and LGBTQ+ liaison for San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s gubernatorial campaign, traveling across the state and helping build support in Southern California. In this episode, I talk about what it was like campaigning statewide while Matt was still serving as mayor, the pace and scale of running in California, and why the campaign ultimately fell short. I’ve always believed in working for candidates I genuinely believe in — not just perceived front-runners — and I’m proud of the campaign we ran. Now, with the primary decided, I’m committed to supporting the Democratic nominee for governor. The stakes are too high. California must remain a progressive, pro-democracy stronghold, especially in this political moment. If you care about the future of California politics, pragmatic progressive leadership, and keeping our state a bulwark for democracy — this conversation is for you. Subscribe, follow, and stay engaged. The work continues. For more information about Matt Mahan go to MahanForCalifornia.com [http://mahanforcalifornia.com] Click here to order Barney Frank’s memoir FRANK [https://www.amazon.com/Frank-Politics-Society-Same-Sex-Marriage/dp/0374280304/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3IF3R13G2I2Q8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qzeOnOAUMfoJ_uhrVJhdj736HFKnfBucMYInG6O7vUAdyIeyAu09PzjpPklhfc4VDTL6M4igonjeMBZGOk7okoB7JgQUqNc9A3NIQAegXMYLGzZ3fHU26TWk1qVedfLeANrqvWeIlPWJ8NNWxTUy0UzzUoCFLEgMoprId2uLUTOVCW9UzeaIMcZ05lSw_UsuLS-9LLuV2zXd10ncGjAhDprmKl2-Ov8QGaiDT7lR4Ko.UnacW26ehjTFjfV31N_7Bam_3IgePtwL9AFOS7U3vnM&dib_tag=se&keywords=barney+frank&qid=1779819978&sprefix=barney+frank%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-2] You can write to us at: Questions@DukesDownload.com And follow us onInstagram:  * @jamesdukemason * @PrideHouseMedia