Amber Whittington (@AmbersCloset) | Coming Out, STEM Lesbians & Building Community

Richard Ayoub: Emmy Winner Turned Project Angel Food CEO Feeding Millions

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467495/fan_mail/new] Project Angel Food [https://www.angelfood.org/] CEO Richard Ayoub [https://www.instagram.com/richardayoub/] joins The BabyGay™ Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV] to talk coming out, community, and how volunteering can change your life. On this week's episode, host PJ Brescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/] (they/them) sits down with Richard (he/him), Emmy Award-winning TV producer turned nonprofit leader, whose organization was born out of the 1989 AIDS crisis and now delivers over 1.5 million free, medically tailored meals a year to critically ill Angelenos. Richard shares his coming out story, growing up half-Lebanese, half-Mexican, and Catholic in El Paso. His path wound through Tucson, Orlando, and finally Los Angeles, where at 30 years old he found himself at his first Pride parade and finally felt like he belonged. We talk about how acts of selflessness for people you'll never meet can be transformative for both sides, rooting for the underdog, and how Richard turned a nonprofit that was $1M underwater into a $20M+ lifeline for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Please donate to Project Angel Food [https://www.angelfood.org/donations/donate], which is currently building a new campus, including a research institute and training kitchen, to help grow from 1.5 million to 4.5 million meals served per year. Links: * Learn more + volunteer: Project Angel Food [https://www.angelfood.org/] * Follow: @projectangelfood [https://www.instagram.com/projectangelfood/] * Follow: @richardayoub [https://www.instagram.com/richardayoub/] * Follow: @babygaytv [https://linktr.ee/babygaytv] BabyGay™ Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV], a 2026 Webby Honoree for Best New Podcast [https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/features/best-new-podcast-entertainment-culture?honoree], is released every Thursday and hosted by PJ Brescia (they/them)—a 2025 Out100 honoree [https://www.out.com/out100/2025/storytellers/pj-brescia]—celebrating queer stories, self-discovery, and the power of authenticity. Produced by Tom Gault [https://www.instagram.com/tomgault/] and PJ Brescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/].  Special thanks to The Black Cat [https://www.theblackcatla.com/]. Follow, like, and subscribe on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@babygaytv?lang=en] , Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/babygaytv/] , and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV]: @babygaytv www.baby.gay [https://baby.gay/]

Amber Whittington (@AmbersCloset) | Coming Out, STEM Lesbians & Building Community

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467495/fan_mail/new] For over a decade, Amber Whittington [https://linktr.ee/amberscloset?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnTlwqtfxHZl8-H0daePkJCcpsGJrvfGAmST4-9Rsbl_IEsmVx8t_6pzQNdRY_aem_Z8oAX9UMUlZDdUh4C5aM-Q] (she/her)...aka @AmbersCloset [https://www.youtube.com/@AmbersCloset]...has been the person lesbians turn to when they're figuring it all out. And today she's sitting down with PJ Brescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/?hl=en] (they/them) on the BabyGay™ Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV]. I sat down with Amber at The Black Cat in Silver Lake for a coming out conversation I honestly didn't want to end. Since 2012 she has built a massive community by doing one radical thing: showing up as her full, authentic self. Amber took me all the way back...Catholic school, secret girlfriends, beards, and a college love story that put her right back in the closet. We talked about the job ultimatum that accidentally launched her content creator career, what it means to coin a term that changes how people see themselves (aka STEM), and why the community isn't always as inclusive as we like to think.  Excited for y'all to watch this one. Remember BabyGays...coming out looks good on you! 🏳️‍🌈 Follow Amber Whittington: * Instagram: @AmbersCloset [https://www.instagram.com/amberscloset/?hl=en] * YouTube: @AmbersCloset [https://www.youtube.com/@AmbersCloset] * TikTok: @AmbersCloset33 [https://www.tiktok.com/@amberscloset33?lang=en] * Facebook: @AmbersCloset [https://www.facebook.com/AmbersClosetOfficial/] Follow BabyGay™: * Instagram: @BabyGayTV [https://www.instagram.com/babygaytv/?hl=en] * YouTube: @BabyGayTV [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV] * TikTok: @BabyGayTV [https://www.tiktok.com/@babygaytv] * Facebook: @BabyGay [https://www.facebook.com/babygaytv/] Follow PJ Brescia: * Instagram: @PJBrescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/?hl=en] * TikTok: @PJBrescia [https://www.tiktok.com/@pjbrescia?lang=en] BabyGay™ Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV], a 2026 Webby Honoree for Best New Podcast [https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/features/best-new-podcast-entertainment-culture?honoree], is released every Thursday and hosted by PJ Brescia (they/them)—a 2025 Out100 honoree [https://www.out.com/out100/2025/storytellers/pj-brescia]—celebrating queer stories, self-discovery, and the power of authenticity. Produced by Tom Gault [https://www.instagram.com/tomgault/] and PJ Brescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/].  Special thanks to The Black Cat [https://www.theblackcatla.com/]. Follow, like, and subscribe on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@babygaytv?lang=en] , Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/babygaytv/] , and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV]: @babygaytv www.baby.gay [https://baby.gay/]

Jai Rodriguez: Queer Eye Culture & Coming Out in the Spotlight

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467495/fan_mail/new] Jai Rodriguez [https://linktr.ee/jairodriguez?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnL7tOraAVnZqTMwsv1T6C6OxHmCFvfyBs8jS1xoMB1p2JFOIMMGS_oiNFK80_aem_zMZjGHz0QDH6VtwAitNLug] is on the BabyGay™ Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV] this week...oh and we go places. Jai is an Emmy Award-winning TV personality, original culture expert on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Broadway's Angel in Rent, and cast member of Bros — joining PJ Brescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/?hl=en] at the historic Black Cat in Silver Lake for an honest conversation about what it really costs to come out in the spotlight. Bts of Queer Eye. Coming out on Broadway. The shame spiral of figuring out who you are while the whole world is watching. And what happens when you finally give yourself permission to just live authentically. Funny, candid, and deeply real. This is the BabyGay™ Podcast. LINKS: Follow Jai: @jairodriguez [https://www.instagram.com/jairodriguez/?hl=en] Subscribe to Jai: patreon.com/JaiRodriguezWorld [https://www.patreon.com/JaiRodriguezWorld?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] Follow BabyGay: @BabyGayTV [https://www.instagram.com/babygaytv/?hl=en] | www.Baby.Gay [http://www.Baby.Gay] Follow PJ: @PJBrescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/?hl=en] Coming out looks good on you! ✨ BabyGay™ Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV], a 2026 Webby Honoree for Best New Podcast [https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/features/best-new-podcast-entertainment-culture?honoree], is released every Thursday and hosted by PJ Brescia (they/them)—a 2025 Out100 honoree [https://www.out.com/out100/2025/storytellers/pj-brescia]—celebrating queer stories, self-discovery, and the power of authenticity. Produced by Tom Gault [https://www.instagram.com/tomgault/] and PJ Brescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/].  Special thanks to The Black Cat [https://www.theblackcatla.com/]. Follow, like, and subscribe on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@babygaytv?lang=en] , Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/babygaytv/] , and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV]: @babygaytv www.baby.gay [https://baby.gay/]

Kaleena Zanders: Breaking the Rules of House Music

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467495/fan_mail/new] Here's what happens when you stop shrinking yourself...and find the audacity to take up space… On this week's BabyGay™ Podcast, host PJ Brescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/?hl=en] (they/them) sits down with @kaleenazanders [https://www.instagram.com/kaleenazanders/?hl=en] (she/they) — powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, DJ, and producer redefining what house music can be. And when we tell you she's one of the best live artists/DJs out there...we're not joking! #fangirls Kaleena shares her journey from growing up a jock in San Jose to gracing the stages of Coachella, EDC, Electric Forest, and Outside Lands. After years of keeping her identity quiet, she made a promise to herself this year: no more masking, no more shrinking. Because right now, queer people need each other louder than ever. We talk about courage, intuition, and what it means to have the same audacity as the people running the world...and use it for good. Kaleena is currently touring with GRiZ and on her first-ever headline run, the Anything Goes Tour. Stream her debut album out now: "Anything Goes" [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxUtALXbrbowtArRGVaOVw] Coming out looks good on you! Links:  Follow @kaleenazanders [https://www.instagram.com/kaleenazanders/?hl=en]  www.KaleenaZanders.com [https://www.kaleenazanders.com/] ANYTHING GOES - Tour dates [https://www.kaleenazanders.com/tour] BabyGay™ Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV], a 2026 Webby Honoree for Best New Podcast [https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/features/best-new-podcast-entertainment-culture?honoree], is released every Thursday and hosted by PJ Brescia (they/them)—a 2025 Out100 honoree [https://www.out.com/out100/2025/storytellers/pj-brescia]—celebrating queer stories, self-discovery, and the power of authenticity. Produced by Tom Gault [https://www.instagram.com/tomgault/] and PJ Brescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/].  Special thanks to The Black Cat [https://www.theblackcatla.com/]. Follow, like, and subscribe on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@babygaytv?lang=en] , Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/babygaytv/] , and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV]: @babygaytv www.baby.gay [https://baby.gay/]

Andrés Rigal: From Hollywood Agent to Queer Nightlife Icon

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467495/fan_mail/new] ⚠️ Content Note: This episode contains discussions of abuse and addiction. Discover how queer entrepreneur Andrés Rigal [https://www.instagram.com/andresrigal/] built some of Los Angeles' most iconic LGBTQ+ nightlife experiences....and how putting community first became both his guiding principle and his greatest strength. On this week's BabyGay™ Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV], host PJ Brescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/?hl=en] sits down with Andrés Rigal — the visionary behind queer nightlife brands Evita [https://www.instagram.com/evitaparty/?hl=en], SUMMERTRAMP [https://www.instagram.com/summertramp/?hl=en], Simon Says [https://www.instagram.com/simon_says_party/?hl=en], and Mr. Black [https://www.instagram.com/mrblack_party/?hl=en], co-founder of DTLA Proud [https://www.dtlaproud.org/], and co-founder of Green Qween [https://thegreenqween.com/], a queer-focused social equity cannabis retail brand. Andrés opens up about growing up closeted in small-town Pennsylvania, surviving abuse, the queer community's relationship with trauma and addiction, and what it means to build something bigger than yourself. Coming out looks good on you! Links:  * Follow Andrés: @AndresRigal [https://www.instagram.com/andresrigal/?hl=en] * GREEN QWEEN: @ShopGreenQween [https://thegreenqween.com/]  * SUMMERTRAMP: @SummerTramp [https://www.instagram.com/summertramp/?hl=en] * SIMON SAYS: @Simon_Says_Party [https://www.instagram.com/simon_says_party/?hl=en]  * MR. BLACK: @mrblack_party [https://www.instagram.com/mrblack_party/?hl=en]  * EVITA: @EVITAparty [https://www.instagram.com/evitaparty/?hl=en]  * DTLA PROUD: @DTLAproud [https://www.dtlaproud.org/] BabyGay™ Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV], a 2026 Webby Honoree for Best New Podcast [https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/features/best-new-podcast-entertainment-culture?honoree], is released every Thursday and hosted by PJ Brescia (they/them)—a 2025 Out100 honoree [https://www.out.com/out100/2025/storytellers/pj-brescia]—celebrating queer stories, self-discovery, and the power of authenticity. Produced by Tom Gault [https://www.instagram.com/tomgault/] and PJ Brescia [https://www.instagram.com/pjbrescia/].  Special thanks to The Black Cat [https://www.theblackcatla.com/]. Follow, like, and subscribe on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@babygaytv?lang=en] , Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/babygaytv/] , and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BabyGayTV]: @babygaytv www.baby.gay [https://baby.gay/]