16 Inspiring LGBTQ+ Podcasts to Listen to on Your Travels

1. Dyking Out

New York City-based comedians Carolyn Bergier and Sarah York discuss news and pop culture as it relates to queer life in Dyking Out — with a few bits of comedic ambience thrown into the mix. Each week, the pair interviews a queer celebrity to get their unique take on all things pop culture — through a queer lens, of course.

2. Queery

If you’re more interested in tuning into a more serious conversation surrounding queer culture, Queery can be the perfect way for you to catch up on the news (as it relates to queer people, at least) on the way to work in the morning. Each week, the host, comedian Cameron Esposito, asks her notable guests (including Roxanne Gay and Ian Alexander) to explore their individual stories of identity and personality and how they relate that to the mainstream news and culture.

3. Inside the Closet

Even if you’ve already come out, this podcast, hosted by New York City comedians Emma Willmann and Matteo Lane, is worth venturing back inside of the closet for. If what you’re seeking in a queer podcast is a thoughtful discussion of a range of topics relating to LGBTQ life, then Inside the Closet will serve this to you on a bedazzled platter. From queer dating advice to open discussions about sex, this podcast has it all.

4. Making Gay History

Looking to learn more about the history of the queer movement in the US and beyond? Look no further than Making Gay History, a podcast centered around interviews that the show’s host, Eric Marcus, had with leaders of the Gay Rights Movement in the 1980s. Whether you’re hearing about the New York City trans community from its original outspoken leaders or dissecting the importance of the Stonewall Riots from those who were there, Making Gay History is an unforgettable trip down LGBTQ lane.

5. Homoground

Created to bring awareness to LGBTQ bands and musicians, Homoground is a queer audio podcast hosted by Lynn Casper. Through its existence, the LGBTQ music scene has become a cohesive and palpable element of the mainstream culture. Queer music lovers — this one is for you.

6. UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America

Created by Joel Edgerton, the director of 2018’s Boy Erased, UnErased is a podcast that uses the film as its inspiration — featuring the stories of those who have undergone conversion therapy. Despite the fact that the podcast covers a topic that can be, at times, deeply disturbing and heavy, it manages to infuse hope into every episode of vulnerable and emotional storytelling.

7. Dead for Filth

Did you know that the horror genre is incredibly queer? Yeah, we thought so. From screenwriter Michael Varrati comes this thoughtful and chilling podcast about the queerness of the horror genre. Throughout the course of each season, Dead for Filth explores the creative genius of queer horror icons who truly bring the genre to life.

8. One From the Vaults

Specifically made to cover all aspects of trans culture and history, One From the Vaults, hosted by Morgan M. Page, a trans activist and writer, has become a vital resource for the LGBTQ community. Whether you crave more coverage on trans icons or are just looking to gain a deeper understanding of trans culture, One From the Vaults is a must-listen for everyone.

9. Nancy

Contrary to popular belief, not all queer people in the limelight are completely comfortable with their queerness. Case in point: the podcast Nancy, where hosts Tobin Low and Kathy Tu attempt to get more comfortable with their queerness as they explore every topic and how it relates to the LGBTQ community. At the end of the day, their goal is to find out what is so special about being queer — and the answer(s) may surprise you. Don’t forget to bring a box of tissues.

10. The Ten

According to The Advocate, The Ten is “like The Daily, but gayer.” Each week, The Advocate’s Editor-in-Chief, Zach Stafford, examines each news story from a queer perspective, creating a truly engaging and informative experience for each listener. One of the more recent episodes, for example, was an honest examination of presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, and whether America is truly ready for a gay president.

11. Your Queer Story

If you can’t decide what kind of queer podcast you’re in the mood for, put on Your Queer Story — a truly eclectic mix of history, culture, events, politics, and religion as it relates to the LGBTQ community. The show is hosted by Paul Hobbs and Evan Jones — best friends who take you on their journey of self-love and acceptance. Throughout the course of each episode, you’ll learn about every single tangent of queer life — even the parts that make you a bit uncomfortable. In their eyes, every queer story is important.

12. Food 4 Thot

What happens when four multiracial queer people get together to make a podcast? You get in-depth and eye-opening conversations about race, sexuality, identity, sex, relationships, and books. Not only that, but Food 4 Thot is a controversial, heartwarming, and compelling conversation that seems to happen between four best friends who can laugh and cry together. At the end of each episode, you’ll feel as though you just had a venting session with your best friends — pals who have quite a bit of wisdom.

13. Throwing Shade

Calling all feminists and queer people (or even just those who are curious about the ideas and cultures that exist behind these groups): Throwing Shade is a worthy investment of your time. Hosted by Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi, the podcast discusses women’s issues, gay rights, pop culture, and politics. Each episode seeks to address the main issues affecting women and the LGBTQ community.

14. Busy Being Black

Even queer culture has worked hard to remain inclusive. Busy Being Black, hosted by Josh Rivers, explores what it really means to be African-American and queer through intelligent and thought-provoking conversations with queer people of color. The podcast seeks to answer one question: How can we live in the fullness of our queer black lives?

15. A Gay and a NonGay

Perhaps taking a detour from the other LGBTQ podcasts on this list, A Gay and a NonGay — just like it sounds — is a podcast that offers a look at how heterosexual and queer friends talk about life. Hailing from the United Kingdom, A Gay and a NonGay has steadily become the area’s most popular LGBTQ podcast, perhaps because of it’s hilarious and honest conversations about the differences (and similarities, of course) between queer and straight life. Each episode, James Barr and Dan Hudson learn about the things that make them different and laugh endlessly about the hilarious things that bring them together.

16. Qmmunity

If you want to better understand what it means to be queer, give Qmmunity a listen. Hosted by Alexis Caught and Christania McPherson, the podcast attempts to give listeners a thorough understanding of what it means to be LGBTQ today, tomorrow, and yesterday. After all, to better predict the future of queerness, you need to explore the history of the movement — and this is just what the British podcast does.