Special Pride Roundup 🌈
Listen to the rich tapestry of LGBTQIA+ lives
Hello Privates!
This June, we did a special month of Pride programming on Private Parts Unknown, and I’m so excited to share it with y’all.
From shedding light on the often-overlooked experiences of asexuality to highlighting the storied history of iconic LGBTQ+ spaces like Eagle LA in Silver Lake, these episodes celebrate vibrant and diverse voices of the LGBTQIA+ community and emphasize the importance of growing representation and acceptance.
Tune in to be inspired by the resilience, creativity, and love that define the LGBTQIA+ experience. Happy Pride!
The Most Forgotten Letter in LGBTQIA: Cody Daigle-Orians of Ace Dad Advice on the Underrepresentation of Asexuality
There's lots of rightful celebration for the LGBTIA community during Pride, but rarely mention of the acronym’s A. In fact, asexuality is so underrepresented in popular culture that it can be hard to self-identify. Cody Daigle-Orians, the influencer behind Ace Dad Advice and author of I Am Ace, didn't realize they were asexual until age 42 after initially coming out as gay. Their ah-ha moment came from reading about asexuality on Tumblr.
In this episode, Cody explains the nuances of asexuality and attraction, debunks common misconceptions, and shares how their sexuality journey led to rethinking their gender identity, as well. They also explain how polyamory fits into their equation and provide tips for navigating mixed-identity relationships.
Queer, Kinky & Consensually Non-Monogamous: Dr. Lori Beth Bisbey’s Life & Work
For the second episode in our special month of Pride programming, we welcome Dr. Lori Beth Bisbey, a clinical psychologist, sex/intimacy coach, author, speaker, and podcast host based in London. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Bisbey specializes in GSRD (gender, sexuality, relationship diversity) and is knowledgeable about consensual non-monogamy and kink/BDSM. She also helps trauma victims heal and thrive.
We delve into Dr. Bisbey's extensive career supporting folks with alternative lifestyles, common issues she encounters in her practice, and her unique identity as a queer, consensually non-monogamous leather woman in a full-time authority transfer-based relationship. Dr. Bisbey offers practical advice for anyone interested in exploring their fantasies or trying non-monogamy.
Love & Leather at the Eagle LA: Celebrating Pride & Silver Lake's LGBTQ History with Charlie Matula & Hunter Fox
This episode is a personal favorite. I interviewed Eagle LA co-owner Charlie Matula and his husband Hunter Fox for a KCRW radio story, “Happily leather after at The Eagle in Silver Lake,” which aired in June 2019 for Pride. Now, five years later, I’m sharing the full interview because I can’t bear to let a morsel of it go to waste.
The Eagle LA is a leather/Levi's bar in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. We discuss the rich history of this beloved establishment and its importance to the gay community, how Charlie and Hunter met and fell in love, Silver Lake's pivotal role in LGBT history, and the evolving landscape of gay acceptance across the U.S. throughout their lifetimes.
"Entwined," the Importance of Queer Narratives & Polyamory as a Life Ethos with Alex Alberto
The final installment of this year's Pride programming features Alex Alberto, author of Entwined: Essays on Polyamory and Creating Home. This interview covers Alex's exploration of polyamory, how their identities as a genderqueer and pansexual person gave them a unique angle in writing about non-monogamy, the importance of queer narratives, the process of writing and publishing the book, their journey toward asexuality, and polyamory as a life philosophy.
So… ROLL CALL! 🗣
What was your favorite Pride episode this month? Any requests for future topics or guests?
xo
Courtney
Let’s connect on social media! Follow the show @privatepartsunknown on Instagram and @privatepartsun on Twitter, and me @courtneykocak on Instagram and @courtneykocak on Twitter.