By Anna Saldinger

Queer-centered documentaries are opportunities to explore what and who came before and where we are today. Keeping our history alive is a vital way to honor trailblazers and to assert and remember that we’re queer and we’ve always been here.

Compton's served as a touchstone of the queer community in the Tenderloin.

Screaming Queens: Screaming Queens is about the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria riot in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. Tensions erupted between the queer community rooted in the Tenderloin (particularly trans women and drag queens) and the San Francisco Police. This riot went largely unreported and remains a lesser-known historical event (check out this article for some basics). In this documentary, learn about West Coast Stonewall's predecessor and the brave folks who fought for their right to exist.

Stonewall Uprising: Stonewall Uprising is a PBS documentary about, well, the 1969 Stonewall riots. This is one of the best-known moments in queer history, but it's always worth revisiting. I recommend watching it alongside Screaming Queens for extra nuance.

Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story (Trailer): Lady Valor introduces you to Kristin Beck, a former Navy Seal who transitions after leaving the service. The documentary examines her 20 years of military service, her decision to transition, and queer patriotism. Though not available for free, it is available to rent on Amazon and iTunes.

#StillBisexual: Though not a single documentary, #StillBisexual is a video media campaign that includes a series of self-told stories by bisexual+ people from around the U.S. and beyond. The stories illustrate the diversity of experience of bi+ people and emphasize the importance of self-identity, finding community and validation. Visit the website and dip into lots of different stories.

Kumu Hina (Trailer): Kumu Hina traces the journey of native Hawaiian teacher Hina Wong- Kalu, who embraces the Hawaiian tradition of mahu- one that embodies both male and female spirit. This is a rich exploration of gender, acceptance, and Hawaiian culture which culminates in Hina Wong- Kalu mentoring a young student who is exploring her mahu identity.

Anna Saldinger is a radio journalism student at Bennington College and SpeakOUT winter intern. (She/her pronouns)

By Anna Saldinger

Podcasts are a powerful medium that have increasing sway over the way that many people understand the world. In this new era, there’s an increasing presence of powerful queer podcasting and representation, and this presence becomes a public window into queer life and experience. Here’s a sampling of shows that explore our history, our place in the political landscape, and our stories.

Nancy, WNYC: Nancy is a podcast focusing on queer lives, stories, and issues, hosted by Kathy Tu and Tobin Low. Kathy and Tobin are at once bubbly and vulnerable, and they include their own raw stories as well as the ones that they report. Try out this early episode, where Kathy grapples with her queer identity and her relationship with her hair: "Fear of Being Butch."

UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America: This series documents the history of conversion therapy through in-depth and beautifully told stories- including one episode that covers the removal of homosexuality from the DSM. There’s also a condensed run of the series on WNYC’s Radiolab.

LGBTQ&A With Jeffrey Masters: This interview podcast is thoughtful, in-depth, complex, and wide-spanning. It’s the queer equivalent of WNYC’s Death, Sex, and Money, hosted by Anna Sale, in its thoughtfulness and humanity (which is also worth checking out, here’s an episode with queer actress Lena Waithe). I suggest beginning with Masters’ interview with Tre’vell Anderson, which focuses on the complexity of critiquing and covering queer media.

Getting Curious: Jonathan Van Ness, of Netflix Queer Eye reboot fame, hosts a podcast where he interviews various people to learn about things that he’s curious about. The content is not always explicitly queer, but Jonathan brings his flamboyant energy as well as his intellect and curiosity to everything he does. To start, try his recent interview with author Jodi Picoult.

The Bi Cast: The Bi Cast is a short interview podcast co-hosted by Lynnette McFadzen, Elizabeth M. Mechem, and Amy Leibowitz Mitchell that focuses on the Bi+ community (and features a very catchy theme song). One episode to check out is a conversation with Charlie Mathers of Gay Star News and her Bi Manifesto.

Brown’n Out: Brown’n Out consists of interviews with LGBTQ+ people of color living and working in Vermont. The interviews cover the guests’ life stories, art, experiences as Vermonters, and insights. Recently, they interviewed Noa Coffey-Moore, a Black Queer Trans Non-binary Femme* writer, community educator, and multimedia artist.

Anna Saldinger is a radio journalism student at Bennington College and SpeakOUT winter intern. (She/her pronouns)

Queer Documentaries Round-Up

Queer Podcast Round-up