After Zack stops yakking about his momentous musical weekend, Peterson welcomes his husband, wanna-be swing voter Glen Retief, and nephew, “G,” to the Queer and Queerer intergenerational white-man presidential election roundtable. The group digs into some foreign policy issues, religion, and the many Mitt Romneys.

Peterson has recently uncovered the lost book of Thaddeus, that was hidden away and kept out of the Bible. He imparts its wisdom upon Zack, who is no more convinced by its alternate depiction of the life of Jesus than of the original tellings. He’s more excited that he’ll be speaking at his alma mater, Ithaca College, for National Coming Out Day. And who, pray tell, is the most effervescent co-host of this podcast?

Zack’s blog has found salvation after being completely reconstructed, allowing it to be cleansed of its impurities and restored to new life. Similarly, Peterson has returned from his month of journeying across Europe and eagerly regales Zack and listeners with tales of his misdeeds. In fact, Peterson had quite an impact on how people think about their religious beliefs, challenging traditional interpretations of scriptures. On the island of Malta, in particular, his performance raised quite a few eyebrows and then opened some hearts. His experiences mesh with recent uprisings in the Middle East, so the podcast segues into a conversation about the fine lines between challenging, mocking, and outright offending religion. Most importantly, the podcast is back and not going anywhere anytime soon! (Note: This episode was recorded Wednesday, September 26, 2012.)

The long-lost episode! This was originally recorded August 13, 2012, but was the first lost when Zack’s blog was in disrepair. Now it’s back and ready to be listened to in case you missed it!

Peterson and Zack are back to have a conversation about the intersection of faiths. Peterson is getting ready to head to Europe, where he’ll be speaking and performing before the British Humanist Association. (You’ll also find him at the Greenbelt Festival.) Unsure of how a room full of non-believers will receive him, he turned to Zack, who obviously is prepared to speak on behalf of all atheists. We get into a conversation about discussing religion across “interfaith” spaces, and effective ways to keep the event inclusive. Plus, Zack gets one step closer to winning that toaster.

The married Peterson and award-winning Zack are back with an intense conversation about the outing of people who use the closet to hold anti-gay positions, an extension of a conversation from way back in Episode 3. The conversation focuses on a very specific outing, that of Jonathan Merritt, an evangelical writer who takes mixed positions on LGBT issues and who most recently defended Chick-fil-A despite its anti-gay positions and donations. Blogger Azariah Southworth responded by outing Merritt as gay, and he joins us on the show to discuss that decision. We discuss outing, religious narratives about LGBT issues, the “ex-gay defense,” and more.

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

Zack’s background on the Chick-fil-A controversy:
» Memo To The Media: Chick-fil-A Condemns, Discriminates, And Campaigns Against LGBT People
» The Chick-fil-A Controversy Is About Religious Bullying, Not Chicken Sandwiches
» Chick-fil-A And The Conservative Appropriation Of Christianity As An Anti-Gay Wedge
» Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day Round-Up: Intolerance On Display

» Jonathan Merritt: In Defense of Eating At Chick-fil-A.

Azariah Speaks:
» Jonathan Merritt: Come Out
» Why I Outed Jonathan Merritt

Ed Stetzer: Jonathan Merritt Shares His Story

Marriage is an issue talked about a lot, but weddings themselves less so. Given Peterson’s impending nuptials (THIS WEEKEND!!!), it seemed an apropos topic. So what is this whole “wedding” concept? Is it a heterosexual institution? What’s the point of the ceremony? Zack and Peterson go back and forth about their own experiences at weddings and thoughts on the power of the ceremony as a form of direct action.

No doubt, allies are crucial to every community, but being an ally is not easy nor simple role to play. Zack and Peterson talk with the Anarchist Revered, Shannon Kearns, to discuss how allies sometimes get it wrong. Sometimes allies make it all about them, or believe that apologizing for the actions of their church counts as action. Zack and Peterson discuss their own experiences as trans allies, and Shannon offers some insights about the intersections between queer and faith identities. High standards are important for allies, and hopefully people committed as allies will appreciate the task before them. Take a listen!

Learn more about our guest, Shannon Kearns:

» The Anarchist Reverend (and on Facebook).
» Camp Osiris (and on Facebook).
» House of the Transfiguration.

» “Things I Need From Allies.”
» “Six Things I Don’t Need to Hear From Cisgender People.”

Zack and Peterson are back after a week off with a lovely conversation about LGBTQ identities. Peterson talks about his ecstatic dancing and Bible lectures at the Quaker Jamboree, the duo discuss the significance of Anderson Cooper’s coming out, and Zack pontificates a bit on “pride.” If this half hour isn’t enough, make sure to listen to some of Peterson’s lectures!

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

» Take a listen to Peterson’s Bible lectures.

» Anderson Cooper came out, and Zack reacted.

» Zack’s view of the New York City Pride parade:

It seems these days that everyone is talking about vaginas, except of course for those folks who are offended by people talking about vaginas. Zack and Peterson talk vaginas and the Michigan state representative battle over women’s bodies and rights to their bodies that is also happening all over the United States right now. Depending on where you get your news, of course, you will hear completely different stories about these issues and more. What is news? What is ideological propaganda and how on earth do Zack and Peterson end up talking about butt sex by the end of the program??? This and more on this episode of Queer and Queerer.

We are interested in where you get your news. Please let us know in either the comments here or on Facebook what you find to be a reliable news source. Also, let us know how you feel about pride and we might incorporate your thoughts into our next episode!

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

» Check out @lgbtiamish on Twitter.

» Watch what transpired with the censoring of “vagina” in the Michigan legislature and the special Vagina Monologues performance that countered it, then tweet about it with #sayvagina.

» Read the New Yorker’s in-depth piece about hate-monger Bryan Fischer.

Zack and Peterson welcome Abby Jensen (@Arizona_Abby) for an epic discussion about a variety of issues affecting the transgender community and intersections with other communities and movements. Abby is an attorney, trans woman, feminist and general rabble rouser on trans, LGB, and other social justice issues. She is also an avid follower and tweeter of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Plus, Zack gets an education on swiss chard.

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

» Learn more about the #girlslikeus phenomenon.

» Watch the trans equality panel from Netroots Nation.

» Watch the first-ever trans testimony before the U.S. Senate.

Zack doesn’t know how to count, because obviously this is episode 63, not 62. Peterson and Zack resume their in-depth personally challenging conversations about the nature of faith and how we interact with it. Peterson discusses the various ways he challenges how people respond to the Bible and interpret the stories, and as a result Zack claims victory that Peterson is actually subscribing to Humanism and challenging the Bible as a sacred text. Listen to the drama unfold!

Zack and Peterson are back after a very slight delay this past week, and the episode is jam-packed to compensate. Birds in the background. Bank Holidays. Memorial Day. Fighting ex-gay therapy abroad. Latin America’s Oprah/Jerry Springer? Federico García Lorca. The National Organization for Marriage’s race-wedging. Marriage polling that counters conservatives’ narratives. Dolores Huerta. Burritos. And more! Listen for all the details!

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

» Federico García Lorca’s lover revealed.

» NOM’s confidential memo and internal emails documenting their race-baiting.

» POLLING: Maryland, Pennsylvania, National.

» Dolores Huerta: “Siempre En La Lucha: Latinos and Marriage Equality.”

Zack and Peterson do their first ever favorite things episode! All our favorite things are listed below, but you should totally listen to the podcast first so there aren’t any spoilers. I mean, seriously, we’re much more interesting to listen to than boring text on the screen. In fact, why are you even reading this episode description? Stop wasting your time and listen to the episode already. We have lots of suggestions for wonderful art, content, and personalities for you to check out when you’re done. Oh, and if you don’t listen, you’ll never find out if Zack sneezes or not. Once you’re done, stop by our Facebook page to share some of your favorite things!

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

» Pan American Health Organization Condemns Ex-Gay Therapy

Television shows:

» Agatha Christie’s Marple
» Sherlock
» Scandal

Books:

» The Good News Club by Katherine Stewart
» Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy by Bil Wright

Blogs:

» Stephen Ira’s Super-Mattachine
» The Comics Curmudgeon

Movies:

» This Is What Love In Action Looks Like
» Audre Lorde: The Berlin Years 1984-1992
» The Artist

Podcasts:

» The Rachel Maddow Show
» Here’s The Thing with Alec Baldwin

Twitter:

» Kamal Fizazi – @kamalfizazi
» Grace – @graceishuman
» Abby Jensen – @Arizona_Abby
» Louis Virtel – @louisvirtel

Newspapers:

» The Daily Beast
» Metro Weekly
» The Washington Blade

Music:

» Mayer Hawthorne
» Namoli Brennet

 Magazine:

» Bitch
» GQ – Justin Bieber Interview

Marriage — meh, again? — is the topic du jour for Zack and Peterson. Peterson discusses concerns about his own upcoming wedding and Zack pontificates on the latest political happenings on the issue, including endorsement by Vice President Joe Biden. Oh, and Peterson made a video about his butt. Enjoy!

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

» Vice President Joe Biden’s remarks on same-sex marriage.

» This Is What Love In Action Looks Like on DVD.

» Peterson’s butt video.

This week, Peterson and Zack take on the recent controversy over Dan Savage’s remarks at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. Marvin Bloom returns to the podcast to defend the Christian students who were offended that Savage called some of their Biblical beliefs “bullshit.” Are conservatives right to condemn Savage’s comments, or are they just trying to obfuscate the fact that he was right about the Bible endorsing slavery? Will our listeners pacify Peterson’s ego sufficiently to convince him to record more podcasts? What flavor ice cream will Marvin Bloom eat with his partner? You’ll only find out if you listen!

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

» See video and the full text of Dan Savage’s remarks.

» Marvin Bloom: It Gets Better (Kinda)

» This Is What Love In Action Looks Like on DVD.

» Check out Glen Retief’s NYC reading as a Lambda Literary Award Finalist.

» Get the latest updates on North Carolina’s Amendment One here.

Miracles do happen! After a seven-month hiatus, Zack and Peterson are back! And following up on a conversation from Episode 43 with Anthony, who identified as ex-straight, this week we talk with Hector Moorehouse, who actually leads the ex-straight ministry Gushing Fountains. Hector answers all our questions about how ex-straight therapy works and what the outcomes are for its participants. But is this new episode a fluke, or will Peterson be convinced to come back next week?

Zack and Peterson welcome Peter Leeson onto the show this week—do note the distinction between Peterson and Peter LEEson. Our first trans-Atlantic guest! (Shane doesn’t count because he was in the U.S. with us when we recorded.) Peter came out as gay to his wife of 27 years at the age of 53 and decided to maintain his faithfulness to her. He shares with us his story about coming to terms with his identity during andropause and his experiences working with the LGBTQ community while not “acting” on his sexuality. Learn more about his story through the links below!

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

» Peter was profiled in The Times (Times subscribers only).

» Peter also shared his story in the short film, “Latecomers.”

» Also mentioned: The Boston Diocese lists all its accused child abusers.

After a little hiatus, the podcast is back with some lighter fare discussion about pop culture, but of course with the brilliant analysis and commentary you expect from the likes of Peterson and Zack. Follow the rambling discussion through Lady Gaga/Jo Calderone, Dancing with the Stars, Torchwood, Mad Men, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Crazy Stupid Love, Laughter in the Dark, and more. Also, you’ll find out just what Peterson was doing during last week’s east coast earthquake. Leave comments and hit us up on Twitter!

This week, Zack and Peterson continue the conversation about ex-gay therapy in the media — in particular, the NPR story that featured Peterson. But though some media portrayals still aren’t getting the message right, a new film paints a better picture. This Is What Love In Action Looks Like follows the story of Zach Stark, the 16-year-old who was forced into Love In Action’s Refuge program by his parents and provided detailed accounts of its rules and “therapies” on his MySpace. By showing how harmful ex-gay therapy can be, this film creates a new opportunity to educate the public on the harms of ex-gay therapy.

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

» TP: NPR Misrepresents Ex-Gay Therapy As ‘Controversial’ And Still Up For ‘Debate’
» TP: NPR’s Featured ‘Ex-Gay’ Guest Commits Over $200,000 To Dangerous, Unscientific Ex-Gay ‘Coachings’
» PT: Ex-Gay on NPR. Wrong question & Things unmentioned
» TP: Ten Things NPR Got Wrong Defending The Falsely Balanced Ex-Gay Story

» TP: Profiting Off Stigma: Janet Boynes, Bachmann’s Ex-Gay, Anti-Gay Superstar

» Ex-Gay Watch: Review: This Is What Love in Action Looks Like (Includes Upcoming Screening Dates)

Thanks to Michele Bachmann’s family business, ex-gay therapy is getting mainstream coverage in the news once again. But is it getting the coverage it deserves? Peterson and Zack welcome Christine Robinson back to the podcast to discuss how the media can better respond to the ex-gay movement and challenge the harmful rhetoric that continues to permeate society. Check out the many links below for the latest.

Here’s some more information about what we talked about this week:

» Listen back to our November 2010 interview with Christine.

» Citation and abstract for “Genocidal Intentions: Social Death and the Ex-Gay Movement” (Spivey & Robinson, 2010).

» Marcus Bachmann calls gays “barbarians” who need to be “disciplined.” The barbarians protest.

» Young people are more susceptible to ex-gay rhetoric.

» Ex-gay Stephen Bennett on Joy Behar.