Queernundrum Podcast

• S5E16 Masked, Fabulous, and Flamboyant: Queer Coding and Camp Justice

  This week on Queernundrum, we’re sharpening our swords and polishing our boots—or heels—for a deep dive into one of the campiest cult classics of the early ’80s. We won’t spoil the title (yet), but here’s a hint: it involves twin brothers, capes, color-coordinated costumes, and a whole lot of sass. We explore how this outrageous comedy flipped the script on traditional heroism, bringing camp, queerness, and coded resistance to the silver screen—whether Hollywood was ready or not. We dig into the layered performance of George Hamilton, the brilliance of Brenda Vaccaro, the menace of Ron Leibman, and the cool glam of Lauren Hutton, tying it all to a time when queer representation had to sneak in through the back door of comedy.And speaking of injustice—Gary doesn’t hold back when we talk about the recent and infuriating decision to rename the U.S. Navy ship originally dedicated to Harvey Milk. During Pride Month, no less. We reflect on what Milk’s legacy means today, how erasure still shows up in military and political spaces, and why visibility still matters—campy movies included.Topics Covered:• Queer-coded characters in 1980s films• LGBTQ+ cinema history• George Hamilton and dual roles in comedy• The cultural impact of Zorro, The Gay Blade• Camp as resistance• Pride Month controversies• Harvey Milk and LGBTQ+Intro music by Jahzzar “Please Listen Carefully” “Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA” and Outro music by Scott Holmes “Acoustic Indie Folk” @ [email protected]: H. Greystone via FinalCut ProWriter: G. Thoren🎧 Stream now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your sassy social justice with a side of cinema.💬 Follow us on BlueSky, Instagram, and Facebook—and don’t forget to guess the movie before the masks come off!#Queernundrum #QueerCinema #PrideMonth #CampCulture #HarveyMilk #LGBTQHistory #ZorroButMakeItGay #PodcastWithPurpose

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• S5E15 Call Me Now: The Queernundrums of Miss Cleo

  This week on Queernundrum, we are dialing into the mystique of the one and only Miss Cleo—the 90s TV psychic icon with a Jamaican accent, dramatic flair, and an unforgettable catchphrase: “Call me now!”But behind the turbans and tarot cards was Youree Dell Harris, a queer Black woman, actress, and survivor who crafted a character that became both beloved and controversial.Was Miss Cleo an empowering queer trailblazer or an exploitative figure wrapped in spiritual drag? Or… was she both?Join us as we unravel:Miss Cleo’s true identity and late-in-life coming outHer unexpected role in leading Pride parades and representing queer resilienceThe tension between performance and deception in the name of survivalHer place in the glittering, messy lineage of queer icons, divas, and camp legendsThis episode is part queer history, part cultural autopsy, and part love letter to complicated legacies. Grab your crystal ball, press play, and let’s explore the queernundrum that is Miss Cleo.Was she the oracle we needed? Tune in and find out.

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• S5E14 The Lady and the Dale: Liz Carmichael's Twisted Tale of Innovation and Identity

  In this episode of Queernundrum, we delve into the captivating story of Liz Carmichael, a transgender entrepreneur who, in the 1970s, promised to revolutionize the auto industry with a three-wheeled car called The Dale. Amid the energy crisis, Liz's Twentieth Century Motor Car Corporation claimed the vehicle would achieve 70 miles per gallon, capturing national attention. However, as media scrutiny intensified, so did questions about the car's viability and Liz's past.We explore the intricate layers of Liz's life: her transition during a time of widespread transphobia, her run-ins with the law, and the media's obsession with her gender identity over her business dealings. The HBO docuseries The Lady and the Dale sheds light on how Liz's story was sensationalized, often overshadowing the systemic biases she faced as a trans woman in a male-dominated industry.Join us as we discuss:The intersection of gender identity and entrepreneurshipMedia portrayal of trans individuals in the 20th centuryThe fine line between innovation and deceptionResources & References:The Lady and the Dale – HBOGeraldine Elizabeth Carmichael – Wikipedia

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• S5E13 "Ooh My" George Takei

  This week on Queernundrum, Holly brings a little sparkle — and a little fire — to the mic with a roundup of major LGBTQ+ news:• The Trump administration proposes cutting LGBTQ+ services from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — what that means for our communities.• JoJo Siwa’s big "I'm so queer" moment on Celebrity Big Brother UK — and the pop culture fallout.• Demi Lovato throws a fabulous LGBTQ+ celebration at the opening of The Tryst in Puerto Vallarta.Meanwhile, Gary shines a spotlight on the incomparable George Takei — Star Trek legend, outspoken activist, and all-around queer icon. From sci-fi to social justice, we dive into what makes him a lasting hero for generations.⚡ Also! A little housekeeping: Queernundrum is now coming to you bi-weekly — every two weeks — so make sure you're subscribed to catch all the fabulousness.Listen in for the laughs, the rage, and the celebration — it’s all part of the Queernundrum. 🌈🎙️Intro music by Jahzzar “Please Listen Carefully” “Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA” and Outro music by Scott Holmes “Acoustic Indie Folk” @ [email protected]: H. Greystone via FinalCut ProWriter: G. Thoren

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• S5E12 Flesh, Fear & Freedom: Trans Identity in Horror with Serenity Scarecrow

  Good morning, queers and weirdos—This week, we step aboard a ghost train made of flesh, bones, and brutal truth with our guest Serenity Scarecrow (BlueSky: @serenityscarecrow.bsky.social | Instagram: @sketchypete902)—a horror-loving, boundary-pushing creator whose storytelling is as visceral as it is visionary.Intro music by Jahzzar “Please Listen Carefully” “Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA” and Outro music by Scott Holmes “Acoustic Indie Folk” @ [email protected]: H. Greystone via FinalCut ProWriter: G. ThorenInspired by the classics of horror, Serenity brings us deep into her original concept: a haunted thirteen-car train, crewed by the damned. It’s blood-soaked, metaphor-rich, and unapologetically trans.We explore the question:Horror can be a mirror, a weapon, or a scream of resistance—what does horror let you express about gender and identity that other genres might not?Serenity shares how horror—especially body horror—becomes a space to reclaim narratives often twisted or erased. Through transformation, grotesquery, and survival, trans bodies become sacred, powerful, and defiant. If you love queer horror, fearless storytelling, or just want to ride a train you’ll never forget, this one’s for you.🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your creepy queer content.💀 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share—because queerness is the final girl energy.

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