The Strapdown

Did Bridgerton really give us a lesbian storyline… or did they give us crumbs in a corset? 

This week we’re talking about Season 4, Francesca, Michaela, and why queer audiences are tired of celebrating “representation” that barely shows up on screen.

In this episode, we break down the hype around Bridgerton’s first sapphic storyline and whether it actually delivered. While queer media praised the inclusion of Francesca and Michaela, the reality? Minimal screen time, limited development, and a whole lot of “blink and you’ll miss it.” We unpack the backlash, why we felt underfed, and how shows sometimes market diversity harder than they actually commit to it.

We also get into a bigger conversation about how lesbian and queer audiences are expected to clap for breadcrumbs. Is this progress? Or is it strategic PR? And of course, we give our predictions for Part Two. Do they commit or wuss out?

Because as grown lesbian women? We don’t do scraps.

1:35 A Lesbian Storyline on Bridgerton?
7:41 Another Cinderella Story 
10:38  Backlash to Sapphic Love story
14:40 Comphet and Lavender Marriages 
18:33 Making our own Gay Bridgerton Storylines
25:35 Masculinizing Black Lesbians in Interracial Couples
28:22 Part 2 Predictions
34:24 A Stern Warning to Shonda, Netflix, and Gay Media

When the money gets long but the boundaries get longer. What do you owe your family?This week we’re unpacking the very public drama between GloRilla and her sister, Brorilla, and asking the uncomfortable question: when you make it out, is everyone entitled to your success?In this episode, we break down the back-and-forth between GloRilla and Brorilla and what it reveals about family expectations, especially for Black daughters. We talk about the pressure to be the “provider,” the emotional tax of being the successful one, and how rap culture sells a flashy capitalist fantasy that doesn’t always match real-life bank accounts. Because social media money and actual liquidity? Two different things.Then we bring back Queer Black History, spotlighting the legendary Ernestine “Tiny” Davis, a trailblazing queer trumpet player who deserves way more recognition. Because while the timeline debates who owes who, we’re also honoring the Black queer women who paved the way.We also Put You on Strap Game to some Alt Pop goodness with nonbinary artist, Nxdia, and celebrate the latest Hemlocke Springs drop!! Where are quirky gays at????Hemlocke Springs Be the Girl https://youtu.be/-OW6gkIDeEE?si=bZ4TIIU0HKmP4fqSNxdia She likes a Boy Music Video https://youtu.be/pspcFwLWEWg?si=rX2EVRZ9mRTqP8x-1:29 Femme Topics: Battle of the Rillas - Glorilla vs Brorilla 11:47 Pressure of Being the Successful Daughter/Sibling 29:10 Queer Black History Ernestine Tiny Davis 43:35 Queer Alt Pop Artist Nxdia 48:53 Hemlocke Springs new drop!!

They swear “nobody watches the WNBA”… but the numbers say otherwise.

This week on The Strapdown Podcast, we break down the WNBA collective bargaining agreement drama and why people get real loud (and wrong) when Black queer women ask to be paid what they’re worth.

In this episode, we unpack the latest conversations around the WNBA CBA negotiations, debunk the tired “it’s not profitable” and “no one watches” talking points, and ask the real question: why does it bother podcast bros so much when a league full of Black, queer, elite athletes demands more? We get into how racism, misogyny, and homophobia show up in sports media, and why that matters specifically to the lesbian community.

Then we give some SUGAA, to a lesbian who keeps attracting mean girls and can’t figure out why. We talk about missing social cues (especially if you’re on the spectrum), recognizing subtle shade, and using the power of attraction to usher in the love or situationship you desire.

Drop a comment: Do you think the WNBA players deserve more? How do you deflect a mean comment in real time? What's Ginger's full government name? 

0:55 WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement Drama Explained
9:20 Debunking the WNBA Profitability Argument
14:35 The Exploitation of Black Women's Labor 
17:55 Debunking the Lack of Viewership Argument 
20:50 Marketing Issues with the WNBA
23:57 Counting the MNBA's Pockets
30:23 SUGAA Surviving Mean Girl Nurses
37:10 Combatting Missed Social Cues
42:02 WNBA GAY 
45:45 New Ksst Drop Brings Aury to TEARS

WNBA Gay Hats: https://www.leifjlee.com/shop/studio-drop?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAP51LdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAafYxsi1keZaSQCljfK_UUEfy_FCWaaqSxVWImvMrzNFhraGHKaV458m_DSvKQ_aem_Yai3g9DEpp1J-bmPtT3t-g

Leifjlee on INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/leifjlee?igsh=MXJsbzhiaTM1c3pxeA==

What if your masc/stud surprised you at your wedding in a wedding dress? 
On this episode of The Strapdown Podcast, we get into the conversation around masc and studs who choose wedding dresses instead of suits on their big day. We talk about gender expectations in queer spaces, why people love to police masculinity, and why a dress doesn’t cancel anyone’s identity. 
Also, be on the look out for RED PILL lesbians. Yes, you read that correctly. RED. PILL. LESBIANS. Let's talk about how straight, patriarchal dating logic keeps sneaking into lesbian culture. The CIA never takes a day off. 
This week's SUGAA features a real-life horror story that answers the age-old question: should you sign a lease with your girlfriend? (Short answer: Absolutely not!) We talk about "go" money, red flags, and weigh the pros and cons of bad credit versus hard time.
To close things out, we put you on to some things we’re loving right now, including Queer Wrestling and a new YouTube POC web series called Queer Memoirs! Yaaas to creating our own art!!!

Be sure to support Nekima Levy Armstong's Go Fund Me and continue to fight the good fight. 

Let us know your thoughts in comments!!! 
Stay Strapped!! 

Link to Bay Area Queer Wresting event:
Crybaby Oakland: https://www.instagram.com/crybabyoakland?igsh=YnlxdDc3MGI3dXhq
Queer Memoir: https://youtu.be/GGredqGNKAg?siOXWSkRVcH15Kqq
@TEN01COLLECTIVE Go follow on Youtube!!!!!
Go fund Me (reactivated as of time of posting)
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-nekima-levy-armstrongs-legal-defense
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-minnesota-activists

In today's femme topic we talk about the phenomenon around Heated Rivalry, what a fujoshi is, and why there are no Black people involved. Sheria discusses her Black Girl Bechdel Test and we talk about the fear of Black lesbians in media (as evidenced by the Netflix Lara Croft memes). We also give some special Solicited/Unsolicited Gay Auntie Advice to a 34 year old soft-masc looking for community and connection with help from our new sponsor at the HER App. https://weareher.com/download/We get an update from our Artist in Residence ksst, and our official niece, Aissatou Amiya puts us on Strap Game to some Black sapphic graphic novels.Thanks to HER for sponsoring this episode!