“The Gay Agenda.” When one hears this term, there are often negative connotations attached to the phrase because of the homophobic way it was used in the past to describe the efforts to advance LGBTQ rights. However, Netflix recently launched a new podcast called “The Gay Agenda” that twisted the controversial phrase and used it as a way to uplift the LGTBQ community. Released Jan. 10, the podcast’s first episode takes an inquisitive approach in celebrating the unique stories of actors who identify as queer while providing a safe space to lift one another up amongst the gay community.

The first episode focuses on the real-life experiences of lesbian actress Jasmin Savoy, nonbinary actor Liv Hewson and nonbinary actor Bex Taylor-Klaus. By honoring LGBTQ successes and joys, they aim to portray a more positive reflection of the community rather than the typical sad, painful themes that are often prevalent in media. The podcast starts off by discussing the hilarious yet strangely common intertwinement of Shakespeare and queerness, which then shifts to the topic of navigating the struggles of growing up gay. During this conversation, Hewson describes how growing up gay meant that their identity was always treated like a bomb that was waiting to go off. By providing real-life experiences that many other LGTBQ children can relate to and creating a conversation about the obstacles that those children often face, the podcast pushes the idea that there is nothing better than celebrating who you are and not being ashamed of it.

The topic of intersectionality is also prevalent throughout the podcast, which emphasizes the importance of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) representation in media. According to a study done by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Institute, there was a 23% decrease in non-white LGBTQ characters in major films from 2017 to 2019. “The Gay Agenda” tries to incorporate more discussion about the experiences that women of color go through that are often overlooked. In the podcast, Savoy talks about how there is more than just her queerness that defines her. She emphasizes that she is a Black woman who is constantly struggling with the consequences of oppressive institutions like white supremacy, especially in an industry where women of color only make up 6.2% of local radio staff according to the Women’s Media Center in 2018.

At the end of the podcast, Savoy, Hewson and Taylor-Klaus crack jokes about the social construct of gender and even play a short game of assigning genders to random objects such as balloons, bologna and Justin Bieber’s hit single “Boyfriend.” The light-hearted approach that the podcast takes allows its listeners to feel comfortable and have fun. After only 45 minutes of listening to “The Gay Agenda,” it already proves that there can be room for all of it: silliness, activism, healing and connection. As Netflix’s first LGBTQ podcast, it has proved to be a joyful outlet for expressing the talents and storytelling of the gay community. Whether it’s through witty jokes, engaging conversations or meaningful advice, “The Gay Agenda” provides a quirky feel that leaves listeners feeling empowered.