Word of the Gay

Word of the Gay

Lipp Media

Welcome to Word of The Gay, a weekly podcast dissecting common words in the queer lexicon. Hosts Brendy and Leni will tackle a new word every week, taking a deep dive into its origin, contemporary usage, how it’s used in pop culture and how its perceived by different members of our community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sex Slurs

Sex Slurs

This week we’re looking at sex slurs for queer women, from muff diver to pussy puncher to bean flicker. Leni and Brendy discuss the implications these terms have on queer sex, how the terms get power from societies patriarchal structures and segue into a discussion about queer sex education in schools.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.Follow Word of

Dec 8, 2019 • 0:00

Gaydar

Gaydar

Gaydar, a mash-up of 'gay' and 'radar', is said to the ability to accurately pick someone's sexuality based only on observation or intuition. Leni & Brendy talk about the stereotypical traits used to assess someone using gaydar, the act of being visibly queer, and how right and wrong they've been with their own gaydar.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Po

Oct 29, 2019 • 0:00

Mary & The Girls

Mary & The Girls

The use of she/her pronouns by cis gay men - words like "girl" or “ honey” - is an increasingly visible trend, not to mention calling one another by traditionally female names. Leni and Brendy discuss the practice of switching gender pronouns as a way of embracing femininity and creating a shared culture around names like Mary, Nancy and Nellie, to name only a few.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate

Oct 14, 2019 • 0:00

Gay Best Friend

Gay Best Friend

If there’s a woman on TV having relationship problems, you better believe there's a sassy gay stereotype giving her wise and insightful advice. In the early naughties, the gay best friend almost became a sign of status for the cultured, inner-city lady. Leni and Brendy break down how the GBF stereotype has changed from an accessory to the staring role and the importance of the gay male & straight female friendship when "coming out”.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway St

Sep 29, 2019 • 0:00

Daddy

Daddy

We’re so excited to be joined by Mary and Morgan from the Oh Dear podcast to discuss ‘daddy, a slang term referring to a typically older man that's sexually involved in a relationship or wanting sex with a younger person.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.Follow Word of the Gay on Twitter at @wordofthegaypod, Facebook at Word of the Gay &am

Sep 14, 2019 • 0:00

Lesbian Bed Death

Lesbian Bed Death

Lesbian Bed Death refers to the so-called phenomena that happens in lesbian relationships where sex declines and then ceases to exist completely. Leni and Brendy discuss reasons sex in long-term relationships may stop, how the theory frames lesbian sex and how it differs from sex with men.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.Fo

Aug 17, 2019 • 0:00

Ally

Ally

There has been a lot of discussion about what an LGBT+ ally is and isn’t, but to most people, an LGBT+ ally is a heterosexual person who supports equal rights, gender equality, queer social movements, and tries to challenge all the phobias when they see it occurring. Leni and Brendy discuss iconic LGBT+ allies throughout history, queer-baiting by pop stars, and whether an extra ‘A’ should be added to the acronym.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway S

Jul 25, 2019 • 0:00

Bisexual Slang

Bisexual Slang

This week we take on various slang words attributed to bisexual people, including LUG, switch hitter, hasbian, bihet and gillette blade.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.Follow Word of the Gay on Twitter at @wordofthegaypod, Facebook at Word of the Gay & Instagram @wordofthegaypod.Send word suggestions and other correspondence to wordofthegay@li

Jul 11, 2019 • 0:00

Chemsex

Chemsex

Chemsex is a term for when people take drugs and have sex, oftentimes used to facilitate a better or more heightened sexual experience. Leni and Brendy chat about why LGBT+ engage in chemsex, how ‘chillout' parties are arranged through apps, and the likely consequences of too much puff n play.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcast

Jun 17, 2019 • 0:00

Bathhouse

Bathhouse

Warning: this episode discusses sexual assault.A gay bathhouse or sauna is usually a commercial, sex-on-premises venue, not just used for 'bathing’. Leni and Brendy discuss the history of bathhouses, their police raids and closures during the AIDS epidemic, sauna etiquette, lesbian saunas and how Bette Midler became the Divine Miss M at one of New York's most famous establishments.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subsc

May 23, 2019 • 0:00

Closet

Closet

Coming out of the closet is a metaphor for LGBT+ people's self-disclosure of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Leni and Brendy talk about what keeps people in various types of closets, the 'glass' closet for celebrities and share their own experiences coming out.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.Follow Word of the Gay on Tw

May 8, 2019 • 29:40

Drag Vocab

Drag Vocab

This episode we're dissecting three words popularised by RuPaul's Drag Race and often originating from queer African American and Latin communities. Leni and Brendy examine the words ‘hunty', ‘realness' and ‘fish’ in the first episode of Word of the Gay’s drag vocab series.Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.Follow Word of the Gay

Apr 24, 2019 • 0:00

Dopplebanger

Dopplebanger

A dopplebanger is when two people in a relationship look spookily alike. Leni and Brendy examine this whole new type of self love and ask: what’s sexier than dating yourself?Word of the Gay records fortnightly at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.Follow Word of the Gay on Twitter at @wordofthegaypod, Facebook at Word of the Gay & Instagram @wordofthegaypod.Send word suggestions

Apr 10, 2019 • 0:00

Poppers

Poppers

Poppers, or 'amyl' to many Australians, is a slang term given broadly to the chemical class called alkyl nitrites. Poppers comes in the form of little bottles of liquid, inhaled for recreational drug use and during sex, popular in the gay community for their ability to act as a muscle relaxant. Leni and Brendy chat about poppers usage (and risks), its popularity in the disco dance scene of the seventies, it's controversial links with HIV/AIDS and the recent proposed banning of amyl in

Mar 28, 2019 • 0:00

Poof

Poof

A 'poof' is a slur for a male homosexual, but can extend to any man whose manner or behaviour doesn't conform to what is conventionally regarded as masculine, and the word 'Poofta' made it's way into Australian slang and spread like wildfire, thanks to our homophobic Aussie forefathers. Leni and Brendy discuss the prevalence of use in Australian politics and sport and it's reclamation in places like Poof Doof (where we can't help but discuss their recent photo brief crisis too).Wo

Mar 11, 2019 • 0:00

Lipstick

Lipstick

People have used the word 'lipstick' to describe a lesbian with a greater amount of feminine gender attributes compared to other gender expressions. Leni and Brendy discuss lipstick's rise in media portrayals of queer women in the 90s, its relation to third wave feminism and analyse a slew of judgements 'lipstick lesbians' face.Word of the Gay records at Castaway Studios in Melbourne, Australia. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts an

Feb 14, 2019 • 0:00

Commitment Ceremony

Commitment Ceremony

A commitment ceremony is usually a non-formal, public declaration of a couple’s life-long dedication to one another. This kind of ceremony is usually conducted when a couple aren't able to get married legally, too often the case for many same sex couples around the world. Leni and Brendy compare commitment ceremonies to legal weddings, discuss how LGBT+ people conceptualise commitment and plan their dream ceremonies.Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, S

Feb 7, 2019 • 0:00

Shade

Shade

Shade is a subtle expression of contempt for someone, thrown rather than simply spoken. Leni and Brendy talk about shade as a skilful backhanded compliment adopted by members of the LGBT+ community, it’s origin with queers of colour during vogue balls in the 80’s and how shade is often misused in pop culture today. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Stitcher. Follow Word of the Gay on Twitter at @wordofthegaypod, Facebook a

Jan 23, 2019 • 0:00

Bottom

Bottom

It’s 2019: we’re here, queer and massive bottoms. A bottom is usually the receptive partner during sexual penetration, with links to submission for both men and women. Leni and Brendy bust stereotypes about bottoming being a strictly “feminine” trait, discuss topping practises most liked by bottoms, and possible genetic explanations for being a big ‘ol pillow princess.Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Stitcher. Follow

Jan 17, 2019 • 0:00

Gay Christmas

Gay Christmas

Deck the halls with pink champagne, it’s Gay Christmas! Whether it be Halloween, Mardi Gras or just a regular Saturday night, members of the LGBT+ seek moments they can come together with their chosen family in the same way Christmas promotes, without all that heteronormative shit. Leni and Brendy chat about what’s like for LGBT+ people to celebrate a religious holiday, Mariah Carey’s Christmas anthem, and their favourite Christmas carols and films. Word of the Gay will be back on Sunday 13

Dec 22, 2018 • 0:00

PrEP

PrEP

PrEP is an acronym for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a HIV prevention strategy where HIV negative people take a little blue pill to reduce their risk of becoming infected. Leni and Brendy discuss PrEP as one means of preventing HIV infection, HIV stigma and discrimination, a perceived rise in STI's as a result of reduced condom use when on PrEP and it's rate of effectiveness so far. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Stitcher.  Fol

Dec 16, 2018 • 0:00

Beard

Beard

A beard describes a person who is used to conceal another person's sexual orientation, a common practise in the golden age of Hollywood for celebrities considered 'a little bit queer'. Leni and Brendy discuss famous cases of bearding among high-profile members of the LGBT+ community, how internalised homophobia and the effects of a heteronormative society played a role in bearding and what beard arrangements look like today.  This episode of Word of the Gay is sponsored by Koala. Visit koala.com

Dec 10, 2018 • 0:00

Bio Queen

Bio Queen

Right now drag is enjoying an unprecidented level of mainstream success, and is still largely performed by gay men. But bio(logical) women are knocking at the door asking to be included; aren't they born naked just like the rest of us? Leni and Brendy discuss how bio queens aren't offen accepted in traditional drag environments, how they're subverting and telling new stories about gender, and how RuPaul feels about women competing in Drag Race. This episode of Word of the Gay is sponsored by Koa

Dec 3, 2018 • 0:00

Kiki

Kiki

A 'kiki' is a term used to describe when LGBT+ people get together to socialise, gossip and giggle. It's also long been connected to queers of colour that take part in Kiki Balls, celebrating gender non-conformity, racial diversity and sexual openness. So lock the doors, lower the blinds, and let Leni and Brendy guide you from its ball-origins through to its mainstream use by the Scissor Sisters. This episode of Word of the Gay is sponsored by Koala. Visit koala.com for $150 off purchases over $

Nov 25, 2018 • 0:00

Camp

Camp

Camp is usually used to describe an effeminate gay man, but can also be used to describe art and entertainment that is lively, cheesy or theatrical. Leni and Brendy deconstruct camp as a way of looking at the world through a love of the exaggerated and anything over-the-top.  This episode of Word of the Gay is sponsored by Koala. Visit koala.com for $150 off purchases over $1000 using code 'wordofthegay' at checkout.  This episode of Word of the Gay is also sponsored by the Wine Gallery. Visit

Nov 18, 2018 • 0:00

Dyke

Dyke

Dyke originated as a derogatory label for masculine or butch lesbians, but has come to apply to any lesbian that is easily identifiable. The word has been reclaimed by many groups, including the Dykes on Bikes who open most pride parades around the world. Leni and Brendy dissect the word's journey from the demise of dyke bars, dyke separatist groups and Zoe Leonard's 'I want a dyke for president' poem. This episode of Word of the Gay is sponsored by Koala. Visit koala.com for $150 off purchases

Nov 12, 2018 • 0:00

Homosexual Panic

Homosexual Panic

Homosexual panic is a legal defence used when a non-violent advance from a homosexual person can cause a heterosexual person to panic and respond with fatal violence. Leni and Brendy talk about it's use in trials throughout the 20th century up until last year in Australia, how it's used to downgrade murder to manslaughter and why we should replace the word 'homophobia'. This episode of Word of the Gay is sponsored by Koala. Visit koala.com for $150 off purchases over $1000 using code 'wordoftheg

Nov 3, 2018 • 0:00

Fetish

Fetish

A fetish is a sexual fixation on a non-living (or living in some cases) object, with over 500 different known fetishes. From the arousal of body parts to the weird and wacky, like outdoor crevises or house furniture, Leni and Brendy discuss it's proposed relation to childhood trauma, the difference between male and female fetishes and how fetishes are often celebrated in the LGBTIQ+ community. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and

Oct 24, 2018 • 0:00

Queer

Queer

Originally an old British term for strange or odd, the word queer became a slur for people that didn't subscribe to standard heterosexual norms. It's now reclaimed by many in the LGBT+ community, Leni and Brendy discuss how the word is used in modern day times, both as an umbrella term for diverse sexual and gender expression, and how it's been used in pop culture, from Queer as Folk to Queer Eye.  Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

Oct 9, 2018 • 0:00

Pink Dollar

Pink Dollar

Pink Dollar is what economists use to describe LGBT+ buying power. Leni and Brendy discuss the profits that can be made from the communities by targeting them through rainbows, representation in advertisements and sponsoring and appearing in their pride parades, from Absolut Vodka (and the moral issues associated with alcohol sponsorship), GAYTM's and even pop stars. Is it ethical marketing or exploitation? This is Word of the Gay. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple

Sep 23, 2018 • 0:00

Vogue

Vogue

The dance style of Vogue was born out of the Harlem ball scene of the 70's and 80's in New York City. Performed to house and disco music, the style is made up of sharp, angular moves imitating the models seen lining the pages of Vogue magazine. Leni and Brendy pay tribute to the art form, from Madonna's mainstreaming with her hit song, to it's cultural influence on the marginalised communities of black, latin, gay and trans people competing in their many drag houses. Subscribe (for free!), rate

Sep 15, 2018 • 0:00

Intersex

Intersex

One of the more confusing letters on the LGBTQIA+ acronym is intersex, an umbrella term for people born with variation sex characteristics. Leni and Brendy get clinical as they discuss non-binary notions of human bodies, the stigma of the word 'hermaphrodite', non-consensual corrective surgeries and the rumour that Rachel on Friends was intersex. Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Stitcher.  Follow Word of the Gay on Twitter at

Sep 7, 2018 • 0:00

Queen

Queen

Queen is a term used to refer to a flamboyant, femme, or camp gay male, though now it's come to refer to any homosexual, mostly as a pejorative between friends. From drag queens, to scene queens to opera queens, Leni and Brendy dissect it's use as an identifier for varied types of people in the community, and specifically celebrities and people of note as an expression of idolisation (yas queen!). Subscribe (for free!), rate and review Word of the Gay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

Aug 30, 2018 • 0:00

Friend of Dorothy

Friend of Dorothy

Though not used as much today, asking someone if they were a "friend of Dorothy" was a secret code for queer people beginning in the 1940's. Said to be inspired by two iconic Dorothy's of the first half of the 20th century - poet and writer Dorothy Parker and Dorothy Gale from the classic The Wizard of Oz - referring to Dorothy was a way to stay safe when announcing one's homosexuality in a dangerous and illegal period. Leni and Brendy dissect the queer themes of The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland's

Aug 22, 2018 • 0:00

U-Haul

U-Haul

A common stereotype for the way lesbians begin relationships involves an actual moving vehical. Born out of a one-off joke by Orange Is The New Black's Lea DeLaria, the notion of lesbian couples 'U-hauling' has well and truly stuck, but is it just a stereotype? Or is there a scientific explaination for this kind of intense attachment? Leni and Brendy explore the urge to merge, discount claims the stereotype is a result of stunted sexual development as a teenager and compare it to a higher degree

Aug 15, 2018 • 0:00

Bear

Bear

Celebrated for their stark differences to their hairless contemporaries, a 'bear' is generally considered a hairy gay man with a cuddly body. But bears have emotional attributes that support more masculine behaviours, and they're more likely to pick up the cheque! Leni and Brendy explore the deep culture of the gay animal kingdom (from pandas, to ewoks, to lesbian bears), and dissect the sense of exclusion bears tend to feel in mainstream gay culture, and the potential exclusion of their own tri

Aug 7, 2018 • 0:00

Beats

Beats

Beats have been a not-so-safe space for gay people to meet others and explore their sexual desires, especially back when homosexuality was literally in the shadows. Leni and Brendy explore the horrific way cruisers were treated in Australia on the beaches of Sydney, how beats have evolved to include sex-on-premises clubs and virtual apps, and the late George Michael as an unashamed poster boy for beats.This episode of Word of the Gay is sponsored by Gayle. Visit gaylebev.com for 10% off using co

Jul 28, 2018 • 0:00

Gold Star

Gold Star

A 'gold star' is traditionally used to recognise outstanding merit, but for some queer people its a self-identifying term for exclusively having sex with people of the same gender. Leni (bronze baby) and Brendy (confirmed bachelor) break down it's origin by way of Tila Tequila, Andy Cohen and try to work out how common it is for gaybies to be 'pure'.  This episode of Word of the Gay is sponsored by Gayle. Visit gaylebev.com for 10% off using coupon code 'wordofthegay' at checkout.  This episode

Jul 24, 2018 • 0:00

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