Episode Details

Episode Summary

It's Pride Month, and Zach is getting into all of it — the joy, the history, the politics, and the very real threats facing the LGBTQ+ community in 2026. This isn't just a celebration episode; it's a call to remember why Pride exists in the first place.

In This Episode

• The magic of NYC Pride and what makes it unlike anything else
• Why Pride started — the Stonewall riots, Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and the raw resistance that launched a movement
• Why Pride still matters: 650+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in 2026, trans people targeted despite being less than 1% of the population, and rising visibility bans
• The corporate retreat from DEI and Pride sponsorships — and what it means for community funding
• Counter-pride events: straight pride nights, "traditional family" campaigns, and what's happening in Tennessee
• Why the answer to "why do you still need a Pride month?" is: visibility, community, and protection
• Where Pride goes from here — and why returning to its grassroots roots might be exactly what's needed
• Zach's best (and most memorable) NYC Pride stories

Resources & References Mentioned

• Listen Up Girl podcast — daily LGBTQ+ news in 10 minutes or less
• Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera — Stonewall-era activists and trans rights pioneers
• Stonewall Riots, 1969

Share This Episode If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a reminder of why Pride matters. And please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform — it helps more people find the show.

Podcast song by SIXFOOT 5: https://www.sixfoot5prod.com

Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sixfoot-5/1551774977

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHMzoU0G0fLhaBsrQiOOY?si=laSZ5hiKTYubJJyhrzf2JQ

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.