Dear Queer,

Dear Queer,

A Podcast for your queer stories, questions & advice you wish your younger self had or you need right now. Hosted by Alena Papayanis and Produced by Lauren Hogarth

Episodes

June 4, 2026 20 mins

In this episode, we explore the roots of Pride in Toronto, how activism shaped it, and the many ways we can all show up for Pride in ways that feel authentic. We also share listener traditions, talk about navigating Pride with social anxiety, and reflect on how we cultivate queer joy.

Support Queer Organizations in Toronto!

Rainbow Railroad

The 519

...
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This week, we’re joined by Nathan Radke, who is a professor, author, and co-host of The Uncover Up podcast and Alena’s colleague. Nathan helps us dive into what makes conspiracy theories so compelling and why they are everywhere right now.

We also explore the surprising connections between conspiracy culture and the queer community, from historical persecution and coded communication ...

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We catch up on the latest Summer House Episode and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Reunion.

Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

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On this episode, we cover what’s going on in reality TV right now, including (obviously!) the Summer House Scamanda Scandal and Mormon Wives. We talk about why we are enamoured with Love on the Spectrum, introduce some new shows to each other, and cover some oldies but goodies.

Victoria’s shows:

  • Traitors (Number one favourite show)
  • The Bachelor
  • The ...
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  • What makes something “queer cinema”? 
  • Why queer films are important
  • Why Birdcage is a Queer film landmark
  • Casting heteros in Queer roles
  • Is a movie a good first date?

Go see Peter at Queer Cinema’s home, the Paradise Theater on Bloor St.

@queer.cinema.club

@peterknegt

Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

Transcript:

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Trans Writer KB Brookins joins us to talk about:

  • Their memoir, Pretty
  • The importance of finding your people
  • Having mentors
  • Writing things down when it's hard to say the thing out loud
  • Refined rage
  • Not excusing behaviours but giving them context
  • Trans news that doesn’t suck

Links:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/pretty-a-memoir-kb-b...

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January 8, 2026 19 mins

And yes, the lesbians are watching!

Tune in for our takes on:

  • The characters, the quiet negotiations
  • Why we are NOT here for the critiques
  • But are here for straight people celebrating a queer romance
  • Why are we all crying in episode 5
  • Cottage Cottage and more Cottage
  • Is Heated Rivalry the new Pink Shirt Test?

This and a whole lot m...

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December 11, 2025 23 mins

On this week's episode, we give the gift of dating advice

  • What are we thinking about going into the holidays
  • How to DTR a non-traditional relationship, and what is a QPR?
  • Dating and kids: Is it a deal breaker?
  • Green flags when dating a parent
  • What to do if you are the only queer in your family over the holidays

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

...

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November 27, 2025 23 mins

On this week's episode, we learn all about our anger.

  • What is it?
  • What's going on in our bodies when we're experiencing anger?
  • What can we do to get in touch with our anger before it gets out of hand?
  • What are some physical/somatic things we can do for ourselves to expel or manage anger?

Robin Lacambra (she/they) is a queer Filipinx creati...

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Welcome to season two of Dear Queer. We will have episodes coming out every other Thursday.

Please enjoy this episode with our favourite apologizer and relational psychotherapist, Robin Lacambra.

This weeks Topics include:

  • Why is it hard to apologize
  • How do we apologize
  • How to best set yourself up to get the apology you're hoping for
...

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Welcome to season two of Dear Queer. We are coming to you on a Monday for a very special opening-season episode because, well, the Blue Jays are in the World Series, and apparently that's a big deal. This week, Marco, tries to convince us that yes, the Blue Jays are in fact queer culture and we do need to pay attention. 

Todays topics include: 

Bandwagons, superstition in sports, basebal...

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Dev Matthews and Hailey Froese are back to talk reality TV with Alena and Lauren, and this time it's all about the Queer Ultimatum Season 2 with all our hot and cold takes! They give their definitive answers on what sex is, so if you are our parents.. "Go Away!"

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

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June 26, 2025 12 mins

Our unsolicited advice about your dating life with Alena and Lauren, Happy Pride!

_ _ _

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

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June 5, 2025 15 mins

We're back! Weddings and Pride and what to wear on this episode of dear Queer with Alena and Lauren

_ _ _

Show some queer Orginizations some love this month if you can:

Rainbow Railroad

The 519

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SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

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April 10, 2025 29 mins

Alena talks about their later-in-life Autism diagnosis and what it's like to be queer and neurodiverse.

_ _ _

READ Unmasking Autism

Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity

By Devon Price, PhD

LINK

Great resource for newly diagnosed people:

https://awnnetwork.org/resource-library/

WATCH

5 TEDx Talks from Women with Autism

https://www.myautism.org/ne...

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Alena and Lauren talk about fear-mongering, moral panic, gender-affirming care, and how you can show up in these times.

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If you need support, check out these organizations:

Trans lifeline https://translifeline.org/

The 519 https://www.the519.org/

Rainbow Railroad https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/

Find us on Instagram @dear.queer.podcast 

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SEND ...

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Ontario Provincial Elections are today! It is February 27th and it's time to Vote. Head on over to www.elections.on.ca for all the info you could ever need. It's so simple, just grab a piece of ID and look up your voting location. You got this Queers and Allies!

See you in two weeks!

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February 13, 2025 19 mins

Be our Valentine!  Today we talk about Valentine's Day as a concept, explore how basically we both feel about it, and give some ideas for what to do if you're single this Valentine's Day.

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Find us on Instagram @dear.queer.podcast 

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SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

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We are back for part 2 of listener questions with Nick Rovers and Alena shares a Tom Sandoval dream!

_ _ _

Find us on Instagram @dear.queer.podcast 

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SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

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We have Nick Rovers Back on the podcast to answer listener questions. We talk about flirting, coming out in your 40s, and reciprocity with friends.

Shout out to https://www.the519.org/

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Find us on Instagram @dear.queer.podcast 

_ _ _

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS!

Music By: Sean Patrick Brennan @ayeayeayemusic

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