Black Queer Canon: The Podcast

"Live! Work! Pose!" is what Prayerful "Pray Tell" exclaimed at the start of each episode of FX's adored show "Pose." Portrayed by Billy Porter, Pray Tell is the commentator, church queen and community elder that poses as one of the show's centers. And while viewers were treated to his catty reads and over-the-top demeanor, the character was given depth through his battle with HIV, reconciliation of his past traumas and more. This w...

Omar Little, as played by Michael K Williams in the HBO series "The Wire," was a modern day Rpbin HOod: he was a shotgun toting stick up man who robbed drug dealers. He had a code. And he was gay. Screenwriter Kirk Moore joins Black Queer Cannon to talk all things Omar: the representation he provided, his tragic death scene and the backlash that came from the portrayal. 

Black Queer Canon is a production of Slayzhon. It is created, ...

After Laverne Cox issued in the "transgender tipping point" as Sophia Burset in "Orange Is the New Black," Michaela Jae Rodriguez showed what was possible as Blanca Evangelista on "Pose." Journalist Shar Jossell joins hosts Tre'vell Anderson and Mikelle Street to talk about trans representation on screen. 

Black Queer Canon is a production of Slayzhon. It is created, hosted and executive produced by Mikelle Street and Tre’vell Ander...

Actress and entertainer Jazzmun joins Black Queer Canon hosts Tre’vell and Mikelle to discuss the imitable Noxeema Jackson. In the 1995 “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar,” Wesley Snipes plays the dazzling, whip smart and stern Noxeema Jackson. Amongst other things, this episode dives into the trans discourse around the role, how it nods to the long visible trope of the Black mammy, and how it all connects to the 200...

Cultural critic and columnist Taylor Crumpton joins Black Queer Canon hosts Tre’vell and Mikelle dig into the ABC original “How To Get Away With Murder.” In particular, the pair delve into the full-time lawyer, part-time bully and eventual self-described bisexual Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) at the center of the series which began airing in 2014. Among other things, the episode discusses the methods of Shondaland, how Annalise st...

Actress and comic Quei Tann joins Black Queer Canon hosts Tre’vell and Mikelle to discuss trans icon much before her time: the imitable Lady Chablis. In 1997, the Savannah, Georgia nightclub legend played a version of herself in the cult-classic Clint Eastwood film “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” In the episode, the trio discuss how the Lady Chablis still stands as a shining example of trans visibility on screen, her con...

“Dear White People” creator Justin Simien joins Black Queer Canon hosts Tre’vell and Mikelle to revisit two controversial Black, gay characters in television history: Blaine Edwards and Antoine Merriweather. The pair were played by Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier in “Men On…” a recurring comedy sketch that appeared across “In Living Color” and “Saturday Night Live” starting in 1990. This episode delves into why, despite their con...

Emmy-winning writer and actor Lena Waithe joins Black Queer Canon hosts Tre’vell and Mikelle to discuss one of the most enduring studs on screen: Cleo Sims. Played by Queen Latifah in the 1996 crime drama “Set It Off,” Cleo has become a pivotal archetype for black butch lesbians on screen. In the episode, the three discuss Cleo’s impact, what the role says about masculinity and that brutally tragic death scene.

Black Queer Canon is ...

In this inaugural episode, Tre’vell and Mikelle introduce the Black Queer Canon and induct Noah Nicholson from the 2005 LogoTV series “Noah’s Arc.” They discuss the show’s predecessor “Punks” as well as the way Noah, played by Darryl Stephens remains one-of-one. In an interview with show creator Patrik-Ian Polk they discuss how the character came to be, homonormative relationships and whether Noah is the villain after all.

Black Que...

Black Queer Canon is a production of Slayzhon. It is created, hosted and executive produced by Mikelle Street and Tre’vell Anderson. Chris Rodgers is our associate producer and editor. Our theme is the track “Soul,” Neverending Nina. The project is supported by Critical Minded, an initiative to invest in cultural critics of color cofounded by The Nathan Cummings Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

Visit us at BlackQueerCanon.com. C...

This week, we have reached the end of the journey with the final episode of We See Each Other: The Podcast. Hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell welcome Pose and American Horror Story star, Angelica Ross. She speaks on the state of trans media representation, how comedy has been both a gift and curse for the trans community, and what it means to indict one’s self. Then, our hosts speak with political journalist and host of The ...

In this, the penultimate episode of We See Each Other: The Podcast, Tre’vell and Shar dive into the nonbinary pool, with all its pronouns. So what does it mean to call oneself nonbinary? Tre’vell reveals the journey they took before accepting and claiming themself. To further explore the nuances of being nonbinary, Shar and Tre’vell speak with the model and and host of PBS’ Brave Spaces Devin-Norelle (ze/zim/zis). 

Mentioned in the ...

Hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell welcome producer and co - director of the documentary, The Stroll, Kristen Lovell as they discuss the documentary’s portrayal of trans sex workers who worked in the Meatpacking District of New York City during the 90s. Lovell also speaks on finally having the control of the Black trans narrative behind the camera, and not just as the subject. Then, our hosts speak with the producer and direc...

On this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell speak with 9-1-1: Lone Star's, Brian Michael Smith. The actor shares how he is now able to bring all sides of himself to the table as an actor. But first, our hosts discuss masc representation in media, or rather the lack thereof. With cis women actors playing transmasculine characters as the norm back in the day, like Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry, our hosts discuss...

On this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell sit down with iconic performer and alum of The Jerry Springer Show, Mimi Marks. Mimi recalls her time on Jerry, learning from her mistakes while in the public eye, and shares some advice for folks who may be new in their trans journey. And after, our hosts meet with activist and community organizer, Hope Giselle as she discusses how race and racism is left out of tran...

On this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell discuss trans visibility within the reality tv realm with very special guests, Grammy award nominated artist and winner of MTV’s Diddy’s Making His Band, Qing Jaila Simms and writer, comedian, and Survivor: Game Changer key player, Zeke Smith. Both reality tv pioneers discuss their experience filming on set and navigating high visibility in the real world once the cam...

In this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell sit down with special guest  Trace Lysette, star of the critically acclaimed film Monica, as she shares her experience with the outpouring of love she’s received from audiences of the film, and what it may take for Hollywood to make more films centering trans characters. But first, we discuss cross - dressing characters in film and television, and how they’re oftentim...

In episode two of this limited series, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell discuss the first trans characters who changed their perspective on transness in media. Then later, special guest actress, DJ, and dancer, Lina Bradford graces us and shares what it was like coming up during the club kid era, her career, and who in media influenced her the most. After that, folks from the Unique Woman’s Coalition share their thoughts on...