Strange Fruit: Musings on Politics, Pop Culture, and Black Gay Life

05/09/2023

The WindSisters protected attendees as they entered the library.

06/02/2022

Congratulations to co-host, co-creator and co-producer Dr. Kaila Adia Story-Jackson on being named a 2022 Champion of Pride by !!! So happy and excited for you!!!!

Meet Our 50+ Champions of Pride From Around the U.S. for 2022

02/10/2022

Thank you so very much Q***rKentucky for spotlighting us and our work! It means so very much to us! Happy Black History & Futures Month! We love y’all! 🙋🏾‍♀️🙏🏾🖤💐📚🎙🤌🏾🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🖤🤸🏾‍♀️🎯💯‼️

PODCAST EPISODE IN BIO! If there are two Q***r leaders in the state that have supported Q***r Kentucky since they day they learned about it, it would be the Strange Fruit Podcasters themselves, Jaison Gardiner and Kaila Story. We love you!

Dr. Kaila Story is Associate Professor, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, with a joint appointment in the Department of Pan-African Studies. She holds the Audre Lorde Chair in Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Jaison A. Gardner has been a social justice activist and community organizer for more than fifteen years, working primarily around issues related to youth empowerment, LGBT rights, people of color issues and women’s liberation. He has served on the board of directors for several progressive organizations including the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) in Washington, DC and Women in Transition (WIT), Kentuckiana AIDS Alliance and Fairness.

Listen to our podcast with them!

10/27/2021

Hey Fruitcakes!! Check out this out great conversation with the Q***rKentucky podcast!! We spoke with hosts, Sarah Gardiner & Spencer Jenkins about anything and everything! Check it out at the link! 🎙🏳️‍🌈🖤🏳️‍⚧️🎙

“Episode Notes
On this episode, Sarah Gardiner and Spencer Jenkins sit down with the internationally acclaimed podcast hosts of Strange Fruit: Musings on Politics, Pop Culture, and Black Gay Life! Jaison Gardiner and Kaila Story have been incredibly influential activists in the Q***r community and we talk the origins of their podcast, ball culture, etiquette, racism and of course, a little banter too.

Episode Summary
Beards and Lavender meets up with the King and Queen of q***r podcasts, Jaison Ashley Gardner and Kaila Story.”-Q***r Kentucky Podcast host, Spencer Jenkins

Beards and Lavender meets up with the King and Queen of q***r podcasts, Jaison Gardiner and Doctress Kaila Story.

10/13/2021

Hey Fruitcakes!!!! In honor of at the University of Louisville, co-host Jaison Gardner will be facilitating the Q&A for their pride month keynote with Good Trouble’s Sherry Cola!!!! Registration is free!!! 🏳️‍🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️🖤

05/12/2021

Mistress Velvet 😪💔🕊💯.

Mistress Velvet was a Chicago based Do******ix, who was made famous for making their white male clients read about Black feminist theories. We got the opportunity to interview Mistress Velvet on the podcast in 2018. The link to that episode is located in the comments of this post. Below is a description of that particular episode. Fly high Mistress Velvet. Rest well.

“Chicago do******ix Mistress Velvet did not intentionally build their practice around dominating white men. But Mistress Velvet was living in a predominantly white part of North Carolina at the time, and most of the people who could afford to hire them, fit that demographic. "It just happened to be that a lot of my clients were white men," they said, "and they were just really awful." One client said he appreciated that they were so well educated. "I've had black mistresses in the past," he told her, "but they were often ghetto." At the same time, they said he seemed to be struggling with a lot of white guilt. Mistress Velvet figured he needed some education himself -- and he happened to be paying her to tell him what to do. So they ordered him to read an essay by Patricia Hill Collins on the importance of black feminist theory. "It just gave me so much life," they said. "He was on his knees, at my feet, reading an essay to me, and I'm like snapping the whole time -- at least internally. You know, I have to keep up my persona of being very cold." Mistress decided that they wanted to be doing more of that kind of work, and now Mistress Velvet specializes in dominating white men and teaching them black feminist theory. Depending on the client, they said the assignments can be used as a treat or a punishment. Mistress Velvet joins us to talk about their work, mainstream perceptions of B**M, and how race and racism plays into intimate power dynamics...”-Strange Fruit Podcast, March 9, 2018

04/19/2021

Thanks so much Jermaine Fowler for this fantastic write up of !!!! We’re on a seasonal hiatus at the moment, but in the meantime check out our , if you haven’t already: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/440577316/strange-fruit

02/09/2021

Thank you for this awesome write up about !!!! We’re excited and honored to be in such great podcast company!! 🙏🏾📚🎙🌈🖤💯‼️

“...Hosted by Jaison Gardner and Dr. Kaila Story, Strange Fruit is a lively and thought-provoking podcast that deftly tackles topics of race, politics, pop culture, and LGBTQ+ identity. Broadcast out of Louisville, Kentucky, the podcast is proud of its local roots, yet the discussions facilitated by Gardner and Story resonate far beyond their immediate community. In addition to the hosts’ incisive questions, underscored by a sense of academic rigor, the show is set apart by its diverse topics of discussion (Why is YA fiction so straight and white? What are in*******al household dynamics like in 2020? Why is polyamory seen as exclusive to white people? How does one stay mentally healthy in the time of social distancing?). It also features interviews with a host of fascinating creatives, allowing listeners to develop a greater appreciation for the artists, writers, cultural critics, and academics in their communities...”-Vanity Fair Magazine

As Black History Month begins, these podcasts shed light on the issues faced by Black Americans, while also sharing important stories of resistance and joy.

12/28/2020

Do you know a Black trans or q***r elder? Please connect them with Jai or Doc for consideration in this exciting new project. This is a compensated opportunity.

11/18/2020

Congrats to our cohosts Jaison Ashley Gardner and Dr. Kaila Adia Story for securing a generous grant in the amount of $10k from the Southern Movement Media Fund and Press On to support new works from . We can't wait for you to learn about what Jai and Doc have in store for this new project! Stay Tuned! ***rExcellence ***rFutures
-----
"We are excited to announce our second round of 2020 grantees for the Southern Movement Media Fund at Press On!
[These] grants will support deep collaborations grounded in reporting and storytelling by and for Black and brown people in the South. These projects touch on issues ranging from evictions, to ma*****na legalization, to uprisings in both small towns and big cities, and their approaches include video archives, interactive timelines, live events, podcasts, illustrated oral histories and written reports. We hope you’re as inspired as we’ve been by learning about these projects and their creators.
Louisville, Kentucky: is Dr. Kaila Story, an Associate Professor of Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Pan African Studies and the Audre Lorde Endowed Chair at the University of Louisville and Jaison Gardner, a longtime community activist. Their work seeks to examine Black gay life through the voices of those who live it.

The fund will support a multimedia platform that centers stories of Black and POC q***r and trans folks through a podcast series, video segments, and photojournalism.
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11/10/2020

NEW !!!!

Between growing public interest in the racial justice movement, a polarizing political landscape and folks trapped indoors for nearly nine months now, online activism is at an all time high. Accordingly, white supremacists who spew vitriolic and violent language and ideas also abound across social media platforms.

This week joins us to discuss his recent essay, “There’s a Jim Crow Mentality on Social Media,” which outlines his experiences combating racist trolls and threats of violence online.

Later, diversity trainer joins us to discuss her idea that “radical acceptance” of our diverse selves makes us more valuable personally and professionally.

Writer Ron Dawson joins us to discuss his experiences combating racist harassment and threats of violence online.

10/23/2020

NEW !!!

The body positivity movement has been extremely important in combatting our country’s fatphobia and teaching us all to love our bodies just as they are. Kelsey Miller, founder of The Anti-Diet Project, is this week’s guest and joins us to explain “How Whiteness Killed the Body Positive Movement.”

Miller shares her learning journey about white privilege and intersectionality and she says the body positivity movement must heed the work and labor of Black fat positive activists in order to keep the movement growing.

We also chat with Elijah Li, founder of SOULE magazine and the SOULE Foundation about why it’s important for Black LGBTQ+ folks to see reflections of themselves in a world that is both anti-Black and anti-q***r.

Kelsey Miller, founder of "The Anti-Diet Project," talks about her essay, “How Whiteness Killed the Body Positive Movement.”

10/19/2020

This Thursday (10/22) at 6pm!!! will be moderating a panel of Black trans health providers who are declaring calls to action for our healthcare system that disproportionately harms and forgets Black trans people.

Panelists: Abigail Skinner, D’hana Perry, and Nala Simone Toussaint!!!

Link to register for free in the comments.

10/15/2020

NEW !!!!

This week writer discusses her compelling op-ed, “White Supremacy in Me: Light-skinned and part of the problem,” where she acknowledges the privileges associated with her skin tone, and challenges other light skin folk to begin the work of using their proximity to whiteness to disrupt an unjust system and spark a revolution.

Later, we speak with and , who adopted their son after finding him abandoned in a New York City subway. They join us to tell their story and talk about Peter’s heartwarming book “Our Subway Baby,” which details their family’s journey.

Writer Leigh Green discusses her compelling op-ed, "White Supremacy in Me: Light-skinned and part of the problem."

10/09/2020

This is one of our first interviews with our Auntie Monica Roberts in 2014. It’s so comforting to hear her voice and feel her inspiring spirit right now. 🕊💔😪

“You know her from her groundbreaking work as the , and a frequent commentator on . We know her as our Auntie Monica! Award-winning blogger Monica Roberts stopped by the Strange Fruit Studios on a recent visit to Louisville, and we checked in with her about the state of trans human rights. While Monica's blog covers a little bit of everything—"sports, feminism, human rights, whatever I feel like talking about," she says—the overarching focus is the lives of transgender women of color. Why a trans women of color blog rather than a general trans women blog? "Trans people of color experience a transition much differently from our white counterparts," Monica explains. "We are impacted negatively by racism that we deal with in our parent society, and even in the LGBT ranks." Even within the transfeminine community, there are challenges unique to different segments of the population. "The issues that I face as a trans woman of African descent, and the issues that a trans woman of Latina descent faces are two different issues," she says. "I don't have to deal with, like a Latina woman does, being jacked up on the street for immigration issues. But both of us do have to deal with stop and frisk...”

You know her from her groundbreaking work as the TransGriot, and a frequent commentator on Strange Fruit. We know her as our Auntie Monica! Award-winning blogger Monica Roberts stopped by the Strange Fruit Studios on a recent visit to Louisville, and we checked in with her about the state of trans h...

09/30/2020

NEW !!!!

was adopted by her grandparents when she was a kid because her parents struggled with addiction. She joins us this week, as a single parent of two adopted children, to discuss her book, “Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting.” And we talk about her New York Times piece, “Grandparents, Kin and Play Cousins: The Soul and Survival of Black Families,” which explores how African American families’ use of fictive kinship ties and multigenerational structures have helped families survive through generations of violence, struggle and oppression.

Later in the show, award-winning poet and Louisville native joins us to discuss her new book of poetry, “Horsepower,” which was awarded the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry.

Writer Nefertiti Austin explores how intergenerational proximity, and fictive kin like play cousins, strengthen Black families.

09/29/2020

Strange Fruit podcast officially turns 8 years old today. We premiered our podcast and broadcast our very first episode on this evening in 2012!

Over the years Doc and Jai have laughed, cried, debated, taught and learned so much. It's been one hell of an adventure and they've been so lucky to do it as best friends.

2 Black q***r Southerners. In Kentucky. On public radio, ya'll. Celebrity interviews. International listenership. Award winning. Kentucky Black LGBTQ Hall of Fame and Williams-Nichols LGBTQ Archive Collection inductees. Kaila and Jai.

(Pictured with their very first Fruitcake/fan, MJ)

09/22/2020

NEW !!!

, the anti-abortion activist who recently spoke at the Republican National Convention, found herself at the center of controversy after a video of her went viral. In it, she said her adopted Black son was “statistically” more likely to grow up to be a criminal than her white sons who would likely grow up to be innocent nerds — and thus police would be right to racially profile and stop him.

Her racist comments sparked conversations about transracial adoptions (adoptions where the adoptive parents/guardians are white and the adoptees are BIPOC).

Transracial adoptee author joins us this week to talk about her essay, “Abby Johnson’s Video Shows the Problem With White Parents Adopting Children of Color,” and she joins us to offer advice for white parents who adopt child of color.

Later, we speak with of the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting for an update on the recent financial settlement in the case.

Transracial adoptee author Melissa Guida-Richards joins us to offer advice for white parents who adopt child of color.

09/20/2020

Navigating life as gay man in a homophobic and heteronormative society can be emotionally and spiritually taxing. This week author joins us to discuss his insightful new book, “A Gay Man’s Guide to Life,” full of what he calls “kitchen table wisdom” to help gay men endure and thrive in an anti-q***r world, by loving themselves more and by loving others as well.

Later in the show, Louisville author and publisher joins us to discuss the creation of her Black publishing house, Aurelia Leo, her new anthology, “Dominion,” and why Black characters in speculative fiction works are vital for all communities.

"A Gay Man’s Guide to Life" has advice on how to endure and thrive in an anti-q***r world, by loving yourself more.

09/12/2020

NEW !!!!

As a historian of environmental justice and African American history, writer –- who is a white woman in an in*******al marriage -– says she possesses the academic and intellectual knowledge to contribute to conversations about recent police killings with her Black husband but not the emotional knowledge. This week we discuss “What An In*******al Household Looks Like After George Floyd’s Murder.”

Later, we speak to writer about recent commemorations of the and how not everyone got to cast a ballot when women were granted the right to vote.

How is the current racial reckoning in America playing out around the kitchen tables of in*******al households?

09/04/2020

NEW !!!!

Young Adult (YA) fiction is a literary tradition that has largely lacked diversity when it comes to the race and sexuality of its main characters.

Author Arvin Ahmadi’s new book, “How It All Blew Up,” has a q***r Iranian American teenager protagonist. He joins us this week to talk about how other authors of YA novels can be more inclusive of diverse communities and identities.

"How It All Blew Up" author Arvin Ahmadi talks about how other YA authors can be more inclusive of diverse communities and identities.

09/02/2020

It was a true delight to get to meet and chat with the brilliant actress and beautiful model . She really shined this season on as and we can't wait to see her character return next season!!!! !!! 🎬🎤🌈🖤🤸🏾‍♀️🔮💫💯

08/27/2020

NEW !!!!

’s dramatic television series has garnered a strong following and has received critical praise since premiering on the network three years ago. Its season finale aired last week.

This week we have a lively and insightful conversation with actress and model , who joined the cast of The Chi this season, to discuss her character Imani, a multi-faceted Black trans woman who is tender, loving and all kinds of fierce.

Davis plays a loving, fierce, multi-layered Black trans woman named Imani on Lena Waithe’s dramatic TV series.

08/20/2020

Y’all!!! Check out friend to the show who did this amazing illustration of Commission him today!!! ✍🏾🌈✨👨🏾‍🎨🖤💯

08/19/2020

NEW !!!!

The word “ally” is frequently heard in the fight for racial justice, usually used by a white person seeking to declare just how not racist they are. This week, our guest joins us to explain why she says “If You’re a Real Ally, You’ll Keep It to Yourself,” which she recently wrote about for Medium.

Writer Bridgette L. Hylton joins us to talk about her latest piece, “If You’re a Real Ally, You’ll Keep It to Yourself.”

08/13/2020

NEW !!!!

Educator and writer Rodney Fierce thought that performing a type of muted Blackness would shield him from the usual pitfall and roadblocks of discrimination, microaggressions and racism.

He was wrong.

Fierce joins us this week to discuss his essay “The Price of Being Pleasing,” and explains why performing Black harmlessness isn’t worth the cost.

Educator and writer Rodney Fierce thought that performing a type of muted Blackness would shield him from racism. He was wrong.

08/05/2020

YAAASSSS!!! Thanks so much for shouting out Strange Fruit: Musings on Politics, Pop Culture, and Black Gay Life in your Anti-Racism Resource list of relevant podcasts!!! 🎙🌈📚🖤🤸🏾‍♀️🎉✨💯

08/04/2020

NEW !!!

This week we’re joined by , co-director of the new documentary “Dog Valley,” which details the largely unknown story of the brutal kidnapping, r**e, torture and murder of gay college student Gordon Church in Utah in 1988.

Later, we’re joined by , author of “Mom, Why Don’t You Have Any Black Friends,” and TEDx Talk, “We Are Not A Melting Pot: How to Stop Talking About Implicit Bias and Start Talking About Race.” She discusses her work as a diversity educator and trainer and why she tells her white clients that in order to constructively talk about race in America, they must start by discussing and examining their own whiteness.

Filmmaker Chad Anderson on his documentary, "Dog Valley," and diversity educator Michelle Silverton on how to constructively talk about race.

07/29/2020

NEW !!!!

This week , the US spokesperson of tech startup joins us to discuss how the app helps Black people find businesses, accommodations and other services that are Black owned and the safest and most welcoming of Black people throughout the world.

And in this week’s feature interview, , creator, producer and host of podcast joins us to discuss his mission to expose listeners to history’s unsung heroes and hidden figures, while emphasizing that Black people have been an integral part of world history.

Jarvis Houston from tech startup I Love Black People, and Jermaine Fowler from "The Humanity Archive" podcast are guests.