Estradiol Illusions

Wonder

Today we are joined by Gabriel Furman and Javier Molina, writer and director of the short film Wonder. Wonder has been a favorite on the festival circuit, winning awards at Outfest, RiverRun, and the Oxford Film Festival among many others. The film follows Sammy, a gender nonconforming child who wishes to dress as Wonder Woman for Halloween, a desire that causes some stress in his father Frank (played by Furman).
Gabriel and Javier share many insights into the filmmaking process, including the extensive work that went into portraying LGBTQ issues sensitively and authentically. Their film is a valuable addition to the broader conversation surrounding LGBTQ representation on screen.
Wonder is available on HBO, including its services HBO Max and HBO Now
To learn more about the film and its cast & crew, check out their website https://www.realtalkfilms.com/wonder
You can also follow their Instagram page @wondertheshort
Ian's review of Wonder: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2019/07/wonder-explores-the-unique-challenges-presented-to-gender-diverse-youth/
Poster credit: Kristin Zahra

Sahm Flinehan, Obsessive Transphobe & Comedy Writer

Today we begrudgingly host Sahm Flinehan (Sinner) to the show. Sahm is the creative force behind such TV shows as Sister Ned and The ITM Crowd, who was recently banned from Twitter due to his obsessive transphobia. Sahm talks about the origins of his bigotry and what he's been up to since his wife divorced him. Such is the life of gender critical radicals who toss their lives away in favor of endlessly pursuing marginalized groups.
For more of our coverage of gender critical ideology, check out our interview with Cosy Snarker
Trans rights are human rights
 

Dr. Jen Manion, author of Female Husbands

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Jen Manion to the show. Dr. Manion is the author of Female Husbands: A Trans History, a fascinating historical perspective on the lives of people who transed gender, living their lives as men and marrying women, between colonial times up to World War One. Ian & Dr. Manion talk extensively about the book and the ways that many of the issues presented have resurfaced in contemporary discussions centered on transgender rights.
To learn more about Dr. Manion or Female Husbands, check out their website https://jenmanion.com/
You can also follow Dr. Manion on Twitter @activisthistory
Cover image courtesy of Cambridge University Press
 

Splash Mountain

The laughing places laughs no more. Splash Mountain is receiving a much needed update, retheming the ride from the racist, banished film Song of the South to The Princess and the Frog. Ian talks a bit about the importance of this change, why we should leave nostalgia in the past, and what this decision means for Critter Country moving forward.
 

Steve Markle, director of Shoot to Marry

The Park City fun continues! Delighted to welcome Steve Markle, director of Shoot to Marry, to the show. Shoot to Marry won the Audience Award at the Slamdance film festival. The documentary is a hilarious look at the state of romance in the modern era, one of the best films from either Sundance or Slamdance this year. Steve shares plenty of insights from making the film and the challenges of crafting a documentary without a set idea for its conclusion.
Shoot to Marry is currently available on iTunes, Apple TV, Amazon, and most major VOD platforms.
You can learn more about the film at https://www.shoottomarry.com/
Ian’s review from Slamdance: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/01/slamdance-review-shoot-to-marry/
Photo credit: Shoot to Marry
 

Queen of the Capital

Pride coverage rolls along! We are thrilled to welcome Josh Davidsburg and Muffy Blake Stephyns, director and star of the new documentary Queen of the Capital, to the show. Queen of the Capital follows Muffy’s campaign to be elected Empress of the Imperial Court of Washington, an organization of drag performers that raise money for charity. Josh and Muffy share plenty of insights from making the film and the history of drag in Washington D.C. One of Ian’s favorites from the Slamdance film festival, Queen of the Capital is definitely one you won’t want to miss.
Queen of the Capital is available on Alamo Drafthouse VOD starting June 20th. https://ondemand.drafthouse.com/film/queen-of-the-capital/. You can also check out the film’s website http://queenofthecapital.com/.
Be sure to follow Muffy and Josh on Twitter @MuffyBStephyns & @jdavidsburg
Ian's review from Slamdance: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/01/slamdance-review-queen-of-the-capital/
Cover art by Karolyn Popat
 

Sam Feder, Director of Disclosure

Pride coverage continues! Today we are joined by Sam Feder, director of the documentary Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen, which Ian had the pleasure of seeing at Sundance. Sam talks about the importance of visibility, the challenges of presenting a history in real time, and the responsibility of filmmakers to depict trans people accurately. 
Disclosure premieres on Netflix on June 19th.
You can follow Sam on Twitter @SamFederfilm and Disclosure @Disclosure_Doc
Be sure to check out Ian’s review of Disclosure for FanSided: https://fansided.com/2020/01/28/disclosure-trans-lives-on-screen-sundance-review/
Photo credit: Alex Schmider
 
 

Legal Analysis of the Supreme Court LGBTQ Ruling

Big day for LGBTQ rights! The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that employers cannot fire LGBTQ workers simply for being gay or transgender. The landmark decision, authored by Trump appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch, represents a major milestone in the fight for LGBTQ equality.
We are delighted to have legal analyst & journalist Colin Kalmbacher on the show to break down the case for us. Colin authored an excellent piece for Law & Crime explaining the importance of the decision. In a brief breaking-news episode, Colin supplies some superb analysis of the significance of today’s ruling.
Be sure to read Colin’s article for a very thorough explainer. https://lawandcrime.com/supreme-court/liberal-and-conservative-justices-in-6-3-decision-agree-that-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-are-protected-by-civil-rights-act/
You can follow Colin on Twitter @colinkalmbacher

Teraj - Singer, Travel Host, & Entertainer

Our Pride coverage begins! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Teraj for a fascinating conversation about the protests against police brutality happening across the country and Teraj's career. Teraj is the host "Gay Travel Today" on Amazon's Alexa and recently put out his debut album "Defy." Ian & Teraj also talk about the role of Pride as an outlet for protest.
For more of Teraj, check out his social media and be sure to tune in to "Gay Travel Today."
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IAmTerajFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAmTeraj/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teraj08/Alexa Flash Briefing: https://amzn.to/2WMUJ3jWebsite: https://www.terajmusic.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpHce1qpmSQZ4eGy-c0pXXg
Teraj's music video for "Let Yourself Soar" that was referenced in the episode can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghhBjpp7YiI
 
We at Estradiol Illusions would like to affirm our support for Black Lives Matter and the movements across the globe. 

13 Reasons Why Season 4

What a mess. Join Ian Thomas Malone as she breaks down 13 Reasons Why's terrible fourth and final season. From the bad writing, underwhelming narrative, and totally checked out actors who all looked way too old to be in high school, this season was a mess for just about every reason imaginable. Ian also provides a brief overview of the series as a whole and what drew her to it initially.
Be sure to check out Ian's review of the season for FanSided: https://fansided.com/2020/06/07/13-reasons-season-4-review/

TTTE & Chill: Trust Thomas

First George Carlin VHS tape! Join Ian & Tarabelle on the Island of Sodor for another exciting edition of Thomas the Tank Engine & Chill. Trust Thomas strikes at the very heart of the show's ethos? Should we trust Thomas? Or maybe Sir Topham Hatt, absent from the episode where James faked sick with no repercussions, is the true nefarious actor. Why was Harold airdropping hot drinks onto Percy? Why does Henry get a tunnel and a forest? Tune in to find out!
 
This collection includes the following episodes.
 
Trust Thomas
Mavis
Toby's Tightrope
No Joke for James
Percy's Promise
Henry's Forest
The Trouble with Mud
 Photo Credit: The Britt Allcroft Company

TTTE & Chill: Better Late than Never

Grab your diesel and be sure to watch out on the viaduct. We are heading back to the Island of Sodor to cover the final VHS collection of Thomas the Tank Engine narrated by Ringo Starr. Ian & Tarabelle break down all the peculiar inter-engine dynamics in Better Late than Never, from Thomas' anger issues to the great freight car name-calling conspiracy that sent Duck to Edward's Station? Will Thomas & Gordon's alliance last? Tune in to find out!
This collection includes the following episodes
Better Late than Never
Pop Goes the Diesel
Diesel's Devious Deed
A Close Shave for Duck
Gordon Takes a Dip
Down the Mine
The Runaway
Be sure to check out all our Thomas the Tank Engine recaps!
 
Photo credit: The Britt Allcroft Company
 
 
 

Exploring Star Trek: Voyager

EI is back! Join host Ian Thomas Malone and special guest Robert L. Lively for an exciting discussion of the new book Exploring Star Trek: Voyager. Edited by Rob, this collection of critical essays covers a wide range of Voyager's most fascinating topics. Ian contributed a chapter to the book on The Doctor and the humanity of technology. Enjoy a discussion on what made the journey through the Delta Quadrant such an important part of Trek lore.
To learn more about the book, check out its page on McFarland's website
You can follow Rob on Twitter @Rob_LIV3LY
 
Book cover courtesy of McFarland & Company

Rise of the Resistance

Grab your Mickey Ears and your lightsaber, we’re heading back to Batuu! Disneyland’s new ride Rise of the Resistance is finally open and Ian & Tarabelle are here to talk about it. Rise of the Resistance is truly incredible, one of the park’s crowning achievements. Ian & Tarabelle also break down the new Star Tours scene based on The Rise of Skywalker, as well as a general update on Galaxy’s Edge as a whole.
 
For more of Estradiol Illusions’ Disneyland coverage, check out our episodes ranking every ride in the park as well as one on Galaxy’s Edge pre-Rise and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Sundance Wrap Up

Our Sundance coverage concludes! Returning guest Michelle Jaworski joins Ian for a look back at their favorite moments from the festival. From the films to the jam-packed nature of Park City to all the sleep deprivation and malnutrition, Sundance is both a sprint and an endurance test.
 
Films discussed include Crip Camp, Minari, Spaceship Earth, Zola, Herself, Nine Days, Miss Americana, Jumbo, and Dick Johnson is Dead.
 
For more of Michelle - follow her on Twitter @michejaw & check out her articles at The Daily Dot
Ian's Sundance coverage can be found on her author website & FanSided page. This Twitter thread was her only attempt to organize them all...

Sundance Spotlight: Nathan Barr, composer of Uncle Frank

As our Sundance converage rolls along, we’re super excited to welcome Nathan Barr, composer of Uncle Frank to the show. Uncle Frank is one of the standout films of the festival, a heartwarming narrative for the LGBTQ community. Nathan shares some of his experiences crafting the film and collaborating with director Alan Ball again after seven seasons composing music for True Blood.
 
You can follow Nathan on Twitter @composerbarr