Estradiol Illusions

Transgender Storytime: One Wand to Rule Them All

***Note this episode is probably not for everyone.***
 
There are many in the gender critical movement who think transgender people are sexless blobs, incapable of any pleasure whatsoever. Ian debunks the nonsense, explaining how her wand vibrator helped her rediscover her sexuality after bottom surgery. This subject is certainly an awkward one for many, Ian included, but there's a lot of misinformation out there. The "othering" of trans people is based on a lot of myths and false theories. 

Beau Dyess, Prodigal Butch

Today we welcome Beau Dyess to the show to talk about their past involvement with the gender critical movement. Beau has authored a Medium piece detailing the lengths to which they were groomed by leading anti-trans figures to serve as a public face of the campaign. Ian & Beau discuss the unholy alliance that the GC movement has formed with the far-right and the diminishing returns of their strategies.
 
Beau’s Medium piece: https://medium.com/@amydyess83/prodigal-butch-7f0d2e00f693
 
You can follow Beau on Twitter @BeauDyess
 
Photo courtesy of Beau Dyess
 
 

TTTE & Chill: Thomas, Percy & The Dragon

The era of BoCo is upon us! Join Ian & Tarabelle for an exciting episode of Thomas the Tank Engine & Chill, covering the Thomas Percy & The Dragon collection, full of twins, depostations, and the death of that awful, totally not essential, spiteful brake van. Should Sir Topham Hatt have been more sympathetic to Percy’s scarf dysphoria? Is “Edward’s Exploit” the old blue engine’s finest hour? Tune in to find out!
This collection includes the following episodes:
Thomas, Percy & the Dragon
Donald and Douglas
The Deputation
Time for Trouble
A Scarf for Percy
The Diseasel
Edward's Exploit
VHS image courtesy of The Britt Allcroft Company

Jack & Yaya

Today we welcome the directors & stars of the new documentary Jack & Yaya to the show, breaking EI's record for number of guests on one show. Jack & Yaya focuses on the lifelong friendship between the two trans people, neighbors who found a sense of belonging in their shared companionship. Directors Jen & Mary, along with the eponymous Jack & Yaya talk all about the film, many of its exciting scenes, and what they hope viewers take away from the touching narrative.
Jack & Yaya is available now on Amazon, Vimeo, and other major streaming platforms.
Website: jackandyaya.com
Facebook: JackandYayaFilm
Twitter: @JackandYayaFilm
Instagram: @jackandyayafilm
Ian's review of the film: https://ianthomasmalone.com/2020/07/jack-yaya-is-a-touching-testament-to-the-power-of-friendship/
Film poster courtesy of Hewes Pictures

JK Rowling & The Future of Fantastic Beasts

Join host Ian Thomas Malone for a short episode on the world's most notorious Feminism-Appropriating Radical Transphobe (FART), J.K. Rowling. Rowling's latest collection of transphobic temper tantrums have thrown the future of the Fantastic Beasts franchise into question, a series already beleaguered by various controversies surrounding Johnny Depp, Ezra Miller, not explicitly gay Dumbledore, and Nagini the snake.
How many horcruxs does Rowling have left? Tune in to find out.
Trans rights are human rights.
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to tune in to our episode dedicated to Not Explicitly Gay Dumbledore, which was recorded last year.
 
 

TTTE & Chill: Thomas Gets Bumped

Grab your mail train and your backing signal, it's time for Thomas the Tank Engine & Chill. Join Ian & Tara as they dissect this peculiar VHS collection, featuring the return of Diesel and the introduction of Duck's branch line. The Vicar's garden party was conspicuously under-promoted before Edward swooped in with the assist. How does City of Truro talk? All of those answers and more in this exciting episode.
This VHS collection includes the following episodes
 
Thomas Gets Bumped
Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party
Diesel Does It Again
Gordon and the Famous Visitor
Donald's Duck
Percy and the Signal
Thomas, Percy and the Mail Train
For more Thomas fun, be sure to check out all of our other TTTE & Chill episodes.
Photo credit: The Britt Allcroft Company

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/