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Black Queer Canon: The Podcast — Society & Culture
Black Queer Canon: The Podcast

“Black Queer Canon” combines cultural criticism and a little bit of shade to dive into the representation and visibility conversation from a new perspective. Journalists Tre’vell Anderson and Mikelle Street give Black LGBTQ+ scripted characters the credit they’re due — honoring the past, engaging with the present, and looking towards a more inclusive future.

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Latest Episodes:

True Blood's Lafayette Reynolds (ft Ira Madison III) Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Lafayette Reynolds was the reigning butch queen in True Blood's Bon Temps, Louisiana. He was a short order cook, a medium, and the town's one-stop drug dealing shop but through a heartfelt performance by Nelsan Ellis, Lafayette became a fan favorite. Writer and podcaster Ira Madison III joins Black Queer Canon to discuss Lafayette, what he meant on the show and what he meant for fans.

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” by 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.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Visit Black Queer Canon at blackqueercanon.com.
Follow the show on Instagram @Slayzhon
Follow Tre’vell Anderson @Rayzhon
Follow Mikelle Street @MikelleStreet

'Pose's Pray Tell (ft George M Johnson) Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

"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 week, bestselling "All Boys Aren't Blue" author George M Johnson joins the podcast to discuss the character.

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” by 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.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Visit Black Queer Canon at blackqueercanon.com.
Follow the show on Instagram @Slayzhon
Follow Tre’vell Anderson @Rayzhon
Follow Mikelle Street @MikelleStreet

'The Wire's Omar Little (ft Kirk A. Moore) Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

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, 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” by 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.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Visit Black Queer Canon at blackqueercanon.com.
Follow the show on Instagram @Slayzhon
Follow Tre’vell Anderson @Rayzhon
Follow Mikelle Street @MikelleStreet

'Pose's Blanca Evangelista and 'Orange Is the New Black's Sophia Burset (ft Shar Jossell) Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

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 Anderson. Chris Rodgers is our associate producer and editor. Our theme is the track “Soul” by 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.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Visit Black Queer Canon at blackqueercanon.com.
Follow the show on Instagram @Slayzhon
Follow Tre’vell Anderson @Rayzhon
Follow Mikelle Street @MikelleStreet

’To Wong Foo’s Noxeema Jackson (ft Jazzmun) Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

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 2000 film “Punks.”

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” by 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.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Visit Black Queer Canon at blackqueercanon.com.
Follow the show on Instagram @Slayzhon
Follow Tre’vell Anderson @Rayzhon
Follow Mikelle Street @MikelleStreet

'How to Get Away With Murder's Annalise Keating (ft Taylor Crumpton) Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

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 stacks up in terms of Black bisexual representation and whether or not show writers engineered a last-minute cop out to evade queerbaiting allegations.
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” by 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.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Visit Black Queer Canon at blackqueercanon.com.

Follow the show on Instagram @Slayzhon
Follow Tre’vell Anderson @Rayzhon
Follow Mikelle Street @MikelleStreet

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil's Lady Chablis (ft Quei Tann) May 29, 2025

Show notes

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 connection to “Pose’s” Electra Abundance and the scenes that ultimately made her the woman we love.

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” by 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.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Visit Black Queer Canon at blackqueercanon.com.
Follow the show on Instagram @Slayzhon
Follow Tre’vell Anderson @Rayzhon
Follow Mikelle Street @MikelleStreet

Men on Film’s Blaine and Antoine (ft. Justin Simien) May 22, 2025

Show notes

“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 controversy, the two characters are significant parts of the canon and how men in drag has long been an integral part of Black comedy.

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” by 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.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Visit Black Queer Canon at blackqueercanon.com.
Follow the show on Instagram @Slayzhon
Follow Tre’vell Anderson @Rayzhon
Follow Mikelle Street @MikelleStreet

Set If Off’s Cleo Sims (ft Lena Waithe) May 15, 2025

Show notes

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 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” by 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.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Visit Black Queer Canon at blackqueercanon.com.
Follow the show on Instagram @Slayzhon
Follow Tre’vell Anderson @Rayzhon
Follow Mikelle Street @MikelleStreet

'Noah’s Arc’s Noah Nicholson (ft Patrik-Ian Polk) May 08, 2025

Show notes

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 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” by 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.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Visit Black Queer Canon at blackqueercanon.com.
Follow the show on Instagram @Slayzhon
Follow Tre’vell Anderson @Rayzhon
Follow Mikelle Street @MikelleStreet

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