Surface Level

Latest Episodes:

Friends Without Benefits Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious, do the best relationships start from platonic friendships? We play a game of never have I ever, assess the environments where Queer people meet, discuss the benefits of or lack there of in prioritizing platonic friendship over romantic attraction, and share our thoughts on casual sex between friends. We are excited to welcome you back with a fun topic on which we hardly agree. This one is a hot button within a community in which the dating and friendship pool is small and greatly overlaps. We know a lot but we don’t know it all so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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Beyond The Surface Level 3 Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are Black, Queer, and Curious.

What a ride season 3 of Surface Level has been! We’ve covered everything from sexual health, to hip hop, to gender roles in Queer relationships. We laughed, we debated, and now we are taking a look back. This week we answer questions asked directly from our Surface Level Insiders and discuss current events related to some of the topics. And like always, we find time to play a few games.

This season we took the approach of amplifying as many voices on the Black Queer spectrum as possible. We close by going back to our roots and giving you a peek into who we are, how we think, and the work we’re doing to stand firmly in our own authenticity. We look forward to continuing the ride in the future and to bringing you more of the Black Queer experience we call Surface Level.

#STAYCURIOUS

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No Face, No Case Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the impact the “DL” narrative has had on both Queer and heterosexual communities.

The idea of DL culture is one born out of a false narrative about Black Queer men during the AIDS crisis. Is there a difference between being “DL” and simply not being out?

We discuss the problematic history of the term DL, if men are responsible for disclosing that they are involved with other men to a female partner, why the idea of DL men is fetishized in some Queer circles, and how those around us can become collateral damage in the messy process of coming out.

We’re going out with a bang this season, with a touchy topic that the host do not all agree on. Queer experiences are layered and discussing how they right or wrongfully intersect with heterosexual people is complicated. In efforts to push ourselves and really interrogate what we have been told is and is not right, we are going there. So join the conversation on social media, this is one that touches the entire community.

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10's Across The Board Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the historic role Black & Brown trans women have played in ballroom culture.

For our final Pride Month episode, we are shining a light on the experiences of trans women of color. How has ballroom served as a safe space for Black & Brown trans women?

We decide which outside activities we are excited about and which ones need to be chopped, our impression of the ballroom community, how the success of shows like Pose and Legendary have affected ballroom, how “passing” privilege affects the trans community, the role realness categories play in modern ballroom, and why Black and Brown trans women have served as leaders within this community.

This week we welcome Lola Gucci, Overall Mother of the House of Gucci, to our Surface Level family. We discuss her experience on the ball scene as well as her personal journey as a Black trans woman. This week is both fun and at times emotional, but most importantly personal, as Lola shares her story for the first time publicly. So, join us in learning more about Queer voices from all walks of life.

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Gays As Old As Time (Bonus EP) Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious how age impacts our perception of the world as Black, Queer men. In addition to this week’s regular episode we are releasing a bonus with messages from the host and our guests to our ten year old selves. We hope you enjoy, and please share with any younger person searching for a bit of guidance.

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Gays As Old As Time Jun 23, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious how age impacts our perception of the world as Black, Queer men. This episode features the stories of Black, Queer men ages 25-64. What role does age play in how we view the topics of relationships, Blackness, professionalism, Queer health, and Ageism. This week we test a new format where we asked several men the same 10 questions and shape our conversation around their responses. We cover everything from dating & sex, to how they navigate spaces that are not always welcoming to Black, Queer men, and we close by directly addressing the role age plays in interactions within our own community. Black, Queer stories are in no way monolithic and it was an amazing experience to hear so many varying perspectives on the same topics. One goal we have had in growing Surface Level is to amplify Black, Queer experiences outside of our own and this is our most ambitious project yet. So, join us in welcoming Deshon, Khalil, Steven, Dawon, E. Brown, Derrick & Toby to our Surface Level family, this is Gays As Old As Time.

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Affirmative (In)Action Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about how last year’s social justice movement affected Black Queer professionals.

The social uprising sparked by the murder of George Floyd coincidentally fell in line with the launch of Surface Level. How did this impact our views towards the roles we play at work?

We play a work from home themed game, discuss the action or lack there of in response to the events of last year, we revisit statements we made regarding assimilating during our season 1 episode titled the ‘Magical Negro is OOO’, and one host is challenged on his view that assimilation to corporate culture is a necessary means to a successful end.

With one year under our belts, our anniversary lands in a similar way to how we started. We visit a conversation that seems straightforward but proves to be quite the hot button, sparking fierce debate. Corporate America is still playing catch up to last year’s lofty promises of change. We hope to do our part in continuing to evaluate our roles in being a part of that evolution.

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Masculine Sissy Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the value of masculinity among Queer men.

The debate regarding the embrace of masculinity is ongoing within Queer communities. How do we embrace our masculinity while recognizing the value our of femininity?

We chime in on who we think the ultimate masculine sissy is, the uneasiness around the embrace of femininity, how masculinity and femininity play into how we interact with potential partners, heteronormative ideas that we embrace, and if we accept that there are expectations we should live up to as cis men.

This episode is easily the comedic high point of the season. We are embracing a serious topic but per usual not taking ourselves too seriously. So find out what happens when you put three butch queens in a room to evaluate their masculinity. It’s the “verse” perspective this topic deserves.

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Blatino Oasis Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the intersection of the Black & Latinx Queer experience.

Throughout Pride Month, our goal is to amplify a multitude of Queer voices, starting with a crossover episode with BYLATINMEN The Podcast. What are the common and unique experiences of Black & Brown Queer folx?

We play a game of superlatives between the two shows, chime in on pop culture, discuss the unique experiences of Latinx Queer people, discuss the need for races to support causes other than their own, and sound off on individuals we would really love to shut the fuck up!

We welcome Angel, Kevin & Anthony of BYLATINMEN to our Surface Level family. This episode combines six big personalities into one really fun ride. In the spirit of collaboration we combined fun segments from each of our shows with an equal balance of fun and serious conversation. The experiences of Black and Brown communities are often conflated. We interrogate that idea to give weight to how we can be better allies in experiences that are shared and unique.

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Pay For Play May 26, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the fact and fiction regarding sex work.

This episode covers the shame attached to what many consider the oldest profession. Why does American society attach such stigma to the sex work industry?

We discuss the motivation behind entering the field of sex work, new laws focused on the decriminalization of the craft, the value placed on the lives of sex workers, the positive impact of the industry, and the overall role the industry is playing in normalizing sex.

For this episode, we welcome Zola Bruce, Communications Director for The Sex Workers Project of The Urban Justice Center, to our Surface Level Family. Zola offers the dual perspective of both advocate and member of the sex work community. They give an amazing lesson on the joy of the work as well as the political battles fought to protect the safety of participants. We cannot wait for you to hear their unique perspective as it adds major clarity to a topic many people only know through uninformed assumptions.

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