Surface Level

Latest Episodes:

Kiss With A Fist May 19, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about intimate partner violence within gay relationships.

This episode delves into a topic not often spoken about among men in our community. What unique factors are at play when intimate partner violence includes two gay men?

We start light, playing a game we coined as the lesser of two evils. We then progress into a conversation regarding the stigma attached to violence in male relationships, red flags in relation to violent partners, any experiences we have personally had with violence, where we should or should not place fault in a situation, and offer some advice to individuals leaving or healing from a physically violent situation.

This topic, though highly prevalent, is rarely discussed. We hope to shine light on the fact that no one deserves violence, while also addressing the complex experiences that sometimes cause it. We acknowledge that in these scenarios, no one wins, and that healing should be the focus of everyone involved. So go on a journey with us that was both cathartic and nerve racking as we peer into one of the most personal moments so far on Surface Level.

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Skinny Legends Only Pt. 2 May 12, 2021

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Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the individual experiences people have with their bodies. This episode revisits a topic that sparked a ton of feedback from last season, our relationship with our bodies. Are conversations around body image too binary? We discuss our personal insecurities (or lack thereof), debate what we got right and wrong in part one of this discussion, the motivation behind how we treat our bodies, privilege in conversation around body image, and how we’re working through said insecurities. This topic proved to be a lightning rod with our listeners and we’re sure this episode will uphold that legacy. We investigate the line between recognizing individual struggle while acknowledging systems in place that benefit some more than others. So go on a journey with us as this is definitely a topic that requires crowd participation.

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Adam & Steve May 05, 2021

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Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about homophobia within the Black Church.

This episode covers the institution that has had a huge impact on the history of African Americans, the Black Church. Why has the Black Church been so slow to openly embrace its Queer members?

We discuss our favorite gospel club anthems, our history going (or not) to church, our views on spirituality vs religion, and delve into our guests journey from homophobic seminary student to a leader in affirming Queer people within his church.

During this episode we welcome Michael A. Walrond Jr., Senior Pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church, into our Surface Level family. We discuss what he believes it means to truly be inclusive in religion. If nothing else Pastor Mike is a story teller, he walks us through his journey of specific instances in his life that are sure to move our audience. Many Queer people have given upon the church but Pastor Mike definitely offers a counter point to the trauma we’ve experienced. This is a different type of conversation for us this week but come along as Surface Level takes you to church.

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Beatz, Boyz & Barz Apr 28, 2021

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Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about homophobia within hip hop. This episode covers the music we love, with a culture that doesn’t love us back. Why is homophobia in hip hop still so prevalent? We try our hand at hip hop trivia, discuss heterosexual male rappers embrace of gender bending fashions, question the embrace of female rappers by Queer men, acknowledge that being Queer can sometimes eclipse an artist’s talent, and we get a preview into the upcoming work of a very special guest. During this episode we welcome Cakes Da Killa, rapper, poet & budding film maker, into our Surface Level family. We discuss the tightrope walk of being seen purely as an artist vs a conduit for Black Queer visibility. Cakes shares the lighthearted back story that lead him to his current career, then we delve into many of his upcoming projects. And if we ever had a guest who took us to task when we veered off course, they’d be Cakes! This week is a fun ride so join us in the studio as we drop some beatz!

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Before He Cheats Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the cure for infidelity.

This episode covers our experiences being on the giving and receiving end of infidelity. Do we as a society place so much emphasis on monogamy that we are setting ourselves up for failure?

We play a game of infidelity-themed superlatives, discuss past infractions we’ve committed in relationships, what we’re looking forward to in future potential relationships, and society’s love of monogamy while shaming less traditional relationship formats.

This week is sure to be a fun highlight of the season. We’re a focus group of three who’ve all failed at love, trying to make sense of what we’ve learned, and put that into practice. Not sure we’re topical experts here but like Anita Baker says, we’re continuing to “give it the best we’ve got!”

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Not Your "Gay" Best Friend Apr 14, 2021

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Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the experiences of Queer people with cishet allies.

This episode breaks down our experiences with cishet individuals in our own lives. How can the most well-intended allies still perpetuate homophobia?

We discuss coming out to cishet friends and family members, the differences in our relationships with straight men vs straight women, the fetishization of Queer men by women, parental aversion to having Queer children, and we share some advice for when you insist on hooking us up with your other gay friend.

In this episode, we have a lot of laughs, although it’s still a topic that we take quite seriously. Allyship is a journey that individuals don’t always get right. Our hope is to offer some advice on how we can be more respectful of each other’s differences and place value on experiences even when we don’t understand them.

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ParTy N Play Apr 07, 2021

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Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the intersection of sex and health in the Black & Queer community.

This episode builds on the success of “Undetectable”, our top performing episode from season two, by further delving into the topic of sexual practices and health. How have advancements in HIV treatment and prevention influenced our communities sex habits?

We kick off with what we’ve been up to during our time away. Then things get real as we discuss our sexual habits in a “post-PrEP” world. We also get into the prevalence of party drugs among Black Queer men, and the role (or lack thereof) that the healthcare system plays in protecting us.

In this episode we welcome DaShawn Usher, Founder of Mobilizing our Brothers Initiative and Programs Officer for Communities of Color at GLAAD, into our Surface Level Family. We discuss ways in which our community can support itself in relation to sexual and holistic health. We wrap up by highlighting resources that support all areas of Black Queer health and wellbeing. So if you’re curious, join us as we kick off season 3.

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Beyond The Surface Level 2 Dec 28, 2020

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are Black, Queer, and Curious. Curiosity and vulnerability, the latter being the true addition to this season. Once again, we take a look back at the journey we know as Surface Level. We revisit some of the seasons most fun moments while delving deeper into some of its most personal. From barbershops, to sex, to politics we covered quite the range of topics. We gave the reigns over to our friend Corey Townsend, accomplished journalist, and correspondent, who put us in the hot seat. He held our feet to the fire on some of our positions stated throughout the season, while also bringing his own brand of Black and Queer shade. We expanded this season with the addition of guests, and production upgrades. At its core Surface Level remains the same, it’s a study in how we can be the most authentic versions of ourselves. It is a quest for knowledge regarding topics we are unfamiliar with. It is three Black and Queer voices yelling with care into the universe hoping we can be a small light in what has been a tumultuous year. #STAYCURIOUS

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onlyfans.com/surfacelevel Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the shame we attach to sexual desire.

This episode discusses a topic no one wants to publicly talk about while privately partaking. How has the shame attached to sex affected our exploration of it as Black Queer men?

We discuss our sexual history, desires we have that we were once ashamed of, the things we wished we knew as baby gays, and play a fun game of naughty superlatives.

This episode is not one to be missed, we laugh from beginning to end while addressing this serious yet comical topic. You will learn some unexpected bits about the hosts, so get ready to see a different side of Surface Level.

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Butch Queen On The Scene Dec 16, 2020

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Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious about the joy and pain the Queer social scene can create.

This episode discusses our experiences in Queer social settings. Do the current social options represent the interest of too narrow a selection of Queer men?

We discuss memorable club experiences, our ideal social settings, anxieties we face in Queer social settings, the Harlem social scene, and the defining elements of an upper echelon Queer social experience.

We welcome Leon Curry to Surface Level. He is the creator of the infamous Trappy Hour party and man behind its boisterous social media presence. Trappy Hour has a following that includes big names like Issa Ray but more importantly aims to create a safe space for the Black butch queens of the world. We explore Leon’s personal experience from small town Florida to a Harlem staple with all of its unexpected turns. Black Queer safe spaces are a must in this world and this week we explore one that was created in our native Harlem. So join us as we explore what we affectionately call Club Surface Level.

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