episodic Welcome to the “Are the Gays OK?” podcast, a show about mental health in the LGBTQIA+ community. Hosted by James Wilkinson and Stephen Griffiths.

In seson 2, we are speaking with various LGBTQI+ charities to dive deeper into the world of LGBTQIA+ mental Health. We will continue to tackle difficult topics. we hope being vulnerable and sharing honestly we can contribute positively to the conversation surrounding mental health in the LGBTQIA+ community.

]]> A bi weekly podcast discussing mental health in the LGBTQIA+ community. Are the Gays OK? Are The Gays OK 2023 Are The Gays OK false Are The Gays OK hello@arethegaysok.co.uk en http://www.arethegaysok.co.uk/ In Season 2's final episode Stephen and James speak with Ben Bamber, Ben is a peer navigator with the George House Trust and a trained Counsellor.

Ben has been living with HIV positve for over 10 years and he shares with us his story of diagnosis and how it is living with HIV today.

We cover in this episode such as:

- Ben's experience being diagnosed with HIV

- The reaction from the wider public

Ben shares his story honestly and openly, in the hopes of educating and informing people who may have misinformed ideas of living with HIV in 2024.

For more information on the George House Trust and their work and support they offer vsiit their website below:

https://ght.org.uk/

https://www.benbambercounselling.com/

]]> S2E4: Living with HIV S2E4: Living with HIV 00:35:18 9037dce4-e9a0-42c2-b5f7-8bc2bde6deca Are the Gays OK? 4 2 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Mon, 02 Dec 2024 07:00:22 +0000 In this weeks episode, Stephen and James speak with Molly Houghton, Media and Comms Officer of the Proud Place, Manchesters longest running LGBT Charity?

They cover topics such as

- What is it like today for young people coming out?

- What issues do Gen Alpha's LGBTQIA+ community face?

- How are things imporving in the community?

- How are scools and other organsations engaging in the community?

The Proud Place was the charity which had the purpose-built Gay Centre back in 1988

For more information about the Proud Places' services see their website below:

https://www.theproudtrust.org/

]]> S2E3: Proud Trust S2E3: Proud Trust 00:44:04 93bdb353-c2f3-49c5-85fc-a71cb19bb7c0 Are the Gays OK? 3 2 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Mon, 18 Nov 2024 07:00:27 +0000 In the second episode Stephen and James discuss an issue they are both very passionate about when they meet with, Ignacio Labayen de Inza, CEO of the charity Contrilling Chemsex.

They cover topics such as

- What is Chemsex?

- How to help somebody struggling with Chemsex

- The interventions that controlling Chemsex do the community

- What it's like to have out recovered from Chemsex

For more information about the work Controlling Chemsex or if you or someone you know needs help:

https://controllingchemsex.com/about-us/who-we-are

]]> S2E2: Controlling Chemsex S2E2: Controlling Chemsex 00:35:18 4471ddee-4787-4341-aa95-b2f0abfd37bc Are the Gays OK? 2 2 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Mon, 04 Nov 2024 07:00:12 +0000 Welcome back to season 2 of Are the Gays OK?

Stephen and James discuss what they learnt in Season 1 and their hopes for Season 2.

They give a glimpse into some of the topics they'll be discussing in the podcast's second season.

This season they have special guests on every episode. Including The Proud Trust, Controlling Chemsex, and George House Trust.

]]> S2E1: Welcome Back S2E1: Welcome Back 00:15:16 e22de80a-311d-4014-8b99-ae914b24786d Are the Gays Ok? 1 2 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Sun, 20 Oct 2024 07:00:13 +0000 For the last episode of the first series, we welcome our first guest, Matt Cornford, owner of Manchester's very own Queer Lit!


Queer Lit is a LGBTQIA+ bookstore based in Manchester Northern's Quarter, and stocks over 4000 books. Matt explains why there is a need for dedicated queer bookshops, and the trio share some of their favourite books, how they have helped them on their own journeys and the different sub-genre's that are out there for people to explore.

Here are some of the books mentioned in the pod:

The House in the Cerulean Sea - T J CLUNE

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea

Tell me I'm Worthless - Alison Rumfitt

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/tell-me-im-worthless?_pos=1&_sid=8f72f34c7&_ss=r

Manhunt - Gretchen Fletcher-Martin

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/manhunt?_pos=1&_sid=0de6bef43&_ss=r

My Shadow is Pink - Scott Stuart

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/my-shadow-is-pink#:~:text=My%20Shadow%20is%20Pink%20is,learns%20(through%20the…

The Queer Mental Health Workbook - Brendan J Dunlop

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-queer-mental-health-workbook?_pos=1&_sid=1d00975c0&_ss=r

Rewriting the Rules - Meg-John Barker

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/rewriting-the-rules?_pos=1&_sid=7b77e565d&_ss=r

The Velvet Rage - Alan Downs

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-velvet-rage?_pos=1&_sid=c94688a30&_ss=r

Straight Jacket - Matthew Todd

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/straight-jacket?_pos=1&_sid=ef214e2d7&_ss=r

Pride - Matthew Todd

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/pride-the-story-of-the-lgbtq-equality-movement?_pos=1&_sid=d77e5d01d&_ss=r

Love in the Pink Palace - Jill Nalder

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/love-from-the-pink-palace-1?_pos=1&_sid=278bc9f2a&_ss=r

All the Young Men - Ruth Coker Burks

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/all-the-young-men-1?_pos=1&_sid=225a8938a&_ss=r

The Transgender Issue - Shon Faye

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-transgender-issue?_pos=1&_sid=6793e7f72&_ss=r

Trans Britain - Christine Burns

https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/trans-britain-our-journey-from-the-shadows?_pos=1&_sid=d88afad5d&_ss=r


Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

TikTok: @arethegaysok


Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications


Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

]]> S1E8: Queer Lit S1E8: Queer Lit 00:37:56 a34d2dd1-df19-41ad-b7b1-99655cd8d898 Are the Gays OK? 8 1 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Mon, 11 Sep 2023 08:00:13 +0000 In episode 7, Stephen and James discuss therapy.

They talk about their own experiences with therapy, and a wide range of topics, including:

  • Why you don't need to be in a crisis to benefit from therapy
  • Finding the right therapist
  • The different types of therapy
  • Chemsex
  • How not all therapy is a good experience, and why you should persevere in finding the right therapist for you
  • Psychoeducation
  • The idea of compassionate enquiry


They explore the mechanism’s that worked for them, the difficulties they faced and the realisation and empowerment that both of them felt as a result of changing their lives, including the new opportunities that have presented themselves. 


They explain how their sober futures seemed uncertain, but how the benefits of becoming sober - and the connections they’ve built as a result - have made a lasting difference in both their lives.


Resources: 

LGBT Foundation: https://lgbt.foundation/

0345 3 30 30 30


Pink Therapy:

https://pinktherapy.com/


Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

TikTok: @arethegaysok


Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications


Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

]]> S1E7: Therapy S1E7: Therapy 00:38:56 681fa8c9-44fe-4e2b-8e35-f23b3eb7bb6f Are the gays OK? 7 1 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:47:42 +0000 In episode 6, Stephen and James talk about their journey to sobriety.


They explore the mechanism’s that worked for them, the difficulties they faced and the realisation and empowerment that both of them felt as a result of changing their lives, including the new opportunities that have presented themselves. 


They explain how their sober futures seemed uncertain, but how the benefits of becoming sober - and the connections they’ve built as a result - have made a lasting difference in both their lives.


Resources: 

LGBT Foundation: https://lgbt.foundation/

0345 3 30 30 30


Smart Recovery: https://smartrecovery.org.uk/

AA: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

MA: https://marijuana-anonymous.org/

Gamblers Anonymous: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

Beacon Counselling Trust: https://beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/

Overeaters Anonymous: https://www.oagb.org.uk/

Sex and Love addicts: https://slaauk.org/

Drinkaware: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

Drinkaware quiz: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/self-assessment

Change Grow Live: https://www.changegrowlive.org/


Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

TikTok: @arethegaysok


Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications


Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

]]> S1E6: Sobriety S1E6: Sobriety 00:43:52 9faeb3bb-fa69-4db9-8df2-54d0f7822433 Are the Gays OK? 6 1 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Tue, 08 Aug 2023 17:23:19 +0000 In this hard-hitting episode, James and Stephen discuss addiction.


They talk about the link between addiction and the LGBTQIA+ community, and also share their own experiences and how they came through them.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

TikTok: @arethegaysok

Further Support for Addiction (LGBT Foundation)

Website

Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.

Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

]]> S1E5: Addiction S1E5: Addiction 00:55:16 48391e31-0099-4992-afac-4c8a8a311b00 Are the Gays OK? 5 1 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:11:12 +0000 For our fourth instalment, Stephen and James discuss mental health.


They talk about their personal struggles, becoming more aware of their issues and how they learnt to look after their own mental health and thrive.

More information about Mental Health and Support:

Website

Further Support for LGBT Mental Health (MIND)

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

TikTok: @arethegaysok


Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.

Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

]]> S1E4: Mental health S1E4: Mental health 00:38:56 35033ced-27dd-48cf-bf55-ea8cb2ed08b0 Are the Gays OK? 4 1 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Mon, 10 Jul 2023 19:41:05 +0000 In our third episode, Stephen and James explore the topic of gay shame.


They discuss what gay shame means to them personally, share their own experiences and talk about how they have dealt with feeling shame as a gay person.

Website

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

TikTok: @arethegaysok


Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.

Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

]]> S1E3: Gay shame S1E3: Gay shame 00:35:56 88330558-cfa1-4d5d-a81f-d1be00c4b28d Are the Gays OK? 3 1 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:03:32 +0000 In our second episode, Stephen and James talk about coming out.

They share their own personal stories, including coming to terms with their sexualities when they were younger, and discuss the difficulties that they faced.

Website

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

TikTok: @arethegaysok


Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.

Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

]]> S1E2: Coming Out S1E2: Coming Out 00:32:24 2b949bc3-52bb-4893-96b2-c554fd897e90 Are the Gays OK? 2 1 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:14:58 +0000 In our first episode we get to meet our hosts: Stephen and James.

They introduce each other and explain why they have created this podcast series.

We get a sneak peak into the topics which will be discussed, including:

- Coming Out stories

- Gay Shame

- Mental Health

- Addiction

- Therapy

- Queer Literature

Website

Mentioned in this episode:

TED Talk "Recover out loud | Tara Conner"


Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

TikTok: @arethegaysok


Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.

Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms

]]> S1E1: Introduction - Meet our Hosts S1E1: Introduction - Meet our Hosts 00:21:40 0e0486ad-c07c-418d-9571-668a3a8edd81 Are the Gays OK? 1 1 full true https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Mon, 29 May 2023 01:00:13 +0000 Ahead of the release of our first episode, we wanted to give you a brief introduction to Are the Gays OK?

In the trailer, we give a quick insight into what people can expect from the podcast, including topics such as coming out, gay shame, mental health and addiction within the LGTBQIA+ community.

First episode drops Mon 29th May! 🚀

Website

Follow us on socials:

Instagram:

TikTok:

Twitter

YouTube

]]> Trailer Episode! Trailer Episode! 00:01:06 721e5884-ca8f-4ec8-ab81-9093288cdef0 Are the Gays OK? trailer false https://linktr.ee/arethegaysok Tue, 23 May 2023 17:24:25 +0000