The Art of Preserving Queer Stories with LZ Granderson

Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson

Storytelling is the crux of our society, and we have access to more information than ever before where we can form narratives, revisit history, and promote progress. 

While we may have an abundance of avenues in which we can acquire knowledge, the art of conversation remains the most powerful entry point of challenging thought, stimulating progress, and catapulting movements. For journalist, public speaker, and podcast host LZ Granderson, diving into LGBTQ history, dissecting the misgivings, and bringing to light the joy that stems from the queer experience have become his driving passion.

ABC News Contributor and host of ABC News’ Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson podcast, Granderson gets into the weeds of what matters most to our community: the dissection of the intersections, the diversity of lived experiences, the dismissed and underrepresented voices. As an intersectional minority himself, his queerness and Blackness have shaped who he is, what his path in life has led him to, and how he focuses his energy. 

“I live in that intersection; I embody that intersection. As a gay, Black man, I’m no shortage of being exposed to policies, perspective, and laws that target aspects of my identity,” Granderson explains. As a result of his own trials, tribulations, and successes, this in turn can’t help but inform the kind of work he then produces. 

Twenty-twenty was a catalyst year for many, and Granderson was not exempt, and as we watched the LGBTQ and POC communities being devastatingly and simultaneously impacted by the health crisis and political climate, Granderson knew that we were quickly losing everything that we had fought so long for, and more. With a desire to connect the pieces of the LGBTQ puzzle, find community during a year of isolation, and an earnestness in preserving the joys of being queer, Granderson had the idea of Life Out Loud.

“I wanted to create a sort of vehicle that always made sure that our issues, our stories, and our history was being documented by a major news outlet. When I pitched to ABC, that was the original intent, to make sure that there was always a home for our stories regardless of what was happening around us,” he says.

When Granderson met with members of the ABC Pride team, he knew he wanted to intentionally highlight those in the LGBTQ community who embody those intersections, work tirelessly in providing 360-degree depictions of the diverse, queer experience, and passionately pursue the betterment of the health and wellbeing of queer folks. The clearly defined way to mount the complex topics of history, social justice movements, and lasting happiness, while preserving the nuance and granular specificities to each individual, was to carry out that storytelling through the podcast medium. 

“As I was going through the directions I wanted these conversations to go, I didn’t want to stay stuck in coming out stories; I didn’t want to stay stuck in talking about HIV and AIDS work; while these are all important markers, there’s so many other things that go into navigating your life in this country, or any country, as a queer person,” Granderson says. 

While those conversations about policies, protests, laws, and struggles are woven throughout every conversation, as we face those issues every single day, Granderson leans into the lighter part of life as well. Whether it’s joking with a sexy actor about being a thirst trap on Instagram or shooting the shit with queer comedians, there is no shortage of laughter, revelry, and charm. 

And, whether it’s talking to pop culture icons, scientists, politicians, activists, or creatives, Granderson skillfully and compassionately explores the intricacies in how every facet of the queer community has been both disserviced and celebrated. With abandon, no stone is left unturned with Life Out Loud, as each new episode is more powerful than the last. Interviews with Pose Co-creator Steven Canals and actress Mj Rodriguez explore the groundbreaking impact of the FX series; Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses his response to the AIDS crisis in the 90s, and today; LGBTQ civil rights lawyer and HRC president Alphonso David talks about his restless strive toward trans rights. These conversations, and so many more both elevate and honor LGBTQ history, commemorate our achievements, and still ask what more needs to be done.

“I’m just a curious person and always believe that we all have something to offer each other; we just have to be patient enough to mine for it. I think far too often, especially now in our partisan pockets, we prefer to hear coverage and messages that confirm what we already believe,” Granderson says. “I think it creates a culture in which you start believing that you are the smartest person in the room, and I always like to stay away from those places. If I feel like I’m the smartest person in the room, then I’m in the wrong damn room; that’s what keeps me curious.”

Granderson exudes self-acceptance and confidence, even if he says that it is in admitting his frailty and being vulnerable that is in fact disarming to those he meets. He is proud of how he has navigated his work in media, how he has helped to elevate LGBTQ stories, and bridged the gap between perceived understanding and complex comprehension. While he expertly talks with some of the most high profile people in our community with informed ease, and openly shares his own experiences, he says there is one conversation he wants to have that is the most vulnerable and intimidating of them all.

“There is one conversation that I am trying to prepare myself to have: I would like to have a conversation with my ex-wife. I was married and raised an incredible young man, but obviously, when I came out, both of our worlds were turned upside-down, and I think that would be an interesting conversation for people to hear. The processing, and all of that from both angles, I think it could be beneficial,” he shares.

From love and art, to inspiration and dedication, Granderson dives into the beauty that is queerness, community, and stories. In the interest of honesty first, he openly discusses the inner-strength he sees in both himself and those around him, and the power of queer excellence. Where preservation and perseverance meet, we are gifted with the crafted and careful end product that is Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson.

*Images courtesy of ABC