GAY, NOT QUEER

He was put on blockers at 13. This is what they did to his body.Jonni Skinner was diagnosed as transgender after a single appointment, put on testosterone blockers then estrogen, then a puberty blocker implant at 14. In this interview with gay men's therapist Michael Pezzullo, Jonni goes past the timeline and describes what gender medicine felt like day-to-day — in his words: "It was chemical castration, like literally," muscle spasms and muscle atrophy, stunted growth, and pain and incontinence he still lives with.This is Part 2. Watch Part 1 first — the backstory on why a feminine gay boy was medicalized instead of allowed to grow up gay: https://youtu.be/wu6LmOzQmXYWe cover what blockers feel like at 13, why he felt more accepted as a "straight woman" than as a feminine gay boy, how he dates now as a 23-year-old gay man, and what he wants parents and therapists to do instead.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Johnny Skinner's Journey01:00 Growing Up in Rural Michigan: A Personal Backstory03:01 Discovering Gender Identity and Influences06:06 Medical Perspectives on Gender Dysphoria08:57 The Transition Process: Hormones and Puberty Blockers12:13 Experiences with Medical Professionals14:56 Health Complications and Consequences of Transitioning17:50 Reflections on the Transition Experience and Advocacy24:21 Navigating Hormonal Treatment and Its Challenges30:04 The Impact of WPATH Files on Personal Identity36:41 Transitioning and Identity Formation40:51 Advocacy and Speaking Out Against Medical Practices54:45 The Call for Accountability in Medical Practices👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me👉 Support Jonni: https://x.com/JonniSkinner#detransition #genderaffirmingcare #genderdysphoria

Welcome to Gay, Not Queer — bold conversations gay men aren't supposed to have.Hosted by Michael Pezzullo, licensed therapist and commentator, this podcast challenges conventional thinking on sexuality, identity, politics, free speech, gender ideology, relationships, and modern gay life.Through candid interviews with activists, authors, experts, and independent thinkers, we explore the conversations often missing from mainstream LGBT media.No political loyalty tests. No topics off-limits. You don't have to agree to be part of the conversation.New interviews weekly.Learn more: www.michaelpezzullo.com/links

She's the advocate behind that viral Camas High School walkout video — but this conversation is bigger than one track meet.I sat down with women's rights advocate Amy Sousa, the advocate who filmed it, to talk about the broader issue: how trans identity has overtaken women's rights, why girls sports, youth medicine, and women's spaces are now flashpoints, and why any pushback gets met with accusations of transphobia.From theater to advocacy to being in the news for that protest, this is her story in her words — and my take as a gay men's therapist on why gay men need clear language here. If you watched my protect women video, this is the next layer: how gender ideology lands on women, and what it costs to say so out loud.Please let me know in the comments what you think. I don't expect everyone here to agree with me. I actually hope you don't.👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me👉 Amy's Substack: https://substack.com/@knownhereticChapters: 00:00 Introduction to Amy E. Sousa and Her Background02:30 The Clash Between Gender Ideology and Women's Rights08:55 Identifying Cult-like Behavior in Gender Ideology21:42 Is This Male Aggression?31:15 Amy Breaks Down Instincts and Gender Dynamics45:00 How Gay Men Can Protect Women51:02 Navigating Backlash and "Cancel Culture"#womensrights #womenssports #titleix

Why is Paris burning?The news shows the destruction. What it doesn't show is what's driving it — or what a Jewish, bisexual man living in the middle of it is watching happen to his own city.In this conversation, Liron describes what he says is really behind the France protests, what took over the student movement, what antisemitism looks like day to day in Paris right now, and why he has a warning for gay men in America.I'm a gay men's therapist in West Hollywood, and I don't do polite conversation about uncomfortable things.This is our full 42-minute conversation, unedited.What we cover:- What's really happening in France right now- What he says took over the student protests- Antisemitism in Paris, from someone living inside it- His warning for gay and bisexual men in the US- What he thinks comes nextIf you've been told you're not allowed to say what you see, this one is for you.👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me👉 Learn About Liron: https://www.instagram.com/liron.sgv/#franceriots #parisprotests #franceprotests

What happened to Jazz Jennings? As a gay therapist, I break down what I Am Jazz filmed and aired themselves — from puberty blockers at 11 to gender surgery at 17 and the complications that followed on camera.This is not about regret. This is about what happens when medical transition of a feminine kid is turned into TV — and what no one on that show would say out loud.This is a follow-up to my Avery Jackson video. Same question: what are we doing to kids who may have grown up to be gay?👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-meThis video is commentary and education under fair use. All show clips belong to TLC / I Am Jazz and are used in short selects for critique.#jazzjennings #iamjazz #transkid

He won Mr Gay World 2025 — but before the crown, Giulio Spatola was fighting chemsex.Licensed therapist Michael Pezzullo sits down with Giulio for an unfiltered conversation about addiction, shame, and what recovery actually takes for gay men.In this interview, Giulio shares his personal journey through chemsex, what kept him trapped in the cycle, and how he rebuilt his life to get clean. We go beyond the story and break down the why — why so many gay men get pulled into chemsex, how shame and escape play a role, and what real recovery looks like from a therapist's perspective.If you or someone you love is struggling with chemsex or addiction, you are not alone and change is possible. This video is for education and conversation only and is not a substitute for therapy.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Giulio02:07 Giulio's entry into the chemsex scene07:21 The psychological appeal of chemsex10:11 The impact of neurodivergence on addiction26:03 How chemsex impacts gay men's sexuality31:04 Winning Mr. Gay World42:34 The importance of honesty and social support in recovery53:04 Exploring sober sex and masturbaton01:00:42 Giulio's advocacy work and future plans👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-meSupport & Recovery Resources:- US: SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-4357- UK: https://controllingchemsex.com/#gaymen #chemsex #addictionrecovery

Has the gay rights movement gone too far? Michael talks with Ronan McCrea about why some gay men are walking away from TQ activism — and whether LGB and TQ advocacy still belong under the same political umbrella.👉 Work With Michael: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-meRonan explains why persuasion, coalition-building, and support from straight people were central to the success of the gay rights movement — and why he believes parts of today’s LGBT movement have moved away from that strategy.We also look at what’s happening in the UK, whether Britain offers lessons for the United States, what happens to activist movements after many of their original goals have been achieved, and a larger question: can gay men and lesbians take our hard-won freedoms for granted?👉 Buy Ronan’s Book: https://a.co/d/003JlqY5👉 Learn more about Ronan: https://www.ronan-mccrea.comI’m Michael — a licensed therapist and coach for gay men. I break down the psychological and cultural patterns affecting gay men, so you can see the pattern and change it.Chapters01:53 The Evolution of Gay Rights06:03 Why Straight Support Mattered14:04 The Future of Gay Rights Activism23:11 Cultural Perspectives on Homophobia30:00 Sexual Freedom and Cultural Norms33:01 Restraint and Sexual Culture35:00 Acceptance vs. Affirmation44:50 Corporate Involvement in LGBTQ+ Rights56:08 Activism vs. Everyday Gay Life#gaymen #gayrights #gayhistory #LGB

Simon B. Amaya Price once identified as transgender and lived socially as a woman. Today, he has detransitioned—and he has serious questions about how he got there.In this conversation, Simon describes the role therapists and medical professionals played in affirming his gender identity as a young person, the resistance he encountered from his parents, and the extraordinary pressure his family says they faced—including being presented with the stark choice of a “dead son or an alive daughter.”I say the things about gay men no therapist will say — for gay men done being talked around. Sophisticated, honest talk on sex, relationships, and shame. Subscribe if that's you.Chapters:00:00 — Simon’s Story: From Transition to Detransition06:45 — How Environment Shaped His Identity12:30 — Gender Ideology During Adolescence18:05 — What Happened During Social Transition23:27 — Doctors, Parents, and the Push Toward Medical Transition28:12 — Why Simon Now Questions Gender Affirmation32:36 — Gender Identity vs. Sexual Orientation34:24 — Medical Intervention for Minors39:24 — Masculinity, Labels, and Learning to Accept Yourself43:55 — The Contradictions Simon Sees in Gender Ideology48:35 — Helping Young Men Feel Comfortable Being Themselves👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me 👉 Learn about Simon: https://www.linktr.ee/simonamayaprice#Detransition #GenderAffirmingCare #GenderIdentity #TransgenderYouth #MentalHealth

A few months ago, I stumbled across a reel on Instagram that caught my attention because it was a gay man saying something he apparently wasn’t supposed to say: Marsha P. Johnson didn’t throw the first brick at Stonewall.That opened a much bigger conversation. Why did that story become so widely repeated? Why is challenging it treated as taboo? And what does that tell us about who gets to shape gay history and LGBT culture?Daniel-Ryan Spaulding and I talk about Stonewall, Pride, gay male identity, ideological conformity, and what happens when gay men question the approved narrative.One criticism I keep hearing is: “We need to stand together. Don’t be divisive.” I reject that. I think truth is what unites us—not lies.Enjoy.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Daniel and His Work01:56 Revisiting LGBTQ+ History and Marsha P. Johnson06:30 Cultural Shifts and the Decline of Traditional Values12:42 The Evolution of LGBTQ+ Activism18:30 Personal Experiences and Observations on Pride23:30 Anti-Semitism and the LGBTQ+ Community26:36 The Role of Culture in Political Change28:43 The Bullying Tactics of Ideological Groups31:27 The Toxic Environment of the Gay Community34:11 Radicalization and the Loss of Individuality39:20 The Role of Gay Men in Society44:35 Navigating Modern Gay Identity49:25 Conclusion and Future Directions👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me 👉 Follow Daniel on Substack: https://substack.com/@danielryanspaulding#GayMen #GayHistory #Stonewall #LGBTCulture #GayRights

Why do some gay men go to such extreme lengths to feel connected?I sat down with bestselling author Johann Hari to talk about loneliness, addiction, shame, sex, validation, social media, appearance culture, and the deeper psychological needs that drive destructive behavior. We explore why people can chase connection through sex, success, attention, substances, and external approval—and still end up feeling more alone.We also talk about authenticity, the difference between being seen and truly being known, why shame and humiliation rarely create change, and what real connection may actually require. 👉 Get Johann's Books: https://www.johannhari.com👉 Work With Me: https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/work-with-me 0:00 Intro2:00 Johann’s Viral TED Talk13:42 Why the Opposite of Addiction Is Connection30:04 Why Shame Is So Toxic for Gay Men38:02 Are We Glorifying Unhealthy Sex?50:13 Shocking Statistics About Loneliness1:01:21 Finding Your Intrinsic Motivation & Values#GayMen #JohannHari #Loneliness #MentalHealth #GayMensMentalHealth