Societal pressures surrounding marriage often fuel negative perceptions of being single, creating undue stress and stigma for those who haven't followed traditional relationship paths. Meanwhile, gay men may encounter challenges in forming healthy long-term relationships due to societal prejudices, lack of legal recognition, and historical marginalization, contributing to a higher prevalence of singlehood within the community.

In this episode, we’re exploring the joys of embracing singlehood, finding happiness in solitude, and navigating the journey towards self-love while overcoming the societal stigma and pressures of single-shaming.

Additional Resources:

• Single Person
• How Many People are Single in the World? Answered 2024
• What Single Shaming is and How to Respond If Someone Does It to You
• 'Single Shaming': Why People Jump to Judge the Un-Partnered
• Gay Promiscuity Statistics
• The Effect of Sexual Orientation on Singlehood: Evidence from the Greek Cultural Context
• 57% of Single Adults in U.S. Not Looking to Date, Survey Says
• Normalize Being Single in Your 30s as a Healthy Relationship Status
• Reasons Why You Need to Embrace Singlehood
• How to Embrace Being Single

Support the Show.

Get Your Merch

Inclusive representation in various literary genres offers LGBTQ+ people a sense of visibility, validation, and connection as they see their experiences authentically mirrored, which fosters a more affirming narrative for readers. One such genre, sci-fi, often serves as a creative and inclusive space, intertwining with queerness to explore diverse identities, relationships, and societal constructs beyond conventional norms.

In this episode, TQ Sims, author of Godspeed, Lovers, joins us to discuss the importance of inclusive literature, the queerness of the sci-fi genre, and his futuristic novel.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 07. The History of Gay Representation in TV & Film

Additional Resources:

• Follow TQ Sims on Instagram
• Read Godspeed, Lovers
• Visit The Lovers Universe

Support the Show.

Get Your Merch

Gay men often grapple with perfectionism, navigating societal expectations and internalized standards that can intensify the pursuit of an idealized self-image. Known as the Best Little Boy in the World archetype, some gay men overcompensate in certain aspects of their lives, such as their career, appearance, and other achievements, to deflect negative attention away from their sexuality.

In this episode, we’re diving into the origins of the Best Little Boy in the World persona, examining research on how sexual minority men link self-worth more closely to achievement-related domains compared to their straight counterparts, and discussing how we can grow up beyond this archetype by overcoming our internalized homophobia.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 01. Hello, Trauma. It's Me, Rob‪.‬
• Listen to Episode 13. Perfectly Imperfect: Conquer Your Perfectionism
• Listen to Episode 85. Boundaries: How to Understand and Set Them
• Listen to Episode 94. Girl, Please: Say No to People-Pleasing

Additional Resources:

• The Best Little Boy in the World by Andrew Tobias
• The Best Little Boy in the World Grows Up
• The Social Development of Contingent Self-Worth in Sexual Minority Young Men: An Empirical Investigation of the “Best Little Boy in the World” Hypothesis
• Being in the Closet Drives You to Be More Successful, More Awful
• The Best Little Boy in the World — That's Me
• Queer Like Pete
• Why Do Young Gay Men Try to Be the Best?
• Good Little Boy Syndrome
• Best Little Boy in the World
• Superego
• Best Little Boy In The World
• 30 Ways to Deal with Internalized Homophobia
• Be Kind to Yourself

Support the Show.

Get Your Merch