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Read the Room Podcast

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Last updated on June 30, 2026

Read the Room is a podcast from the ACLU of Arizona exploring the gap between the political games played in local government and the everyday realities LGBTQ+ Arizonans navigate in 2026. What makes Read the Room special are its guests — LGBTQ+ Arizonans who bring their own stories, insights, and lived experiences to these important conversations. Together, we will take a closer look at how choices made by lawmakers are impacting LGBTQ+ Arizonans in their day-to-day lives.

Episodes:

Drag the Conversation

Phoenix native Ben Whitneybell, known across the Arizona drag scene by his drag name Benaddiction, joins Read the Room to discuss his start in drag, the role it plays in cultivating community, and the real impact of legislative attacks on drag in Arizona. He also shares how he uses his platform as a performer to uplift underrepresented voices and artistry while advocating for all queer Arizonans.

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Setting the Room

In the first episode of Read the Room, hosts Alex Gonzalez and Angel Medina 'set the room' with a brief history of LGBTQ+ rights in Arizona — and where the state stands today. They introduce the main mission behind the podcast: to explore what it means to be queer in Arizona in 2026 and have conversations about the intersection with civil rights.

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