Meet the Boys of Gay Radio

Since April 2003, the GLBT community has had an entire commercial radio station geared toward their needs and interests: Sirius OutQ (Channel 109) providing news, information, entertainment and music for the gay community and beyond. AfterElton.com recently interviewed (via email) a number of the folks who bring OutQ to listeners including much of the weekday lineup. We quizzed them about outrageous gay topics, straight listeners, wild on-air stories, crazy fans and the future of gay radio.

"Our station isn't just about being gay. It's about being funny, or daring, or smart, or even gloriously silly," said Jeremy Coleman, Vice President of Talk and Entertainment Programming for Sirius Satellite Radio. He added, "Much of what we discuss, including family issues, partner issues and work issues are human conditions, not simply gay conditions."

The station features a variety of gay hosts (mostly men), all from different backgrounds and with their own queer experience. Some intend to entertain and others to inform, but all are united in their hope to provide a forum where gay listeners feel at home. "OutQ gives a 'friend' to gays everywhere," Coleman said. "Being gay got good when I found gay friends, and OutQ is an instant set of gay friends for all of America, to help people laugh, know and feel safe."

AfterElton.com: Did you start out as a gay radio host or was there a time when you'd hide your sexuality to work in commercial radio?
Larry Flick (Host, OutQ in the Morning): Before joining Sirius OutQ, I was a music journalist. I was an editor and writer at Billboard magazine. Most the time that I was at Billboard, though, I was the dance music editor. The dance/club world is dominated by queer folks, and I had an affinity with people who were trying to make their way in an industry that, for a while, tried to pretend that there weren't gay folks in the business.

Luckily, I had a mentor/editor at Billboard who encouraged me to be as "out" as possible. Hiding was never an option for me. In fact, being a rare out queer editor in the mainstream press set me apart from the pack in a remarkably good, positive way. I got called upon by a lot of major media and television outlets to talk on-camera about various artists and musical movements. Coming out in my career was one of the smartest things I could've done.

Frank DeCaro (Host, The Frank DeCaro Show): I had finished a six-and-a-half-year stint as the flamboyantly gay movie critic on Comedy Central's The Daily Show, with Craig Kilborn and then Jon Stewart, when I launched The Frank DeCaro Show on Sirius OutQ in 2004. So everyone, and I mean everyone, knew what they were getting when they hired me.

Derek Hartley (Host, The Derek and Romaine Show): I have been out at work for almost 20 years now, and I don't think it would be possible for me to do a job where I couldn't be out. I realized quickly though that even if being out on my resume kept me from getting called in for an interview, I wouldn't want to work at a company that wouldn't allow me to be myself. It is always a personal choice, but I believe that the only way to be happy at work is to be open about who you are. And out employees make better employees too.

AE: Have you hosted/participated in any gay radio programs/stations before your involvement in Sirius OutQ?
Michelangelo Signorile (Host, The Michelangelo Signorile Show): I hosted a weekly internet show in the late '90s on the GAYBC radio network.

Tim Curran (News Director/Anchor, OutQ News): With a college friend of mine, I started the weekly news segment for the gay and lesbian radio show on the community radio station in my home town, KPFA in Berkeley. That was in 1982 … 25 years ago!

Jeremy Hovies (Host, Last Call With Jeremy Hovies): I began broadcasting on internet radio (GAYBC). When the company folded, I went to work as an associate producer on a syndicated live talk show, and I eventually landed a gig at Sirius OutQ in 2004.