Laverne Cox joins HIGHKEY! to talk trans erasure, identity, and surviving Hollywood in 2025. She shares how the cancellation of Clean Slate affected her personally and financially, and explains why being palatable to white audiences didn’t protect her. Laverne breaks down her evolving stance on respectability politics and the growing divestment from trans stories. She also revisits a recent speech where she called out Gavin Newsom by name—and why she’s done playing nice. A raw and thoughtful conversation about power, creativity, and what it takes to keep going.

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come kick it on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiki.

www.patreon.com/HIGHKEY

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ben O’Keefe, Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the premiere of HIGHKEY!, hosts Yvie Oddly, Ben O’Keefe, and Ryan Mitchell get personal — and hilarious — about growing up queer, coming out, and redefining what “queer identity” means today. They unpack how LGBTQ+ stories show up (or don’t) in pop culture, why Pride feels different now, and what happens when queer joy meets corporate branding. From dial-up porn searches to first crushes, to why “professional gays” are tired—this episode is full of raw honesty, wild memories, and big laughs. The trio shares how they found chosen family and why queer joy is more radical than ever.

If you’ve ever felt like the only weirdo in the room, this one’s for you. It’s bold, it’s messy, and it’s just the beginning.

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come kick it on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiKi.

patreon.com/HIGHKEY

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ben O’Keefe, Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.