Villains

113: The New IFB: Even More Hate

Fred Phelps (1991 – 2014)

As Hyles star began to fade in the 1990’s, a new surge of anti-LGBTQ+ activism was on the rise in Topeka, Kansas. Fred Phelps was born a few years after Jack Hyles but his infamy wouldn’t come until much later in life. Unlike Norris and Hyles, Phelps grew up in a middle class family in Meridian, Mississippi. His mother passed away when he was 6 years old and his aunt helped Fred Sr raise the two children. Phelps graduated in the top of his high school class and was prepared to enter West Point when a revival meeting changed his plans. Instead, Fred went off to the Baptist super college, Bob Jones University. But quickly became disillusioned with the school that he considered too watered down and liberal. So he headed to California and took up street preaching for several years before meeting his wife Margie and settling down.

112: Jack Hyles; The IFB’s Evil Pope

August 19, 2020 00:49:02

A Norris fanboy and good friend of Roloff was already well on his way to IFB stardom when Roloff passed. Jack Hyles was born the same year J. Frank stood trial for murder in 1926. Hyle’s early life seemed to mirror that of Norris. Jack was born in poverty, the son of an alcoholic who beat him severely and eventually left the Hyles family all together. Like Norris before him, Hyles found comfort in the world of the fiery Baptist preaching. After serving in the Army during World War II, Hyles returned and attended East Baptist Bible College in Marshall Texas. He then pastored a few churches in Texas and his success drew the attention of a large congregation in Hammond, Indiana. Seeing the potential, and the money, of the wealthy and well-respected church, Hyles took the position at First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana in 1959. By age 33, he had become somewhat popular in the South, yet the move to Hammond was the real catalyst for Jack Hyles’s career. It was here that he created an empire and a worldwide name – as far as the IFB goes. It was also here that he created what most experts have classified as a cult.

111: The IFB: Fundamentals of Hate

August 12, 2020 01:09:15

Today we are going to deep dive into the world that Evan belonged to for the first 23 years of his life. A world that many consider bizarre yet harmless. While others, often those who have left this type of environment or similar ones, recognize the lasting impacts of the IFB on local communities and the U.S. as a whole. It should be noted upfront that this is an overview of the Independent Fundamental Baptists and we do not have the time to devote to a full history of the movement. Nor are we the appropriate platform to present such a detailed narrative.

107: Villains of the LGBTQ: J. K. Rowling

July 13, 2020 0:30:34

The controversy surrounding JK Rowling had continued as the writer published statements comparing hormone treatment for transgender people to conversion therapy.

106: Fuck You Aaron Schock

July 1, 2020 00:28:37

Today’s minisode is dedicated to a special person indeed and perfectly addresses a long-standing issue in the LGBTQ+ community. In March of this year, former representative Aaron Schock came out as gay. The name may be familiar as the politician made quite a name and a scandal for himself in the brief 5 years he was in Congress. And in fact, we have discussed him before in the past during one of our “I’m not gay, YOU’RE gay” episodes. Aside from the corruption charges for spending fraud, the former Republican Congressman has long faced rumors of being gay. And the word ‘rumors’ is an understatement as they’ve been backed with photos, video, and everything short of a confession from Schock. Yet for whatever reason, the politician did not see it beneficial until now to come formally out as gay. Perhaps the success of Pete Buttigieg’s campaign inspired him. Or perhaps he has found a new angle he can work.

94: Villains: Reagan and Thatcher

April 1, 2020 01:04:33

Today is April Fools and so we thought it only fitting to cover two of the biggest fools to ever hold office, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Though an ocean separated the two world leaders, their response to Gay Rights and the AIDS crisis during the 1980s would leave a deadly impact on the queer community. Together, the conservatives undermined LGBTQ activism at every turn, while surrounded by the awe and wonder of their adoring followers. But who were Reagan and Thatcher before they became some of the most powerful public officials in the world?

Your Queer Story By Evan Jones & Paul Hobbs

78: Villains of the LGBTQ, Anita Bryant

December 4, 2019 0:48:09

Today we’re back with another episode in our series, “Villians of the LGBTQ”. And we’re discussing the woman who launched the modern day anti-queer movement, Anita Bryant. So much of the anti-lgbtq rhetoric we hear in today’s society is based on Bryant’s attack of the queer community. And her advocacy against us homos has been running for nearly as long as the queer revolution.

65: I’m Not Gay YOU’RE Gay! International Edition

August 21, 2019 0:29:35

There’s two more episodes during World Listeners Month. And we couldn’t bloody let you mates leave without a few rounds at some world wide assholes. Join us for one of our favorite series as we tackle homophobes all around the globe who ended up being a bunch of homos themselves. From the land down under, to the Colombian hills. Or a fishy Finn across the way to London’s Glory Hole Church it’s a wild ride. Have a few laughs and remember, no matter where ye go the bigot yelling the loudest has got a secret to hide for sure.

50: Mike Pence, Villains of the LGBTQ

May 15, 2019 0:47:47

It’s hard to say if any other individual in America has had a greater platform to do more harm to the LGBTQ community than Vice President Mike Pence.

36: I’m Not Gay, YOU’RE Gay! 2

January 30, 2019 0:41:23

We’re back with another episode of I’m Not Gay, YOU’RE Gay. A segment when we tell stories of anti-LGBTQ leaders who ended up being pretty queer themselves.