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PODCAST

Proudly Said

Proudly Said is about being LGBTQ+ in the UK without compromise. Hosted by John Hyland (he/they), a Liverpool-born activist and advocate, the show brings real conversations to the forefront. No studios, no scripts - just people, where they’re most at home, speaking in their own words. Each episode centres voices you don’t hear enough, talking about what it means to live out loud, hold space, and just live. There’s no performance. Just queer stories, proudly said.

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All Episodes

34:12

Ep 42: Dr Rory McGill said

Proudly Said ·

2026/03/17

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Dr Rory McGill is the Director of Public Health for Sefton Council, as well as a lifelong horror nerd who grew up in Derry idolising Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Resident Evil's Jill Valentine, and Kitana from Mortal Kombat.Rory joins John to talk about the journey from small-city childhood (an actual Derry Girl) to senior leadership in public health, and how queerness, resilience, and a love of powerful women shaped the man he became. They chat about navigating identity

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35:47

Ep 41: Divina De Campo said

Proudly Said ·

2026/03/10

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Divina De Campo is a singer, Drag Race UK legend, producer, activist, and all-round powerhouse.John and Divina sit down for a brilliantly chaotic chat that veers between heartfelt and hilarious, from their shared history on the queer scene to what it’s like balancing visibility, creativity, and exhaustion in a career that doesn’t slow down. Divina opens up about her current vocal concerns and what it means when your voice, quite literally, starts to feel fragile. They

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33:02

Ep 40: Jayy Dring said

Proudly Said ·

2026/03/03

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Jayy Dring is a young Scouse lad with a big personality, a sharp (sometimes dark... lol) sense of humour, and a story that deserves to be heard.Jayy joins John to talk about life behind the bar at Superstar Boudoir, navigating Liverpool’s queer nightlife scene, and some of the unexpected turns along the way... including a brief foray into adult work.Most importantly, Jayy speaks openly about living with HIV: from diagnosis and stigma to self-worth, community, and

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39:15

Ep 39: Kiki Pain said

Proudly Said ·

2026/02/24

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Kiki Pain is a fierce AFAB drag queen, singer and content creator making waves both on stage and online - and she’s not afraid to speak up for herself, or others.Kiki joins John to talk about growing up surrounded by music, finding her way into drag, and the reality of being a woman in a world that still questions who “should” be doing drag. They chat about the joy of performing, the hate she’s faced (especially online), and how her drag has become a way of taking up

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41:45

Ep 38: Thomas Hartley (Pam Sandwich) said

Proudly Said ·

2026/02/17

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Thomas Hartley is known to many from Married at First Sight UK, but these days, you’re just as likely to find him onstage as his drag alter ego, Pam Sandwich.Tom joins John to talk about his early days on the gay scene, what life was really like after the cameras stopped rolling on MAFSUK, and how drag became a way to reconnect with who he really is. They chat about confidence, identity, starting over, and the birth of Pam; a performer who’s as bold, brash and brilliant

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35:11

Ep 37: David Watson said

Proudly Said ·

2026/02/11

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?David Watson is a creative producer, cultural curator and one of the key figures behind some of Liverpool’s boldest, most visible moments in recent years; including making Eurovision 2023 extra special..David joins John to talk about his creative journey, how he found himself in Liverpool, and why collaboration and community are at the heart of everything he does. They chat about his background in the arts, the scale (and stress) of supporting the city's delivery of

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34:07

Ep 36: Weavin' Steven said

Proudly Said ·

2026/02/05

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Ste Hulme, known to some as Weavin' Steven, known to others as Tanya Cope, joins John for one of the most open and important conversations on Proudly Said to date.Ste speaks honestly about his journey through ketamine addiction, what that period of his life looked like, and how finding support through the newly formed House of The Vivienne charity helped him begin to rebuild. He reflects on how addiction crept in, the impact it had, and the realities of

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36:22

Ep 35: Shuv Barbital said

Proudly Said ·

2026/01/27

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Shuv Barbital, the self-proclaimed Goth Mom of Liverpool, is a drag artist, host, costumer and chaos curator, known for bringing dark glamour, camp filth and fierce intelligence to every stage she haunts.Shuv joins John for a gloriously unfiltered chat about alternative drag, the politics of performance, and why drag should never be confined to sequins and safe choices. They dive into feminism, visibility, creative autonomy, and take a few ADHD-fuelled tangents along

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34:37

Ep 34: Violet Pain said

Proudly Said ·

2026/01/20

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Violet Pain is a staple drag queen in Liverpool, and a seasoned performer with a quick wit, sharp mug, and a deep love for the stage; whether that’s at Superstar Boudoir, Masquerade, Sparkles in Gran Canaria, or anywhere a mic and a moment are available.Violet joins John to talk about the journey behind the glamour: from early days navigating queer spaces to becoming a familiar face (and voice) across Liverpool’s drag scene. They chat about what it means to build a drag

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32:29

Ep 33: Nana Funk said

Proudly Said ·

2026/01/13

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Nana Funk is a cabaret queen, burlesque bombshell, and musical mischief-maker; and she’s made it her mission to challenge ageism, celebrate bodies of all kinds, and bring joy wherever she goes.Nana joins John for a funny, warm and wildly honest conversation about creativity, clowning, and carving out space on her own terms. They chat about how the character of Nana came to life, what it’s like to be a woman in entertainment past the age the industry often tries to

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33:33

Ep 32: Hannah Riley said

Proudly Said ·

2026/01/06

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Hannah Riley is a full-on powerhouse - working behind the scenes in TV by day, and lighting up stages and arenas as a presenter and host by night.Hannah joins John to chat about her journey through the world of media, learning the ropes in costume departments and production teams, and how she’s carving out a path in front of the camera, and on stage too. They talk about confidence, hustle, and that surreal moment when she found out she’d been chosen as the roaming

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12:28

Ep 31: New Year Reflections with John

Proudly Said ·

2026/01/01

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?To welcome in the new year, John reflects on the last 6 months since starting Proudly Said, with 30 episodes posted, and plenty more scheduled.We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast since we started, and we really appreciate all the likes, shares, reviews, and wider support.🗣️ Why Listen?If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those

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37:26

Ep 30: Tracy Wilder said

Proudly Said ·

2025/12/09

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Tracy Wilder, better known to the dancefloors asDJ Silk Tray, is a Liverpool legend, who’s been spinning tunes, turning looks, and shaping queer nightlife in the city for over 30 years.Tracy joins John to reflect on her incredible journey, from the heyday of Garlands, to being behind the decks the nightSuperstar Boudoirfirst opened its doors, to her current residency atSonic Yootha, the monthly queer dance party keeping Liverpool funky and fearless.They talk about how

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33:30

Ep 29: Robyn Renee said

Proudly Said ·

2025/12/02

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Robyn Renée is an AFAB drag queen based in Liverpool, part party animal, part comedy performer, and full-time advocate for giving it a go (even if you’re terrified).Robyn joins John to talk about what it’s like stepping into drag as a woman, navigating a scene that has so many different kinds of queen, and how she’s found her rhythm through DJing, performing, and just saying “yes” more often than “no.”They talk about the power of putting yourself out there, building

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35:33

Ep 28: Mahito Thee Cosplayer said

Proudly Said ·

2025/11/25

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Mahito Thee Cosplayer is best known for their jaw-dropping horror looks and viral cosplay content - but behind the masks is a story just as powerful.Mahito joins John to share their journey as a queer, Black, Nigerian creative navigating identity across continents. From growing up between cultures, to living in the US during the Trump era, to arriving in the UK and unpacking what it means to be “British”; Mahito speaks candidly about displacement, poverty, survival, and

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37:57

Ep 27: Noel Hughes said

Proudly Said ·

2025/11/18

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Noel Hughes is a third-year Veterinary Science student and the president of the University of Liverpool’s Queer Vet Society, proudly flying the flag for queer visibility in a field that’s not always known for it.Noel joins John to talk about what it’s like moving to a big city as a young queer person, navigating uni life, and finding community in unexpected places (like the vet school corridors). They chat about queerness in science, the power of student societies, and

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36:02

Ep 26: Niall O'Callaghan said

Proudly Said ·

2025/11/11

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Niall O’Callaghan is a content creator, entertainer, and all-round online personality who’s made a name for himself by making people laugh, and making it look effortless.Niall joins John to talk about the real story behind the reels, from first nights out at Liverpool’s iconicSuperstar Boudoir, to building a following on TikTok and Instagram by simply being himself (and about ten different characters).They chat about finding confidence as a queer man, the thrill of

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38:11

Ep 25: Alabama Whirley said

Proudly Said ·

2025/11/04

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Alabama Whirley is a fat-positive burlesque dancer, cabaret producer, and walking middle finger to society’s obsession with shrinking.Alabama joins John to talk about performing with power, living visibly in a body-conscious world, and challenging stigma, both on stage and off. They explore the language we use around bodies, how it shapes our confidence (or chips away at it), and what it means to be both fat and fearless in spaces that often try to make you feel like

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36:35

Ep 24: Natasha Von Spirit said

Proudly Said ·

2025/10/28

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Natasha Von Spirit is a drag artist, DJ, comedian, and all-round scene staple, known for her quick wit, bold looks, and ability to keep it chaoticandcaring.Natasha joins John to talk about her route into drag, training in technical theatre in Wales, and how performance became both a creative outlet and a form of survival. She speaks candidly about her experiences with alcoholism, recovery, and learning to sit with herself outside of the spotlight.Of course, there are

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38:28

Ep 23: Precious (from Koko Kollective) said

Proudly Said ·

2025/10/21

🎙️ What’s This Episode About?Precious is a Liverpool-based storyteller, creative, and the founder ofKoko Kollective: an Afro-inclusive community platform centring BIPOC and queer joy through art, conversation and celebration.Precious joins John to talk about living out loud, building spaces that feel like home, and the intention behind everything she creates, from content to community events. They chat about growing up, identity, softness, and the need for spaces where Black and brown queer people

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43 results

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