‘Queery’ podcast changes the conversation
Another way that Esposito and Butcher commingle their queerness with community is through Esposito’s hour-long podcast, “Queery.” The show is formatted where she has discussions with other LGBT people, including Butcher, in the first episode.
“Our fans, the ones who watch our television show and come to see our stand-up, they are from all backgrounds,” Esposito Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher’s 21-city ‘Back To Back’ tour hits Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse on Oct. 3. (Photos by Robyn Van Swank) said. “One thing that I have the ability to do is talk to them in a way that is in-group conversation. So often, when I’m interviewed, it’s by a straight person. The questions about my queerness are the same questions – like asking about my coming out story. But when queer people talk to each other, we ask questions like ‘How is your family?’ or ‘What’s going on with your job?’”
Butcher said the podcast feels like a companion to their TV show, and added, “She’s trying to go the step beyond the coming out story. We both value those stories and it helps kids that are trying to come out. But we also want to tell the stories about what it’s like to be a working person and in a relationship and taking risks and how does your being queer affect all of that? Those are valuable conversations to have.”
So what was it like for Butcher to be interviewed by her wife?
“Someone once asked George Harrison what it was like to be in The Beatles,” she replied. “He said, ‘I don’t know. What is it like to not be in The Beatles?’ I guess what I’m saying is we can best be described as ‘The Beatles.’”
The ladies have fond memories of Atlanta, including the time Butcher came to visit Esposito when she was filming “Mother’s Day” with the legendary director Garry Marshall. They booked a local venue and did their standup for Marshall, the film crew and the public. Marshall passed away a short time later.
“One thing that makes Atlanta a great place to spend time in is the great local culture all around you,” Esposito said. “And the memories that we have there make us excited to come back!”