In this episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with Zander Murray, who made history as Scotland’s first openly gay senior footballer. From the weight of secrecy to the freedom of coming out, Zander shares his deeply personal journey—one shaped by resilience and the hope of creating lasting change in the world of sport.

Zander opens up about the moment he knew he had to come out, the unexpected support that followed, and the mental toll of staying closeted in a hyper-masculine environment. He reflects on football culture, the barriers that still exist for LGBTQ+ players, and why true representation matters both on and off the pitch.

They also explore what it means to live authentically, the pressure of being seen as a role model, and how Zander’s work today continues to champion inclusion and visibility for the next generation of athletes.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about football, queer visibility in sport, and the transformative power of living your truth.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Zander's Early Life

04:20 The Journey of Self-Discovery

07:07 The Impact of Role Models

10:01 Coming Out: A Personal Journey

13:03 Navigating Media and Public Perception

16:03 The Role of Football in LGBTQ+ Inclusion

19:15 Challenges of Being a Role Model

22:05 The Future of LGBTQ+ Representation in Football

32:22 The Impact of Coming Out in Sports

34:50 Transitioning from Player to Advocate

39:50 Empowering the Next Generation of LGBTQ+ Athletes

44:53 Overcoming Internalized Homophobia

48:36 Celebrating Authenticity and Team Support

54:16 New Chapter

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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BenCicchetti

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In this episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with author Robby Weber, whose joyful and heartfelt queer love stories have helped thousands of readers see themselves on the page—and escape into something beautiful.

Robby shares how a lifelong love of stories turned into a career, the surprising power of writing flawed queer characters, and why authenticity is an ongoing journey—not a destination. He opens up about navigating social media, the emotional messages he receives from readers, and how growing up in Florida fuels his passion to fight for queer visibility, especially in the face of book bans.

They also discuss the joy of queer romance, how Robby finds inspiration in real friendships, and what we lose when LGBTQ+ stories are always rooted in trauma.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves YA fiction, queer joy, and the power of books to change lives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Robby Weber

04:19 The Journey of Authenticity

07:25 Navigating Negativity and Social Media

10:23 The Importance of Representation in Literature

13:12 The Evolution of Writing Career

15:47 Inspiration and Creative Process

18:22 Connecting with Readers through Social Media

21:36 Reflections on Young Love and Personal Experiences

24:18 Celebrating Queer Joy in Literature

27:36 Advice for Young LGBTQ+ Individuals

29:06 Legacy and Impact of LGBTQ+ Stories

32:55 The Importance of Flawed Characters

37:10 Dream Collaborations and Future Projects

More from Robby Weber:

Website: https://www.robbyweber.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robbyreads/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@robby.reads

Preorder Everything About You: https://www.robbyweber.com/everything-about-you/

Follow Ben Cicchetti:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BenCicchetti

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti

In this episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with Rebecca Minor, gender specialist, author, educator, and clinician, to explore her powerful work supporting trans and gender-diverse youth on their journey of becoming—and helping their families affirm them every step of the way.

Rebecca opens up about her own queer journey, growing up in creative spaces, navigating compulsory heterosexuality, and the moment she decided to publicly live her truth. She shares what inspired her to become a gender specialist, and how she uses “possibility modelling” to show young queer people that their futures can be bright, joyful, and expansive.

They also unpack the disinformation crisis surrounding trans identities, the political weaponization of gender, and the misconceptions parents and the public still hold. Plus, Rebecca offers heartfelt advice for families, educators, and allies alike—and teases her upcoming book Raising Trans Kids: What to Expect When You Weren’t Expecting This.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about affirming queer youth, breaking down harmful narratives, and building a world where everyone is free to live authentically.

00:00 Understanding the Role of a Gender Specialist

04:18 Exploring Personal Identity and Childhood Experiences

07:22 The Impact of Representation in Media

10:16 Authenticity and Professional Identity

13:20 The Political Landscape of Gender Issues

16:24 Misinformation and Disinformation in Gender Discussions

19:31 Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Youth

22:20 Advice for Parents of LGBTQ+ Children

25:21 Navigating Family Dynamics and Acceptance

28:18 Messages of Hope for LGBTQ+ Youth

31:15 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

More from Rebecca:

Website: https://www.genderspecialist.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gender.specialist/

Preorder Raising Trans Kids (UK): https://tinyurl.com/yxdpjr2a

Preorder Raising Trans Kids (US): https://tinyurl.com/32jxv5uy

Follow Ben Cicchetti:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BenCicchetti

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti