80. Queer Haunts: Happy Halloween (with Ralph Anthony)

Snarky Opener (0:00)

Rob Loveless

Do you have any personal horror stories or scary experiences of your own?

Ralph Anthony

My life. No, I'm totally joking. No.

Rob Loveless

That's how I would answer for myself.

Episode Introduction (0:32)

Rob Loveless

Hello, my LGBTQuties, and welcome back to another episode of A Jaded Gay. I'm Rob Loveless and, today, I am a jaded gay just because it has been a long week. I'm dragging. I'm tired. I really just want to go to bed. I need, like, a good night's sleep. It's been, it's been a week, but here I am.

Happy Halloween! (0:51)

Rob Loveless

Anyway, something that'll wake me up is a very exciting episode for you today. I am super excited to be collaborating with another podcast host. Perfect for the Halloween season, because here we are happy Halloween. I'll introduce him in a bit, but beforehand, let's pull the tarot.

Tarot (1:09)

Rob Loveless

So, the card for this episode is the Queen of Pentacles in reverse. And Pentacles is tied to the element of earth. So, it's very grounding, stabilizing feminine energy.

So, it's really asking us to reflect and meditate. And Pentacles is tied to prosperity. Literally, financial prosperity, but I like to think of it as emotional prosperity.

You know, like putting in the hard work and reaping the rewards of your labor. Now, the Queen is the 13th card in the suit of Pentacles.

So, in numerology, we add one plus three together, which equals four. See, I'm not just another pretty face. I could do math. And four is tied to structure, stability, and foundation.

Now, typically, the Queen of Pentacles is a very nurturing card, kind of motherly, and it's representative of that person who can do it all. You know, family, career, a master at balancing.

And when we pull this card upright, it's signaling that we're nurturing others, but when we draw this card in reverse, it's indicating that we need to nurture ourselves.

We need to turn that energy inwards to make sure we can sustain our lifestyle. And it can also indicate that our work and home life are out of balance.

So, we really need to be mindful about how we can take better care of ourselves to achieve that balance.

Guest Introduction (2:16)

Rob Loveless

So, with that in mind, let's get into the show. I am very excited to introduce our next guest. He is the host of Scream Queer Podcast. Please welcome Ralph Anthony. Hi, Ralph.

Ralph Anthony

Hi. Thank you so much for having me today.

Rob Loveless

Thank you for joining us today. I'm very excited to have you on for our Halloween special episode.

So, to kick it off, can you tell us a little bit about yourself, how you identify, you know, what you do for work, and your podcast?

Ralph Anthony

I go by he/him pronouns. I, right now I am a delivery driver, and which is really awesome. I get to work on my own schedule, and that's really allowed me time to work on this podcast as well.

Yeah, I'm 33 years old. I live in between Los Angeles and San Francisco, California. It's, you know, it's, it's crazy here, but yeah. I just, I really wanted to pursue something that I was passionate about.

And I just, I love all things like horror, paranormal, scary, spooky, just all of it. True crime.

So, I was like, you know what? Like, why don't I, like, create a space where me, a gay man, can talk about these issues and, uh, topics.

And just my podcast is basically just like a big melting pot of everything. Because one of the things I always bring up is that there's nothing scarier than the world that we live in.

Rob Loveless

Absolutely. Very true, and we are going to get into all things scary very shortly. But to kick it off, I like to ask all my guests too, are you a jaded or non-jaded gay today?

Ralph Anthony

Okay, so I'm kind of geeking out right now because I've made it very clear that I am a fan of this podcast. So, I was kind of overthinking this question earlier.

Here in this moment, I am not a jaded gay right now. Wait, wait, is is it are you a non-jaded gay or a jaded gay?

Rob Loveless

Non-jaded gay or jaded.

Ralph Anthony

I'm not jaded whatsoever. I am extremely excited and grateful to be here right now.

Rob Loveless

Awesome. Well, glad to have you on. And I am the same way.

Even when I'm planning the episodes, I have to kind of like plan out like, all right, what's happened in the past couple days to determine if I'm jaded or non-jaded for today's episode.

So, the overthinking is mutual here.

Ralph Anthony

Yeah.

Rob Loveless

So, getting right into it, let's start off with, can you tell us about how your love of the horror genre began?

Ralph Anthony

Yeah, my love of horror. It, I, from what I can remember, it, I believe I was, I was six. I was at a family barbecue, and everyone was talking about this new movie that had just come out: Scream.

And they were just like, hyping it up and all that. And then they ended up watching it, and they're like, you might want to go to the other room because it's a scary movie.

But I was like, no, I'll watch it. And I don't know. I was scared of it, but at the same time, I was, like, drawn in and, like, just so fascinated by it.

And I think from then on, I just, like, would watch scary movies on, on television, like the TV versions. I would always go to the scary movie aisle in Blockbuster.

And I've just, I don't know, I've, I've just always been drawn to that. Like, I'm like, a very dark person. So, like, I've just, I'm always drawn to like, things are always like, off-putting and whatnot.

Rob Loveless

Did it, like, scare you when you were younger watching scary movies? Like, did it leave a lasting impact?

Ralph Anthony

Oh, yeah. I was, I'm, I think to this day, I, I come off as this very like, dark person, which I am, but I'm also the biggest chicken. Yeah, like, it still scares me.

Like I just seen the newest Nun movie, which was pretty terrifying. But, yeah, I mean, I just, I don't know, it's like, a I'm just drawn to it.

Rob Loveless

I know what you mean. I, growing up, I wasn't allowed to watch scary movies, and, like, around the time of middle school, I really wanted to start watching them.

So, I'd watch the TV versions, but then I'd have nightmares for weeks. My parents would get mad at me. They're like, this is why we don't let you watch scary movies. But as I've gotten older.

I mean, nightmares are less but, uh, yeah, I still, I just love them. Like I like a good jump scare, and nothing really leaves, like, a lasting impact where I'm scared, except for, like, demonic possession movies.

Those really freak me out. The Nun, I don't think I could do that.

Ralph Anthony

Yeah, yeah. I'm, I lean more towards, like, slashers and, I mean, like the PG-13 ghost movies are okay, but, yeah, I'm more of a slasher guy.

Rob Loveless

I'd say probably same here for me. But with that being said, and I think I might already know the answer to this from listening to your podcast, but what's your favorite scary movie and why?

Ralph Anthony

My favorite question. I, the Scream franchise. I don't, I just, I think for anyone who is afraid of watching horror or they're just, like, very hesitant, I think Scream is, like, the perfect segue into the genre, because it, it's not just, like scary and bloody.

I mean, it just, it has elements of, like, comedy and it's, it's very meta. And I don't know, I think that's why that particular franchise has always, like, captivated me, just because it's just, it wasn't, it like, never took itself too seriously.

Rob Loveless

Definitely, it's like, very self-aware. It pokes fun at itself but there's still, like, you know, the thrills along the way, the plot twists. Which, out of the whole franchise, which has been your favorite movie so far?

Ralph Anthony

I get a lot of backlash and hate from the horror community, but yes, the original will always be the top dog. It'll always be great. But in my opinion, my favorite one is the fourth one. Scream 4.

I just think it captured a lot of the same elements as the original film and just kind of made it fresh, which is a bummer because that was, that's like the lowest-grossing film in the whole franchise.

So, I mean, it makes me sad, but that's still my favorite. And the and the killer reveal and the like motive, it was just so relevant. It was just about getting famous off of putting videos on the internet, which is, I mean, that's so relevant now.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, I, I remember... the fourth one. I don't remember a ton. I remember when it came out because I think I was, like, in college when it was coming out because that's with Hayden Panettiere, right?

Ralph Anthony

Yes.

Rob Loveless

Okay. Yeah, that one I remember a little bit. I, like, the first two were the ones I watched a lot, so those ones are a little bit more familiar to me.

And then I actually went to go see the newest one back on Easter Sunday, and I don't know what happened. I guess I've been in, like, a black hole the past few years.

I did not realize there was a fifth one that came out in, what was it, 2021? So, I went into the sixth one, like, completely blind. I'm like, wait, it seems like there's some backstories I don't understand.

Ralph Anthony

Like, what's going on here?

Rob Loveless

Yeah. But still enjoyed it. I have to, I still haven't seen the fifth one yet, so I'll have to go back and watch it at some point.

Horror’s Queer Connection (9:05)

Rob Loveless

But, well, with that being said, you know, last year, I did a podcast episode on, you know, the horror genre and how there's roots in queerness to it, going back to as far as, like, the 1600s.

So, I guess, in your own personal opinion, why do you think there's a connection between the horror genre and queerness?

Ralph Anthony

Um, well, I mean, I actually just looked up the definition of queer the other day, just to kind of give myself a refresher.

And I, I believe it said like, just like a strange or just, like, not, not, like, in line with normal. Quote unquote normal.

And I think maybe, well, that's why I'm drawn to it, because, like I said, I just, I like things that are just, like, off-putting. I'm not saying we're off-putting, but just off-putting to other people, the masses.

And I mean, a lot of what we're seeing today, I think, I don't want to say the wrong thing. Like, a lot of, like, close-minded people like, like, view us as, like, off-putting and just, like, weird and strange, and I don't know.

Maybe, like, we, I can identify with that in some weird way. If that makes sense. I'm not sure if I'm making sense here.

Rob Loveless

Definitely. I think, you know, especially in a lot of like horror movies, there's always kind of in one form or the other.

And I want to be careful to say this, because I don't want to liken, you know, queer people to being, you know, the villains of the horror movies.

But whether it's the villain or the protagonist, you know, like, the person who solves the crime, or whatever, usually they're kind of, like, there, there's a difference to them.

They're like, the outcast or the other, you know? They're not, they're the one that's bullied in high school and no one believes them when they're saying that there's a killer on the loose, and then they're the one that saves the town or something like that.

So, I think there's probably some like, identifying there. A feeling like that, sense of other that people aren't paying attention to.

Ralph Anthony

Exactly. Yeah.

Queer Horror Quiz (10:59)

Rob Loveless

Well, I do have a quick little Halloween pop quiz for you, if you're up for it.

Ralph Anthony

Oh my, okay.

Rob Loveless

It's, don't worry, it's not. There's no right or wrong answers. There's no trivia.

What I did was I actually went through and I pulled a list of different types of monsters. So, we're gonna go through the list, and I want you to tell me if you consider them to be queer or not, and why?

Ralph Anthony

Okay.

Rob Loveless

So, the first one, again, no right or wrong answers. So, the first one are vampires. Are they queer or not?

Ralph Anthony

Um, yeah. Well, I don't know. I just I consider vampires to be in touch with their with their feminine side.

Rob Loveless

I feel like there's a little bit of, like, they feel very fluid, you know? They seem to be very, like, sensual. They're, you know, seducing their victims, or anything like that.

Ralph Anthony

Yes.

Rob Loveless

Okay, next one. Ghosts.

Ralph Anthony

I don't think queer at all. I, this is hard, actually. Yeah, no, I, I, I don't, I don't. Yeah, I don't, I don't. I don't think queer at all. No.

Rob Loveless

I could see it going both ways, because, like, they could be like straight people, how they're just there and not contributing much, or, you know. I just, I just did a podcast episode on ghosting, and I feel like there is a high amount of ghosting sometimes with gay dating.

So, it could, it could really go either way, depending on how you're interpreting it, you know?

Ralph Anthony

Yeah.

Rob Loveless

Okay, the next one, and this might be a little bit spookier: demons.

Ralph Anthony

I want to say queer. I, because a lot of a lot of straight people like to associate with us with, like, demonic stuff.

And I think there was that whole, like, Pride Demon-th thing that was going on during, during Pride. So, I mean, I don't know. Might as well just own it now, I guess. I don't know.

Rob Loveless

That's a good tie into that because I forgot that. Um, for anybody who's not familiar, there was a sign that said Pride Month.

And somebody from the right, I don't know if it was on Twitter or what, but they erased, like, the P-R-I from Pride and the TH from month, so it just spelled demon.

So, somebody's like, see, there is a demonic connection to Pride. And...

Ralph Anthony

There was, like, shirts too, I believe.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, I think some of the some of the LGBTQ+ community at Pride that year, took it as kind of a badge of honor and made shirts out of it.

So, you know, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Make Pride demons. So, the next one is witches.

Ralph Anthony

Oh, I love a witch. I would say, I feel like both. It could be, it could either way.

Rob Loveless

Definitely, and if they're not queer themselves, definitely queer icons. Because I feel like a lot of the witches we see on TV are very campy and have a very gay appeal to them. So...

Ralph Anthony

Of course. You have the Hocus Pocus and...

Rob Loveless

Yeah, exactly.

Ralph Anthony

Charmed and Practical Magic. Like, just iconic. Like, so good.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, even going back to Glinda the Good Witch, you know?

Ralph Anthony

Yes, yes, yeah. I think a lot of queer people, like, look up to those types of characters. Because I, in my opinion, I believe, like, they always just give off, like, strong female just, you know, amazingness.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, they, they take care of themselves. They challenge the gender roles. Like, they don't need the patriarchy because they are their own.

You know, especially back in, like, the, you know, what was it the historical times of, like, the witchcraft and everything. They weren't married. They did their own thing.

They took care of themselves, which was very much against the status quo at the time.

Ralph Anthony

Yes, and they put hexes on people.

Rob Loveless

Exactly. Next is zombies.

Ralph Anthony

Ooh, zombies. I, I'm just going based off of like, like mainstream media. I feel like a lot of zombie, like, films and shows are mainly, like. I don't know, has there been queer characters in zombie?

I'm not really a zombie guy, but I feel like a lot of those, like, films and shows are, like, aimed more towards, like, traditional. I could be wrong, though.

I'm not a avid watcher of zombie flicks, so. Or the, what's that show, The Walking Dead? Yeah. So, I would, I would say, No, not, not, queer.

Rob Loveless

I don't. I've never really seen, I've never really watched too many zombie movies, and never got into The Walking Dead.

I think there might have been a gay storyline in that, but I can't imagine it being. I think it's kind of hard to picture a gay storyline in the midst of, like, a zombie apocalypse.

Ralph Anthony

I mean, there was one in the HBO Max show The Last of Us, which I heard was really good. But, I mean, those aren't zombies. Those are just people infected by that mushroom that I can't pronounce.

Rob Loveless

I know what you're talking about. Yeah. I'm thinking more of, like, the zombies, like, you know, the arms out, like, all maggoty and stuff, kind of.

Ralph Anthony

Oh yeah, definitely straight.

Rob Loveless

Yeah.

Ralph Anthony

I mean, not queer.

Rob Loveless

Exactly because the straights don't take care of their skin like we do so.

Ralph Anthony

Yes, yeah. They don't moisturize.

Rob Loveless

Yeah. Next is ogres. And, I mean, I have to admit, my first thought when I think of ogres is Shrek, but ogres as a general monster, I guess.

Ralph Anthony

I would say queer. I mean, I'm thinking of Shrek though, like that movie is just so colorful. Yeah, I would say ogres could be queer.

Rob Loveless

Um, we're getting, we're getting towards the bottom of the list. Here we have skeletons next.

Ralph Anthony

Skeletons. I don't know. I would, oh my gosh, I'm calling a skeleton, like, queer. Um, I, I, I would, I would say so. Like, they, I don't know. I don't I don't want to say the wrong thing. I'm like, sweating right now.

Rob Loveless

Oh my gosh, no. No, like, I said no, wrong answers for this. Purely just opinions,

Ralph Anthony

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I would say skeleton because they because they take care of themselves. I don't know. I don't know.

Rob Loveless

Okay, next is werewolves.

Ralph Anthony

Oh, definitely queer. Oh, yeah. Like, that's giving...

Rob Loveless

Like, daddy vibes.

Ralph Anthony

Yes, yes. Like, yeah. Very, like, zaddy, yes.

Rob Loveless

Yeah. Like, especially with werewolves, I think, like, one of. Not that it's a horror movie, but one of the, like. My parents were kind of strict about what I could watch when I was younger.

So, PG-13 was, like, we had to have a conversation about it. But one of, like, the first PG-13 movies I saw was Van Helsing. And there's…

Ralph Anthony

Oh my god. I was Oh my god. I was thinking about it, yes.

Rob Loveless

Yes, between...

Ralph Anthony

Hugh Jackman.

Rob Loveless

Yes. And then, I don't know whoever Kate Beckinsale's brother is, but he's the werewolf in it too. And just like the two of them, very much daddy vibes.

Yeah. Supposed to be like, all emotional and stuff, but I'm like, all right, but like, kind of, like, take off your shirt again. Yeah. I think we're both in the mindset they're daddy queer.

Ralph Anthony

Zaddy, yes. I think the ending where, after he kills Kate Beckinsale's character, and he's, like, howling, and then he, like, transforms, like, back into, like, human form.

And, like, he's, like, shirtless, and his pants are kind of ripped, and, like, you can see, like, his, his legs a little bit. I'm, like, okay, I, like, that was, like, a gay awakening for some. I'm sure.

Rob Loveless

Oh yeah, the director knew what he was doing there.

Ralph Anthony

Yes, yes.

Rob Loveless

Well, we are on our final two here. What about mummies? Queer or not queer?

Ralph Anthony

I feel like the mummy community is very, like, underappreciated. Um, I don't know a lot about them because, like, there isn't really a lot of, like, films and, like, I don't know.

Um, I just because I don't know much about. I feel like I'm talking about, like, an actual. I yeah, I would, I would, I would say not queer.

The only mummies I can think of is Under Wraps from the Disney Channel and, like, from the Goosebumps books. That's it. So, I mean, I would say not, not queer.

Rob Loveless

Okay, fair enough. And then the last one is goblins.

Ralph Anthony

Oh gosh, no. Not it. Because you have little goblins on the internet, just trolling people all the time. So, no, absolutely not. Not, not queer.

Rob Loveless

Exactly, the goblins are, like, the right-wing Karens.

Ralph Anthony

Exactly. I'm actually, like, deathly afraid of, like, like, um, have you heard of that, that film Leprechaun with Warwick Davis, it's like...

Rob Loveless

Oh my gosh, yeah.

Ralph Anthony

I get it. It's like a horror comedy. But I think that that's, like, one of my, like, worst childhood fears. I think even now, like, I can't even, like, look. It's so weird.

I can watch anything, like, demons and yeah, I'll, like, be scared of that. But, like, this little leprechaun I just cannot look at. It is the weirdest thing.

So definitely goblins, not queer. I want nothing to do with them. Goblins, leprechauns, like, no. No.

Rob Loveless

Anything small and trolly, no. It's actually funny, The Leprechaun. So, I remember, like, camping with my family when I was a kid, and my cousins are a few years older than me, and so they had seen it.

I hadn't, but like, my one cousin, like, held up a flashlight and jumped out of the woods and had it shining on his face. And, like, did the leprechaun voice. It was in the middle of the woods.

Like, no thank you. But then, as I got older, I actually watched, like, sat down and watched the movie, and I realized that the guy who you said, Warwick Davis, who played um, yeah, who played the leprechaun, he played Professor Flitwick in Harry Potter.

So, like, once, I knew that it didn't scare me as much. Like, it was the same thing with, um, The Ring.

I was terrified of The Ring. And then I found out that the girl who played, like Samara, is the voice of Lilo in Lilo & Stitch that took the scare out of it for me then after that.

Ralph Anthony

Oh, I didn't know that. Wow.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, I love that fun, like, those, like fun trivia things like that.

Ralph Anthony

Yeah.

Rob Loveless

With The Leprechaun too, like, Jennifer Aniston in one scene, I think she, like, twisted her ankle, or, like, hurt it really bad, and she still had to, like, run on it and, like, a chase scene. So.

Ralph Anthony

Yes, and to this day, she, like, says that she regrets ever doing that film. And, I mean, it's, it's a, it's a, it's a out there film. It's, I think it's more for, like, entertainment.

Obviously, like, you're not trying to go into it, trying to be scared. But I was.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, and they really, I mean, they cashed that check and just went with it, because there's at least four Leprechaun movies. There might even be more. I don't know how you can make that many of it.

Ralph Anthony

It's a full-on franchise. And I think he went to space, and he went to the...

Rob Loveless

Oh yeah.

Ralph Anthony

The hood. It's, it's pretty crazy, but it's still scary to be. I don't, I don't know why. I just, the makeup's that good, I guess.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, some things just, you know, they resonate with you a different way.

Ralph Anthony

Yeah.

Rob Loveless

So now, obviously, we went through kind of those different monster types there.

Queer Representation in Horror (21:30)

Rob Loveless

Taking it back to everything queer horror, who are some of your favorite queer horror characters, and why do you consider them to be queer?

Ralph Anthony

Um, I mean, I'm gonna have to go with my favorite franchise. First of all, I just want to commend, I believe they're called Radio Silence, the team who's responsible for the two recent Scream films, just for like, inclusion of like all types of orientations and genders, and just like queer representation.

My favorite character from the new franchise is Mindy, who is portrayed by Jasmin Savoy Brown, who is amazing. She's amazing.

I just, I love how, I believe she identifies as a lesbian in the film, but I could be wrong. Don't quote me on that.

But no, I just, I love how they made this like strong and like quick on their feet, sassy character, and I mean, she's not like a damsel in distress.

Like she is literally, like the comedic relief and like, she's so funny and she doesn't die, which is great. Spoiler alert.

And, yeah, I just, I think, like, as a queer person, like, like, that's the kind of representation that I would love to see more of in, like, main mainstream film, if that makes sense.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, definitely. And to your point, she's, you know, the comedic relief, but also, like, can take a hit.

Like, I mean, she on the subway, she was like stabbed, and then she's sitting at a subway station, like, they're like, are you okay? And she's just like, oh, go get him.

Like, she's not, like, waiting around for people to, like, take care of her. She's like, get him.

Ralph Anthony

Like, at the very end, she's like, running around, like, who's the killer? Who's the killer? I'm like, Girl you just got stabbed. Why are you running exactly?

No, yeah. That's like, just, like, a strong character. She was awesome.

Rob Loveless

Definitely, definitely. And then regarding queerness, whether we're talking about characters or storylines you kind of touched upon this already with inclusivity.

But what would you like to see more of in horror movies?

Ralph Anthony

I need to see a queer, final girl, final boy, final they. Just and like, like the main character. I don't, like, the side characters are great, but I just, I think it's time, like, I'm ready to see like a queer, like front runner.

Like, I want to see them be the main character. I want them to be the Sydney Prescott of their own franchise.

Like that would just be so cool, like, and I think we're in a time right now where, like, we're fighting for, like so much. And I just, I think that would be kind of important just to include that.

And I don't want a, like, straight-to-DVD film. I want, like, these big companies need to get together and put it out in theaters and back it like they do everything else.

But, I mean, I'm a very hopeful person, so just fingers crossed that, like, something like that were to happen because that would just be so awesome.

Rob Loveless

Like, Love, Simon, blockbuster size, but obviously, horror.

Ralph Anthony

Yes, yes, horror version, though, yeah. Like fighting and like bloody and just just seeing someone's like, journey.

Because that's another thing I like about horror, is some of these horror films, like they they showcase, like, someone's trauma and how it affects them throughout their their their life.

Like how these like scary events like take over their lives and it affects their mental health.

And like, I think that's also why I like the horror genre. If that sounds kind of crazy, but I don't know, it's just it's really cool to see someone who goes from being a victim to a fighter.

Rob Loveless

Definitely.

Scream Queer Podcast (25:33)

Rob Loveless

Well, shifting it up a little bit, I know we talked about it upfront, but tell us all about the Scream Queer Podcast.

Ralph Anthony

Okay, the Scream Queer Podcast. I always get so nervous when I get asked this question. It's essentially a horror True Crime podcast. But I don't just talk about Scream.

I like I said I wanted it to be kind of like a, I mean, because there are, like, other horror queer podcasts, but I just wanted to talk about everything.

Like, I didn't want to be just about true crime, just about scare movies. Like, obviously, I do talk about some more serious topics in there, and I don't know.

I just, I if I can, just, like, help or identify with just even one person, then I did something right. But, yeah, it's, it's, it's, it started off quite messy, which is why, if you're looking for a first season, I kind of archived it until further notice.

But I just, I think what I was talking about then wasn't really relevant to what's going on now. Like, I said I wanted to talk about, like, more important issues.

I just didn't want to talk about, like, sexual stuff, which is kind of what I did in the beginning. And I I kind of regret that, but, I mean, we all got to start somewhere.

But yeah, so it's just a, it's a, it's a true crime horror podcast. And I just, I, I really got into like, my little like storyteller kind of era, too. And it, it seems to be a hit where I do all my research.

I essentially create little essays for like, each case that I do research on, and then I just, kind of, like, I read it in like a really, like deep and like slow voice, and, yeah. And that's that's been doing really well.

Am I even answering your question, or I'm just going off on a tangent here? Like...

Rob Loveless

No, yeah, you're definitely answering it. I mean, like I said, this is your chance tell us everything about Scream Queer.

Ralph Anthony

Okay, okay, yeah, yeah. And, I mean, I answer listeners submitted questions. I share listeners' submitted paranormal stories, which has been really cool.

Some of the things that these people go through, it's, it's pretty bizarre and extraordinary. Like it's, I it's just so crazy.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, I know, listening to some of, I remember there was, I think it might have been a Valentine's Day episode. You did, like horror hookup stories. And some of those were wild.

Ralph Anthony

Yes, oh my gosh, yes. And very scary. That's why everyone should be very careful when using these hookup apps. Oh yeah, that's the other thing.

And I just, I want there to be some sort of lesson taught like to not, to not go into a really scary house that you might feel you'll get attacked in.

Like you just have to be very vigilant and just aware of your surroundings because people are crazy, you guys.

Rob Loveless

Can't trust anyone, especially when there's a full moon.

Ralph Anthony

Yeah, exactly, exactly.

Rob Loveless

Do you have any personal horror stories or scary experiences of your own?

Ralph Anthony

My life. No, I'm totally joking. No...

Rob Loveless

That's how I would answer for myself.

Ralph Anthony

You know what? I wish I did, but at the same time, I'm glad I've never really experienced anything. I think the only thing close to that is, is my dad, who I've had on the podcast.

I mean, I can share that story. That's where he was driving with one of his girlfriends back from somewhere, and it was like out in the middle of nowhere.

And he just, I, he believed that he had seen some extraterrestrial object hovering over a barn, and he said it was really similar to a Ferris wheel, but there was nothing underneath it, like holding it, but it was just like spinning over some barn.

And, I mean, why would there be a Ferris wheel in the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere, over a barn? I don't know, but, but, yeah, I think, like, that's like the closest it get, I get to having, like, a paranormal experience.

But I'm not out here, kind of like hoping for one, because I don't know how I would react. Like I said, I'm such a huge chicken, and I'm scared of my own shadow at times, which is really weird for me to say.

Rob Loveless

I totally get it. It's like I like all the scary stuff, but I don't want it anywhere near my life. So, I like watching, like, unsolved mysteries, all that stuff.

But like, if that were to happen, like, too close to home, I'd be like, no, thank you.

Ralph Anthony

Yeah. And that, it doesn't help with that theme song. Like that theme song is just, it's iconic, but at the same time, it's just so haunting and scary.

Rob Loveless

Oh yeah, that, in and of itself, is, like, scary enough. And then you actually get into like, the meat of the episode, and you're like, oh my god, how am I sleeping tonight?

Ralph Anthony

Yes, yes.

True-Life Horror Story (30:25)

Rob Loveless

Well, with that in mind too, I believe you've prepared a true crime case for us from one of your listeners. Is that correct?

Ralph Anthony

I did.

Rob Loveless

Awesome. Do you want to kind of just set that up and tell us a little bit about it before we play the clip?

Ralph Anthony

Of course. Well, I was sent an anonymous story of a woman who was living by herself. I believe she had just moved out from her parents' home. So, and anyway, she was experiencing some paranormal activity one night where she heard loud banging, and then she'd seen some, like a really creepy face next to her, and then she was being harassed by this really odd man who kept knocking on her door, asking for help. And every time she would try to call for help, he would vanish.

Rob Loveless

That sounds creepy, so let's check it out.

Ralph Anthony

Everything started on a random Saturday in the summer of 2019. It was approximately 2:30 am. I had just gotten home from my shift at my local bar. A night of serving drinks all night had me beat.

I was exhausted, but I couldn't sleep. After what felt like an eternity of tossing and turning, I decided to scroll on my phone. As I lay there in bed, the room was cloaked with an unsettling silence.

Something was off tonight. Bang, bang, bang. I jolt up. Am I being robbed? I start to panic, but before I could get up to investigate the sound, I feel an icy chill on my right shoulder.

Goosebumps prickled my skin as I turned to my right only to find an elderly woman's face beside me. The face was shrouded in darkness, but what I could make out was a woman staring, eyes wide and mouth open, as if she was in pain or afraid.

At this moment, I backed away, falling off of my bed. I struggled to gain my balance and stand, so I just remember crawling out of the room until I could get up and storm out.

I scream from my living room, get out of my house. I'm calling the police, but there is no answer. I quietly walk to the door and peek out of its small, built-in window. No one is there.

No windows appear to be broken or open. I walk back to my room without hesitation, almost ready to fight whoever was in there. I switch on the light.

There's nobody there. I remember immediately crying, hyperventilating. Then everything went dark. I remember waking up on the floor the next morning, completely exhausted.

I get up, walk over to my bed, and go back to sleep. Days passed, but the memory lingered like a ghostly specter. I remember discussing it with my parents.

In typical parenting fashion, I was scolded by my mother. This is why you need a roommate. I told you not to move into that place alone. My dad jumping in, you can come home.

Growing up with strict parents, I valued my independence. I love my parents, don't get me wrong, but this random and unexplainable occurrence wasn't going to push me back home.

Later that evening, I was back in my place. A knock at the door shattered the tranquility of my evening. I wasn't afraid, but for some reason, I was hesitant to open the door. I stayed still.

The knocking continued. This time it didn't stop. One knock after another. My heart skipped a beat as I cautiously stood up and approached. I'm scared now. My hand trembling as I reached for the doorknob.

There standing before me was a pale, middle-aged man, almost resembling my dad. His eyes filled with desperation. He pleaded for my help. His voice trembling with fear and urgency.

I asked him what was going on, and all he kept saying was, they're out here trying to kill me. Please call the police. He attempted to come inside, but I quickly shut the door, yelling for him to wait.

I wasn't sure if this was a real cry for help or a potential threat. Fear gripped me, and I quickly backed up silently and reached for my phone to call the authorities, hoping to offer some assistance.

I never once turned away from the door. As I opened the door, the man, he vanished, gone, leaving me standing there in disbelief.

The room felt heavy with an otherworldly energy, the air thick with mystery and unanswered questions. I made my report to the police, but I never had any follow-up. Days turned into nights.

The encounters continued sporadically. Whispers in the dead of night would rouse me from my sleep. I would find myself having vivid dreams coming face to face with the elderly woman I had seen prior, but in these dreams, her presence was both comforting and haunting.

We would exchange unspoken words, a silent connection forming between us. The most unexplainable was the pale, middle-aged man. He returned.

I told him I called the police once before, questioning why he left, questioning everything. Either I was going insane, he was on something, or I was stuck in some sort of time loop.

Leaving me on edge, I left my door open as I rushed to grab my phone, desperate to capture evidence of his existence. In that moment, my door slammed shut. When I opened it, he was gone.

These encounters left me with a sense of unease, yet with so many questions. Who were they? What were they trying to communicate to me? Was I going crazy? Was it in my head?

I relocated when my girlfriend and I started to get more serious, moving in together. You can believe what you will, but to me, these experiences were very, very real. I still have dreams of the old woman.

Rob Loveless

Well, that was, like I said when I listened to that earlier, that was super freaky, especially the part with the head showing up there. Like, if I was sleeping and just saw that...

Ralph Anthony

Yeah. Exactly how, like, she wrote it, like, how she just, like, fell out of bed and just like, kind of was just crawling. That's probably exactly how I would like react too because I don't know what I would do.

Like just to see a face that's with their mouth open and eyes just, oh my gosh. No way. There's no way.

Rob Loveless

That's always something that, like, gives me chills, like, when you're watching a scary movie, or, like a true crime thing, whatever, and it's just somebody like shows up in the bedroom like they're like out of the closet, or something like that.

That's like, something about that. Like, I mean, a lot of scary things happen, but like that just is way too freaky for me.

Ralph Anthony

Yeah, like, just to see something there, like watching you, like a shadowy figure. Like, absolutely not.

Rob Loveless

That was like, did you ever watch the Slender Man videos on YouTube?

Ralph Anthony

Terrifying. I that, that whole, even though it's, it's like, not real, but it's still terrifying to me.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, because it's like found footage, so it feels real.

But do you know the clip of them talking about where it's like the guy, like the guy's recording himself sleeping, and you see, like the static and stuff, and then all of a sudden, one frame shows up, and there's a guy in a mask just sitting at the foot of his bed watching him sleep?

That's what I was thinking of when you're talking about the case so it's like, oh my god. I'm probably not gonna sleep tonight now that I just unlocked that memory.

But... Not the kind of man you want to wake up to in the middle of the night.

Ralph Anthony

Oh, absolutely not. No way. There's another one on the internet. I believe it's on YouTube. It's, it's a short film called Lights Out. It's of this girl who, I'm not sure if you're familiar with it, but it's of this girl.

I think they made it into, like an actual full-length film, but I'm talking about the the short film version.

So, this woman is, like, in in her house, and every time she turns off a light, she sees like a shadow figure of like a girl.

And anyway, so she ends up going to sleep, and then she hears noises again, and then when she turns on her light, there's like this really ugly, like scary face that's just like watching her.

And that's what I thought of and I was like, Oh my gosh. Like, I don't, I think I would just probably like, die of a heart attack, like, because that is so terrifying.

Rob Loveless

Absolutely not. That's... no thank you.

Ralph Anthony

Yeah, I claim none of that energy, so don't read it to me.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, I love watching it for entertainment purposes, but I do not need that in my own life.

Ralph Anthony

No, no, my life's already messy right now. I'm just kidding.

Episode Closing (39:24)

Rob Loveless

Well, shifting gears a little bit, connecting the tarot to today's episode with all things spooky, Queen of Pentacles in reverse. It's indicating that we need to nurture ourselves.

So literally, we need to watch our own backs. Watch out for those killers, watch out for the slashers, and make sure we're taking care of ourselves.

So, a little bit looser of an interpretation there, but taking it a step further in general, you know, make sure we're checking with ourselves, taking care of ourselves, and prioritizing what we need to keep our lives in balance.

Connect with Ralph (39:51)

Rob Loveless

Ralph, thank you again for joining today. I, like I said, I've been a big fan of the podcast, so I was really excited to have you on.

Can you please tell everyone where they can find you, connect with you, and hear more of those spooky stories that you told us today?

Ralph Anthony

Yeah, well, first of all, thank you. I, like I said, I was kind of like geeking out. Just thank you for having me on to like, share my, share my, like, little story. I am really grateful for that.

But yeah, you can find me on Instagram. Personal account is @ralphanthonyyy with three y's. The podcast account is @screamqueerpodcast, and that's pretty much like where I spend most of my time.

Rob Loveless

And is there anything else upcoming that you want to kind of tease for everyone about, either the podcast or any other ventures or anything?

Ralph Anthony

Um, there's, like, some collabs coming up. Um, just expect to see more of me, because I'm going to be like a roach that, that won't go away. I'm gonna, I'm gonna creep onto your phones. And, yeah.

Rob Loveless

Awesome. Well, I cannot wait for that. And everyone definitely check out Scream Queer Podcast. Go follow him on Instagram. You will not be sorry. It is so entertaining, so spooky.

Usually listen to it in the morning when I'm at the gym and like, especially when there's like, the 9-1-1, transcripts going on in there, I get chills. It's scary, but super entertaining. So go check it out.

Connect with A Jaded Gay (41:14)

Rob Loveless

For everybody you know the drill. You can follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok, SoundCloud, and YouTube @ajadedgaypod. You can follow me, Rob Loveless, personally on Instagram @rob_loveless.

Also, consider following the podcast on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. You get access to episodes a day early, ad-free, along with bonus content.

And remember, every day is all we have, so you got to make your own happiness.

Mmm-bye.

Outtake (42:04)

Ralph Anthony

Hello?

Rob Loveless

Can you hear me?

Ralph Anthony

Uh oh. Oh, there you are. Oh, my gosh. The worst luck. I'm so sorry.

Rob Loveless

You're okay. Yeah, I think there might be a slight lag in my audio. I don't know if I'm ahead or behind you.

Ralph Anthony

It's those spirits. It's those spirits, I'm telling you because we're talking about it.

Rob Loveless

I know we talked too much about it. Now they're just interfering.

Ralph Anthony

Yeah, now they're coming after us.