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It's gay Christmas! 👻 Get into the spooky spirit and support our tiny independent podcast by shopping small at bit.ly/lezmerch. Our Gay Ghosties and Brat Skellies are ready to haunt your wardrobe!
Welcome back to Lez Hang Out, the podcast that thinks even your inner demons deserve a snatched waist.
This week, co-hosts Leigh (@lshfoster) and Ellie (@elliebrigida) hang out with artist and author Bill Crisafi (@billsafi) to discuss his new book, The Glam Reaper's Guide to Slaying: Life Lessons for Rebellious Souls.
Bill's spooky roots run deep. Growing up around Salem, Massachusetts, he was essentially a spooky gay from birth. By kindergarten, he was already teaching his classmates how to draw witches and attempting to fly around on a mop like Sarah Sanderson. Between Leigh’s own experiences in Salem and Ellie's family hailing from Dorchester, we had plenty of New England nostalgia to bond over.
Believe it or not, Bill never even pitched the book! Penguin approached him about turning the delightfully unhinged characters from his artwork into a self-help guide, including the Glam Reaper, a fierce bitch in high heels inspired in part by his mom. When Bill’s mom sadly passed away during the writing process, he found himself working through his own inner demons while creating a guide that could help others do the same.
We talk with Bill about the pressures of monetizing creativity, the difference between being a bitch and being THAT bitch, and the absolute horror of accidentally sending a heinous emoji to the ONE straight guy in the Penguin WhatsApp chat. Bill also opens up about coming out at 26 on Christmas Day to his macho Italian family and discovering the joys of the drag community through his partner.
If there's anyone we trust to make Halloween a little more slay, it's Bill. With Ellie's wife Bailey dressing as Spider-Man, we needed some help figuring out Ellie's costume. Naturally, Bill's very specific appreciation for certain actresses' teeth leads him to suggest Kirsten Dunst's mouth. I hate gay Christmas. What do you mean you're Kirsten Dunst's MOUTH?!
Pick up your own copy of The Glam Reaper's Guide to Slaying and check out Bill's collection of prints, plushies, pins, shirts, and more at billcrisafi.com.
What's your spooky root? Give us your own answers to our Q & Gay and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and BlueSky @lezhangoutpod. Email us at lezhangoutpod@gmail.com. Connect with us individually: Ellie Brigida (@elliebrigida) and Leigh Holmes Foster (@lshfoster).
