Episode 189: The Gang’s All Queer w/ Dr. Vanessa Panfil

For today’s episode, Tyrell and Daphne welcome Dr. Vanessa Panfil, an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University. They begin the episode by learning more about Dr. Panfil and her path to becoming a criminologist, ethnographer, and advocate. They also have a conversation about the field of queer criminology (08:30) as well as how her identity shaped the process of researching her book,The Gang’s all Queer (13:00). Next, they discuss the importance of framing cultural messages about LGBTQ people (24:27), myths and misconceptions related to growing up queer in disadvantaged communities (29:10), how gay and queer gang members navigate their identities and sexuality (35:35), and other takeaways from the book (45:10). They close the episode by discussing the implications of her book being developed into a HBO series by Jaboukie Young-White and Issa Rae as well as what’s on the horizon for Dr. Panfil and queer criminology (55:15).  

Other Topics Include: 

00:30 – Catch up with Ty and Daphne

03:50 – Learn more about Dr. Vanessa Panfil

1:01:05 –  Ty and Daphne Reflect on the Interview 

Resources:

• BhD Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/bhdpodcast 
• Faculty website – https://www.odu.edu/directory/people/v/vpanfil 
• Twitter – @VanessaPanfil
• The Gang’s All Queer – https://nyupress.org/9781479870028/the-gangs-all-queer/ 
• Jaboukie Young-White, Issa Rae Team for ‘Gang’s All Queer’ Series at HBO – https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/jaboukie-young-white-issa-rae-team-for-gangs-all-queer-series-at-hbo-1234993708/