Out Takes

27 May 2016

Cher vs X-Men (!)

Arts, TV & Film

This week on Out Takes we celebrate the theatrical release of X-MEN: APOCALYPSE by asking: how queer are Marvel’s X-Men? Wolverine doesn’t have a shrine to Judy Garland, nor Storm a pink triangle on her costume, but something about this motley band of ethnically diverse rebels taps into a broader queer sensibility. These are (anti) heroes whose super powers aren’t imbued on them by disaster (Spiderman anyone? Or the Hulk?) but conferred on them at birth. Mutants forced by persecution into hiding, who find for themselves in Xavier’s ‘school for the gifted’ a sense of community, and pride. We look at some of the queerest moments in the 15 year long franchise, and wonder at the direction X:MEN will take post Bobby Drake’s coming out in Uncanny X-Men #600.

This week also marks the 70th birthday of one of gay culture’s most loved divas: CHER. We take a brief look at the trend setting Academy Award winner’s illustrious career, and ask what makes her such a formidable gay icon.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:06 — 22.9MB)

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | Deezer | RSS

17 Mar 2026

Oscars Recap 2026

TV & Film

For this Out Takes Extra, we got together 24 hours post-Oscars for a debrief and to see if any of ...

17 Mar 2026

2026 GLAAD Media Awards, A Nice Indian Boy interview encore and our Oscar predictions

TV & Film

With Awards season wrapping up for another year, we thought we’d celebrate some of the winners at this year’s GLAAD ...

10 Mar 2026

Melbourne Women in Film Festival 2026, The Moment and A Friend of Dorothy

TV & Film

For this Out Takes, we welcomed the return of the Melbourne Women in Film Festival. Running from March 19–23 across ACMI ...