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Rick Stokes did what almost every gay man in Kansas did back in the 1950s- he got married to a woman. His wife knew that he had a number of gay experiences before they got […]
Fausto Fernós is the host of iTunes’ #1 LGBT talk show, the Feast of Fun podcast, which he produces and hosts with his partner, Marc Felion.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fausto Fernós created the Feast of Fools in 1998 as wacky artists variety show in Chicago, Illinois. Feast of Fun grew out of an audio blog to promote the live show into the world’s most downloaded talk show aimed for gay people.
When he’s not blogging, recording or sleeping, Fausto can be found at the gym or appreciating the beauty found in nature.
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Comments
Fausto and Marc, you guys amaze me. This is perhaps one of the most important podcasts you have ever made. Rick Stokes is such a part of LGBT history not only for the bay area but for our overall shared history. I was amazed at the perspective he was able to give through the stories of his own personal life and his participation in some pivotal historical events. I was riveted to his words and realized that we owe a lot of what we enjoy today to people like him who pioneered the way for us. Thank you for proving once again why the Feast of Fools is the best podcast on the Internet!
Rick is a genuinely amazing man. He’s one of my bosses and I knew he had a fascinating history, but I learned so much about him in this interview. His story is so inspirational. It’s so easy for us to whine about the challenges we face today, imagine facing what Rick did and not only surviving, but finding the personal strength to demand and create change. We should all take a page from his life and actually do the work to make the world a better place, rather than just talk about it.
Bravo!
Really enjoyed Rick’s perspective of gay history, San Francisco culture, and perhaps his reminders to us of what we should consider going forward.
Thank you for interviewing Rick Stokes. He is a perfect example of a businessman who truly gives back to the community. Without men like him who paved the way for us, where would we all be?
This was one of the most compelling shows I’ve ever heard on Feast of Fools. Rick’s stories of the history and the development of the gay rights movements and the events that shaped them– as well as his own personal struggles– were interesting, moving and deeply touching. Thank you so much for bringing him on the show so we can learn about this amazing man.
Your interviewing was again insightful, respectful, and so well-done.
An amazing show. You guys keep raising the bar. Thanks for this interview. Rick is an amazing person. I wish I had met someone like him twenty years ago. He would have changed my life. Now, thanks to your podcast he can continue to change the lives of others with his wisdom.
Aren’t we lucky to have the internet, blogs, communites and podcasts like this one to find each other and communicate in a mass medium, but on an intimate level?
THANK YOU RICK!!!
When the Milk movie comes out later this year, I really hope they portray Rick Stokes in a fair and balanced light, and not as an “Uncle Tom” of the gay community for mere dramatic effect. Both Milk and Stokes are/were pioneers, like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were for the black community. I hope the movie emphasizes that!
Marc and Fausto, please have Rick Stokes back on the show when Milk premieres in October and get his two cents on the movie and on how he was portrayed.
What a rare and wonderful opportunity to learn about our history from the source. Thank you guys for having Rick on. His comments regarding homeless people sound like the comments of a business owner. We actually have Reagan to thank for closing the state hospitals and flooding the streets with patients who receive a monthly social security check. And as anyone can attest there are virtually no public toilets in SF especially for someone without money.
This episode was extremely interesting and informing. I love your shows that help connect us to the story of how we got to where we are today in our community.
What an amazing show today. Rick’s story is so moving and compelling. Love it!
I would love to get a hold of Mr. Rick Stokes can someone please help me? My email is nikoleam53@yahoo.com. I think he is amazing. I watched “The word is out” and would love to know how to meet him for a cup of coffee……………….nikoleam53@yahoo.com
“Do you think we are overreacting to HIV/AIDS these days? Why not?” What a STUPID comment. In a city where 1 out of every 4 gay men you meet is HIV+ and with infection rates that are STILL at epidemic levels and with HIV rates GROWING among men under 30… we are definitely NOT overreacting enough. That sort of “we don’t need to worry/care” attitude is a BIG part of the problem!
You might want to watch the movie “We were here”, by SF doc filmmaker David Weissman. It’s a great documentary of the city’s response to HIV/AIDS. It was nominated for an Oscar.