24. YUL Plurality-Pt. 1 — Hey Ally & Michael

About this episode

The episode discusses the intersection of gender identity and chemsex through the experiences of the host and guests.

Montréal Host Éric introduces Ally and Michael to center gender-diverse voices in the chemsex conversation. Éric connects his drug use to his non-binary identity, discussing how gender dysphoria and a lack of affirming care can make substances a survival mechanism. Michael explains using chemsex to cope with transition-related isolation and to disconnect from bodily anxiety. Ally shares their journey from a religious background to Canada, where chemsex initially offered an escape from shame to explore identity. Together, they reflect on substance use as a temporary "solution" to a lack of validation, eventually realizing how these experiences helped them identify their authentic selves and what they needed to live truly. If you’re looking for support, please explore our list of Chemsex resources/services.

People in this episode

Host: Éric

Guests: Ally, Michael

Topics covered

• chemsex
• gender diversity
• non-binary identity
• substance use
• mental health
• identity exploration

Keywords

• chemsex
• gender diversity
• non-binary
• substance use
• mental health
• identity
• isolation

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Montréal, Canada

More episodes of Chemstories – a podcast about PnP/chemsex (English-language edition)

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• 31. YHZ Maturity-Pt. 1 — Hey Harry & Hector · May 21, 2026 · 30 min
• 30. YHZ Resilience-Pt. 2 — Giving Grace · May 15, 2026 · 31 min
• 29. YHZ Resilience-Pt. 1 — Hey Steven & James · May 15, 2026 · 33 min
• 28. YHZ Activism — Hey Andrew · May 8, 2026 · 28 min
• 27. YHZ Prelude — Why It's Important, Halifax · May 8, 2026 · 9 min